Houston considering new housing project in flood plain
HOUSTON (AP) — A housing developer is hoping to win approval from Houston city officials for a project on a former golf course where the city and Harris County already have spent millions of dollars to buy out homeowners living in a flood plain.
Houston Chronicle reported the plan by Meritage Homes, one of the nation's largest homebuilders, would put new construction in a floodway, an area where rising waters move fastest during a 100-year storm.
The newspaper, as part of an ongoing investigation following the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey earlier this year, has found Harris County and Houston have allowed 20,000 parcels worth $13.5 billion to be developed in or along floodways.