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 Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR) under Grant Number B-16-DL-54-0001. The proposed project is located in Charleston, Kanawha County, WV. The purpose of the project is to construct a 43-unit multifamily residential rental development, serving seniors, that will be known as Stockton Greene (the Project). The Project will contain one building at the following contiguous parcels: 100-Year Floodplain 1618 6th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (parcel entirely in 100-Year Floodplain) 1620 6th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (parcel in 100- and 500- Year Floodplains) 1623 7th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 25387 (parcel in 100- and 500- Year Floodplains) 500-Year Floodplain 1617, 1619, 1621, 1621 1/2, 1625, 1625A, 1625B, 1625C, and 1627A 7th Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25387 (all parcels entirely in 500-Year Floodplain) The purpose of the Project is to construct one building that will contain 43 residential rental units for seniors making up to 60% of the area median income. CDBG-DR is one of the project’s funding sources. The project site is approximately 1.50 acres and is T-shaped. The parcels or portions of parcels located in the horizontal part of the T-shaped site, which contains the building and parking area, are in the 500-year floodplain and totals approximately 1.14 acres. The parcel or portions of parcels located in the vertical part of the T-shaped site, which will be comprised of green space, are in the 100-year floodplain and totals approximately 0.36 acres. 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 approximately 1.50 acres and is in a convenient Charleston location near the bus line and close to amenities. An adequately sized parcel(s) is (are) not available in a convenient location near the bus line and close to amenities. Therefore, Alternative 1 is impracticable. Alternative 2: Eliminate CDBG-DR funding from the Project’s funding sources. Eliminating the CDBG-DR funding from the Project’s funding sources would create a $4,800,000 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 decent, safe, sanitary affordable housing would not be constructed. Therefore, Alternative 2 is impracticable. Alternative 3: Review the Project’s plans to confirm (a) the construction of the building and parking lot occur in the 500-year floodplain (horizontal part of the T-shaped site); and (b) there is minimal ground disturbance, which will be landscaping typically associated with new construction, occurring in the 100-year floodplain (vertical part of the T-shaped site). 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: Review the Project’s plans to confirm (a) the construction of the building and parking lot occur in the 500-year floodplain (horizontal part of the T-shaped site); and (b) there is minimal ground disturbance, which will be landscaping typically associated with new construction, occurring in the 100-year floodplain (vertical part of the T-shaped site), 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 October 2, 2020: [email protected] 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: September 25, 2020 LC-98772 09-25;2020