About 260 homes and various businesses in St. Charles’ Frenchtown neighborhood would become part of the 100-year flood plain under proposed changes in flood maps unveiled recently by federal officials.

Chuck Lovelace, an official with the city Community Development Department, said those properties are among more than 3,000 across the city affected by the modified maps along the Missouri River and creeks. Included are some lots in the Charlestown subdivision near New Town, he said.

Officials said if the maps are made final, newly-affected homes with federally-backed mortgages will be required to get flood insurance. Moreover, there would be some restrictions on improvements that could be made to such property.

Open houses with information on the new maps will be held on the next two Wednesdays, July 8 and July 15, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at St. Charles West High School, 3601 Droste Road.

Citywide, Lovelace said, about 3,000 properties with about 2,100 owners are in or within 100 feet of an affected area.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers were involved in preparing the new maps, local officials said.