Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds [Tiered Reviews]

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

Date of Publication: October 18, 2023

 City of Lansing

316 N Capitol Avenue

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 483-4040

On or after November 6, 2023, the City of Lansing, MI will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383) as amended and HOME Investment Partnerships Programs under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C 12701), to undertake the following projects: 

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title:  Community Development Block Grant 

Purpose:  The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides funding for community revitalization purposes and activities must meet at least one of the three National Objectives:  Benefit to persons of low and moderate income, elimination of slum and blight, urgent community need.

Location:  The City of Lansing.

Project/Program Description:   

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 

Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i) 

Rental Unit Rehabilitation - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i) 

Blight Removal - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1) 

Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: 

Floodplain Management

Historic Preservation

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): 

Floodplain Management - There are no proposed projects in the flood plain. However, floodplain information will be evaluated on a site-specific basis. All activities will be mapped on FEMA-FIRMs and each site will be compared to determine if property is in the floodplain. If so, an 8-step process will be completed to evaluate practicable mitigation measures.

Historic Preservation - The City refers properties that are greater than 50 years old to State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for their review in determining its historical significance and follows SHPOs recommendation. Each site-specific project will be evaluated to determine its historical significance.

Estimated Project Cost:  The estimated cost of projects is $1,390,889 as indicated above.

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i) and 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at : City of Lansing – Department of Economic Development and Planning  316 N. Capitol Ave,, Lansing, MI 48933 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. or at https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROJECTS

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title:  HOME Investment Partnerships.

Purpose:  The HOME program provides funding for down payment assistance, new construction, and housing rehabilitation. 

Location:  The City of  Lansing.

Project/Program Description: . 

Homeowner Housing Construction and Homebuyer Repairs

Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 

Homeowner Housing Construction and Homebuyer Repairs - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i)/24 CFR 58.36 

CHDO Set-aside (15% minimum required) - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i)/ 24 CFR 58.36 

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review:

Historic Preservation

Noise Abatement and Control 

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): 

Historic Preservation – Each proposed project will require a Section 106 National Historic Preservation Review

Noise Abatement and Control – Each site-specific new construction activity will be reviewed for noise.

Please note that there is no proposed new construction in the floodplain.  However, if a proposed new construction is located in the floodplain, the 8-step process for floodplain properties will be completed to evaluate practical mitigation measures.

.

Estimated Project Cost: The estimated cost of projects is $678,386 as indicated above.

The activity/activities proposed are environmental assessments  under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i)/24 CFR 58.36. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at: City of Lansing – Department of Economic Development and Planning  316 N. Capitol Ave,, Lansing, MI 48933 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. or at https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the  City of Lansing Department of  Economic Development and Planning, 316 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933, Attn: Doris Witherspoon, Senior Planner, or e-mail to doris.witherspoon@lansingmi.gov.  All comments received by November 3, 2023 will be considered by the City of Lansing prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Lansing certifies to HUD that Andy Schor, Certifying Officer, in  his capacity as Mayor 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 Lansing to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the RE’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 one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Lansing; (b) the City of Lansing 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 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 addressed to U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development –Detroit Field Office, Keith E. Hernandez, Director, Community Planning and Development at DetroitCPD@hud.gov.   Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Andy Schor, Mayor, City of Lansing, MI, Certifying Officer