Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF), under Part 58, has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for HOME Investment Partnerships Program under Grant M20-SG540100. The purpose of the project is to construct a four story, 39-unit multifamily residential rental development, containing one building at Jacob Street and 39th Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV 26003, that will be known as Carnegie Greene at 39th, which will provide rental housing to elderly persons making up to 60% of the area median income. The project site will consist of approximately 0.64 acres which are located in the 100-year floodplain.
WVHDF has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Alternative 1: Locate the Project to another site that is not within the floodplain. Locating the project to another site, not in the floodplain would involve the difficult task of finding a suitable site, with proximity to amenities and Regional Transit Authority bus routes, and tremendously increase project costs, which represent extraordinary challenges. Therefore, Alternative 1 is impracticable. Alternative 2: Eliminate HOME from the project’s funding sources. Eliminating the HOME funds from the project’s funding sources would cause the construction to be reduced by approximate 10%. Decreasing Construction Standards for budgetary purposes is unacceptable. Therefore, Alternative 2 is impracticable. Alternative 3: Increase the elevation of the structure to an elevation the is two feet above base flood elevation, which will remove living spaces from the floodplain and protect lives and property; and comply with applicable building codes and ordinances. Alternative 3 is practicable.
WVHDF has reevaluated the three-preceding alternatives regarding the construction of the Project in the floodplain. WVHDF has determined that Alternative 3: Increase the elevation of the structure to an elevation the is two feet above base flood elevation, which will remove living spaces from the floodplain and protect lives and property; and comply with applicable building codes and ordinances, is the practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by WVHDF at the following email or physical address on or before April 7, 2021 :
evnironmental@wvhdf.
com
or
WVHDF,
5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attn: Erica L. Boggess, Executive Director, 304-391-8663.
A full description of the Project will be made available for review either electronically or by U.S. mail, via request to either of the two addresses previously listed.
Date: March 31, 2021
Int March 31, 2021