Natomas Ready To Start Building As Feds Expected To End 7-Year Moratorium
NATOMAS (CBS13) — The construction drought appears to be over the the Natomas basin in Sacramento as federal regulators are expected to give the green light to building more schools, homes and businesses.
Concerns over flooding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were felt thousands of miles away in Natomas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency raised standards for levees after the 2005 hurricane. This put previously OK levees classified as substandard, which halted construction in Natomas in 2008.
The impact stretched beyond new homes. The moratorium also stopped a dozen families whose homes were damaged by fire from rebuilding.
Come June, residential and commercial construction can finally get moving for the first time in seven years. But city leaders say they want to take a measured approach to development.
Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby, the Sacramento City Councilwoman who represents the Natomas area, says building can resume 90 days after the city expects FEMA to give the go-ahead.
"The goal of that ordinance is for the City of Sacramento to be responsive to the federal government's request that we take a measured response to entering back into the business of development," she said.
But city leaders want to make sure development doesn't explode out of control. No more than 1,000 new single-family homes and 500 new multi-family homes will be built within one year. There will be no limit on new commercial construction.
"I think its a very fair number that they are addressing," said attorney Greg Thatch. "I think it will accommodate the development."
He has represented several commercial and residential developers in Natomas that have had their work put on hold.
"I think we will see housing move forward first but shortly there after I think you'll see commercial development," he said.
Homeowners on half-built lots are eager to see progress, and nearby business owners hope lifting the ban will kickstart the economy.
Meanwhile the Natomas Unified school District is already preparing for growth by sending next year's sixth graders to middle school to free up space in the elementary schools.
