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City Gears For Construction Boom As Natomas Building Moratorium May Be Lifted

NATOMAS (CBS13) — Empty lots and half-built homes may finally get finished starting this spring if a six-year building moratorium is lifted by FEMA in Natomas.

The city's planning department is preparing for development to take off, with thousands of projects expected this year.

What looks desolate now is in store for a building boom, exciting residents who moved in six years ago.

"We were happy until later on when i heard that they stopped construction," said Bhubinder Mar.

Her home was built in 2008 right before the Federal Emergency Management Agency put a building ban in place in Natomas. The region didn't meet flood protection requirements, sending her property value plummeting.

"I thought, 'What's the difference? They let us live here.' Then six months later, no homes," she said.

The levees that were in question are still being improved alongside the Sacramento River. The Army Corps of Engineers determined they would not protect parts of Natomas enough before.

The city says Natomas now has the infrastructure in place, and expects FEMA to lift the building moratorium as early as June.

"There have been many businesses that have shown an interest but we haven't been able to build to their needs, and now we'll be able to do that. so it's sort of like Natomas is back in business," said Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby.

In the city's planning department, Scot Mende is busier than ever. He anticipates more parks and classrooms to accommodate new students and updated traffic patterns.

"You may have increases in roads, construction, local streets, major streets, traffic signals. Everyone's gearing up," he said.

Mende expects to phase-in at least 5,000 shovel-ready projects, including shopping centers, multi-family homes and apartment complexes.

"We're phasing development in to first concentrate on those areas where there was substantial investment by property owners, but had to arrest developments," he said.

Despite the flood protections that are present, homeowners will still be required to have flood insurance.

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