Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission.

Request for Release of Funds

On or about June 25, 2024, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $935,758 in Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants, as authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Title I, Part 24, Section 570, Public Law 93.-383, 88 Stat. 633, 42 U.S.C 5301-5321, as amended; the release of $1,834,186 in Home Investment Partnerships Program funds, as authorized by National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, Title II, as amended; and will authorize the Sonoma County Housing Authority to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of 18 Project-Based Section 8 Vouchers as authorized by the United States Housing Act of 1937, Section 8 (c)(9), as amended, to undertake a project known as Summer Oaks for the purpose of providing affordable housing.

MP Verano Associates LP proposes to develop the Summer Oaks affordable housing project on a 3.3- acre site comprised of two contiguous parcels (APNs 127-071-012-000 and 127-071-012-005) with address 175 West Verano Avenue in Sonoma, Sonoma County, California 95476. The project site is shaped as a flag lot and access to the housing development will be provided via a driveway that will be built on the "pole" of the lot. A total of six three-story buildings and one community building will be constructed and contain 72 affordable apartments. The site will provide 97 parking spaces, 72 bicycle parking spaces and open space for residents. The unit mix will be 32 one-bedroom units, 22 two- bedroom units and 18 three-bedroom units for a total of 72 units. Housing will be constructed on one parcel and an access road and infrastructure on the other. Offsite improvements include sanitary sewer extension, domestic and fire water, stormwater drainage facilities, undergrounding dry utilities and other required improvements. The site is vacant. There are concrete remains of the previous land use that will be demolished and removed. An estimated 5,168 cubic yards of soil will be exported offsite.

Existing non-native trees, particularly dead and diseased trees will be removed. The two parcels will be merged into one parcel. The project is 100% affordable.

The total project cost is estimated to be $61,699,000.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission has determined that with the mitigations incorporated, 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. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically by contacting Veronica Ortiz-De Anda, Sonoma County Community Development Commission, 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 by email to Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org . The ERR can be accessed online at the following website: 
https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews

Public Comments

Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Veronica Ortiz-De Anda, Sonoma County Community Development Commission, 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or by email to Veronica Ortiz-De Anda Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org . All comments received on or before June 24, 2024, will be considered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

Environmental Certification

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission certifies to HUD that Michelle Whitman, in her capacity as the 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 Sonoma County Community Development Commission to use Program funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Sonoma County Community Development Commission’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its 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 Sonoma County Community Development Commission; (b) the Sonoma County Community Development Commission has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Par 1504 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be mailed to the HUD grant administration office at One Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104 or emailed to RROFSFRO@hud.gov for CDBG and HOME grants and Todd.R.Greene@hud.gov project- based vouchers. Potential objectors should contact the San Francisco Regional Office via email at RROFSFRO@hud.gov and Todd.R.Greene@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michelle Whitman, Certifying Officer
Sonoma County Community Development Commission
Responsible Entity