PALM COAST, Fla. – The Palm Coast City Council has agreed to consider pausing the building of infill lots in the city after a slew of residents blamed the construction for flooding their properties.
Infill lots are single lots between existing homes and people in those existing homes told News 6 their yards flood every time it rains. They blame new homes built higher than theirs. Currently, there is not a maximum of how high new construction can be built.
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Another reason for the flooding is that houses built before 2004 were allowed to grade their properties so that they drained onto adjacent lots. However, those lots are being developed and the older property’s stormwater has nowhere to go.
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Last month, the city’s stormwater drainage department outlined proposed changes to its technical manual. Under the proposal, homes would only be allowed to be built a maximum of 10 inches higher than the house next door.
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The city has created a task force to try to resolve the issue. It has also directed the city manager to document each homeowner who comes forward with flooding concerns. A decision has not yet been made on how to fix the issue and if the city will pay for it.
Leaders are set to discuss the building pause at the next city council meeting on Jan. 16.
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