Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under U.S. Department of HUD's Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and a wetland, and FHFC will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetland, and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is east of Santa Barbara Boulevard and south of Santa Clara Drive on the southern portion of the Santa Barbara Landings Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD) Area in Unincorporated Collier County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using 0.2 percent flood approach. Ekos at Santa Barbara is proposing to construct a new, multi-family housing apartment building on a 6.74-acre parcel of undeveloped land. The development will consist of 60 1-Bedrooms and 24 2-Bedroom units, serving individuals and families within 30% (13 Units), 60% (32 Units) and 70% (39 units) Average Median Income (AMI) Brackets. The 6.74-acre parcel is located entirely within the FFRMS, and the developer will engineer the building to an elevation above the FFRMS. The project site also contains a 1.90-acre wetland (FLUCCS 624-E2), and development of the project site will require the impact of 1.60 acres of that wetland. The proposed project plans to preserve 1.75 acres of both upland and wetland habitat, including preserving and enhancing 0.30 acres of existing jurisdictional wetlands and secondarily impacted wetlands. The applicant is also proposing the creation of 0.65 acres of stormwater retention that will benefit water-dependent wildlife. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain and wetland and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain and wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland]. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain and wetland 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 floodplain and wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by FHFC at the following address on or before September 28, 2025: FHFC, 227 N. Bronough St., Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301, Attention: Ms. Angeliki G. Sellers, Chief Financial Officer. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9:00am – 4:00pm at the aforementioned address above. Comments may also be submitted via email at ERRComments@floridahousing.org. Date: September 12, 2025 September 12 2025 LSAR0368481