Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain To: All interested Agencies including all Federal, State, and Local, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under 24 CFR Part 50 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. HUD is considering providing financial assistance for the proposed new construction of a multi-family townhome complex to be known as Killian Woods Townhomes (subject property) under the HUD MAP 221(d)(4) Program. The proposed project will be located at 1214 Longreen Parkway, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina 29229 and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and contains wetland areas. The FHA collateral consists of approximately 37.72 acres of undeveloped grassland and wooded land. In addition, Crane Creek Tributary 8 and associated freshwater emergent and forested/shrub wetland areas are located on the southern portion of the subject property. It should be additionally noted that a small portion of the northeastern adjacent tract of land associated with the future ingress/egress and water main and a portion of the eastern adjacent tract of land associated with future ingress/egress, frontage improvements, and a water line extension, are included as part of the analysis due to HUD's aggregation requirements. The proposed undertaking consists of the new construction of a forty-nine (49)-building, 234-unit multi-family townhome development with a clubhouse and maintenance building. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach. According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) #45079C-0139L, dated December 21, 2017, as confirmed via the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Floodplain Map Viewer, the majority of the subject property is located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as an area outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. However, the northwestern portion of the subject property is located within Shaded Zone X, designated as an area within the 500-year floodplain associated with Roberts Branch. According to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center accessed at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home, there are no preliminary or pending FIRMs for the subject property. According to the provided Overall Site Plan prepared by Civil Engineering of Columbia dated July 25, 2025, portions of Detention Pond #1 will be located within the 500-year floodplain associated with Roberts Branch and as such, approximately 0.30 acres of FFRMS floodplain will be impacted by the proposed action. No residential buildings, community facilities, or other habitable structures are proposed within the FFRMS floodplain. The proposed action is not a critical action as defined by 24 CFR 55.2(b)(3). According to the provided Existing Conditions Plan prepared by Civil Engineering of Columbia dated July 25, 2025, there is a 1.92-acre pond and 5.65-acres of delineated wetlands located on the southern portion of the subject property. According to the Overall Site Plan, also prepared by Civil Engineering of Columbia dated July 25, 2025, the existing pond and wetland area will be protected by a 100-foot wetlands buffer, and will not be disturbed as part of development and new construction activities. In their natural state, floodplains are hydrologically important, environmentally sensitive, and ecologically productive areas that perform many natural functions. They contain both cultural and natural resources that are of great value to society. Flood waters can carry nutrient-rich sediments which contribute to a fertile environment for vegetation, and floodplains are beneficial for wildlife by creating a variety of habitats for fish and other animals. In addition, floodplains are important because of storage and conveyance, protection of water quality, and recharge of groundwater. The floodplain under consideration primarily provides floodwater storage and conveyance, supports water quality maintenance and groundwater recharge, and contributes to local wildlife habitat. The floodplain is not known to provide recreational, educational, or other public use functions. HUD has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain and wetland areas: (1) The project team evaluated opportunities to locate Detention Pond #1 outside of the FFRMS floodplain. However, the only feasible area outside of the floodplain is located within the southern portion of the property, where jurisdictional wetlands are present. Relocating Detention Pond #1 to this area would require disturbance and potential impacts to these wetlands, which are proposed to remain undisturbed as part of the development. Accordingly, this modification was not selected because it would avoid floodplain impacts at the expense of impacting higher-value wetland resources. (2) Reducing the footprint of the detention pond was considered to minimize the extent of floodplain impacts. However, the detention pond has been designed to satisfy applicable stormwater management requirements for the proposed development. Further reducing its size would not provide sufficient stormwater storage capacity or meet applicable design criteria and regulatory requirements. The larger Detention Pond #2 is located outside of the FFRMS floodplain. Therefore, this modification was not considered feasible. (3) Adjustments to the site layout were considered to reduce or eliminate the need for the detention pond within the FFRMS floodplain. However, the proposed layout has been designed to avoid jurisdictional wetlands and other environmental constraints while meeting project objectives, local development standards, and stormwater management requirements. Further modifications would not eliminate the need for stormwater management infrastructure and would either shift impacts to more environmentally sensitive resources or substantially reduce the project's functionality. (4) The No Action Alternative was also considered. Although no disturbance would occur within the FFRMS floodplain, it would not achieve the purpose and need of the proposed action, which is to develop the site with new multi-family townhomes to increase the availability of quality housing. Therefore, the No Action Alternative would not meet the project objectives or address the identified housing need, and thus the No Action Alternative was determined to be impracticable. (5) Approval of the project as currently designed was considered. As proposed, the action would result in approximately 0.30 acres of impact within the FFRMS floodplain due to the construction of a stormwater detention pond. No residential buildings or other habitable structures are proposed within the FFRMS floodplain. The detention pond is a necessary component of the project's stormwater management system and is intended to safely convey and detain stormwater runoff generated by the proposed development while supporting compliance with applicable stormwater management requirements. According to the Limited Scope Update to a Comprehensive Market Study prepared by Real Property Research Group, Inc. (RPRG), the strong local economy is expected to continue fueling demand for housing. RPRG calculations suggest 42,525 households reside in the Killian Woods Market Area as of February 2026, a number that is expected to increase to 45,755 households by February 2029. There is suitable demand and supporting uses for the subject property, making it desirable for multi-family development. The proposed development is suitable for carrying out HUD's mission of assisting in providing safe, suitable living environments. Therefore, this alternative was selected as the most practical option. The following actions will be taken to offset and reduce the floodplain impacts: (1) No residential buildings, community facilities, or other habitable structures or areas of congregation are proposed within the FFRMS floodplain. Impacts within the floodplain are limited to approximately 0.30 acres associated with the construction of a stormwater detention pond, which serves as a non-habitable component of the project's stormwater management system. (2) The proposed development will incorporate a comprehensive stormwater management system consisting of two (2) stormwater detention basins designed in accordance with Richland County's Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinances. Stormwater runoff will be conveyed through catch basins, piping, and swales to the detention basins, which are designed to temporarily detain and regulate runoff, promote controlled discharge, and reduce the potential for erosion and downstream flooding. Appropriate erosion and sediment control measures will also be implemented during construction to minimize temporary impacts to the floodplain and downstream water resources. (3) To further reduce potential risks to future residents, the property owner or management will develop and maintain an emergency evacuation plan and resident notification procedures for severe weather and flood events. These procedures will provide residents with information regarding emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, and appropriate response actions should flooding or other hazardous conditions occur. (4) Additionally, wooded areas and jurisdictional wetlands located in the southern portion of the property will remain undisturbed and will be protected through the implementation of a restrictive covenant. Preserving these natural resources will maintain higher-value hydrologic and ecological functions on the site, including stormwater storage, water quality protection, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and natural flood attenuation. Based on this reevaluation, no additional practicable modifications have been identified that would further reduce impacts to the FFRMS floodplain while achieving the purpose and need of the project. With implementation of the identified mitigation measures, the proposed action represents the practicable alternative that best balances the project's objectives with the protection of floodplain functions and other environmentally sensitive resources. HUD has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the HUD at the following address on or before August 29, 2026 [a minimum 7 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 8th day after the publication]: HUD, 400 W Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, Attention: Mark Malec, Branch Chief, Technical Team. Mark Malec's direct phone number is (904) 208- 6054 and email is Mark.E.Malec@hud.gov. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8am to 5pm at the same address as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at southeast.production@hud.gov. Jonathan Mosley, acting in his capacity as Production Division Director of the HUD Multifamily Southeast Regional Center, is the HUD Approving Official. Persons requiring special accommodations, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency, may contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the contact information provided above to request assistance in reviewing project materials or submitting comments. IPL0366918 Aug 21 2026