Transitional and Permanent Housing for Individuals and Families who are Homeless or at risk of becoming Homeless - 555 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA
Summary
SCH Number
2020100378
Public Agency
Mendocino County
Document Title
Transitional and Permanent Housing for Individuals and Families who are Homeless or at risk of becoming Homeless - 555 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/21/2020
Present Land Use
56-unit hotel
Document Description
Notice of Exemption for the acquisition and conversion of an existing 29,905 sq. ft. 56-unit hotel to be used as transitional and permanent housing for individuals and families who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless pursuant to Project Homekey. Through the funding provisions of the Project Homekey Program, the County of Mendocino will purchase a 56-unit room Best Western Inn motel located at 555 South Orchard Avenue in Ukiah, California. Following the acquisition/purchase, the County intends to utilize the motel to provide transitional housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. All rooms will remain in their initial configuration as studio-style units. While the initial purpose of the facility will be transitional housing, the County intends to upgrade at least 50% of the facility into permanent housing units with 10 years of acquisition.
Contact Information
Name
Nash Gonzalez
Agency Name
County of Mendocino
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
County of Mendocino
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Zip
95482
Parcel #
002-340-39-00
Other Location Info
555 S. Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA 95482
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3); CEQA Guidelines section 15301(a); CEQA Guidelines section 15326
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves the acquisition of a 56-unit motel to be utilized by persons experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless, which may include lower income, and very low income households. Additionally, the motel is not being acquired by eminent domain, and the acquisition is paid exclusively utilizing public funds (Project Homekey Funds) from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The original structure’s footprint is not proposed to be expanded, only interior improvements are immediately to be done in order to support compliance with ADA requirements. The project is specifically exempt under the statutory exemption created for Project Homekey projects. In addition, the project is categorically exempt under several CEQA Guidelines provisions. Specifically, CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) provides that the project is exempt from CEQA where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the action will have a significant effect on the environment. The environmental impacts of the existing use of the property as transient hotel occupancy is generally similar to that of housing. The project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 because it consists of the acquisition and operations and minor alteration of an existing structure, with negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15326 as it is the acquisition of an interest in housing units.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
AB 83 (2020) establishes a statutory exemption from CEQA (Health and Safety Code Sections 50675.1 and 50675.1.2)
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves the acquisition of a 56-unit motel to be utilized by persons experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless, which may include lower income, and very low income households. Additionally, the motel is not being acquired by eminent domain, and the acquisition is paid exclusively utilizing public funds (Project Homekey Funds) from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The original structure’s footprint is not proposed to be expanded, only interior improvements are immediately to be done in order to support compliance with ADA requirements. The project is specifically exempt under the statutory exemption created for Project Homekey projects. In addition, the project is categorically exempt under several CEQA Guidelines provisions. Specifically, CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) provides that the project is exempt from CEQA where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the action will have a significant effect on the environment. The environmental impacts of the existing use of the property as transient hotel occupancy is generally similar to that of housing. The project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 because it consists of the acquisition and operations and minor alteration of an existing structure, with negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15326 as it is the acquisition of an interest in housing units.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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