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

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain To: All interested Agencies including all Federal, State, and Local, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that HUD under 24 CFR Part 50 has determined that the following proposed action under the MAP Section 221(d)(4) Program, to be known as Mt. Hermon Senior (FHA #043-35625), is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain, and HUD will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. This notice fulfills Step 2 (Early Public Notice) of HUD's 8-Step decision-making process under 24 CFR 55.20. The proposed project location is at 2283 Sunbury Road in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio 43219 (subject property). The FHA collateral consists of 4.732 acres of undeveloped grassland with a portion of an asphalt parking lot located on the eastern side of the subject property. It should be additionally noted that a portion of the adjacent Sunbury Road associated with roadway and turn lane improvements, and southern and western adjacent tracts of land associated with sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water main improvements for the proposed development are included within the proposed undertaking's boundaries due to HUD's aggregation requirements. HUD is considering providing mortgage insurance for the proposed action, under the MAP Section 221(d)(4) Program for the new construction of one (1) three-story, 54-unit age-restricted apartment complex. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach (0.2PFA). According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) #39049C-0193K dated June 17, 2008 and as revised via Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) Case No. 11-05-7877P with an effective date of August 30, 2012, the eastern and northern portions of the subject property are located in Unshaded Zone X, designated as areas outside the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. The remainder of the subject property, including the majority of the FHA collateral, is located in Shaded Zone X, designated as an area within the 500-year floodplain, and Zone AE, designated as an area within the 100-year floodplain, associated with Alum Creek. According to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center accessed at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home, there are no preliminary or pending FIRMs for the subject property. With the 500-year floodplain mapped/defined, that is the extent of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. Improvements are proposed to be located within the FFRMS floodplain, including the proposed residential structure, utilities, walkways, an underground stormwater detention chamber, and parking areas. As such, approximately 3.35 acres of FFRMS floodplain will be impacted by the proposed undertaking. The proposed undertaking will add approximately 1.85 acres of impervious area. Additional off-site areas associated with utility infrastructure containing FFRMS floodplain will also be impacted. Since the proposed development directly impacts the identified FFRMS floodplain areas, compliance with Executive Order 11988, "Floodplain Management," is required by implementing procedures contained in 24 CFR Part 55.20 (8-Step Process). This 8-Step Process is intended to address the requirements of Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management, as well as the requirements of Federal Register 24 CFR Parts 50 and 55. In addition, since the project involves new construction in the FFRMS floodplain, the project is subject to elevation requirements outlined in 24 CFR 55.20(e)(1), which requires residential spaces to be elevated to or above the FFRMS floodplain elevation and non-residential spaces either elevated to or floodproofed to the FFRMS floodplain elevation. The floodplain associated with Alum Creek provides natural and beneficial functions including temporary storage of floodwaters, conveyance of stormwater flows, groundwater recharge, maintenance of water quality, and support of vegetation and wildlife habitat. The floodplain associated with Alum Creek also provides intrinsic values (e.g. recreational, educational, scientific, historic, and cultural). Whenever ground disturbance is proposed within a floodplain, the loss of floodplain storage and moderation of floods are potential impacts. Potential indirect impacts to adjacent floodplain areas could result from sediment transport during construction of the proposed development. The floodplain on-site does not retain significant natural or recreational functions; however, floodplain areas associated with Alum Creek continue to provide regional hydrologic and ecological functions. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain 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, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. HUD has not made a final decision and will consider public comments prior to completing the floodplain evaluation. HUD is responsible for the floodplain decision-making process and will consider all comments received prior to making a final determination. Written comments must be received by HUD at the following address on or before July 2, 2026 a minimum 15 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 16th day after the publication]: US Department of HUD, Multifamily Housing Production, Detroit Field Office, 477 Michigan Avenue, 16th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 and 313-234-7496, Attention: Mr. Eric Golicz, Branch Technical Specialist & Chief. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9 AM to 5 PM at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted via email at Eric.J.Golicz@hud.gov. Persons requiring special accommodations, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency, may contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the contact information provided above to request assistance in reviewing project materials or submitting comments. Date: June 16, 2026 June 16 2026 LWOO0535272