Community Development

Planning Services Division

What we are

Planning Services is a division of the Community Development Department. Planning Services assists property owners, developers, and the public in matters related to the use and development of private property. This includes: providing information on the regulations and guidelines that apply to property and projects; reviewing and processing of planning applications; providing assistance on project design and development; processing land use entitlements for private and public development proposals; and performing environmental review associated with development proposals.


Long Range Planning focuses on the development and implementation of the City of Ukiah General Plan. The General Plan consists of seven State of California mandated Elements and a State-certified Housing Element. Long Range Planning also develops, implements, and/or assists in the creation of special programs and projects such as the Airport Industrial Park Planned Development and creek master plans and the maintenance of the Zoning ordinance. Such efforts reflect current State law and modern planning principles.

What we do

  • Process land use entitlements for private and public development proposals including major use and minor use permits, site development permits, and variances
  • Conduct pre-development application meetings for businesses and developers seeking projects in the City
  • Provide staff support to the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Paths Creeks, Open space commission, Demolition Permit Review Committee, and Building Appeals Board
  • Complete California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review of projects as required by State Law
  • Implementation of the Ukiah Valley General Plan which consists of seven State mandated elements

Our People


Budget Summary: Costs


Here is a summary of the budget unit in graphical form, illustrating direct costs and indirect costs. Click on the graph to explore greater detail of the unit's budget.

Budget Summary: Just the Numbers


Similar to the graph to the left, here is a summary of the budget unit, just the numbers. It illustrates direct costs and indirect costs. Click on the table to explore greater detail of the unit's budget.

Accomplishments

  • Consolidate number of forms, complete form updates and post on division web pages. | In Progress | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Updated information and several forms on website. Efforts will continue through 2019-20.
  • Recruit and hire Associate Planner – Housing and Planning Manager. | Completed | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Hired Planning Manager, Associate Planner, and Assistant Planner. 
  • Start the General Plan update process. | Completed | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: General Plan Update kick-off with Planning Commission and City Council was on May 14,2019.
  • Organize and digitize planning records. | In Progress | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Staff has been re-organizing files and will be pursuing digitization of planning documents. Staff also completed MUNIS training, which has greatly improved planning record keeping and customer service.
  • Develop and deploy customer satisfaction survey. | In Progress | DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Survey in development and expect to deploy in 2018-19 fiscal year.

Future Objectives

NEAR-TERM

  • Work with Housing Division to complete update of Housing Element. Next (6th) Housing Element cycle will be 2019-2027.  DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Housing Element update must be adopted by City Council by 12/13/19.
  • Update Ukiah General Plan. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Completion of a General Plan update (and associated Environmental Impact Report) typically takes 2-3 years.
  • Work with the County of Mendocino and Airport Land Use Commission to update the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) for the Ukiah Municipal Airport (UMI). DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: The update is anticipated to take approximately eight months to complete.
  • Continue organizing and digitizing documents, as well as updating information and handouts on website. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION COMMENTS: Ongoing effort to increase efficiency and provide superior customer service.
  • Utilize customer satisfaction survey results to evaluate and re-design customer service experience.

INTERMEDIATE-TERM

  • Complete the update of the General Plan and develop standardized procedure for implementation and annual monitoring and reporting.
  • Pursue annexation efforts.
  • Update the Zoning Code to reflect vision and policies in updated General Plan.
  • Start discussions with Mendocino County about updating Ukiah Valley Area Plan (UVAP).

LONG-TERM

  • Implement the policies and goals of the General Plan.
  • Complete update of the Zoning Ordinance.
  • Achieve a reputation for providing the highest level of planning services and outstanding customer service.
  • Implement programs and goals in updated General Plan, Housing Element, and associated advanced planning documents and plans.

The Numbers Over Time

Budget by Character

Budget by Fund

Notes

  1. The General Plan update, which has been budgeted in FY 2018-19 has been encumbered, but most expenditures have not yet been incurred. The encumbrance, when rolled into 2019-20 will amend the budget for that year. As such, the project is not included in this budget presentation.