At its next meeting Wednesday, the Ukiah Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a plan to build a new Redwood Credit Union branch at the corner of East Perkins and South Main streets.
The project, which was approved by the Design Review Board in March, calls for demolishing the two buildings on the property (including the former home of Dragon's Lair) and building a 4,557 square-foot facility at 101 S. Main Street.
Other aspects of the project include:
- Construction of two new driveway aprons (two-lane). Primary vehicular access is designed to enter from S. Main Street with secondary vehicular access from E. Perkins Street.
- 19 parking spaces, one bike rack and two electric vehicle charging stations.
- Approximately 6,003 square-feet of landscaping, including parking lot and perimeter landscaping, and street trees along both frontages.
- Removal of the 14-foot Chinese Pistache tree and seven-foot Cypress tree currently located against
the 101 S. Main Street building. All of the remaining trees will be preserved. - Parking lot and building lighting, down-shielded.
Residents John and Carol Azzaro urged the Planning Commission not to approve the project, describing it as having "negative impacts" on a gateway corridor to the city's downtown, and on an already congested four-way stop.
"East Perkins Street, the main entrance to our town, is a mess," the Azzaros wrote. "Traffic is snarled every weekday afternoon from State Street to the freeway. We believe that this (project) would set a dangerous precedent for other vacant parcels by incentivizing developers to build single-use buildings on large parcels instead of mixed-use developments that maximize public access and enhance pedestrian traffic. You must and can do better."
Alyssa Ballard also urged the commission not to approve the project, describing it as "not right for this site," and also pointing out that a demolition permit had not yet been issued for "the current historic building at 101 S. Main Street, (and) cannot be issued until the mitigation measure is met."
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. May 10, and will be held both in the City Council Chambers at 300 Seminary Avenue, and online. To participate virtually, go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91264543193
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