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Council to form ad hoc after debate over cost and timing of updating Ukiah historic resources survey and preservation code
Summary
City staff and the Historical Society discussed options to update Ukiah’s 1999 historic resources survey and to draft a preservation code. Staff recommended pursuing certified-local-government steps and grant funding rather than immediately funding a full survey; council formed an ad hoc to work with staff and stakeholders.
Craig Schlatter, Community Development Director, summarized competing options for meeting the general plan requirement to update the city’s historic resources survey and adopt a historic preservation code.
Schlatter said the city issued an RFP and received six responsive proposals, averaging about $232,000; one selected proposal was roughly $200,000. He told the council the city lacks a dedicated budget for that scope and outlined two alternatives: (1) proceed with code development now using existing 1999 survey materials and seek Certified Local Government (CLG) status and then pursue grants to fund a full survey; or (2) fund an updated historic context statement and then a full survey before code adoption. Schlatter said SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) recommended the first path for jurisdictions without current funding.
Council members and members of the public debated costs, community engagement and whether volunteers and local historians could help prepare an updated historical-context statement at lower cost. Public commenters including Pinky Kushner (a resident who said her house was part of the 1985 survey) urged more public involvement and suggested an ad hoc committee. An online commentator who identified as a Historical Society board member said the society would support participation.
After public comment and staff recommendations, the council voted to form an ad hoc to work with staff on developing the historic preservation code; Councilmember Schurf and Councilmember Chris were named to the committee.
