Adoption of a 'Missing Middle' Ordinance
Summary
SCH Number
2024100787
Public Agency
City of Ukiah
Document Title
Adoption of a 'Missing Middle' Ordinance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/18/2024
Document Description
The proposed amendments to Ukiah’s City Code aim to bring local regulations in line with the Ukiah 2040 General Plan, promoting more flexible and diverse housing options while maintaining the City’s commitment to sustainability and community resilience. Key changes within the introduced Ordinance focus on clarifying that duplexes, a critical component of ‘Missing Middle’ housing, are allowed by right in residential zones (R1-R3), exempt from certain objective design regulations, but still restricted in airport compatibility zones. The amendments also seek to streamline the approval process for Missing Middle housing types, reduce regulatory barriers, and ensure that they are developed in a manner compatible with existing neighborhoods. By promoting the development of Missing Middle Housing, the City can enhance housing affordability, increase density in appropriate areas, and create more walkable, livable communities.
Regulations for manufactured and modular homes are simplified, aligning local rules with state standards, while new provisions for Dwelling Group - Cottage developments will encourage small-scale, clustered housing that blends with single-family neighborhoods and provides opportunities for clustered infill development of smaller residential structures. In addition, the reduction of setbacks, lot sizes, and parking requirements is designed to facilitate the development of affordable, compact housing types such as duplexes and townhomes, allowing realization of the General Plan’s evaluated densities. The proposed amendments also incorporate SB 9 and address practical concerns like accessory carports, allowing them to extend into setbacks to optimize space for infill residential development, rather than vehicle storage.
Clear citations in the 'Additional Requirements' section of each Article have been added to increase awareness of regulations and restrictions within the Ukiah Municipal Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. “Mom & Pop” grocery stores are now permitted in residential zones on a discretionary basis and there are more opportunities for 'Professional Office' uses. Updates have been made to landscaping standards to emphasize drought-resistant plants in line with the City’s sustainability goals.
Contact Information
Name
Katherine Schaefers
Agency Name
City of Ukiah
Job Title
Planning Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Citywide
Zip
95482
State Highways
US 101
Airports
Ukiah Municipal Airport
Township
15N
Range
12W
Base
MtDiablo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Article 12, Section 15183
Reasons for Exemption
In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, the Project qualifies for an exemption because the following findings can be made. All potential impacts from the Project were evaluated with the Ukiah 2040 EIR. The proposed ordinance has no unique features that were not evaluated within the General Plan EIR. There is no new information as a result of the proposed ordinance amendments that would result in more severe impacts. The amendments are consistent with the Ukiah 2040 General Plan density and land use designations for Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential and High Density Residential. There are no potentially significant offsite and/or cumulative impacts as a result of the proposed ordinance amendments. There is no substantial new information that results in more severe impacts than anticipated by the Ukiah 2040 EIR.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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