02/05/08 (incorporates ESB comments)
4.2.2Neighborhoods and Community Cohesion
- Subsections:
This section may contain the following subsections:
Community Cohesion
Home and Business Relocations
- Regulatory Framework and Guidance:
Uniform Relocation Assistance Act
- Cross-Reference:
4.2.1 Development trends
4.2.3 Social Groups Benefited or Harmed
Appendix N Conceptual Relocation Plan
- Section 4.2.2 applies to 100% State funded projects, Federal-aid funded projects, and any project requiring a Federal permit. Completion of study for this section must be complete prior to Design Approval.
- Guidance from FHWA Technical Advisory T6640.8A:
The relocation information should be summarized in sufficient detail to adequately explain the relocation situation including anticipated problems and proposed solutions. Project relocation documents from which information is summarized should be referenced in the draft EIS. Secondary sources of information such as census, economic reports, and contact with community leaders, supplemented by visual inspections (and, as appropriate, contact with local officials) may be used to obtain the data for this analysis. Where a proposed project will result in displacements, the following information regarding households and businesses should be discussed for each alternative under consideration commensurate with the level of impacts and to the extent they are likely to occur:
(a) An estimate of the number of households to be displaced, including the family characteristics (e.g., minority, ethnic, handicapped, elderly, large family, income level, and owner/tenant status). However, where there are very few displaces, information on race, ethnicity and income levels should not be included in the EIS to protect the privacy of those affected.
(b) A discussion comparing available (decent, safe, and sanitary) housing in the area with the housing needs of the displaced. The comparison should include (1) price ranges, (2) sizes (number of bedrooms), and (3) occupancy status (owner/tenant).
(c) A discussion of any affected neighborhoods, public facilities, non-profit organizations, and families having special composition (e.g., ethnic, minority, elderly, handicapped, or other factors) which may require special relocation considerations and the measures proposed to resolve these relocation concerns.
(d) A discussion of the measures to be taken where the existing housing inventory is insufficient, does not meet relocation standards, or is not within the financial capability of the displaces. A commitment to last resort housing should be included when sufficient comparable replacement housing may not be available.
(e) An estimate of the numbers, descriptions, types of occupancy (owner/tenant), and sizes (number of employees) of businesses and farms to be displaced. Additionally, the discussion should identify (1) sites available in the area to which he affected businesses may relocate, (2) likelihood of such relocation, and (3) potential impacts on individual businesses and farms caused by displacement or proximity of the proposed highway if not displaced.
(f) A discussion of the results of contacts, if any, with local governments, organizations, groups, and individuals regarding residential and business relocation impacts, including any measures or coordination needed to reduce general and/or specific impacts. These contacts are encouraged for projects with large numbers of relocates or complex relocation requirements. Specific financial and incentive programs or opportunities (beyond those provided by the Uniform Relocation Act) to residential and business relocates to minimize impacts may be identified, if available through other agencies or organizations.
(g) A statement that (1) the acquisition and relocation program will be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, and (2) relocation resources are available to all residential and business relocates without discrimination.
Community Cohesion
- Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Neighborhood character (visual quality of neighborhood, historic, walkability, percentage of multi-family housing, etc.)
Neighborhood stability (recent and anticipated changes in neighborhood)
Population changes
Transportation options (existence of transit, existing sidewalks, conditions for bicycling)
Property values (existing and anticipated changes)
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[Use for projects that will not impact neighborhoods or community cohesion]
The project will not divide neighborhoods, isolate part of a neighborhood, generate new development or otherwise affect community cohesion. The age and ethnic background of the affected population is of a similar composition as the rest of the Town of --. All of the occupied dwellings (-- of --) to be acquired are owner-occupied single family units and do not contain a disproportionate number of minority or lowincome populations.
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[Project-specific, Use as Appropriate]
The project corridor is predominately older, relatively well-kept 19th century residential homes with some scattered commercial, town offices and agricultural fields. There is a concentration of these residential properties in the Hamlet of ------. Most of the residential homes associated with the Hamlet are on the north side of Route ----. Two of the houses on the south side of Route ---- are abandoned and are in severe disrepair. Additionally, on the south side of Rt. ---- there is an abandoned gas station. There aresidewalks that service a portion of the north side of Route ---- but none on the south side. Sidewalks are not continuous throughout the project corridor. Outlying residential neighborhoods, to a large degree, have been planned and built independently of one another and are remote from necessary support services. There are no schools located along Route ----. Two churches exist along Rte. ---- in the project corridor. Retail uses along the corridor are vehicle oriented including the large mall immediately west of the project. As a result, automobiles are the primary mode of transportation.There is some pedestrian activity, primarily youths walking to the mall and is evidenced by the worn paths continuing beyond the west end of the sidewalk on the north side. In the Hamlet, where speeds are lower and the development pattern is more residential, conditions for bicycling are relatively good. However the pavement condition may deter some. Speeds increasein the commercial area outside of the Hamlet and conditions are less conducive to bicycling.The more recent commercial and residential development to the west of the proposed project has been vehicular oriented and lack sidewalks.
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Home and Business Relocations
- Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Discuss total estimated number of households and businesses displaced
Discuss each proposed relocation and need
Availability of replacement property
Comparison of available housing in the area
Discuss if there are families with special relocation needs
Reference the Conceptual Stage Relocation Plan as appropriate
Discuss available sites for business relocation
Number of displaced employees
Discuss Uniform Relocation Assistance Act provisions
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[Use for non-complex situations]
Since this project involves the repair of an existing highway on predominately the existing alignment and does not require the acquisition of occupied dwellings/businesses, it will not cause adverse impacts upon neighborhood character and stability. The proposed alternative would require no displacement of residences or businesses and there would be no relocation impacts.
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[Project Specific Example, Use as Appropriate]
The proposed building removals will have mixed effects on the community. The removal of three abandoned residential homes and the one abandoned gas station will improve the character of the community by eliminating structures that give the impression of a deteriorating neighborhood. This improvement is offset by the removal of four viable residential structures, however, these structures are generally scattered throughout the project corridor. Overall, the effects of this project will not cause adverse impacts upon neighborhood character and stability.
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