Final Notice for Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland – Roberto Alonso Community Center Standby Generator

Final Notice for Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland – Roberto Alonso Community Center Standby Generator

September 16, 2024

To: All Interested Agencies including HUD, FEMA, and other State and local agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Town of Miami Lakes has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection to determine the potential affect that the activity in the floodplain and/or wetland will have on the environment. The activity is funded by the Florida Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program under Grant No. I0143.

A new 200kW (or as determined during the design process) standby generator is to be installed at the Roberto Alonso Community Center (RACC), located at 16500 NW 87 Avenue, Miami Lakes, FL 33018. The installation of this generator is necessary to implement the RACC Critical Facility Energy Resiliency Project. The community center serves as one of the Town of Miami Lake’s Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) and is integral to the Town’s response and recovery activities during and after a hazardous event. The purpose of this project is to mitigate power interruption in the face of severe storms and inclement weather. Currently, the EOC has an insufficiently sized standby power source and would be partially inoperable in the event of power outage and unable to perform critical duties before, during, and after storm events to meet urgent needs of the community such as food, water, and communications for emergency services. The project area (approximately 0.1 acres), located within Royal Oaks Park, is located entirely within the 100-year floodplain, Zone AE.

The Town of Miami Lakes has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values:

Alternative A: The first alternative is to place the proposed generator outside of the floodplain. This alternative was not selected as the entire site is located within the 100-year floodplain. Additionally, relocation to an alternate site is not feasible as much of the Town of Miami Lakes is fully developed and constructed and lies within a 100-year flood plain. Areas within the Town of Miami Lakes that are outside the 100-year flood plain are not suitable for use as an emergency operations center and point of food and water distribution and may require purchase and development of land to construct a new EOC.

Alternative B: The second alternative is to reduce the size of the proposed generator to minimize impacts to the floodplain. This alternative was not selected as the proposed size will provide 100% backup to all current and anticipated electrical loads. The existing generator (27kW) is inadequate to sustain the operation of the entire RACC facility in the event of a power outage/severe storm event. A smaller (than the proposed) generator will not provide 100% backup power and may limit the full use of the electrical system.

Alternative C: No Action Alternative. Under this alternative, the project would not proceed and the much-needed resiliency upgrades to the Roberto Alonso Community Center would not be provided and emergency services during and after a severe storm event may be limited to the residents of the Town of Miami Lakes. Currently, the Roberto Alonso Community Center is provided emergency power through a 27-kW generator with a fuel supply of approximately 40-48 hours. This option would not meet the Town of Miami Lakes’ goal to implement its RACC Facility Resiliency Project and better serve its residents.

The Town of Miami Lakes has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. The generator installation will be designed and built to FEMA, Town of Miami Lakes requirements, and Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources standards (the highest of the following: 12” above the FEMA flood elevation, County Flood Criteria, 4” above crown of road); flood insurance will be maintained. The generator footprint will have minimal impact on the flood plain. Site drainage will be evaluated at the time of design to ensure there are no negative impacts or ponding. This will allow the Town of Miami Lakes to implement its RACC Facility Resiliency project and continue to serve its residents and allowing its residents to continue the recreational use of the park.

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 comment 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 the Town of Miami Lakes Office of the Clerk, Gina M. Inguanzo, (Town Clerk / Records Custodian) at 6601 Main Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 and (305) 364-6100 ext. 1138 on or before September 26, 2024. Attention: Omar Santos, Director of Public Works A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm or copies requested from the Town at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by email at inguanzog@miamilakes-fl.gov.

To access this notice in Spanish, click here. Puede acceder a este aviso en español aquí.