The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
PAGE 11 - September 16, 2015
Editorial - Opinion - Commentary
CONCURRENT NOTICE
NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION
Letter to the Editor:
OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN
Re: DISTORTION OF MIXED-USE ZONING
THE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND
The same landowner and pair of developers who were rejected by Inglis some years ago
NOTICE OF FINDING OF
for a plan to put 250 motorhomes on the property at "The Big Eddy" have returned with
the same request. Now they want us to let them in the back door by adding required zoning
NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
modifications to our mixed use category. This category was designed for a public-private
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
use area like a walk around mall done as a miniature fishing village, not a spot to put 250
motorhomes not open to the public. This 50 acre woodland is the home of beautiful trees and
September 16, 2015
Date of Publication
animal life that would need to be destroyed to fit the motorhomes on it.
Name of Responsible Entity Town of Inglis
The property is now zoned Residential-minimum 5 acres..........NOT MOTORHOMES
135 Hwy 40 W
Address
on 1/5 of an acre! This property would become a sand lot under this plan.
Inglis, FL 34449
City, State, Zip Code
The town of Inglis should reject this request and consider purchasing this woodland for
(352) 447-2203
Telephone Number
use by the public. At least we would all have access to our wonderful river at one place.
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
Please contact our town officials and voice your concerns/opinions.
These notices shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities
Gene C. Kiger III, Inglis
to be undertaken by the Town of Inglis.
Inglis Commission News & Notes
This is to give notice that the Town of Inglis has conducted an evaluation as required by
Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 to determine
the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain will have on the environment.
The Town of Inglis intends to undertake a project to be funded by a Florida Small Cities From the 9-1-15 Meeting
Steve Warren reported on code enforcement to the Inglis Commission at the Sep-
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The proposed project will demolish and replace an
existing housing unit located at 81 N. Schoolcraft Drive, Inglis, FL, on .76 acres, which is located in tember 1 town meeting that progress is being made in clean up of the blight of vacant
mobile homes in Inglis which will improve property values. Warren said the vacant mobile
the 100-year floodplain.
It has been determined that no practicable alternative other than to proceed with the work is removed and the lot cleaned at 121 Vicki St cost the town nothing as all cost were recouped.
available. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons: This cleanup cost was $1217.17. The project is being accomplished with the help of Waste
the use of CDBG Housing Rehabilitation funding for this project will be for the demolition/replace- Pro who places and picks up the clean up dumpster at no cost to the town other than the
ment of an existing housing unit, who qualifies under the program; and the ability to mitigate and
dumping fees and Jesus Is! Ministries involvement.
minimize impacts on human health and floodplain values.
Warren also requested that Inglis Town Attorney Fugate meet with the code enforcement
Although the project is located in the 100-year floodplain, the improvements cannot be
undertaken in any other location due to the demolition/replacement of an existing housing unit. There board and explain to members what is required as well as the board electing a chairman.
The commission voted 5 to 0 to instruct Fugate to begin this process to get the board orga-
is, therefore, no practicable alternative.
The proposed improvements conform to applicable floodplain protection standards. The nized with their responsibilities and duties. Warren stated code enforcement is not needed
proposed action will not affect natural or beneficial floodplain values, and residents of the commu- to proceed with clean up of the blighted mobiles. Warren said six letters were sent out but
nity will benefit from the demolition/replacement of an existing substandard housing unit. Failure many of the owners were deceased and it is time consuming locating responsible parties.
to provide these improvements would result in not providing assistance to an extremely low income Warren wanted the attorney's advice on the town making proper notification and still get-
household who qualifies under the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program.
ting no response can we till move ahe? If no response with proper notification expenditures
Additional agencies involved in this project include the Florida Department of Economic
would go as a lien on the property until sold and the town would recoup the cost.
Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Warren also reported on animal control that on August 31 there were 6 animals being
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about October 5, 2015, the Town of Inglis will submit a request to the Florida Department of held and over night September 1 this increased to 17. Over 60 animals have been placed
Economic Opportunity (DEO) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under with families in the last 4 months with only 1 cat and 5 dogs sent to the county to be eutha-
Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a nized. These animals are taken by new owners with the disclaimer that they are found or
project to rehabilitate an existing housing unit located at 81 N. Schoolcraft Drive, Inglis, FL; the Town abandoned. Inglis is in the process of becoming a recognized adoption center and can take
must not exceed an average housing unit cost of $61,388.
donations and advertise as an adoption center.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Warren said he is bringing the town up to speed with business licenses that have been ne-
The Town of Inglis has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human en- glected in the past but are considered town revenue. There were 22 businesses in arrears one
vironment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy
year or more but Warren is down to four business owners and recommended turning these
Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental
over to the town attorney in five to six days if the second letter to request payment got no
Review Record (ERR) on file in the Town Clerk's office, Inglis Town Hall, 135 Hwy 40 W, Inglis, and
response. Warren reported State Statute 205.056 states what townships can do and our town
5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446
may be examined or copied weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ordinances have taken advantage of thisPhone: (352) 489-4588 The water board will
to collect business licenses. Fax: (727) 362-4788
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mayor Drinda Merritt be addressed at a special workshopail, Tom20 at 5:30 PM.
Em October Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmai
Stabbing
at the Town of Inglis Town Hall, PO Drawer 429, Inglis, FL 34449. A more detailed description of the
Email, Debbie Russell, Editor: debbienewscaster@gma
- Continued from page 3
project and the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) flood maps are available for citizen review by Websites: thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarc
contacting the Town of Inglis. All comments must be received by October 1, 2015. Comments will gotten into an argument, and one of he men had stabbed the other. A suspect, Jeffrey Cur-
be considered prior to the Town of Inglis requesting a release of funds. Comments should specify tis Cornelius, 48, Hernando, was arrested and was taken to the Citrus County Detention
which notice they are addressing.
Facility, charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon ($10,000). The victim was
RELEASE OF FUNDS
transported to Ocala for treatment of his injuries.
The Town of Inglis certifies to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and HUD that Drinda
Merritt in her capacity as Mayor 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 re-
sponsibilities have been satisfied. The State's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities
under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Inglis to use the CDBG funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
DEO will accept objections to its release of funds and the Town of Inglis' certification 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 Town of Inglis; (b) the Town of Inglis has omitted a step or failed to make a
decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient has com-
·
mitted funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds
by the State; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a writ-
ten finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections
must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures at 24 CFR Part 58, Sec.
58.76 and shall be addressed to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, CDBG Program,
MSC-400, 107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6508. Potential objectors should contact
the Town of Inglis to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Drinda Merritt, Mayor
Certifying Officer