In March 1, 2019 the City of Ukiah embarked on its 2019-2027 Housing Element Update process (see the press release). The process was concluded when the 2019-2027 Housing Element was adopted by the Ukiah City Council on October 23, 2019 and subsequently certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development on December 5, 2019.
Section 65302(c) of the California Government Code requires that the City of Ukiah adopt a Housing Element as part of the General Plan to analyze issues of housing availability, affordability, and needs within the community. In addition, the Housing Element seeks to set goals, policies, programs and implementation strategies to address those issues. As part of the update process, the City will be seeking input and ideas from the community on the following types of housing issues:
In accordance with Section 15063 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, an Initial Study/Negative Declaration was prepared for the City of Ukiah 2019-2027 Housing Element. The Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration was adopted by City Council on October 23, 2019.
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD: The public review period for the Draft IS/ND was from Tuesday July 23, 2019 through Monday August 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. The IS/ND was also available for review at the City of Ukiah Community Development Department at 300 Seminary Ave, Ukiah Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Questions may be submitted via email to mirace@cityofukiah.com, submitted in person, or mailed to the Community Development Department, ATTN: Michelle Irace, at the aforementioned address.
City of Ukiah Council Meeting
Civic Center Chambers, 300 Seminary Ave., Ukiah
City of Ukiah Planning Commission
Civic Center Chambers, 300 Seminary Ave., Ukiah
Staff requested a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council for approval of Initial Study/Negative Declaration and amendments to Housing Element (2019-2027 Housing Element Update). More information, including the pertinent documents may be found online at https://cityofukiah.com/meetings/, or may be obtained from the Department of Community Development at the Ukiah Civic Center. Recorded video feed of the meeting can be found on the Planning Commission tab of the City Council & Planning Commission Agendas and Minutes page.
Mendocino County Airport Land Use Commission
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 501 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah
The Airport Land Use Commission reviewed the Housing Element for Determination of Consistency with Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Meeting materials can be found online here.
Community participation is a vital part of developing the Housing Element, and it is important we hear from local residents and interested agencies on these issues. The City held two community workshops to receive input on the development of the Housing Element. Spanish translation services were available and each workshop covered slightly different subject matter. Information regarding the workshops is below:
Community Workshop #1
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Community Workshop #2
Thursday, April 25, 2019
If you cannot attend the workshops, please email or mail comments to Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director at cschlatter@cityofukiah.com or 300 Seminary Ave, Ukiah, CA 95482. Any questions about the workshop can also be directed to Craig at (707) 463-6708.
Greening Your Home and Business
In today’s era of escalating energy costs and climate change, making energy efficiency improvements to your home or business is a top priority. You can secure immediate cost savings by lowering your overall energy usage, which also reduces your carbon emission footprint. You can also save money in the areas of waste reduction, equipment use, transportation, and building design. We’ve gathered 21 green business tips that you can implement quickly and easily in your own business.
Here are some additional information links:
Water-Efficiency, Treatment, and Storm Water Improvements
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The City of Ukiah has made significant investments to build conservation into the structure of our operations. A critical component of our structural conservation has been our state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. This plant has allowed us to reduce overall water use, reduce discharges to the river, and enhance the supply of sustainable, reliable water resources. The treatment plant also relies on LED lighting and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motors, which greatly increase energy efficiency.
Ukiah secured a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board to cover about a third of the cost of the recycled water system and secured another grant from CalRecycle to filter storm water before it is discharged to the river.
Learn more about the wastewater treatment plant.
Converting Water Fixtures
As the City modernizes its buildings, we are replacing traditional toilets and sink faucets with low flow fixtures, significantly reducing the amount of water used in our facilities.
Using Recycled Water for Outdoor Irrigation
The City is using recycled water at the Ukiah Sports Complex, at Oak Manor Elementary, and Oak Manor Park, keeping our fields and parks green while also promoting responsible and sustainable use of our water resources; additional expansion of the recycled water program is underway. Learn more about the Recycled Water Project.
Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled
Bike Lanes
There are currently approximately 11.2 miles of class II bike lanes in the City of Ukiah. The City is in the design process and intends to expand the distance of bike lanes to 3.8 miles, which will be a total of approximately 15 miles.
Expanding the Great Redwood Trail – Ukiah
With broad public support, the City has been very active in developing the Great Redwood Trail within the City limits. The existing 2 miles of class I multi-purpose pathways provides a safe and efficient corridor for bicycle and pedestrian traffic to access major employment centers, services, shopping, residential areas, and the future Mendocino County Courthouse, as well as connectivity to other bicycle routes throughout the City. The fourth phase of this trail will add an additional mile and complete the trail within the City limits from north to south. Learn more about the trail.
Our Electric Utility
Learn more about the Electric Utility as well as few simple things you can do at your home and at work to reduce your own energy costs.
Parks and Recreation
The City secured an Urban Greening Grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, which is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment. This $1.78 million grant was awarded in 2017 and used to support the build-out of the Rail Trail.
At the direction of the City Council, the City of Ukiah Paths, Open Space and Creeks Commission prepared a document establishing the policies and procedures for the City crews and other agencies and organizations to follow when performing creek maintenance and garbage and rubbish removal. Learn more.
In partnership with the Community Foundation of Mendocino County and the ReLeaf program, the Parks team has set a goal of planting 50 trees per year. An emphasis on planting trees that provide street shade will expand the benefit of the City’s urban forest.
Environmentally Friendly Land Use Policies
The City is in the process of updating its General Plan. Included in the proposed 2040 General Plan are new policies prioritizing complete streets, the development and implementation of a Climate Action Plan, preservation of agricultural lands and open space, and other climate friendly policies and goals. Additionally, Ukiah has created a Green Building Toolkit to actively promote energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners and contractors.
Increasing Recycling and Reducing Organic Waste
Transition to Cloud Computing
Our Hybrid Fleet and Clean Equipment
Well ahead of state goals, the City of Ukiah is replacing gas and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment with hybrid vehicles and Tier 4, California Air Resources Board compliant equipment. Ukiah Police have deployed an electric vehicle and all City vehicles that travel out of town are certified hybrid vehicles.
Ukiah has always been forward-looking with regard to electric vehicles. We have had electric vehicle (EV) charging stations since the 1980’s. Currently, the City has public EV charging at the public parking lot on Oak and Standley Streets.
The City has also invested heavily in retiring outdated diesel equipment and replace generators, mowers, and tractors and other equipment used by public works and parks maintenance teams with vehicles that are compliant with new emission requirements from the California Air Resources Control Board.
Lighting Upgrades at City Facilities
City facilities have transitioned to energy efficient LED lighting, which are estimated to consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting. These changes resulted in significant cost savings for the city.
The facilities that have made this conversion include the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, the Grace Hudson Museum, City Hall, the Water Treatment Facility, and more.
Storm Drains and Your Home
Protecting Our Emissions Savings by Preventing Fires
We have also streamlined how our fire response teams are structured to ensure full funding, adequate resources, and available equipment.
Ukiah Valley Fire District Annexation
In November 2021, the Ukiah Valley Fire Protection District increased its service territory to include the City of Ukiah within its boundaries, creating a unified district that serves the entire Ukiah Valley. This annexation of service territory resolved a funding discrepancy, establishing an additional $900,000 to $1 million in annual revenue necessary to meet the growing needs of our region. This has included:
Converting to Solar Energy
To reduce our reliance on the electrical grid, the City of Ukiah has identified city buildings ideal for solar installation. To date, the City has installed 40 Photovoltaic (Solar) panels at the Civic Center, saving the City approximately $26,061 and reducing our carbon footprint by 42.6 metric ton over 17 years.
Additionally, the water re-circulation system that heats the Ukiah Municipal Swimming Pool is 100% solar powered.
The City continues to pursue funding opportunities to outfit additional municipal facilities with solar. The City is currently involved with adding 123 kW of solar system at Anton Stadium parking lot. This solar system will help reduce our carbon footprint by approximately 62 metric ton yearly. We have also implemented automation for heating and cooling of City facilities to reduce power use during peak times.