This information is being provided from the City's Community Development Department.
There will also be an update provided on the project at the next regularly scheduled Southwest Citizens Advisory Council meeting at 7:00 pm at Gino's Tavern (basement meeting room), 1314 Denison Avenue.
Regards,
Brian Cummins
Cleveland City Councilman Ward 15
216-459-8400
brianjcummins [at] earthlink [dot] net
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Denison Elderly Update/Questions:
I wanted to advise you that the attached publication will be in the Cleveland Plain Dealer starting tomorrow; public comment at the city level is accepted for 15 days when all written comments will be forwarded to HUD who will then offer their own 15 day comment period.
As you will note, the funds involved are not CDBG but HOME funds; a 2008 allocation of $500k was made and there is a subsequent request for 2009 funds in the amount of $250k which is under review.
The Housing Trust Fund is a competitive proposal process offered annually and anyone can apply; the point person at the CD Department for this program is Bill Resseger, Executive Assistant to Director Rush (664-2351).
As with all projects, our Compliance Section working with the Project Manager and our Environmental Attorney review for environmental and historic preservation compliance. The review of site conditions at this location also included Parks, Recreation and Properties, Engineering and Construction and Water Pollution Control. There has also been discussion with the Ohio EPA as well.
The project was presented at our Infrastructure Committee wherein all utilities are advised collectively of the project and related details; each department still has its’ own review of the proposal and detailed plans as they are developed and as part of the building permit review. In addition, Cuyahoga County Soil and Water participated in the review, comments and recommendations.
This project was also presented to and approved by the Cleveland City Planning Commission in relation to the sale of a city parcel, rezoning and the expenditure of city funds; all are public hearing processes open to the public (as you are already aware).
The proposers did initially express interest in both the Memphis School site and the Denison site; however, different funding sources came with different requirements and each neighborhood has had its’ own vision for the two sites which led to Denison being selected.
The Market Study which is required for each HTF proposal supports the need for elderly apartments and with the different funding sources there are restrictive agreements which ensure the ongoing provision of affordable elderly housing units. It is often the case that as people age they wish to have an option to stay within their community but either no longer have the physical ability nor the financial means to maintain their home; this type of housing presents that option.
Regarding Citizen Participation/Administration of both HOME and CDBG Funds;
A Public Hearing was held on March 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Cleveland Convention Center; the meeting was publicized in the Plain Dealer on February 20, 2009.
A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Cleveland Convention Center; the meeting was advertised in the Plain Dealer on January 31, 2008.
Citizen Participation Surveys (CDBG) were also distributed to citizens attending various community/neighborhood meetings and events throughout the two year period. (Joe Skrabec, Public Information Officer 664-4597)
Legislation required for application and expenditure of funds is undertaken through an open process with Cleveland City Council through a several committee review process; these meetings are open to the public.
Review of proposal application is possible as described in the public notice; copies of any materials may be requested through a formal letter of request to Robert Triozzi, Director of Law, under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Department of Community Development and Councilman Cummins will continue to communicate both with the overall community and individual residents particularly, those along Fern Court with specific details.
Regarding Utility Concerns;
The site will be serviced by 2 sanitary connections (6” each) and 1 storm connection (15”).
These connections will tie to the main sewer on Denison Avenue. There will be no sewer connections to the sewer on Fern Court.
There is an existing large combined sewer on Denison Avenue which is egg shaped and equivalent to 60”. It is 20 feet deep and can handle the flow generated by the proposed development.
A large underground storm detention is proposed inside the property. This means that during a storm event the storm water will be flowing slowly in the City sewer on Denison Avenue.
There is no CSO issue caused by this development; the Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District reviewed the plans and found them consistent with Ohio Rainwater and Land Development standard guidelines.
I hope this information is of assistance to you and addresses your questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me at the Department of Community Development should you require additional assistance.
Nora McNamara
Community Development Department
City of Cleveland
(216) 664-4032
Nmcnamara [at] city [dot] cleveland [dot] oh [dot] us
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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNICIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
To All Interested Persons, Agencies, and Groups:
These notices shall satisfy procedural requirements for federally assisted activities to be undertaken by The NRP Group and CHR Partners Inc.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about June 15, 2009 the City of Cleveland, Department of Community Development will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and/or Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds under the Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act as amended, to undertake a project known as:
Denison Elderly
The Denison Elderly project is located at land bounded by Denison Avenue on the south, Fern Court on the north, and extension of W. 19th Street on the east and an extension of W. 22nd on the west in the City of Cleveland, 1914-2020 Denison Avenue. The project will involve the construction of 61 newly constructed units. The elderly housing units will be comprised of 12 one bedroom units and 49 two bedroom units with 67 parking spaces.The total project cost is approximately $10,556,380 million which includes Housing Trust Fund dollars from the City of Cleveland in the amount of $500,000 in 2008 and up to $250,000 in 2009; and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in the amount of $544,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Denison Elderly project consist of more then a twenty percent change of use in addition to the site having some soil conditions that are contaminated. An environmental Phase I and II Assessments have been completed. There will be a deed restriction and Operations & Management plan that must be followed regarding the concerned environment conditions on the site. The city will require that the Voluntary Action Plan (VAP) Program will be followed regarding remediation of the site or equivalent. Based on these commitments to remediate the contamination to known standards, the issuance of this FONSI is being made.
The legal staff representing the City of Cleveland will incorporate language regarding the necessary commitments that will be incorporated in the legal documents for all projects. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) which is on file for this project at:
Department of Community Development
ClevelandCity Hall, Room 320
601 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH
Attn: Kellie Glenn, Project Director
(216) 664-4070
The ERR for this project may be examined upon request during regular business hours at the City from Monday through Friday from 8: 00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Department of Community Development All comments received by June 15, 2009 will be considered by the City of Cleveland prior to authorizing a submission for a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Cleveland certifies to HUD that the certifying officer, Daryl P. Rush in his official capacity as Director of the Department of Community Development 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 Cleveland the use of Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds pursuant to the following stipulations.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Cleveland’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submittal 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 or the City of Cleveland; (b) the City of Cleveland 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:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
OhioState Office
200 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio43215-2499
Attn: Ms. Jorgelle Lawson, CPD Director
Potential objectors should contact Ms. Lawson at the noted HUD office to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Frank G. Jackson, Mayor
Daryl P. Rush, Director
Dept. of Community Development