Drainage and Site Feasibility: The Make-or-Break Factors for Multifamily Development in the Houston Metro Area

Luxury Multifamily Development

In Houston’s fast-growing multifamily housing market, location and timing may drive your deal ,but drainage, floodplain, and infrastructure constraints can determine whether your project ever gets built. The harsh reality is that many developments fail or face costly redesigns not because of market conditions, but because these site constraints weren’t addressed early enough.

At JRH Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc., we specialize in helping developers see and solve these challenges before they derail a project. A well-executed site feasibility study is your most powerful tool to avoid unexpected costs, delays, and design changes that eat into your bottom line.

Why Feasibility Studies Are Non-Negotiable in Houston’s Regulatory Environment

Houston’s post-Harvey regulatory landscape is one of the most complex in the country. Multiple agencies from the City of Houston and Harris County Flood Control District to TxDOT and municipal utility districts impose evolving rules that directly impact site design. A thorough feasibility study gives you the data you need before you close on land or finalize your pro forma.

Key factors we evaluate during feasibility include:

Floodplain and Hydrology Impacts

With updated Atlas 14 rainfall data and expanded floodplain boundaries, a site once considered buildable can now have significant flood risk. Building in or near the floodplain often requires elevation strategies, fill restrictions, compensatory storage, and added detention — all of which affect project cost and design.

A feasibility study helps developers:

• Identify floodplain encroachments early

• Quantify the impact of mitigation measures on site grading and building placement

• Explore alternative layouts or land use strategies to maximize yield

Pipeline and Easement Conflicts

Many sites across the Houston region are crisscrossed by petroleum pipelines, transmission lines, and utility easements. These can severely restrict where buildings, driveways, and detention basins can go — or require costly rerouting.

Our feasibility studies include a detailed easement and utility conflict analysis so you understand:

• What restrictions exist and how they affect density

• Where future relocation or coordination will be required

• Whether the site layout can be optimized to minimize conflicts

Utility Capacity and Off-Site Infrastructure Needs

Multifamily developments require significant water, sewer, and stormwater capacity. In many parts of the Houston metro, existing infrastructure may be undersized, at capacity, or require costly off-site extensions.

During feasibility, JRH Engineering evaluates:

• Existing line sizes and capacities

• The need for utility upgrades or off-site extensions

• Opportunities for cost sharing or reimbursement through municipal programs

• Knowing these details up front can prevent six-figure surprises down the road.

Knowing these details up front can prevent six-figure surprises down the road.

Detention and Drainage Rules That Impact Site Yield

Post-Harvey drainage criteria in the Houston metro are more stringent than ever. Most jurisdictions now require detention based on more series of complex calculations/modeling in lieu of flat rate, not just impervious cover. This change alone can significantly reduce developable area if not accounted for during site planning.

A feasibility study models stormwater runoff and detention needs before design begins, allowing us to:

• Accurately predict how much land detention will consume

• Explore subsurface or regional detention options to preserve density

• Ensure your project meets agency criteria without costly redesigns

Feasibility = Control Over Cost, Timeline, and Yield

A site that looks perfect on paper can become a financial drain if these issues surface late in design. By investing in a feasibility study, you gain control over three of the most critical development variables:

• Cost: Identify expensive mitigation requirements before they’re locked into your budget.

• Timeline: Avoid delays caused by redesigns, permit resubmittals, and agency pushback.

• Yield: Maximize units by understanding how site constraints impact buildable area from the start.

Partner With JRH Engineering for Smarter Site Decisions

At JRH Engineering & Environmental Services, we guide multifamily developers through Houston’s complex regulatory environment from the ground up. Our team delivers detailed feasibility studies, drainage and utility designs, and permitting strategies that protect your investment and accelerate your project.

Before you close on land or finalize your site plan, let’s talk. A few weeks of due diligence can save you months of delay — and millions in avoidable costs.

Learn more at www.jrhengineering.net or contact us to schedule a feasibility consultation.