Carpentersville to study floodplain

A study of the floodplain around Carpenter Creek on Carpentersville's east side could eliminate the need for area homeowners to carry expensive flood insurance and promote the redevelopment of hundreds of acres.

The village board on Tuesday approved a $108,911 contract with McHenry-based SEC Group for Phase I engineering and a land survey of the Carpenter Creek flood plain from the Fox River to Spring Street.

Village Engineer Scott Marquardt said the current floodplain maps are inaccurate and show that about 50 developed properties and another 100 acres of undeveloped land fall within the floodplain limits. But a study to establish more accurate base flood elevations could result in some of the homes and parcels of land - primarily located along Sedgewick and Brook streets - being removed from the floodplain.

"When there are flood issues, upstream in particular is not affected by it," Marquardt said. "We may be able to have some property's flood insurance premiums reduced or eliminated."

In addition, Ajay Jain, a senior project manager for SEC Group, said in a letter to board members that accurate flood maps could spur development.

"(The) 100 acres of undeveloped properties, affected by floodplain map revisions, will become more attractive for future development since floodplain limits will have been defined."

Other goals of the study include improving the flow of Carpenter Creek to alleviate flood issues and also to enhance the eroded streambank through Carpenter Park between Maple and Cleveland avenues.

Trustee Keith Hinz said the project would benefit both the community and redevelopment.

Marquardt said the project will stretch over the course of two fiscal years. About $65,000 of the costs are included in the Capital Improvements Street Fund in the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget. The remaining $44,000 will need to be included in next year's budget.