July 18, 2013
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about August 5, 2013, the City of San Diego will submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME program funds in the amount of $2,900,000 and Moving-to-Work (MTW) program funds in the amount of $8,296,409 [the HOME Funds are provided under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 as amended], to undertake a project known as Hotel Churchill, located at 827 C Street in the Downtown Community Plan area. The funds will be used for the rehabilitation and conversion of the Hotel Churchill building, locally designated Historic Resource Board #634, into a 73-unit affordable housing apartment building.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of San Diego has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is available for review at the San Diego Housing Commission office, 1122 Broadway Avenue, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101 open on Housing Commission business days between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. To review the ERR, contact the Housing Commission at 619-578-7474. This information is also available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the San Diego Housing Commission, Attn: Cameron Shariati, or by sending email comments to Camerons@sdhc.org. All comments received by close of business on August 2, 2013, will be considered by the City of San Diego prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which section of the Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of San Diego certifies to HUD that Cathy Winterrowd in her capacity as Interim Deputy 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. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of San Diego to use HOME and MTW program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of San Diego’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 San Diego; (b) the City of San Diego 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 has committed funds or incurred costs 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) and shall be addressed to the HUD grant administration office at: HUD Field Office, Office of Community Planning and Development, 611 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Attn: CPD Director. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
