Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS May 2, 2022 Lydia L. Mihalik, Director Ohio Department of Development 77 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Bryan Heck, City Manager City of Springfield 76 East High Street Springfield, Ohio 34402 To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals: These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the State of Ohio and the City of Springfield. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about, but not before, May 18, 2022 ; the State of Ohio and The City of Springfield will submit requests to the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Federal funds under Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended, and Section 8(o)(13) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to be used for the following project: Project Name: Community Gardens II Non-Profit Developer: Buckeye Community Hope Foundation Location: Springfield, Clark County, Ohio Project Description: The Community Gardens II will involve the new construction of 60 units of senior housing in 13 buildings and a separate community building in Springfield, Clark County. This housing credit rental project will offer 10 units at 30% of the area median gross income (AMGI), 14 at 50% of the AMGI, and the remaining 36 units at 60% AMGI. All units will be restricted to heads of household 55 years of age or older. Sources of Funds: State of Ohio and City of Springfield Federal HOME Investment Partnerships Funds, Private and Public Funds: Federal/State HOME Funds: $ 600,000 Federal/City of Springfield HOME Funds: $ 500,000 Total Project Cost Estimate: $13,530,146 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The State of Ohio and the City of Springfield have determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR), which is available for review on the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's website at https://ohiohome.org/ppd/publicforums.aspx and at Springfield City Hall (76 East High Street Springfield, Ohio 45502) by making an appointment at 937-324-7300. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR via email to the State of Ohio at OCD@development.ohio.gov and to the City of Springfield at BHeck@SpringfieldOhio.gov. All comments received before May 18, 2022, will be considered by the State of Ohio and the City of Springfield prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The State of Ohio and the City of Springfield certify to HUD that Lydia L. Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development and Bryan Heck, City Manager of the City of Springfield consent 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 State of Ohio and the City of Springfield to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the certifications of the State of Ohio and the City of Springfield 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 State of Ohio or the City of Springfield; (b) the State of Ohio and the City of Springfield have 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to CPD Director, HUD Columbus Field Office at CPD_COVID-19OEE-COL@hud.gov. Comments directed to HUD should include "ER Objection Community Common II" in the email subject line. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Columbus Field Office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Lydia L. Mihalik, Director Ohio Department of Development Bryan Heck, City Manager City of Springfield 5-2/2022