Introduction:
The City of Ukiah has received an updated demolition permit application from the Mendocino-Lake Community College District (MLCCD) for the two structures located at 101 and 105 South Main Street. The combined half-acre site is zoned Urban Center and is envisioned for future redevelopment that would support student housing opportunities.
Because the buildings are more than 50 years old, review by the Demolition Review Committee and compliance with CEQA are required before any demolition activity can occur.
Project Background:
The two buildings on the site were constructed in the early and mid-20th century and have served a variety of small businesses over the years, including the long-standing Dragon’s Lair shop and Tom’s Glass repair service. In 2021, the prior property owner submitted applications for demolition and environmental review, which required the City to evaluate the buildings’ age, architectural characteristics, and historical context in accordance with local regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of that formal review process, the City prepared and adopted an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ISMND) in 2022.
In 2022, the City Council concluded that the structure at 105 South Main Street did not meet local thresholds for historical significance, while the structure at 101 South Main Street retained materials and features associated with early commercial activity on South Main Street. These findings informed the development of cultural-resource mitigation measures to ensure that appropriate documentation and interpretive recognition would accompany any future work on the site.
Current Proposal and CEQA Addendum
MLCCD is now requesting approval to move forward with demolition in order to prepare the property for a future affordable student housing project. Some aspects of the earlier mitigation requirements, specifically the timing of documentation work, conflict with current state grant timelines for housing projects.
To maintain environmental protections while allowing the project to remain eligible for housing funding, the City has prepared a Draft Addendum to the 2022 ISMND. An Addendum is used when the overall project does not change the environmental conclusions of the original document but certain clarifications or updates are needed.
The Draft Addendum maintains all cultural-resource protections, updates the documentation process, and outlines how historic building materials and community-facing interpretation would be incorporated into the eventual redevelopment. These measures ensure continued acknowledgment of the site’s past while allowing progress toward new housing opportunities.
Next Steps
The two buildings on the site were constructed in the early and mid-20th century and have served a variety of small businesses over the years, including the long-standing Dragon’s Lair shop and Tom’s Glass repair service. In 2021, the prior property owner submitted applications for demolition and environmental review, which required the City to evaluate the buildings’ age, architectural characteristics, and historical context in accordance with local regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of that formal review process, the City prepared and adopted an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (ISMND) in 2022.
In 2022, the City Council concluded that the structure at 105 South Main Street did not meet local thresholds for historical significance, while the structure at 101 South Main Street retained materials and features associated with early commercial activity on South Main Street. These findings informed the development of cultural-resource mitigation measures to ensure that appropriate documentation and interpretive recognition would accompany any future work on the site.
CEQA Review and Hearing Materials
2022 City Council Demolition Permit and CEQA ISMND Approval
- CEQA State Clearinghouse Posting (SCH #2022030389)
- Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for Demolition Permit (101 & 105 S Main Street)
- Notice of Public Hearing and Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration – Attachment A: Historic Resource Evaluation for 101 S. Main St
November 20, 2025 Demolition Review Committee
City Council Hearing (TBD)
