Cost for developing in a flood plain
Cost for developing in a flood plain
(OP)
I would like to ask a general question about a development plan which my town, the City of Sebastopol, CA is formulating. It will allow development of 54 acres of an old industrial section of town. It envisions New Urbanism, with municipal buildings, commercial and four story residential structures.
Much of the development is below the 100 year flood line and close to the Laguna, a wetlands area. The plan calls elevating the development either on a parking podium or on 8 feet of fill. Also, the soils are prone to liquifaction and will probably need deep piers.
My question is about the cost of developing this type of land. I'm afraid that the City is going to set itself up for some very expensive real estate. That's not the intention of the Planners who want to encourage local businesses. They say they don't want to see big box stores and chains take over the town.
Does anyone have a guess about how much a pier system like this would cost and or if fill is a reasonable option? Would this kind of foundation add significant costs to the development? Would it make the commercial and residential costs much more expensive than surrounding development?
Thanks for your feedback.





RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
I agree that the best use would be a park or pasture. But, the City is determined to make some money out of the 54 acres. I'm trying to get a sense of how much this kind of development might cost. That issue hasn't really been addressed in all the EIR debates.
Thanks---Peter
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
Just some idle ramblings. . . .
f-d
¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
Thanks---Peter
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
RE: Cost for developing in a flood plain
Select the site or sites based on the greatest cost (low elevation, high water surface, large area inundation, etc).
Prepare a strategy to improve the area with fill, FEMA LOMR (with fill) etc. Request bids for each project. This is enough to give the planners a basis to continue their efforts and to justify to
the citizens their rational.
Once the public is provided with this data, they will support or reject the idea.