Legal Notices

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year and 500- 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. The activity is funded under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program under Grant Number M19-SG540100. The proposed project is located in Charleston, Kanawha County, WV. The purpose of the project is to construct a 24-unit multifamily residential rental development that will be known as Bentley Apartments (the Project). The Project will contain eleven buildings at the following scattered sites: 100-Year Floodplain 1513, 1515, 1517, and 1519 3rd Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (5 buildings on 0.345 acre) 1637 7th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (1 building on 0.172 acre) 500-Year Floodplain 1516 3rd Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (1 building on 0.069 acre) 1433 and 1439 4th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (3 buildings on 0.234 acre) 910 6th Street, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25302 (1 building on 0.11 acre) The purpose of the Project is to construct eleven buildings that will contain a total of 24 residential rental units for persons making up to 60% of the area median income. HOME is one of the project’s funding sources. The project site will consist of approximately 0.93 acres. Four parcels on 3rd Avenue (0.345 acre) and the 7th Avenue site (0.172 acre) are located in the 100-year floodplain. One parcel on 3rd Avenue (0.069 acre), the 4th Avenue site (0.234 acre), and the 6th Street site (0.11 acre) are located in the 500-year floodplain. WVHDF has considered the following alternatives 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 in the floodplain. The current Project site is in qualified census tract 0007.00. An adequately sized parcel(s) is (are) not available within qualified census tract 0007.00. Therefore, Alternative 1 is impracticable. Alternative 2: Eliminate HOME from the project’s funding sources. Eliminating the HOME funding from the Project’s funding sources would create a $534,500 financing gap that could not be filled because of the lack of soft source funding options. Consequently, the Project would be financially infeasible, and needed safe, decent, sanitary affordable housing would not be constructed. Therefore, Alternative 2 is impracticable. Alternative 3: Monitor the construction of the Project to confirm proper control and discharge of storm water drainage. The project must comply with any 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: Monitor the construction of the Project to confirm proper control and discharge of storm water drainage, 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 address on or before March 24, 2020: WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attention: Erica L. Boggess, Executive Director, 304-391-8600. A full description of the project may be reviewed from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the previously listed address. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected]. Date: March 17, 2020 LC-90096 03-17;2020