City of Ukiah - Electric Utility Department Property Acquisition (701 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA; APN 003-181-01)
Summary
SCH Number
2026051018
Public Agency
City of Ukiah
Document Title
City of Ukiah - Electric Utility Department Property Acquisition (701 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA; APN 003-181-01)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/27/2026
Document Description
Acquisition of real property by the City of Ukiah for use by the Electric Utility Department. The parcel is the former site of a City-owned electrical substation and remains encumbered by multiple existing electrical easements, including a critical access to a primary transmission line. Access and public use for electrical equipment storage is essential to maintaining reliable electrical service to Ukiah residents.
he City of Ukiah proposes to re-acquire a ±0.66 acre parcel located at 701 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA (APN 003-181-01) for use by the City of Ukiah Electric Utility Department. The parcel is the former site of a City-owned electrical substation and remains encumbered by multiple recorded electrical easements, including the easement that contains the sole transmission line feed serving the City's primary substation located at 724 South Orchard Avenue. Following acquisition, the parcel will continue to function as a utility-support site associated with existing electrical infrastructure. Near-term use will consist of low-intensity utility activities such as pole storage, equipment staging, and routine operational support. Long-term use will support the continued operation, repair, maintenance, and minor alteration of the existing electrical facilities located across the City. The project authorizes no construction, ground disturbance, grading, vegetation removal, or new permanent structures. Any future development that would exceed the scope of these exempt activities will be subject to separate discretionary review and independent CEQA analysis.
Contact Information
Name
Jesse Davis
Agency Name
City of Ukiah Community Development Department
Job Title
Chief Planning Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
East Gobbi Street & South Orchard Avenue
Zip
95482
Total Acres
.66
Parcel #
003-181-01
State Highways
US 101
Railways
N/A
Airports
UKI
Schools
River Oak Charter School
Waterways
Russian River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Article 19, Class 1, Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) (b), Public Utility Facilities.
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), particularly subsection (b), which applies to existing public utility facilities
used for a continued purpose. The City has reviewed the exceptions to categorical exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 and finds that none apply: The parcel is not located in a particularly sensitive environment. There is no reasonable possibility of cumulative impact from successive projects of the same type in the same place. There are no unusual circumstances, creating a reasonable possibility of a significant effect on the environment. The parcel is not located within view of an officially designated state scenic highway.
The project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The acquisition authorizes no physical change to the environment, other than temporary storage, which is the current use of the site. On a separate and independent basis, the project is also exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) (common sense exemption), because it can be seen with certainty that there
is no possibility the activity will have a significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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