Ukiah, California Development News
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City Council Regular Meeting - Media
Published: Jul 1, 2026
City Council Advances Downtown Zoning Code Reform
The City Council reviewed a comprehensive land use amendment and rezoning proposal for the downtown area and adjacent parcels. This initiative aims to update the downtown zoning code, which has underperformed since its adoption in 2012, with only one new structure built as a direct result. The proposal involves truncating the downtown zoning code at Main Street, expanding a portion westward, and creating a new recreation zoning district for the Great Redwood Trail segments. The rezoning seeks to align zoning with existing land uses and conditions, returning many parcels to their pre-2012 designations. A two-phase reform process is outlined: first, rezoning based on current conditions, and second, a regulatory overhaul. Drive-through restaurants are a point of discussion, with the proposal expanding their allowance in the East Perkins corridor while maintaining restrictions in the downtown core. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on Gibson Creek's protection and the removal of specific language from previous environmental documents. The council also discussed the challenges of revitalizing the Perkins Street corridor due to inconsistent parcel sizes and the cost of reusing existing buildings, contrasting it with the success of the School Street corridor. Ultimately, the council voted to introduce the ordinance facilitating these changes, with further steps planned in phase two.
Downtown Zoning Code Amendments Introduced to Spur Redevelopment
The City Council introduced an ordinance to amend the downtown zoning code boundary and create a new recreational zoning district. This initiative stems from a six-year process aimed at revitalizing the downtown area, which has seen limited development under the existing code adopted in 2012. The reform involves rezoning parcels along the Perkins Street corridor and west of downtown to better reflect current conditions and land uses. A new recreation district is being established for areas like the Great Redwood Trail. The council discussed the potential allowance of drive-through restaurants in the East Perkins corridor, a point of contention for some members concerned about environmental impacts and encouraging "laziness." Other discussions included the fate of Gibson Creek protections under the new zoning, the challenges of revitalizing Perkins Street due to parcel sizes, and the impact of the new courthouse's relocation on downtown businesses. The ordinance aims to create a more flexible regulatory scheme to encourage adaptive reuse and infill development, with a second phase planned for further regulatory updates.
Electric Utility Updates Energy Efficiency Targets and Public Benefits Programs
The City Council reviewed the Electric Utilities' annual energy efficiency targets and public benefits programs. The Public Benefits Fund, established by AB 1890, is used for low-income assistance (about 50% of the budget), energy conservation (rebates and programs), R&D, and renewable energy. While solar rebates have largely phased out, programs like the residential direct install (offering free efficiency measures) and commercial DIY lighting (providing LED fixtures) have been successful in achieving energy savings goals. Challenges exist in meeting energy efficiency targets as appliances become inherently more efficient, requiring higher thresholds. The SPRITE project, an R&D initiative, aims to increase geothermal capacity and extend the life of the geothermal plant, which is a significant source of renewable energy for the city, indirectly helping to stabilize electricity costs. The council also approved updated rebate program changes and discussed communication strategies to inform customers about available incentives.
City Council Reviews Community Services Fees Amidst Maintenance and Affordability Discussions
The City Council reviewed the annual fee schedule for community services, including recreation programs, sports fields, parks, municipal pools, the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, and the Grace Hudson Museum. Staff presented proposed adjustments, with increases mostly focused on the Grace Hudson meeting room rates and commercial HVAC system minimum requirements. The council discussed the city's approach to fee setting, balancing cost recovery with affordability, especially for low-income residents and youth programs, which receive significant discounts and subsidies. The importance of private sponsorships for youth sports teams was highlighted. A key discussion point was the city's policy of not charging non-residents a higher fee for most services, although residency or ties to Ukiah are considered for low-income discounts. Concerns were raised about the current fees for municipal pools, with a public comment noting that a $10 per person fee could be steep, though staff clarified that fees would not increase this summer. The need for ongoing maintenance and upgrades, particularly for the aging pool facility, was acknowledged as a driver for fee considerations. The council also discussed the Public Benefits Fund for utilities, including energy efficiency targets, low-income assistance, and research and development projects like SPRITE, which aims to extend the life and capacity of geothermal resources, indirectly benefiting customers by stabilizing or reducing potential cost increases.
Residents Voice Strong Concerns Over FLOCK Safety Surveillance Contract
Concerns were raised by residents regarding the city's contract with FLOCK Safety, a company providing surveillance cameras. Speakers highlighted potential risks such as stalking, spying, misidentification of suspects, and unlawful arrests. They pointed out that UKIA's data was searched over 10 million times in 2025, with only a small fraction by UKIA PD, raising questions about data access by other jurisdictions. The company's business model allows broad access to data, and recent changes to their look-back period for searches were noted. Concerns were also voiced about the vulnerability of mass databases to misuse and security risks, even if not directly shared with agencies like ICE. The financial cost of the contract was also discussed, with $140,000 spent over four years for 14 cameras leading to approximately 110 arrests. Specific incidents of misuse by FLOCK employees and unauthorized users were cited, including hacking into the network and observing children in vulnerable situations. Residents urged the council to cancel the contract due to these documented risks and lack of trust.
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