Per Staff at the City’s Economic Development and Housing Department:
Catholic Charities intends to purchase eleven parcels that it currently leases from Memorial Hospital and from where it operates the emergency homeless shelter, the homeless day services center, and six affordable housing units (2 single family homes and a four-plex), as well as community gardens (the “Property”).
The project includes, in addition to purchasing the Property, minor rehabilitation of various structures and demolition of three uninhabited structures located on the corner of Morgan and 7th Streets (the “Project”).
The Project does not involve any change of land use, operational changes or new development. The minor rehabilitation will be subject to building permit issuance. The demolition and rehabilitation are subject to issuance of building permits. While none of the structures on the Property are significant for the National Registry of Historic Places, they are part of the St. Rose Historic Preservation District, and therefore, demolition or alteration of these buildings is subject to review locally by the Cultural Heritage Board.
The acquisition is proposed to be funded in part by a loan of CDBG funds by the City to Catholic Charities and in part by a private bank loan to Catholic Charities. The demolition and rehabilitation is to be funded by the private bank loan.
The notice and the environmental assessment are posted on our Economic Development and Housing website under the “Highlights” section on the upper right side of the page: http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/economicdev/Pages/default.aspx
We also have a hard copy of the Environmental Assessment in a binder on the counter at our office, located at 90 Santa Rosa Avenue, which is available for review during normal working hours.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Frank Kasimov, Program Specialist, City of Santa Rosa, 90 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. All comments received by 5:00 PM on Monday April 6, 2015 will be considered by the City of Santa Rosa prior to submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
In addition, Catholic Charities will be providing an update and answering questions regarding the Project at an upcoming April meeting with the St. Rose neighbors. City staff plan to be at that meeting.
NOTICE:
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Release Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds (the “Notice”) for the property operated by Catholic Charities.
This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Santa Rosa.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about April 7, 2015, the City of Santa Rosa will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds as authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to acquire property more specifically described below, which is known as The Block.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (Catholic Charities) proposes to acquire eleven parcels on approximately 2.24 acres, which comprise The Block. These parcels have the following addresses and Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (“APN”): 501 A Street (APN 010-031-002), 507 A Street (APN 010-031-003), 612 Morgan Street, 304 7th Street, 306 7th Street (APN 010-041-001), 437 A Street (APN 010-041-0005, 439 A Street (APN 010-041-004), 516 Morgan Street (APN 010-041-013 and -018), 520 Morgan Street (APN 010-041-014), 600 Morgan Street (APN 010-041-015), 608 & 608 1/2 Morgan Street (APN 010-041-016), 465 A Street (APN 010-041-020) in Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Catholic Charities currently leases these parcels and proposes to purchase them to continue current uses on the site, including a homeless shelter, a homeless day center and transitional housing. In addition to the CDBG funds, Catholic Charities intends to borrow money from a bank to partially fund the acquisition and, after acquisition, to carry out minor rehabilitation to make needed repairs and upgrades for resident comfort and safety on various parcels and demolition for health and safety reasons of three small residential structures on parcel number 010-041-001 with address 612 Morgan Street and 304-306 7th Street.
Total project cost is estimated to be $1,800,000 from all funding sources.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Santa Rosa has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Santa Rosa, 90 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 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 Frank Kasimov, Program Specialist, City of Santa Rosa, 90 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. All comments received by 5:00 PM on Monday April 6, 2015 will be considered by the City of Santa Rosa prior to submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Santa Rosa certifies to the U.S. HUD that Charles J. Regalia, Assistant City Manager of the City of Santa Rosa, in his capacity as NEPA Certifying Officer 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 Santa Rosa to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS
U.S. HUD Office will accept objections to the Responsible Entity’s (RE) Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification for a period of fifteen days following the submission date specified above or the actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer or other officer of the City of Santa Rosa approved by the U.S. HUD; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a determination or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 or by CEQ regulations at 40 CFR 1500-1508, as applicable; (c) the RE has omitted one or more steps in the preparation, completion or publication of the Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Study per 24 CFR Subparts E, F or G of Part 58, as applicable; (d) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process has committed funds for or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before release of funds and approval of the environmental certification; (e) another Federal, State or local agency 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, Section 58.75) and shall be addressed to Maria Cremer, Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. HUD Region IX, 1 Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
–Charles J. Regalia, Assistant City Manager and NEPA Certifying Officer
Lots going on with our City government these days…
Mon., March 30, 6-8:30PM – Santa Rosa Police Chief Public Forum
On March 30, 2015 from 6:00-8:30pm at City Hall, the City Manager is hosting a public forum to hear how the next Police Chief will respond to questions from the public. This will give the community an opportunity to meet the finalists, listen to them give a brief biography, and answer 8 or so questions. The City will provide the following:
• Light refreshments
• Child Care Services
• Spanish Translation Services
For more info visit:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3710301-181/santa-rosa-down-to-three
Tues., 3/31 at/after 5:00 PM – Smoking Ordinance and Zoning Code Public Hearing
Just a reminder that the Santa Rosa City Council is expected to hold a public hearing regarding the smoking ordinance and Zoning Code text amendments on Tuesday, March 31 at or after 5:00 PM. Location: Council Chambers: 100 Santa Rosa Avenue.
The meeting agenda is available on the City’s web page and the item is number 13.1. Page 10 of the agenda includes links to the staff report, draft ordinances, technical studies, public correspondence, and presentations.
http://legistar.granicus.com/santarosa/meetings/2015/3/1070_A_CITY_COUNCIL_15-03-31_Regular_Meeting_Agenda_and_Summary_Report.pdf
Erin Morris | Senior Planner
Community Development |100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3 | Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Tel. (707) 543-3273 | Fax (707) 543-3218 | emorris@srcity.org
City Park Survey: Say what you think about our parks plus maybe win some bucks!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9MCPN7D
BE WATER SMART!
Although we are remaining optimistic about rainfall after three consecutive dry years, we are proactively planning for a fourth dry year. Our community has stepped up to the challenge and conserved this year. It is also important that our community remains water smart.
Drought restrictions still apply, which means Santa Rosa is requiring customers to reduce water use 20 percent community-wide by eliminating water waste and adopting water-saving behaviors. For more information visit srcity.org/drought.
CURRENT WATER STATISTICS:
• RESERVOIR LEVELS: As of March 21, reservoir storage in Lake Sonoma is 89% of capacity and Lake Mendocino is 81% of capacity.
• RAINFALL: Year to date (July 2014- March 2015) is 19 inches.
Current water supply levels can be found on the Sonoma County Water Agency’s website: http://www.scwa.ca.gov/current-water-supply-levels/
Wed., March 25, 4-5 pm – Special Tour of the New Art Museum of Sonoma County for St. Rose Residents!
Join other neighbors for a “Hard Hat” tour of the new Sonoma County Art Museum (located in the old Conklin Bros.) on 7th Street. The new museum’s first exhibit is titled “Andy Warhol to Kara Walker” and is scheduled to start April 12th. For more info visit: www.sonomacountymuseum.org/exhibits/upcoming-art-exhibitions.aspx
Wed., March 25, 4-5 pm – Special Tour of the New Art Museum of Sonoma County for St. Rose Residents!
Join other neighbors for a “Hard Hat” tour of the new Sonoma County Art Museum (located in the old Conklin Bros.) on 7th Street. The new museum’s first exhibit is titled “Andy Warhol to Kara Walker” and is scheduled to start April 12th. For more info visit: www.sonomacountymuseum.org/exhibits/upcoming-art-exhibitions.aspx
Mon., March 30, 6pm – Santa Rosa Police Chief Public Forum – Submit Your Questions by Friday
On March 30, 2015 from 6:00-8:30pm at City Hall, the City Manager is hosting a public forum to hear how the next Police Chief will respond to questions from the public. The city is asking residents to help us formulate questions that will be asked of each of the three Police Chief candidates during a moderated discussion.
The city would like to invite the public to participate in this meeting and have the opportunity to submit potential questions in advance. To have your question(s) considered for inclusion in this session, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/
Deadline to submit questions is Friday, March 20, 2015.
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FIRST FRIDAY DOWNTOWN ART EVENTS & OPEN HOUSES
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FIRST FRIDAY AT CALABI GALLERY
March 6, 5-7pm
Calabi Gallery will now be participating in the Arts District First Friday Art Walk! Beginning this week, the gallery will be extending our open hours on the first Friday of every month from 5-7pm. Come take advantage of this fun opportunity to view our current show Art Inspired by the Natural World after regular business hours while mingling with fellow art lovers!
Calabi Gallery, 456 Tenth Street
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FIRST FRIDAY AT CORRICK’S
March 6, 5-7pm
As part of the First Friday Downtown Artwalk, the Sonoma County Art Trails Gallery at Corrick’s proudly presents featured artists Suzanne Edminster and Joel Bennett. Please visit us and the many downtown galleries participating in the newly enlarged First Friday Art Walk, including My Daughter the Framer, also at Corrick’s, Calabi Gallery, Annex Gallery, Chroma Gallery and SOFA Studios.
Corrick’s, 637 Fourth Street
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FIRST FRIDAY AT MY DAUGHTER THE FRAMER: HOLLY DOWNING “SMALL MEZZOTINTS”
March 6, 5-7pm
My Daughter the Framer, inside Corrick’s, presents this exciting new show of Holly Downing’s work. The show will run through April 26. The opening reception coincides with the newly enlarged First Friday Art Walk, including the Calabi Gallery, Annex Gallery, Chrome Gallery & more SOFA galleries. For more information on Holly Downing’s exhibit, call (707) 542-3599.
My Daughter the Framer, 637 Fourth Street
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FIRST FRIDAY SOFA OPEN STUDIOS
March 6, 5-8pm
Art studios and galleries throughout the SOFA district open their doors to the public. Meet the artists, see art, enjoy refreshments and live music in Chroma Gallery. Event takes place every first Friday of the month. This week’s first Friday coincides with the Chroma Gallery Small Works Closing Show.
SOFA, South A Street and Sebastopol Avenue
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FIRST FRIDAY AT CHROMA GALLERY: SMALL WORKS SHOW
March 6, 5-8pm
Artwork by 60 artists from Sonoma County and the Bay Area. 145 pictures, sculptures, collages, assemblage, and original prints – all smaller than 12″x12″x12″. Small works at prices everyone can afford. Closing party and reception will be in conjunction with First Friday 5-8pm. Join us for refreshments and live music!
Chroma Gallery, 312 South A Street
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