Combined Notices: Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI-RROF) and Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-year Floodplain

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Project Name: The Meridian at Petaluma North Station Affordable Housing Project

Name of Responsible Entity: Sonoma County Community Development Commission

Address: 890 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, California 94954

Contact at Responsible Entity: Veronica Ortiz-De Anda, Community Development Assistant Manager, Housing Authority of the County of Sonoma 141 Stony Circle, suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

These combined notices satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for project activities proposed to be undertaken by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission and as a result, the comment periods for the FONSI, NOI-RROF and Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain have been combined.

Request for Release of Funds

On or about May 23, 2025, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of 33 Project Based Vouchers via the Project Based Voucher Program under U.S. Code Title 42, Chapter 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 Section 8 (c)(9), as amended, with a total estimated value of $8,300,000 over 20 years for a project known as the Meridian at Petaluma North Station Affordable Housing Project.

The Proposed Action involves the construction of a multifamily affordable residential complex (consisting of 130 affordable residential units and one manager’s unit (for a total of 131 residential units) in six three- story buildings and one four-story building), with associated parking areas, community garden and lawn area, a pool, a half-court basketball court, and other outdoor amenities on a 5.36-acre lot in Petaluma, California. The Project Site is located at 890 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, California (portion of Assessor’s Parcel Map: 137-061-019). The Project includes the granting/sale of 0.76 acres of land to another entity for potential future commercial development. This 0.76-acre portion of the Project Site would include approximately a 0.23-acre area that would be improved by the Project for use as a future food truck staging and public gathering area, as well as a 0.53-acre area at the corner of Corona Road and North McDowell Boulevard that would be reserved for a potential commercial project sometime in the future. This 0.53-acre portion of the Project Site would not be improved by the Project.

The Project proposes to designate 25 percent of the housing units (33 units) for supportive housing and would incorporate support services on-site, including a community room, community kitchen, computer room, fitness room, laundry facilities, case management offices, and treatment offices.

Project construction is anticipated to take 13 months and to be complete in 2026. Grading during Project construction would be balanced on-site. The total project cost is estimated to be $100 million.

Estimated federal funds to be awarded:
Project Based Voucher Program - CA085: 33 Project Based Vouchers ($8,300,000 over 20 years)

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS-100-Year Floodplain)

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order (EO) 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C, Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands, and in accordance with new HUD guidance effective July 1, 2024. As the action will include new construction in a floodplain, Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 require that the project not be supported if there are practicable alternatives to development in the floodplain.

On April 23, 2024, HUD published a Final Rule in the Federal Register that amends HUD’s existing floodplain regulations to require a greater level of flood protection for new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects. Through this final rule, HUD expands the floodplain of concern both vertically and horizontally to a defined “Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Floodplain" and provides clarity regarding the use of a Climate Informed Science Approach (CISA) to determine the FFRMS floodplain and alternate approaches based on the best available data and information. When CISA maps are not available for a particular HUD-funded project, the rule provides multiple approaches to identify the FFRMS floodplain, including using the 500-year floodplain (the 0.2 percent annual chance floodplain) and the Freeboard Value Approach. Portion of Project Site (2.65 acres) is within a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated Zone AE (100-year floodplain) (Panel Numbers 06097C0893F and 06097C0894F). An additional approximate 0.53 acres of FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain are located within the portions of the Project Site that would be granted/sold to another entity for a potential future commercial development; however, the Proposed Project would not alter the floodplain in this area. In addition to the 2.65 acres of the Project Site that are located within a Zone AE, the remainder of the 5.36-acre Project Site (approximately 2.71 acres) is designated as a 500-year floodplain. As such, the Project is located within a FFRMS floodplain.

Although the Project Site is located within a FFRMS floodplain, the Project has been designed to minimize effects on floodplain values. Additionally, steps were taken to minimize risks to human life and property via building and site design, and on-site stormwater management.

Alternatives to the Project considered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission include alternative Project locations not within a floodplain. While constructing the Project on one of the alternative sites would meet the City’s and County’s affordable housing goals and while at least two alternative locations studied would locate the Project outside of the 100-year floodplain, these locations could result in greater environmental impacts and/or would not provide as many affordable housing units as the Proposed Project. Further, the Project Site’s close proximity to a newly constructed Sonoma Marin Area Regional Transit (SMART) rail station, commercial uses, pedestrian infrastructure, and local amenities is preferrable to the studied alternatives. A “No Action” alternative is impractical because it would not satisfy the need to provide affordable housing within the City and County.

Under existing conditions, the undeveloped nature of the Project Site could expose the floodplain (and nearby Corona Creek) to sedimentation and runoff. Under the Proposed Project, there would be no areas of the Project Site that would be characterized by unmanaged vegetation or bare soil. Rather, the Project proposes covering the site with developed areas and managed landscaping and proposes to install bioretention areas as part of the Project’s stormwater management system. These actions would reduce the risk of sedimentation and stormwater runoff within the floodplain and would improve stormwater management at the site when compared with existing conditions.

Mitigation measures have been imposed on the Project, including a requirement for the property owner to maintain flood insurance coverage for the life of the structures or until the Project Site is removed from a Special Flood Hazard Area designation per FEMA; and a requirement to include safety measures in the Project’s long-term operation plan. These safety measures include advising prospective and existing tenants in lease agreements that the Project is located in a floodplain; including a clause in lease agreements to encourage, but not require, tenants to secure renter’s insurance for protection of private property; and posting and distributing an evacuation plan in the event of a flood event.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains/ wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment have an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, adequate public notice is an important public education tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains/ wetlands can facilitate and enhance federal efforts to reduce the risks 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/ wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission prepared an Environmental Assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and HUD environmental review regulations at 24 CFR Part 58. The Sonoma County Community Development Commission has determined that this Project, as proposed, is not an action which will result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is not required.

Public Review

The environmental review record documents, including the draft Environmental Assessment and Floodplain Management documents, are available for public review and comment at the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, 141 Stony Circle, Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 and may be reviewed on weekdays from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. A copy of the environmental review can be requested via email to: Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma-county.org.

Public Comments on the Proposed Activity within a Floodplain, FONSI, and/or NOI-RROF

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the proposed action. Comments can be sent to Veronica Ortiz-De Anda by mail to Sonoma County Community Development Commission, 141 Stony Circle, Suite 210, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 or emailed to: Veronica.Ortiz-DeAnda@sonoma- county.org. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. All comments received before 5:00 P.M. on or before May 22, 2025, will be considered by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. If modifications result from public comment, these will be made prior to proceeding with the expenditure of funds.

Environmental Certification

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission certifies to HUD that Michelle Whitman, Certifying Officer, in her capacity as Executive Director of the Commission, 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 Sonoma County Community Development Commission to use Program funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Sonoma County Community Development Commission’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 Sonoma County Community Development Commission; (b) the Sonoma County Community Development Commission 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 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 US Department of Housing and Urban Development; 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD San Francisco Regional Office at One Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104. Objections can be emailed to the HUD grant administration office at: Alison.M.Brokke@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD via email at Alison.M.Brokke@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period. 

Michelle Whitman
Certifying Officer
Sonoma County Community Development Commission Responsible Entity