NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
CORRECTIVE NOTICE
Posted Date: November 14, 2023
Grantee Name: Westmoreland County
Address: 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th Floor, Ste 520, Greensburg PA 15601
Telephone: 724-830-3650
Email: [email protected]
On or about November 14, 2023, Westmoreland County will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93 383) (Act), as amended, to undertake the project described below. This is a corrective notice because of an error in the title on the previous posting on October 16, 2023. All information regarding the project stands correct and the same.
Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title:
Latrobe Revitalization – Façade Improvement Program, Non-Site Specific
Purpose and Location: This program uses federal CDBG funding to assist with exterior façade improvements for the rehabilitation of commercial properties in the City of Latrobe (Census Tract 8076 BG2), Westmoreland County, PA.
Project Description: Improvements include but may not be limited to window replacement, power washing and/or painting, pointing where appropriate, awnings/signage and parking lot painting. The facilities and improvements are in place and will not involve a change in size or capacity by more than twenty percent, additions or expansion of the structure, or a change in land use. A maximum of 10 properties will be assisted over a five-year period beginning with the date of the AUGF, with a minimum two properties assisted per year. Laws and Authorities addressed in this Tier 1 Broad Level Review include: Airport Hazards; Coastal Barrier Resource Act; Air Quality; Coastal Zone Management; Endangered Species Act; Explosive and Flammable Hazards; Farmlands Protection; Noise Abatement and Control; Sole Source Aquifers; Wetlands Protection; Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; Environmental Justice.
Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad Level Review for each address under this program when addresses become known. The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad review: Flood Insurance, Contaminants and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, and Historic Preservation. Any site-specific location determined to exceed the environmental constraints established for the Tier 1 review will require a separate environmental review.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a), and subject to laws and authorities at §58.5: 58.35 (a)(3)(iii): Rehabilitation of non-residential structures including commercial, industrial, and public buildings when the following conditions are met: (i) Facilities and improvements are in place and will not be changed in size or capacity by more than 20 percent; (ii) The activity does not involve a change in land use.
Estimated Project Cost: CDBG FY2023: $56,400; FY 2023-2027: $150,000 (est. $30,000/year)
Estimated Total Cost: $150,000
The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 58.35 (a)(3)(iii). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at Westmoreland County’s Department of Planning and Development, 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th Floor, Ste. 520, Greensburg PA 15601; and may be examined or copied weekdays M-F, 8 A.M to 4 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development, 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th Floor, Ste 520, Greensburg PA 15601. They may also email Janet (Thomas) Parker, Deputy Director at [email protected]. All comments received by December 4, 2023 will be considered by Westmoreland County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. The comment and objection period are being run concurrently.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Westmoreland County certifies to HUD that Sean Kertes in his capacity as Chairman of the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners, 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 Westmoreland County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
Because this is a corrective Notice, the HUD objection period will run concurrently with the County of Westmoreland’s comment period. HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and Westmoreland County’s certification for a period of eighteen (18) days following its 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 Westmoreland County (b) the Responsible Entity 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 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Pittsburgh Field Office Jill K. Moyer, Program Manager, via e-mail: [email protected] or phone: (412) 644-5846. Potential objectors should contact the Pittsburgh HUD Office via email or phone to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Sean Kertes, Chairman, Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners