Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or Wetland

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or 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 conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and/or Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under U.S. Department of HUD's Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery. The proposed project(s) is located 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 and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain, as well as a wetland. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using 0.2 percent flood approach. Ekos on 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. FHFC has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain/wetland: A site known as "Old 41 Road Site (A1)", and other sites considered were considered and were not located within the FFRMS; however, these sites were not feasible due to density requirements and were thereby not viable alternatives. The proposed project site is the only location that satisfies the applicant's criteria for the project without being cost-prohibitive. Further, while the proposed project is located within the FFRMS, it is able to be engineered such that the building is situated above the FFRMS. Although the site contains wetlands, the project has been adapted to minimize wetland impacts through preservation, enhancement, and mitigation. The original Planned Unit Development (PUD) that the project is proposed within allowed for many smaller buildings that would incur more wetland impacts than the final proposed design which includes a single, 4-story building that has been designed in an L-shape to allow for increased preservation of the wetland and natural areas. The original PUD accounted for 1.75-acres of preserved uplands, which the current proposed building design maintains. Based on the size of the parcel where the project is proposed and the isolated wetland centrally located on the parcel, elimination of wetland impacts was not feasible. The developer's proposed plan minimizes wetland impacts to the greatest extent; 0.30 acres of existing wetlands will be preserved. The applicant is also proposing the creation of 0.65 acres of stormwater retention that will benefit water-dependent wildlife. The no action alternative is unviable because it will not satisfy the need to aid local families and provide them with opportunities for independent, affordable living. Further, the no action alternative was not selected since the proposed site's impacts on human health, public property, and floodplain values can be mitigated and minimized. FHFC has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain and wetland development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and Executive Order 11990, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. 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. 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 the FHFC at the following address on or before October 21, 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. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. Date: October 13, 2025 Publication Dates LSAR0387630