Public review of proposed project in a floodplain in Salinas, California.

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to provide notice that the City of Salinas Housing Division has determined that the following proposed action under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Section 8 Project Based Vouchers program as well as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), is located within a special flood hazard area. The City of Salinas Housing Division will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, 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. The project site is located north of Casentini Street in Salinas, California, and is owned by the Housing Authority County of Monterey. The approximately 4.6-acre project site, identified by Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) 003-161-030-000, currently consists of vacant land. An existing storm drain easement runs through the project site from east to west and a flood control channel borders the property line to the east. The Casentini Street Family Apartments Project (proposed project) would include the construction of 88 multi-family residential units, separated into five (5) three-level residential buildings, as well as a 4,335-square-foot (sf) day care center which would be available to the general public in the City of Salinas, California. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) 06053C0208G and 06053C0216G, effective April 2, 2009, the western portion of the project site is located within Zone X, identified as 0.2 percent annual chance flood hazard, and the eastern portion of the project site is located within Zone AE, identified as a special flood hazard area with a base flood elevation of 44 feet above mean sea level. This notice serves three primary purposes. 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 provided with 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 impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments 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. NOTE: According to 24 CRR 55, section 55.2(b)(1), the notice must be bilingual if the affected public is largely non-English speaking. In addition, the notice must be dispersed to federal, state and local public agencies, organizations, and individuals known to be interested in the proposed project. Written comments must be received by the City of Salinas Housing Division at the following address on or before May 18, 2026: City of Salinas Attention: Vincent Montgomery 65 West Alisal Street Salinas, CA 93901 Comments may also be submitted via email at vincent.montgomery@salinas.gov via phone at (831) 758-7408 during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Notice Date: May 2, 2026