The Housing Division will post Public Notices and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Notices related to HUD-assisted projects on this webpage, as required by the Citizen Participation Plan and NEPA regulations.

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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (NEPA) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW NOTICES:

POSTED 6/16/2025:

En Espanol>>

Please see project information further below

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Designated Floodplain

To: All interested Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:

This is to give notice that the City of Merced, as Responsible Entity for decision-making under 24 CFR Part 58, has determined that the following proposed action involving federal assistance administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Merced, a public housing agency (PHA) under Title I of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, which includes Section 8 Project Based Voucher (PBV) assistance, will take place within the Merced city boundaries and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The City of Merced is conducting an 8-step decision-making process to identify practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and evaluate potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 and as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C - Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

Proposed Action/Project Information:

The project proposes the construction of a new 108-unit affordable housing apartment complex comprising of five, three-story residential buildings and related improvements. The project site is a 4.65-acre vacant parcel at 1808 Parsons Avenue, Merced, in the City of Merced, Merced County, east of Parsons Avenue, south of E. Highway 140/Yosemite Parkway. There will be two (2) ingress/egress points from Parsons Avenue, at the northernmost and southernmost frontages, with one designated for emergency services access. Water, wastewater, and refuse services will be provided by the City of Merced. The 108 units will be comprised of: six (6), 1-bedroom units; fifty-nine (59), 2-bedroom units; twenty-nine (29), 3-bedroom units; twelve (12), 4-bedroom units; and two (2) on-site management units (1 - two-bedroom; 1 – three-bedroom). On-site amenities will include: a community center with offices, daycare center, and a computer room; playground; open space/basketball court; 183 spaces of surface parking; and full landscaping.

The entire project site is located within a 100-year floodplain (Zone AO) as mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel #06047C0440G, effective December 2, 2008. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a Freeboard Value Approach (FVA). A total of 20 units will be covered by the Housing Authority PBV rental assistance. Other funding sources include: California state tax credits with bonds, California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant (FWHG), Multifamily Housing Program (MHP), U.S. Treasury-issued American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds, and local City of Merced impact fee credits and a Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund loan.

Reasons for this Notice:

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

How to Comment:

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments regarding the proposed action and its potential impact on the floodplain. On or before July 4, 2025, written comments must be received by the City Merced either: 1) delivered by mail or in-person to the Attention of: Kim Nutt/Housing Program Supervisor, City of Merced Housing Division, 678 W. 18^th Street, Merced, CA 95340 (2^nd Floor Merced Civic Center); and/or, 2) by e-mail to: housing@cityofmerced.org. For questions, please call: (209)385-6863. Project details may also be reviewed at the Housing Division office, address above, 2^nd Floor, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closed Noon to 1:00 p.m.) and on the Housing Division website (www.cityofmerced.org/housing).

Project Details - Bella Vista Apartments - Site Location: 1808 Parsons Avenue, Merced CA:

• Site Location - Aerial
• Project Site Plan
• Grading and Drainage Plan
• Apartment Exterior Elevations
• Community Center Exterior Elevations
• Community Center - Architectural Rendering

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HOUSING DIVISION / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) PUBLIC NOTICES: