Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the City and County of Honolulu (City) has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program under HUD Grant Agreement Number M15-MC-15-0201. The proposed project is located at 1025 Waimanu Street, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Oahu. The project will consist of 84 units of affordable housing, commercial space, parking and a community use area. 4 units will be designed for persons with disabilities and 32 units for large households. The property is partially located within the Special Flood Hazard Area Subject to Inundation by the 1% Annual Chance of Flood, Zone AE, Base Flood Elevations determined, identified on the Federal Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), 15003C0352G, Revised January 19, 2011. The total area of the project site is 30,000 square feet (SF) and approximately 327 SF (1.1%) of the property perimeter is located in Zone AE.
The City has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: It is reasonable to locate the project within the floodplain since 0% of the building footprint (new construction) will be situated directly in the floodplain designated area and only landscaping will take place within. No direct impacts on the floodplain will result. There is no practicable alternative for partially locating the project in the flood zone. This is due to: 1) the need to provide housing and services to low-moderate income families; 2) the need to construct an economically feasible project; 3) the ability to mitigate and minimize impacts on human health, public property and floodplain values; and 4) no other site in the area is available.
The City has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain 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. 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.
Written comments must be received by the City at the following address on or before November 10, 2016: Gary K. Nakata, Director, Department of Community Services, 715 South King Street, Suite 311, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, 808-768-7760, Attention: Keith Ishida, Administrator. A full description of the project may also be reviewed between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the same address as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at jyokota@honolulu.gov.
Nelson H. Koyanagi, Jr., Director
Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
By Order of KIRK CALDWELL, MAYOR
City and County of Honolulu
(SA930033 11/2/16)~
