Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
NICE Neighborhood Funds
6-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
NICE Neighborhoods funds were created by adopting City Council Resolution No. 5-04 on April 6th, 2004. NICE Neighborhoods funds can expand the City’s tax base through strategic, public capital investment in infrastructure for areas with high development and redevelopment potential. New investment and reduced infrastructure barriers can spur further development and redevelopment, therefore expanding the potential tax base of the City of Port Angeles.
-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
NICE Neighborhoods funds must be utilized for improvements of off-site frontage and off-site public infrastructure and facilities that focus on improving inadequate infrastructure to support future development and redevelopment. Projects must meet additional criteria determined by the amount of funding requested which is illustrated in the tiers below.
The Housing Administrator and other City Staff will evaluate program eligibility.
Small Scale Projects (≤ $14,999):
The application must demonstrate one of the following:
1. For Housing Related Applications: The application must result in at least one of the following types of housing or have a demonstrated community benefit:
o Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
o Duplexes
o Triplexes
o Fourplexes
o Cottage Housing
o Caretaker Units
o Apartment Complexes
o Townhomes
o Multifamily Housing
o Group Homes
o Permanent Supportive Housing
o Transitional Housing
o Emergency Housing
o Adult Family Homes
o Single-family homes constructed through a recognized non-profit, local, state, or federal low-income homeownership program. Labor participation is required by the homeowner as part of these programs; those eligible include residents whose income is at 80% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) for Clallam County.
o Subdivisions creating four or more lots.
2. For Economic Development Related Applications: The application must either:
o Create a new business, or
o Expand an existing business within city limits.
3. For Sidewalk related Applications: The application must either:
o Fill a priority existing network gap on an arterial street or school walking route, or
o Address an item on City’s approved ADA Transition Plan to reduce accessibility barriers to the wider community.
4. Additional Criteria/Questions for All Applications:
o How the project promotes a return on public investment through strategic infrastructure placement.
o How does the project benefit the greater good of the community?
o Disclosure of any financial participation and leverage from other resources, such as private investment, grants, fees, LIDs, and other sources, if applicable.
o A detailed budget demonstrating that
Medium Scale Projects ($15,000 - $24,999):
The Housing Related Applications must demonstrate all “small-scale projects” requirements, as well as the following:
1. Demonstrate a further real increase in infill housing development and redevelopment because of this proposal.
2. The proposed housing development must accommodate at least three units or have a demonstrated community benefit.
The Economic development-related applications must demonstrate all “small-scale projects” requirements and must include improvements that benefit multiple businesses.
1. Demonstrate the total net economic benefit of a project.
2. Ensure the proposal meets the needs of the comprehensive plan and the needs of the affected neighborhood.
Utility related project applications must demonstrate the project provides a mutual benefit for the utility and is in the best interest of the City.
Large Scale Projects (≥ $25,000):
The application must demonstrate the “small and medium scale project” requirements, as well as the following:
1. How the project meets the intent of prioritizing improvements toward neighborhoods with development and redevelopment potential.
2. The project exceeds the minimum PAMC requirements for utility and street improvements commensurate to the proposed NICE grant amount.
3. Articulate where new potential development and redevelopment could occur because of this proposal.
4. Ensure that the proposed development meets the needs outlined in the comprehensive plan, as well as the specific needs of the neighborhood.
5. For Sidewalks/Transportation Related Applications:
o Sidewalks must not be “orphaned” and will connect one landmark or destination to another. For example, a sidewalk must connect a park entrance to existing housing development, a commercial business, a school, a transit stop, or an existing section of sidewalk.
o Sidewalk extensions and improvements must directly benefit four or more units or have a demonstrated community benefit.
o In the case of an economic development project, the improvement must benefit multiple businesses.
o A large-scale project will evaluate the total net economic benefit of a project.
6. For Improvements to Sewer, Stormwater Capacity, Water, and Electrical Utilities Related Applications:
o Improvements must directly benefit four or more units or have a demonstrated community benefit.
o In the case of an economic development project, the improvement must benefit multiple businesses.
o A large-scale project will evaluate the total net economic benefit of a project.
o Sewer improvements must benefit the wider community “downstream” or help with future housing/commercial density to be developed.
7. For Public Facility Related Applications:
o City facilities (including but not limited to pump stations, reservoirs, bridges, etc.)
o The City of Port Angeles can use NICE Neighborhood funds as a grant match for infrastructure-related grants.
-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
Increased Development Opportunity: These funds remove barriers to development by strategically upgrading off-site infrastructure that previously prohibited development from occurring.
Reduced Development Costs: These funds reduce development costs by alleviating the burden of off-site improvements for qualifying development.
-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
- Download a NICE Neighborhoods grant application from the City’s website.
- Complete the grant application and attach all other required documentation.
- Submit the completed grant application to Community and Economic Development via ced@cityofpa.us.
City-managed projects will be selected through the annual Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) process. Non-City use of NICE Neighborhoods funds must be requested through an application to CED.
Applications to CED will be initially reviewed for completeness by the City’s Housing Administrator. Upon confirmation of completeness, small-scale projects will be reviewed for adherence to application criteria, and the CED Manager and City Engineer will make final decisions. Medium-scale projects follow the same review process as small-scale projects; however, the City Manager will review and make the final decisions regarding funding approval. Large-scale projects meeting the application criteria shall be evaluated for their overall public benefit, and a recommendation for approval may be forwarded to the City Council by the Utility Advisory Committee for utility related projects and the City Manager, via the Deputy City Manager and the Director of Public Works and Utilities. The City Engineer will be available at the request of the Public Works Director at City Council meetings regarding NICE applications concerning utilities and streets. The City Manager or their designee will sign all contracts. Approval levels will be consistent with the City’s Financial Policies.
-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
There are three tiers for funding requests $14,999 or less, $15,000 – $24,999, and $25,000 or more. Any request exceeding $25,000 will need to meet all specified requirements as well as city council approval but there is no limit.
-
NICE Neighborhood Funds
Please email the City’s Housing Administrator Jalyn Boado, at jboado@cityofpa.us. You can also schedule an appointment with a planner by visiting www.cityofpa.us/BookAMeeting.