Council approves demolition permit at 214 E. Perkins; neighbors raise asbestos and construction concerns

The Ukiah City Council on June 18 approved a demolition permit for the commercial building at 214 East Perkins Street after staff concluded the structure is not a listed historic resource and that demolition is categorically exempt under CEQA.

Catherine Schaeffers, planning manager, presented the staff analysis. She said the building was constructed about 1947, making it roughly 78 years old, but it did not appear in the city’s 1985 or 1999 historic resource surveys, is not in a designated historic district and has no local historic-resource code designation. Schaeffers said the demolition review committee unanimously recommended approval, noting prior repurposing attempts stalled because the building needs extensive upgrades to meet modern fire, seismic and accessibility standards.

Planning staff distinguished this proposal from a prior nearby demolition that required additional environmental review because that other building was listed in local and state surveys. Schaeffers said the construction at 214 East Perkins falls under a CEQA categorical exemption for removal of non-historic existing structures. She advised that asbestos abatement must be carried out by a licensed C22 contractor under the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District’s oversight.

Several neighbors spoke at the council meeting. Eric McMillan said he could find no public plan showing what would replace the building and expressed concern about a possible expansion of the nearby outpatient clinic across the street and whether that would be suitable next to the public library. He also reported repeated noise-ordinance violations at a separate Pineoleville/Pomo Nation project and asked whether demolition crews would follow noise and safety rules.

Daniel Grassi, representing One Together Solutions (the clinic operator across the street), said the tribe is the applicant and that demolition would be performed by certified contractors. Grassi said the contractor will use continuous water to suppress dust, perform air testing and include language in specifications to mitigate impacts; he also said the tribe intends to submit plans for a “magnificent building” and that the clinic operator strives to be a good neighbor.

Natalie McMillan, a nearby resident, urged heightened attention to asbestos and dust mitigation, saying she had tried to raise concerns with planning staff and felt disregarded. Deputy City Manager Shannon Riley and planning staff responded that the city enforces construction start/stop times, monitors permitted activity, and that staff encourages applicants to coordinate with neighbors. The Ukiah Library had sent written comments asking the city to coordinate demolition work on a Monday when the library is closed; planning staff said the city cannot set a demolition schedule but encourages the applicant to coordinate with adjacent property owners.

The council moved and seconded the recommended action to approve the demolition permit; the motion passed on roll call with Council Member Chris, Council Member Orozco, Vice Mayor Schurr and Mayor Crane voting yes. Council members explicitly asked staff and the applicant to take neighborhood concerns seriously during demolition and construction activity.

Why it matters: the site sits adjacent to the public library and near an established outpatient clinic; residents pressed the council for strict asbestos abatement, dust control and careful scheduling to protect library patrons and neighbors.