WheelchairCurbCutsTieredOneNarrativeTiered Environment Review
for Activity/Project that is
Categorically Excluded Subject to Section 58.5
Pursuant to 24 CFR 58.35(a)
Project Information
Project Name:
Citywide-Curb-Cuts-
HEROS Number:
900000010174026
Responsible Entity (RE):
NORTHAMPTON, 210 Main St Northampton MA, 01060
State / Local Identifier:
RE Preparer:
Keith Benoit
Certifying Officer:
Mayor David J. Narkewicz
Grant Recipient (if different than Responsible Entity):
Point of Contact:
Consultant (if applicable):
Point of Contact:
Project Location:
210 Main Street, MA 01060
Additional Location Information:
This location is the City Hall, but the actual curb cuts will occur across the City.
Direct Comments to:
Description of the Proposed Project [24 CFR 50.12 & 58.32; 40 CFR 1508.25]:
Installation of wheelchair sidewalk curb cuts across the City to bring them into conformance with current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and American Access Board (AAB) standards.
The exact locations are not identified at this point, but were identified using the 2018 report "Public Sidewalk Inventory Analysis Report" from Alta Planning +Design.
Maps, photographs, and other documentation of project location and description:
Approximate size of the project area:
more than 1 square mile
Length of time covered by this review:
5 Years
Maximum number of dwelling units or lots addressed by this tiered review:
40
Level of Environmental Review Determination:
Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a), and subject to laws and authorities at §58.5:
58.35(a)(2)
Determination:
Extraordinary circumstances exist and this project may result in significant environmental impact. This project requires preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA); OR
(
There are no extraordinary circumstances which would require completion of an EA, and this project may remain CEST.
Approval Documents:
7015.15 certified by Certifying Officer on:
7015.16 certified by Authorizing Officer on:
Funding Information
Grant Number
HUD Program
Program Name
B-19-MC-25-0027
Community Planning and Development (CPD)
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) (Entitlement)
Estimated Total HUD Funded Amount:
$93,257.00
Estimated Total Project Cost [24 CFR 58.2 (a) (5)]:
$93,257.00
Compliance with 24 CFR §50.4, §58.5 and §58.6 Laws and Authorities
Compliance Factors:
Statutes, Executive Orders, and Regulations listed at 24 CFR §50.4, §58.5, and §58.6
Was compliance achieved at the broad level of review?
Describe here compliance determinations made at the broad level and source documentation.
STATUTES, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND REGULATIONS LISTED AT 24 CFR §50.4 & § 58.6
Airport Hazards
( Yes ( No
There is a municipal airport in the City, but it is unlikely that a curb cut will be requested within 2,500 feet of the airport. The City has a prioritization matrix from the 2018 "Public
Sidewalk Inventory Analysis Report" that it will use to install curb cuts and there are other areas in the City that are higher on the list. The project is compliant with 24 CFR Part
51 Subpart D.
Coastal Barrier Resources Act
( Yes ( No
This project is not located in a CBRS unit and therefore this project is compliant with 16 USC 3501, the City is not within a Coastal Barrier Resource area.
Flood Insurance
( Yes ( No
This project does not provide financial assistance for mobile home, building, or insurable property. Therefore, the project is compliant with 42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a.
STATUTES, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND REGULATIONS LISTED AT 24 CFR §50.4 & § 58.5
Air Quality
( Yes ( No
This project does not include new construction or conversion of land use facilitating the development of public, commercial, or industrial facilities or five or more dwelling units.
It is therefore compliant with the Clean Air Act (42 USC 7401 et seq.) as amended particularly Section 176(c) and (d) (42 USC 7506(c) and (d)).
Coastal Zone Management Act
( Yes ( No
This project is not in and does not affect any Coastal Zones. It is not subject to state review. It is therefore compliant with the Coastal Zone Management Act, sections 307(c) & (d)].
Contamination and Toxic Substances
( Yes ( No
There are a few contaminated sites throughout the City. All projects sites will be verified to be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gasses, and radioactive
substances. Sites in the general proximity of such areas as dumps, landfills, industrial sites, or other locations that contain, or may have contained, hazardous wastes will be given
special care and investigation into toxic substance releases. Only qualified professionals will undertake investigations determined necessary if near such area.
Endangered Species Act
( Yes ( No
This project does not involve any activities that have the potential to affect species or habitats.There are no endangered species or critical habitats in Northampton. While the exact
project areas have yet to be determined, all activities proposed will be entirely limited to modification of previously existing paved streets and sidewalks. The project does not include
any expansion of developed or degraded areas, and no vegetation removal or soil excavation is proposed. It is therefore compliant with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, particularly
section 7; 50 CFR Part 402.
Explosive and Flammable Hazards
( Yes ( No
The proposed HUD-assisted project itself is not the development of a hazardous facility (a facility that mainly stores, handles or processes flammable or combustible chemicals such
as bulk fuel storage facilities and refineries. Furthermore, it will not be the development, construction, or rehabilitation that will increase residential densities, or conversion
of land uses.
Farmlands Protection
( Yes ( No
This project does not involve activities that include new construction, acquisition of undeveloped land or conversion, that could convert agricultural land to a non-agricultural use.
Furthermore, important farmland in the City of Northampton is in a low population density area and curb cuts will not be required there.
Floodplain Management
( Yes ( No
All actions will be mapped on FEMA-issued Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). An 8-Step or 5-Step Process will be completed at the site-specific level (once known) for any sites located
in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and mitigation measures will be tailored to the site. But this process is unlikely because the City will follow it's curb cut prioritization plan
from the 2018 "Public Sidewalk Inventory Analysis Report" and there are only a few non-compliant sidewalks identified in that report in the floodplain. If small portion of the project
site contains a floodplain, then the site will be evaluated to determine if it qualifies for a incidental floodplain exception.
Historic Preservation
( Yes ( No
All activities proposed will be entirely limited to modification of previously existing paved streets and sidewalks, and will not include any direct alterations to historical properties.
Sidewalk projects will be conducted within the public realm. If any identified locations would cause an effect to historical properties, the City will obtain any historic preservation
reviews as necessary.
Noise Abatement and Control
( Yes ( No
This project does not involve New construction for residential use, rehabilitation of an existing residential property, or research demonstration project and therefore in compliance
with the Noise Control Act of 1972.
Sole Source Aquifers
( Yes ( No
This project does not consist solely of acquisition, leasing, or rehabilitation of an existing building and it is not within a sole source aquifer. It is therefore compliant with the
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 201, 300f et seq., and 21 U.S.C. 349).
Sole Source Aquifers
( Yes ( No
This project does not consist solely of acquisition, leasing, or rehabilitation of an existing building and it is not within a sole source aquifer. It is therefore compliant with the
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 201, 300f et seq., and 21 U.S.C. 349).
Wetlands Protection
( Yes ( No
All activities proposed will be entirely limited to modification of previously existing paved streets and sidewalks, and will not include any direct alterations to wetlands. No drainage
pattern changes are proposed, and no offsite wetlands will be altered. If any identified locations are within the regulatory limits of jurisdictional resource areas identified in the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protections Act, we will consult with the Northampton Conservation Commission and obtain any reviews necessary.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
( Yes ( No
This project is not within proximity of a NWSRS river as defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287), particularly section 7(b) and (c) (16 U.S.C. 1278(b) and (c))
and therefore in compliance.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Environmental Justice
( Yes ( No
No adverse environmental impacts were identified outright in any of the other compliance review portions of this project's total environmental review. Proposed measures to mitigate
any possible adverse affect were included in other review portions, such as site selection and ensuring all HUD, EPA, and Mass DEP requirements are fulfilled during the project. Any
impact that is disproportionally impactful towards low-income and/or minority communities will be mitigated through public engagement and other appropriate measures. When completed,
the project will impact low-income and/or minority communities greatly.
Supporting documentation
CoastalBarrierResourceCityHall.pdf
MACoastalZones.pdf
tiered_review_FIRM.pdf
SoleSourceAquiferNOHO.pdf
ScenicRiversNOHO.png
tiered_review_airport.pdf
OilAndHazardousMaterials.pdf
Written Strategies
The following strategies provide the policy, standard, or process to be followed in the site-specific review for each law, authority, and factor that will require completion of a site-specific
review.
Supporting documentation
APPENDIX A: Site Specific Reviews