NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Sept. 8, 2022
City of Colusa Planning Department
425 Webster Street, Colusa, CA 95932
This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Colusa and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about Sept. 8, 2022, the City of Colusa (City) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Project Based Section 8 Vouchers under Section 8(o)(13) of the Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(13)), as amended, to undertake a project known as the Rancho Colus Affordable Housing Project (proposed project) in the City of Colusa.
The project site is located at 1717 State Route (SR) 20 in the City of Colusa, California. The project site is a 2.1-acre portion of a 3.66-acre parcel and identified by Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 002-120-029. The site is partially developed with a small shed in the southern portion of the property, and the remainder of the site consists of ruderal grassland that is regularly mowed. The City of Colusa General Plan designates the site as High Density Residential (HD), and the site is zoned as General Apartment District (R-4).
The proposed project would include the development of 49 affordable multi-family housing units, comprised of 12 one-bedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units, and 13 three-bedroom units. In addition, the project would include a 3,200-square-foot (sf) community building, which would consist of ground-floor staff offices, a large community room, a smaller meeting room, a computer area, restrooms, maintenance and utility spaces, a laundry room, and outdoor patio and recreation areas. The second story of the community building would include a three-bedroom residential unit reserved for an on-site manager. A recreation area would be located in the western portion of the project site, and a community garden would be provided in the central portion of the site. The project design would incorporate passive solar site planning and building strategies, including a north-south orientation for winter heat gain, simple summer shading, cross-ventilation, and insulation. The proposed buildings would include rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate a portion of the tenant and common area electricity usage. Landscaping would feature drought-tolerant and low-maintenance species.
The proposed project would provide low-income individuals and families with affordable housing. Additionally, fifteen of the 49 units would be supportive housing units made available to individuals or households suffering from chronic health conditions. Supportive housing services would be provided through a partnership with the Colusa County Behavioral Department and the Colusa County Social Services Department. The on-site staff would include a full-time resident manager, a half-time services coordinator, and a half-time maintenance person.
The total development cost is projected to be $21,600,000. The Regional Housing Authority will administer assistance to the project in the form of 15 Project Based Vouchers, totaling a commitment of approximately $1,414,080 over the 20-year contract period.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Colusa has determined that, with the implementation of all mitigation measures included in Environmental Assessment, the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. The Environmental Assessment (EA) and additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR), available on the City’s website at: https://cityofcolusa.com/
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Jesse Cain, Certifying Officer, City Manager, at the City of Colusa. All comments received by [insert date] will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commenters should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Colusa certifies to HUD that Jesse Cain, City Manager at the City of Colusa, in his capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of Colusa to use program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to the Responsible Entity’s (RE) Request of Release of Funds and Environment Certification for a period of 15 days following the submission date specified above or the actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the certifying officer of the RE; (b) the RE has omitted a step or fail to make a determination or finding required by HUD regulation at 24 CFR Part 58 or by CEQ regulation 40 CFR 1500-1508, as applicable; (c) the RE has omitted one or more steps in the preparation, completion or publication of the Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement per 24 CFR subparts E,F or G of Part 58, as applicable; (d) the grant recipient or other participant in the development process has committed funds for undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before release of funds and approval of the environmental certification; (e) another Federal, State or local agency has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be emailed to the HUD grant administration office at todd.r.greene@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD via email at todd.r.greene@hud.gov to verify the last actual day of the objection period.
Jesse Cain
City Manager, City of Colusa
NEPA Certifying Officer
09/08/2022 – CCPR #2022-0846