PUBLIC NOTICE Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals This is to give notice that the Lorain County Board of Commissioners and the Cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake have conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the PY2025 Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) Program under 25CHIP-1BQ-25CDBG and 25CHIP-1BQ-25HOME, and HOME Housing Program Income. Proposed project activities located within Lorain County, county-wide and including the partnering cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake (excluding the cities of Elyria and Lorain). General project activity scope includes Private Rehabilitation, Home/Building Repair, and any other eligible activities to low-moderate income (LMI) households. For the PY2025 CHIP, Lorain County and its partnering jurisdictions, the cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake, propose funding to assist approximately (15) private owner rehabilitation and approximately (16) owner home/building repair projects. Lorain County and the Cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake have considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: No Action; Develop a Different Site; and Development of This Site. The “No Action” alternative fails to address existing needs to provide housing assistance within the Lorain County CHIP Partnership Service Area. The “Develop a Different Site” alternative fails to address the needs of low-moderate income (LMI) households whose properties happen to be located within the floodplain to have necessary rehabilitation/repair work completed. “Development of This Site” is the only practicable alternative. Projects, should they occur in the floodplain, should not negatively affect the floodplain since project activities (rehabilitation/repair) involve existing structures on previously developed residential sites. Improvements to be designed/performed per FEMA-NFIP guidelines. Floodplain disturbances will be minimal and temporary during construction. Activities will be performed with the least amount of impact on the floodplain while accomplishing project goals. Accepted construction practices are to be employed to avoid sedimentation or improper infill of floodplain area during construction. Appropriate mitigation to occur and floodplain permits to be obtained as necessary. Affected property owners will be required to obtain and maintain flood insurance, as necessary. Lorain County and the cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake to comply with state and local floodplain protection procedures. Lorain County and the Cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake have reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and have determined that there is no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 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 floodplains 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 comments about floodplains 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 floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by Lorain County and/or Cities of Amherst, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, and Sheffield Lake at the following addresses on or before May 26, 2026, (which is at least 7 days after the publication of this notice): Lorain County Community Development Department, 226 Middle Avenue, 5th Floor, Elyria, OH 44035, Attention: Garvin Carrington-Matthews, Community Housing Coordinator; (440) 328-2564; City of Amherst, 206 South Main Street, Amherst, OH 44001, Attention: Mayor Mark Costilow; (440) 988-4380; City of North Ridgeville, 7307 Avon Belden Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039, Attention: Kim Lieber, AICP, Director, Planning & Development; (440) 490-2078; City of Oberlin, 85 South Main Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, Attention: Carrie Porter, Director, Planning & Development; (440) 775-7250; and City of Sheffield Lake, 609 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, OH 44054, Attention: Mayor Rocky Radeff; (440) 949-7141. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the addresses above. Comments may also be submitted via email at gcarrington@loraincounty.us; mayor@amherstohio.org; klieber@nridgeville.org; cporter@cityofoberlin.com; and rradeff@sheffieldlake.net / brandolph@sheffieldlake.net. Date: May 18, 2026. 2813690/May 18, 2026