NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS – Cypress Grove Apartments
May 8, 2025
Pinellas County Housing and Community Development, 440 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756
Community Development Division (727) 464-8232
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Pinellas County Government.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about May 28, 2025, Pinellas County will submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the release of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds to undertake a project known as Cypress Grove Apartments. Cypress Grove Apartments will involve the new construction of 84 units located at 555 16th Avenue SE in Largo, Florida. The site is currently vacant. The development will be garden-style apartments and provide high quality affordable and workforce housing to the Pinellas County. The development will consist of 24 one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom units and 24 three-bedroom units serving households with an income level ranging from 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income. Construction is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026 and take approximately 15 months to complete. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $31,847,209.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Pinellas County 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 of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Pinellas County Housing and Community Development Department, 440 Court St., 2nd Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. A copy may also be viewed on HUD Exchange at: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Pinellas County Housing and Community Development, 440 Court St., 2nd Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756. All comments received by May 23, 2025,will be considered by Pinellas County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Pinellas County certifies to HUD that Glenn Bailey in his capacity as the Interim Director of Pinellas County Housing and Community Development 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 Pinellas County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Pinellas County Housing and Community Development 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 Pinellas County; (b) Pinellas County 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Jacksonville Field Office, CPD Representative, Tonya R. Madison, CPDRROFJKV@HUD.gov.Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Project Contact:
Joe Riddle, Grants Program Manager
Pinellas County Housing & Community Development
440 Court Street, 2nd Floor Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone Number: (727) 464-8210
Email: jriddle@pinellas.gov