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 M19-SG540100. The purpose of the project is to construct a four story, 39-unit multifamily residential rental development, containing one building at 3700 & 3720 Jacob Street and 37th Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV 26003, that will be known as Carnegie Greene at 37th, which will provide rental housing to elderly persons making up to 60% of the area median income. The project site will consist of approximately 0.68 (originally estimated at 0.63 in the Early Notice and Public Review) 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 include appropriate parking lot construction and paving for 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, including the elevation of the structure two feet above base flood elevation and appropriate parking lot construction and paving for proper control and discharge of storm water drainage, in the practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304 or by email to:
environmental@
wvhdf.com
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 about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks 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 the WVHDF at the following address on or before April 3, 2020. WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attention: Erica L. Boggess, Executive Director or via:
environmental@
wvhdf.com.
A full description of the project may also be reviewed either electronically or by U.S. mail at the previously listed addresses.
Date: March 27, 2020
Int. March 27, 2020