City of Ukiah - Electric Utility Department Property Acquisition (701 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, CA; APN 003-181-01)

The City of Ukiah is moving to re-acquire a ±0.66 acre parcel at 701 South Orchard Avenue, APN 003-181-01, previously used as a City-owned electrical substation, to support the operational needs of its Electric Utility Department. The property remains subject to existing electrical easements, including a critical access route for the primary transmission line that feeds the city’s main substation at 724 South Orchard Avenue. Acquisition will ensure uninterrupted utility operations by securing essential space for the storage of poles, equipment staging, and routine maintenance activities without requiring new construction or significant ground disturbance. All current and planned uses are limited to low-intensity utility functions that sustain the reliability of the regional power grid, with no permanent structures planned and no vegetation removal or grading authorized under this action. Long-term, the site will serve as a dedicated utility-support location for ongoing repair, maintenance, and minor alterations to existing electrical infrastructure across the city. Any future development beyond these exempt activities—such as new construction, major ground work, or structural changes—would require separate discretionary review and a full CEQA analysis. The property’s continued use as a functional utility asset is vital to maintaining electric service reliability for Ukiah residents, and the acquisition formalizes the City’s control over a key piece of infrastructure that remains encumbered but essential to the electric system’s integrity. The project does not involve public access or non-utility functions, and all activities are strictly confined to supporting the Electric Utility Department’s operational requirements.