Another 600 Acres of Forest Cleared in Splendora
Back in January of this year, I posted about two new developments on Gully Branch south of Splendora Junior High School on FM2090. At the time, two companies (Townsend Reserve, Ltd. and Forestar USA had begun to clear approximately 600 acres. Six months later, the trees are gone and the companies are installing infrastructure, such as roads and drainage. This area eventually drains into the the East Fork San Jacinto and Lake Houston.
Map of New Developments
Ultimately, the cleared area shown in the pictures below will almost double. The two companies combined own 1209 acres.
Photos Taken on 6/4/2022 Show Extent of Construction
The first three shots below form a series as I panned right from east to west while looking south.
The next two shots look west from farther west. The first shows Gully Branch (center) as it moves from Townsend property (top of frame) to Forestar property (bottom).
If you look closely at the photo above, you can see excavators and dump trucks already working on additional detention ponds near the top of the frame. See map below.
Drainage Analysis Does Not Show Maps Based on Atlas-14 Data
To see construction plans and drainage impact analyses for these two sites, see my January 15th post on these developments.
WGA developed the drainage impact analyses for both developments using 2014 flood maps (see Townsend’s below). In fairness, WGA did attempt to calculate new flood elevations using its own measurements. But illustrations showing the old floodplain outlines, without mention of coming map changes, may mislead potential buyers.
Elevation Land Solutions developed the construction plans for Townsend. It disclosed flood risk more fully.
In fairness to developers, they can’t put their plans on hold indefinitely while new flood maps are drawn and approved. However, in fairness to buyers, you would think the engineering documents would at least disclose the potential of new maps based on Atlas-14 data. I’ve read fuller disclosures on an aspirin bottle.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/6/2022
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