Pruett Biological Resource Consulting
8819 Latera Court, Bakersfield, California 93314
Phone: 661.421.0006. Email: [email protected] [email protected]
16 April 2025
New Gen Engineering Group, Inc.
Ms. Whitney Jackson
10800 Stockdale Highway, Suite 103
Bakersfield, California 93309
Ms. Jackson:
Pruett Biological Resource Consulting, Inc. (PruettBio) has prepared this letter to address a proposed Zone Change (ZC) of Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 390-300-29 and -30, totaling
11.22 gross acres (4.54 hectares)(project). The project proposes a Zone Change from R-2/PUD (Small Lot Single-Unit Dwelling/Planned Unit Development) to R-4 (High Density Multi-Unit Dwelling). The request will accommodate future proposed 191 dwelling units with clubhouse from the previous approved 155 dwelling units with clubhouse. The project is located northeast of the intersection of Camino Media and Old River Road, within the City of Bakersfield, County of Kern southwest Bakersfield, County of Kern, California; Section 06, Township 30 South, Range 27 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian. The project is located within the geographic range of several federal-, and state-listed, threatened and/or endangered plant and animal taxa. Several non-listed, special-status species also have the potential to occur in the vicinity of the project.
A Biological Resource Evaluation was prepared by PruettBio for a proposed General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Zone Change (ZC) of Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 390-300-28, -29, and -30, totaling 12.63 gross acres (5.11 hectares)(project) from CO (Commercial Office) to R-2 (Medium Density Residential), report dtd. 06 July 2021. The July 2021 fieldwork was conducted, and the report was prepared in support California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for the evaluation of potential impacts to listed or otherwise special-status species. The July 2021 evaluation captured the current proposed ZC. CEQA Appendix G thresholds were used to evaluate potential impacts to the biological resources from the proposed project development and satisfied the requirements for a GPA/ZC evaluation.
At the time of the July 2021 study, the project was within the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan (MBHCP). The field study was conducted in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act section 10(a)(1)(B) permit in effect and California Endangered Species Act incidental take permit (ITP) issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(b)(ITP No. 2081-2013-058-04), for the MBHCP. Impacts to covered plant and animal species, other than blunt-nosed leopard lizard or bird species afforded protection under the MBTA, would have been fully-mitigated by participation in the MBHCP. The MBHCP ITP has expired and currently, no project specific permitting affording coverage for “take” of federally- or state-listed plants and animals exists. CDFW recommends consultation with the agencies for take avoidance of listed species. If avoidance is not feasible, acquisition of a project- specific ITP is recommended prior to ground disturbing activities, pursuant to Fish and Game Code 2081(b) to comply with CESA. If additional consultation with the agencies results in the need for Application for a California Incidental Take Permit, Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 783.2 outlines requirements for detailed species-specific take analysis, proposed measures to minimize and fully mitigate impacts, compliance monitoring, and funding.
Cover Letter
APN -390-300-29 and -30
April 2025
A project site visit was conducted by PruettBio on 03 April 2025. The findings of the July 2021 field study and corresponding report continue to accurately reflect the existing conditions of the project.
With the expiration of the MBHCP ITP, project-specific consultation is now required to fully comply with the Federal Endangered Species Act, the California Endangered Species Act, and CEQA.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions of require additional information.
Respectfully,
Steven P. Pruett, Principal Biologist