Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds: Gold Ridge Farms

*Para información en Español sobre este aviso por favor comuníquese con Veronica Ortiz-De Anda llamando al 707-565-7520 o por correo electrónico a: Veronica.OrtizDeAnda@sonoma-county.org

On or about August 16, 2024, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of $138,200 in Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants funds as authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Title I, Public Law 93-383, 88 Stat. 633, 42 U.S.C. 5301-5321, as amended, to undertake a project known as Gold Ridge Farm ADA Path and Restroom Facility Improvement Project for the purpose of providing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access to public facility Gold Ridge Farm also known as Luther Burbank Farm.

Gold Ridge Farm is a three-acre portion of a 11.19-acre property located at 7777 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California 95472 (APN 060-222-028). The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains a ca. 1910 cottage and barn constructed in 1997. The project will construct a one-story, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant freestanding restroom building (16 x 12 feet in size) that will serve as the main public restroom for visitors to the property. The proposed style of the new building is simple “vernacular” design that will be constructed of wood. A new ADA compliant gravel walkway will lead from the existing paved parking lot to the new restroom building.

Trenching is required for utilities to the new restroom. Excavation activities include approximately 300 linear feet, 36 inches deep, and 3 feet wide for a total disturbance area of approximately 900 square feet. A public path of travel to the new restroom facility from the edge of the existing parking area will be upgraded by correcting the grade and path. The total project cost is estimated to be $383,000.

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is available electronically at the following URL:
https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, 1440 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, Attention: Veronica Ortiz-De Anda, Community Development Associate, (707) 565-7520 or Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org . All comments received on or before August 15, 2024 will be considered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission prior to submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission certifies to U.S. HUD that Michelle Whitman, in her capacity as Executive Director, 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. U.S. 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

U.S. HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Sonoma County Community Development Commission’s certification for a period of fifteen days after the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of 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 the 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 U.S. HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 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 HUD San Francisco Regional Office, One Sansome Street, suite1200, San Francisco, CA 94104 or can be emailed to RROFSFRO@hud.gov . Potential objectors should contact HUD at RROFSFRO@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michelle Whitman, Executive Director
Sonoma County Community Development Commission
Responsible Entity