These Notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Newton and the Town of Concord.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about June 19, 2021, the City of Newton will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for the release of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Funds under Title II of the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake a project known as:

Project Title: Christopher Heights of Concord

For the Purpose Of: New construction of an 83 unit assisted living facility on a vacant six-acre parcel. The facility will consist of one three-story building, including driveways, parking, wastewater disposal, stormwater management improvements, utilities and landscaping. There will be seventy-one (71) studio/alcove apartments, and twelve (12) one-bedroom units.

Location: 6X Winthrop Street, Concord, MA 01742

Estimated HOME Funding: $ 1,336,398.40

Estimated HUD Funding: $ 1,336,398.40

Estimated non-HUD Funding: $16,093,981.20

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Newton 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 the City of Newton, Planning and Development Department, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459-1449 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Concord Town Offices remain closed to the public due to Covid-19. Therefore, individuals in the Town of Concord seeking additional project information contained in the ERR can make a request by emailing the Concord Planning Division at mrasmussen@concordma.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Newton, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459-1449 and/or the Town of Concord Planning Division at 141 Keyes Road, First Floor, Concord, MA 01742. All comments received with a postmark of June 18, 2021 will be considered by the WestMetro HOME Consortium and
the Concord Planning Division prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. Comments should be directed to:

Eamon Bencivengo
Housing Development Planner
Planning and Development Department
WestMetro HOME Consortium
1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459-1449
Email: ebencivengo@newtonma.gov

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The WestMetro HOME Consortium/City of Newton certifies to HUD that Barney Heath, in his capacity as the Director of the Planning and Development Department for the City of Newton, 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 WestMetro HOME Consortium and Town of Concord to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the certifications by the City of Newton 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 City of Newton, MA; (b) the City of Newton 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 sent to HUD via email to CPD_COVID-19OEE-BOS@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

For the WestMetro HOME Consortium:
Barney Heath

For the Town of Concord:
Marcia Rasmussen

This notice in its entirety can be found by clicking here. Newton's notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds can be found here.