Taft City Council
November 15, 2022

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment I. PROJECT SUMMARY
Date: October 2022

Project Title: Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Lead Agency: City of Taft
Contact: Mark Staples
Planning and Development Services Director
[email protected]
661-763-1222 Ext. 124
Location: The Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Project (Project) is located within the downtown portion of the City of Taft. Taft is located in Kern County near the southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley. The City of Taft is located approximately 32 miles southwest of Bakersfield and covers approximately 15 square miles of land. The Downtown Taft Specific Plan boundary is defined by the midblock alley between Kern Street (State Route 33) and Lucard Street to the north, Front Street to the south, Kern Street/Highway 33 to the east, and 10th Street to the west totaling approximately 212 acres in size. The Zoning Ordinance Amendment boundary is defined by City limits. See Figure 1 Project Location for more information.

Coastal Zone: No
General Plan Land Use Designation:

Existing: Mixed Use (MU), Commercial (C), and Industrial (I) Proposed: Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP)

Zoning Designation:

Existing: Downtown Commercial (DC), Mixed Use (MU), Public Facilities (CF), General Commercial (GC), Industrial (I), Natural Resources (NR), Single Family Residential (R-1), Two-Family Residential (R-2), Limited Multiple-Family Residential (R-3), Residential Suburban (R-S)
Proposed: Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP), Public Facilities (CF), General Commercial (GC), Industrial (I), Mixed Use (MU), Natural Resources (NR), Single Family Residential (R-1), Limited Multiple-Family Residential (R-3)

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Anticipated Permits and Approvals:

Tribal Cultural Resources: Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1? If so, is there a plan for consultation that includes, for example, the determination of significance of impacts to tribal cultural resources, procedures regarding confidentiality, etc.?
On April 28, 2022, the City of Taft sent out letters pursuant to AB 52 to the seventeen tribes listed on the NAHC’s list pursuant to SB 18. At the time this document has been drafted four tribes have responded to the City’s outreach letter with no requests for consultation regarding the project.

As of the date of this Initial Study, no additional responses or other communications have been received from the Native community regarding the project.

CEQA Requirement:

The Project is subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Lead Agency is the City of Taft. The purpose of this Initial Study (IS) is to provide a basis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or a Negative Declaration. This IS intended to satisfy the requirements of the CEQA (Public Resources Code, Div. 13, Sec. 21000-21177) and the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sec 15000-15387).

CEQA encourages lead agencies and applicants to modify their projects to avoid significant adverse impacts (CEQA Section 20180(c) (2) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15070(b) (2)).

Section 15063(d) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that an IS shall contain the following information in brief form:
1) A description of the project including the project location 2) Identification of the environmental setting
3) Identification of environmental effects by use of a checklist, matrix, or other method, provided that entries on a checklist or other form are briefly explained to provide evidence to support the entries
4) Discussion of means to mitigate significant effects identified, if any 5) Examination of whether the project would be consistent with existing zoning, plans, and other applicable land use controls
6) The name of the person or persons who prepared and/or participated in the Initial Study

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project Location, Setting, and History:

The City of Taft is located in Kern County near the southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley.

The City of Taft (City) is located approximately 32 miles southwest of Bakersfield and covers approximately 15 square miles of land. According to 2020 census data, the city has a population of approximately 9,000 people. The Project includes an amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance and the preparation of a Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP). The Zoning Ordinance Amendments cover citywide, however the DTSP boundary concentrates around the downtown area of Taft and is defined by the alleyway directly south of Lucard Street to the north, Front Street to the south, Kern Street/Adkisson Way/Highway 33 to the east, and 10th Street to the west totaling approximately 212 acres in size as shown in Figure 1, Project Location.

The City of Taft has a number of architecturally significant buildings dating from the early and mid-20th century along with strong historic and economic ties to the oil industry. Many major oil companies have always had a presence in Taft throughout its history. Standard Oil (Chevron) established their corporate headquarters in the northwest part of the project area. Chevron’s operation grew and peaked in the 1960s, as well as the City of Taft itself with new residential and commercial development and growth that continued throughout the 1970s and into the 1990s. Along with the oil industry, the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads impacted the physical form of Taft. Southern Pacific laid out the site for the town and by the 1920s, the form of downtown Taft already looked much like it does today. With the arrival of new strip retail development in the mid- to late-20th century much of the economic viability of downtown Taft began to erode. Residents now primarily shop at big-box-anchored shopping centers on the town border or commute out to neighboring cities such as Bakersfield for their shopping and personal service’s needs.

Regulatory Setting:

City of Taft General Plan:

The City of Taft General Plan is a comprehensive and long-range policy document of citywide priorities and values developed to guide public decision-making in future years. The General Plan’s goals are implemented through policies and actions consistent with its nine elements:

Land Use, Circulation, Open Space, Housing, Energy, Noise, Safety, Public Facilities and Services, and Economic Development. The goals, policies, and actions of these elements apply to all areas within the City limits and aim to guide physical, economic, and environmental growth.

The General Plan identifies eight “guiding principles” for Taft’s vision of the future. The subject of the Specific Plan document, Downtown Taft, is the subject of one of these guiding principles.

The General Plan seeks to promote a “vibrant, healthy and active downtown by providing safe multi-family and mixed-use housing” while also encouraging infill development and attractive

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment residential development. The goals and policies within the General Plan that implement these visions and provide the foundation upon which the Project is based.

According to the City’s General Plan and under Government Code Section 65450 et seq., a specific plan must be consistent with the governing general plan goals and policies, including all capital improvements and public works projects.

City of Taft Zoning Ordinance:

The City’s Zoning Ordinance includes local regulations that control the use and development of land. As part of the Project, the City’s Zoning Ordinance will be amended to assist in the streamlining of development, particularly residential development in the City of Taft. The other key focus of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment is to integrate the new Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP) and associated zoning standards into the Zoning Ordinance. Figure 2 identifies specific zones within the DTSP and their specified development standards.

Downtown Taft Specific Plan:

The City adopted its Downtown Specific Plan in 1994 and incorporated amendments in 1999.

The Downtown Specific Plan ensures implementation of the General Plan with respect to the planning and development of downtown Taft. The City’s adoption of the General Plan and coinciding Zoning Ordinance in 2010, integrated the standards of the specific plan into a new land use designation and two new zone districts created for the downtown area. This new DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance Amendment will provide a plan for updated land use, development regulations, development incentives, and other related actions aimed at implementing the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan with regard to downtown Taft, as well as focused Zoning Ordinance Amendments that will assist in streamlining residential development citywide.

Project Background and Characteristics:

The Downtown Taft Specific Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendment Project (Project) consists of a Specific Plan that focuses on the downtown area of Taft and corresponding Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Analysis for this IS/MND comes largely from the 2009 Taft General Plan EIR and subsequent amendment in 2017. The majority of the findings and conclusions within this document are supported by the analysis in these previous documents.

The Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP)
The DTSP aims to establish downtown as a central zone with street-oriented uses and as a vibrant mixed-use district surrounded by residential uses. The Project supports new development regulations that reflect current and new market demand with development feasibility context, includes contemporary planning principles, and adds more provisions for

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment adaptive reuse. Additionally, the Project provides a vision and planning framework for future growth and development in the approximately 212-acre Specific Plan Area (SPA) while introducing new Land Use Designations not included in the 1999 Downtown Taft Specific Plan.

The DTSP presents a vision, themes, goals, policies, design standards, and implementation strategies for categories such as land use, mobility, parks and open space, and public facilities.

The objectives of the Specific Plan have been prepared to be consistent with the Taft General Plan. The objectives of the DTSP are outlined below:

1. Provide a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework that guides development in Taft’s downtown area in accordance with the Taft General Plan.

2. Create development standards that are unique to the Specific Plan area and will enhance developments in the downtown area.

3. Encourage accelerated housing production in the downtown area through streamlining development permitting processes for residential projects.

4. Encourage a diversified downtown economy.

Along with the objectives the DTSP includes goals and policies which provide tangible steps and actions to achieve the vision for downtown Taft. As outlined below, the goals and policies are divided into four themes. Under each theme are a set of goals supported by policies that give the City measurable, implementable actions intended to help accomplish that goal. The four themes are Strong Economy, Active Community, Sustainable Development, and Community Character.

Strong Economy: The City of Taft strives to create a robust and diversified economy that provides community members with a range of employment opportunities and resiliency and adaptability to market changes. The strong economy goals seek to retain existing businesses and attract new business to the area to stimulate job creation, particularly in Downtown Taft.

Strong Economy Goals:

Goal 1-1: Retain existing, and attract new businesses to drive economic development Goal 1-2: Achieve economic diversification through a mix of shops and services for residents and visitors.

Active Community: The City of Taft is committed to enhancing its parks, trails, and recreational amenities to promote an active community in downtown Taft. The active community goals seek to promote the health and well-being of the community, encourage social interaction, and build upon the Rails to Trails corridor with high quality recreation amenities and community education.

Active Community Goals:

Goal 2-1: Create High-Quality Recreation Opportunities

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Goal 2-2: Facilitate Health + Wellness Initiatives
Goal 2-3: Active Streets and Plazas for residents and visitors to gather Sustainable Development: The Downtown Taft Specific Plan is the foundation for the growth of smart and sustainable housing and improvements to mobility, connectivity, and in the downtown area. The sustainable development goals seek to promote the creation of housing; both diverse and affordable, assess the infrastructure needs to accommodate growth in the city and ensure that Taft is accessible both locally and regionally.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Goal 3-1: Strong mix of compatible land uses in Downtown Taft Goal 3-2: A diverse range of housing opportunities
Goal 3-3: Sustainable infrastructure systems throughout Downtown Taft Goal 3-4: A safe, convenient, and accessible mobility network for all ages and abilities

Community Character: The Downtown Taft Specific Plan aims to enhance and protect the community’s small town and historic character while attracting new investment and growth.

The Community Character goals seek to preserve historic resources, promote historic architecture in downtown areas, and celebrate and encourage arts and culture.

Community Character Goals:

Goal 4-1: Preserve and enhance the historic and cultural heritage of Downtown Taft Goal 4-2: Provide support for increased public safety measures in Downtown Taft.

Goal 4-3: Support, encourage and develop Taft’s Arts and Culture Community The DTSP provides for a mix of land uses designed to achieve the overarching vision, goals, and policies of creating a thriving, healthy and balanced community with an economically diverse downtown environment. To improve cohesiveness of development within the SPA, the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance sets forth a transition of intensities. The land use designations within the SPA would be reconfigured to the following designations as shown in Figures 3 and 4 Existing and Downtown Specific Plan Proposed Land Use, respectively, with the following new Land Use Designations: Parks & Open Space (OS), Commercial (C), Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU), Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU), Industrial Light (LI), Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU), Office-Medical (OM), and Residential Medium (MDR). The land use designations also act as zones; therefore, development standards have been assigned to each land use designation to guide development in the downtown area. Details of the proposed land use designations and development standards are outlined below:

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Land Use Designations

Open Space (OS)
The intent of the Open Space (OS) land use designation is to build upon the current active and passive recreational spaces in downtown Taft. The OS designation generally includes community and neighborhood parks, gardens, linear parks, and trails. Typical building and structure types include park restrooms, recreation and community centers or other ancillary structures such as park benches, tables, exercise stations, and public art installations. New development along the existing Rails to Trails greenway corridor shall integrate into the open space network.

Commercial (C)
The intent of the Commercial (C) land use designation is to provide for a range of locally serving general and neighborhood commercial uses that will provide a wide variety of retail, wholesale, and service uses such as automobile service, eating/drinking establishments, entertainment facilities, retail, office, service establishments and other commercial uses.

Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU)
The downtown Taft area is generally located between North Street to the north, 2nd Street to the east, Main Street to the south and 8th Street to the west and is intended to be the heart of where people live, work, shop and dine in Taft. The Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU) land use designation provides flexibility by allowing a combination of commercial and residential uses within Taft’s downtown core that complement each other, creating a vibrant space for residents to enjoy. Developments within the DC-MU land use will grow vertically rather than horizontally and must respect the history and culture of the downtown area by reflecting the historic architecture and design found on Center Street.

Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU)
The intent of the Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU) land use designation is to provide a less intense, more neighborhood-scaled mixed-use development that creates a transition into the downtown core. The DT-MU land use designation allows for a combination of commercial and residential uses, similar to the DC-MU, however, it is intended that developments will grow horizontally instead of vertically to provide a transition between the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods. While development in the DT-MU must still respect the history and culture of the downtown area, there is greater flexibility in the development scale and architectural types allowed.

Light Industrial (LI)
The intent of the Light Industrial (LI) land use designation is to provide suitable locations for light manufacturing and fabrication, research and development, warehousing and distribution, and multi-tenant industrial uses in the eastern area of downtown Taft. The LI land use designation also supports administrative and professional offices and commercial activities on a limited basis.

These uses must be generally compatible with those in nearby commercial and residential zones, and not produce substantial environmental nuisances such as noise, odor, dust/smoke or glare. New development in the areas designated as LI shall include high-quality development

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment standards, such as adequate buffering from less-intensive land uses and access to major transportation routes for truck traffic.

Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU)
The intent of the Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU) land use designation is to provide workforce housing immediately above, adjacent to, or near employment. The majority of the area designated as LW-MU is intended to be made up of medium density residential housing developments while encouraging live-work housing such as shopkeeper units. Live-work housing is generally described as a residential unit on the second floor above a commercial/office workspace, with both the commercial/office and the residential component being occupied by the same resident. The LW-MU is strategically located between the Downtown Core and the office and medical land uses to allow residents easy access to goods, services, and entertainment.

Office-Medical (O-M)
The intent of the Office Medical (O-M) land use designation is to provide opportunities for expansion of professional offices, medical facilities, supportive care and other compatible uses.

Medium Density Residential (MDR)
The intent of the Medium Density Residential (MDR) land use designation is to provide a range of housing types for residents in an urban setting. This designation allows for a mix of small lot single and multi-family detached and attached residential uses, including duplex, triplex, or multi-plex, townhomes, courtyard or motor court housing, and other types of residential developments. The MDR land use provides a transition in residential densities between the downtown core and surrounding residential neighborhoods. In addition to the residential uses above, the MDR land use also allows for limited neighborhood commercial uses such as convenience stores, restaurants, and other neighborhood-serving uses.

At buildout, the new DTSP could result in up to approximately 3,121 dwelling units, 4,272 employment opportunities, 9.3 acres of recreational open space and 6,180 persons. A majority of the SPA has been previously developed and the Project area is considered an urbanized area according to CEQA Guidelines §15387 as the City has a population density of at least 1,000 persons per square mile, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. One of the main goals of the Project is to revitalize downtown Taft by implementing policies and incentives for infill development. The Project does not propose any specific development; however, Project adoption may attract development proposals. Specific development projects that may be proposed as a result of Project adoption would most likely qualify as an infill project. According to Public Resources Code, § 21094.5(e)(1)(B), a qualifying infill project is one that includes residential, retail/commercial, transit, school, and/or public office buildings and is “located within an urban area on a site that has been previously developed, or on a vacant site where at least 75 percent of the perimeter of the site adjoins, or is separated only by an improved public rightof-way from, parcels that are developed with qualified urban uses.” CEQA Guidelines section §15183.3 details the review process for eligible infill projects, a majority of the development projects that would be proposed as a result of Project adoption would qualify for streamlined

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment review or exemption under Class 32 §15332 in-fill development projects which applies to proposed developments within city limits on sites of five or fewer acres substantially surrounded by urban uses, where the site has no habitat value for special status species, can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services, and the project would not have significant traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality impacts.

Table 1: DTSP Development Standards

1 FAR = Floor Area Ratio; DU/AC = Dwelling Unit Per Acre 2 Upper Story Stepbacks apply. Any portion of the structure exceeding 30 feet in height shall be stepped back from the side property line 5 feet
3 Where abutting an alley, a zero-foot (0’) rear setback shall apply 4 Where abutting existing residential uses, the rear setback shall be increased by 5 feet Land Use
Description
Target
Density
(FAR or
DU/AC)1
Minimum
Lot Area
(Square
Feet)
Minimum
Lot Width
(Feet)
Minimum
Lot Depth
(Feet)
Setbacks2
(Feet) Maximum
Building
Height
(stories)
Frontage
Minimum Requirements
Front
Minimum
Interior
Side
Minimum
Street Side
Minimum
Rear3
Medium
Density
Residential
(MDR)
12-24 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ 10’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 45’ or 3
stories
See Section

3.11 Commercial
(C) 1.0 5,000 SF 25’ 100’ - 3’ - 3’ 45’ or 3 stories
See Section

3.11 Downtown
Core Mixed
Use (DC-MU)
25-40 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ - - - - 45’ or 4
stories
See Section

3.11 Downtown
Transition
Mixed Use
(DT-MU)
15-30 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ 10’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 45’ or 4
stories
See Section

3.11 Live-Work
Mixed Use
(LW-MU)
10-20 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ - 5’ 5’ 5’ 35’ See Section

3.11 Office-Medical
(O-M) 1.0 15,000 SF 100’ 100’ 10’ 10’ 5’ 10’3 35’ -
Light Industrial
(LI) 1.0 15,000 SF 75’ 100’ 15’ 10’ 15’ 10’4 50’ -
Open Space
(OS) 0.10 1 acre 100’ 200’ 20’ 10’ 20’ 10’ 30’ -

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Zoning Ordinance Amendment
A corresponding amendment to the City of Taft Zoning Ordinance is proposed to integrate the changes to the land use and zoning designations within the DTSP but also to add targeted changes citywide to streamline development. These targeted changes as well as the integration of the DTSP are outlined below:

1. Revise the Zoning Ordinance to integrate the new DTSP zone to allow for development within the downtown area to be governed by the new Specific Plan standards.

2. Revise the City’s permits and approvals process to include streamlined reviews and ministerial approval for projects that qualify, particularly for residential development to increase housing production in Taft.

3. Create objective design standards for both residential and commercial development that can be used by decision makers in determining if a project qualifies for ministerial approval

4. Update the City’s ADU and JADU regulations to align with state regulations to allow for more accessory dwelling units in the City.

Similarly, to the DTSP, the Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not propose any specific development but may attract development proposals. Unlike the DTSP, the Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not include changes that would result in higher land use densities, other than what is proposed for the DTSP. Therefore, any new development resulting from the Zoning Ordinance Amendment is already assumed under the existing General Plan buildout scenario and the Zoning Ordinance Amendments would only assist in achieving that already adopted vision.

As discussed above, the Zoning Ordinance Amendment would reflect the updated design guidelines and changes to the City’s zoning ordinance map in accordance with the proposed land use changes from the DTSP. Unless otherwise specified, where the provisions of the DTSP differ from those in the Zoning Ordinance (Title VI), the provisions of the DTSP would take precedence. Where the DTSP is silent on a topic, the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance (Title VI), would remain applicable.

Part of the funding for the Project comes from the SB-2 Planning Grant Program targeted to accelerate housing production and Local Early Action Planning (LEAP); and Regional Early Action Plan (REAP) awarded by the Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG), awarded in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. The City received REAP funding in 2021 from the Kern Council of Governments to supplement the PGP and LEAP funds. The Project will aid in helping the City to achieve its 2023 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 1: Project Location

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 2: Proposed Zoning

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 3: Existing Land Use

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 4: Proposed Land Use

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment III. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
An environmental checklist follows this section and addresses all potential adverse effects resulting from the proposed project. No significant adverse effects are expected from any of the proposed activities.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment IV. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” or "Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated" as indicated by the checklists on the following pages.

Aesthetics Agriculture and Forestry
Resources Air Quality
X Biological Resources X Cultural Resources Energy
X Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas
Emissions X Hazards & Hazardous Materials
Hydrology/Water
Quality Land Use/Planning Mineral Resources
X Noise Population/Housing Public Services
Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources
Utilities/Service Systems Wildfire Mandatory Findings of Significance
An explanation for all checklist responses is included, and all answers take into account the whole action involved and the following types of impacts: off-site and on-site; cumulative and project-level; indirect and direct; and construction and operational. The explanation of each issue identifies (a) the threshold of significance, if any, used to evaluate each question; and (b) the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance. All project mitigation measures are provided in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (see Appendix D).

In the checklist the following definitions are used:
"Potentially Significant Impact" means there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant.
"Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated" means the incorporation of one or more mitigation measures can reduce the effect from potentially significant to a less than significant level.
“Less Than Significant Impact” means that the effect is less than significant, and no mitigation is necessary to reduce the impact to a lesser level. “No Impact” means that the effect does not apply to the proposed project, or clearly will not impact nor be impacted by the proposed project.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment V. DETERMINATION: (To be completed by the Lead Agency on the basis of this initial evaluation) I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.

I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless mitigated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.

I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

Signature Date

Printed Name and Title

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment I. AESTHETICS. Except as provided in
Public Resources Code Section
21099, would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on
a scenic vista?
b) Substantially damage scenic
resources, including, but not limited
to, trees, rock outcroppings, and
historic buildings within a state scenic
highway?
c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially
degrade the existing visual character
or quality of public views of the site
and its surroundings? (Public views
are those that are experienced from
publicly accessible vantage point). If
the project is in an urbanized area,
would the project conflict with
applicable zoning and other
regulations governing scenic quality?
d) Create a new source of substantial
light or glare, which would adversely
affect day or nighttime views in the
area?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on aesthetics if it would have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista; substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway; substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings (if the project is in a non-urbanized area) or conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality (if the project is in an urbanized area); or create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area.

DISCUSSION
The Project primarily pertains to downtown Taft, which is considered urbanized and is mostly developed. However, development associated with the Zoning Ordinance Amendment could occur citywide. Development within the downtown core includes a mixture of commercial, retail, public/institutional, and residential uses. A majority of homes along SR 33 are single-family, detached units and the downtown core area consists of a central business district that contains both retail shops and residences, some of which are architecturally significant. According to the City’s General Plan and 1999 Downtown Taft Specific Plan, due to fires and natural disasters, many of the potentially architecturally significant buildings in the downtown area were destroyed in the 1940’s and 1950’s and some were replaced in the 1960’s and 1970’s, leading downtown Taft to include several different styles of architecture. The predominant architectural styles of the SPA consist of an American Mercantile and Art Deco style buildings. However, the

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Project Area is also in aesthetic decline due to age of structures, increased retail presence outside of the project area, and poor maintenance. According to the 1999 Downtown Taft Specific Plan, the City of Taft has suffered from a negative image of an industrial town in decline, hampered by economic conditions associated with the oil industry. The current aesthetic character of downtown Taft reflects a mixed image with some positive aesthetic components such as the Fox Theatre, paseos, and mercantile buildings among other buildings and store fronts that appear abandoned from absentee owners. Outside of the project area, the City is developed with residential and commercial areas and oil fields with associated oil wells, well and equipment pads, paved and unpaved access roads, pipelines, and utility lines.

Chapter 4.0 of the DTSP reviews design guidelines and standards. The chapter sets forth the design guidelines and standards for the consistent promotion of high-quality, well-designed development throughout the SPA. Chapter 4.0 identifies the overarching design guidelines for the Project Area, which are intended to be used in conjunction with Chapter 3.0 Land Use.

I.a) The Project comprises a programmatic, policy-level planning document. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment is intended to guide the orderly development and redevelopment of infrastructure, businesses, and housing, downtown and citywide but does not propose any specific development at this time. However, adoption of the Project could attract development proposals. The Project area is primed for residential and commercial growth; thus, it is likely that a majority of the potential development proposed as a result of Project approval, would facilitate infill development, particularly in the downtown area, and would be deemed CEQA exempt according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects.

Approval and implementation of the proposed land use and zoning changes would facilitate development of residential and commercial land uses within the Project Area. Furthermore, site development standards that address site relationships and views are identified within the DTSP in Chapter 4, Design Guidelines and Standards and in the Zoning Ordinance (Title VI) any proposed construction would be regulated by various land use controls, such as the zoning ordinance, design review requirements, and other regulatory constraints. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

I.b) The California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Landscape Architecture Program manages the Scenic Highway Program, contained in Streets and Highways Code Sections 260– 263. State highways are classified as either Officially Listed or Eligible. According to the Caltrans Scenic Highway Systems Map, there is no officially designated scenic highway within the Project Area (Caltrans 2022). The Project Area is bisected by Highway 33. However, the area is considered urbanized and does not contain major stands of trees, large rock outcroppings, historic buildings or other scenic features. The Project does not include any development, rather it involves various policies through the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment that are intended to promote the preservation of scenic resources within the Project Area. Historic

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment preservation is addressed within the Community Character theme and Community Character Goal 1 “Preserve and enhance the historic and cultural heritage of downtown Taft” as many of the historic buildings are located downtown. Policies such as “integrate historic resources, signage and wayfinding to create a historic downtown area and or place” encourage the preservation of existing historical buildings and monuments. Any future physical improvements and site developments would be subject to the City's design review process and would be required to satisfy various criteria, including those related to natural hazards and land feature preservation, historic preservation/infill development, and building scale and design. The design guidelines and standards contained in the DTSP, and Zoning Ordinance are intended to protect, improve, and adaptively manage these resources as the community evolves. As the Project Area is not located adjacent to an officially designated state scenic highway, no impact would occur.

I.c) The proposed Project is located in a developed urbanized setting. The visual character of the Project Area is characterized by the built environment, which features a mix of retail, restaurant, residential, public, and open space uses that are generally designed in the American Mercantile or Art Deco style. Because the specifics of future development projects are not currently known, the extent to which various improvements envisioned in the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment could result in changes to scenic views or degrade the Project Area’s visual character cannot be exactly described at this time. However, future development would likely be located in developed areas and would be consistent with the design guidelines and standards of the DTSP and to the density described in the Zoning Ordinance. Related public realm streetscape improvements, including sidewalk enhancements, bicycle racks and lane/route striping, signage, street furniture, lighting, and landscaping, would be similar in type and scale to existing facilities in the Project area.

Under state law, future development must be consistent with the Land Use Element of the City’s General Plan and zone districts to ensure that setbacks, building heights, on-site landscaping and other features are incorporated into each future development project within the Project Area. Furthermore, existing views within the Project Area are intermittent and primarily limited to vehicular roadways and pedestrian facilities. Additionally, the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are intended to preserve the Taft small-town character. With the recommended streetscape enhancements and design guidelines and standards included in the DTSP and updates to the Zoning Ordinance, the Project has the potential to improve the visual quality and community character of the area. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

I.d) The Project includes objective design guidelines that address site design and architecture and identifies design approaches and guidelines regarding lighting for the public realm including parking areas; buildings; and streets. The intent of the lighting guidelines is to encourage design that creates visually safe spaces and encourages pedestrian circulation and interaction. Lighting would be provided to ensure a safe environment but would not cause areas of intense light or

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment glare. Additionally, Chapter 4 section 4.10 of the DTSP states that “Lighting should be sensitive to adjacent land uses and architectural features and lighting fixtures that provide down-lighting and lighting that is shielded from adjacent uses shall be implemented.” All lighting would conform to dark sky policies. Similarly, the Zoning Ordinance Amendment includes design standards that intend to limit the amount of light pollution, particularly onto neighboring properties. As future development within the Project Area would occur, projects would be required to adhere to the design guidelines and standards, a less than significant impact would occur.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Aesthetics.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment II. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
RESOURCES. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique
Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide
Importance (Farmland), as shown on
the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program of the California Resources
Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for
agricultural use, or a Williamson Act
contract?
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or
cause rezoning of, forest land (as
defined in Public Resources Code
section 12220(g), timberland (as
defined by PRC section 4526), or
timberland zoned Timberland
Production (as defined by
Government Code section 51104(g))?
d) Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest
use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their
location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland, to nonagricultural use or conversion of forestland to non-forest use?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on agriculture and forestry resources if it would convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (hereafter “farmland”), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural uses; conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract; conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g), timberland (as defined by PRC section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g)); Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use; or involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forestland to non-forest use.

DISCUSSION
The Project involves a Specific Plan update and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment which would serve as a regulatory document to provide a framework for development within the Project Area. The Project sets the foundation for how the City will operate, based upon

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment identified goals and policies relating to a range of topics, including land use, urban design, parks and open space, transportation, and sustainable infrastructure. It establishes a framework for the land use, intensity, development regulations, and design standards that will support future development. No specific development is proposed as a result of the Project. The Project proposes to update the existing land uses in the DTSP area from Mixed Use, General Commercial, and Open Space to the following new Land Use Designations: Parks & Open Space (OS), Commercial (C), Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU), Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU), Industrial Light (LI), Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU), Office-Medical (OM), and Residential Medium (MDR). In addition, most development proposed as a result of DTSP approval, would facilitate infill development, and would be deemed CEQA exempt according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects.

According to the City of Taft General Plan (adopted 2010, amended 2017) there are no major agricultural operations or agricultural land uses within the Project Area. According to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP, 2016) the Project Area is categorized as Urban and Built-Up Land and there are no Williamson Act contract lands located within the Project Area. Therefore, there is no Farmland of Local Importance within the Project Area.

II.a) As noted above in the discussion, the Project does not contain any agriculture or forest uses. More specifically, in the DTSP where land use changes are proposed as part of the Project, there are no agricultural or forest uses, as shown in Figure’s 2 and 4. Therefore, project implementation would have no direct or indirect effect on the conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. There would be no impacts.

II.b) The Project is not located within an area covered under a Williamson Act contract and does not propose to change the zoning or land use of any agriculturally zoned property. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with any Williamson Act contract or agriculturally zoned property. Therefore, there would be no impact.

II.c-e) The Project area does not contain any agriculture or forest uses. More specifically, in the DTSP where land use changes are proposed as part of the Project, there are no agricultural or forest uses, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, project implementation would have no direct or indirect effect on agriculture or forest resources. There would be no impacts.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have No Impact on Agriculture and Forestry Resources.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment III. AIR QUALITY. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Conflict with or obstruct
implementation of the applicable air
quality plan?
b) Result in a cumulatively considerable
net increase of any criteria pollutant
for which the project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality
standard?
c) Expose sensitive receptors to
substantial pollutant concentrations?
d) Result in other emissions (such as
those leading to odors) adversely
affecting a substantial number of
people?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on air quality if it would conflict with or obstruct implementation of applicable air quality plans; result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard; expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people.

DISCUSSION
The Project Area is located in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB). The SJVAB is the second largest air basin in the State of California, it is 250 miles long and approximately 35 miles wide. The SJVAB is generally flat with a downward gradient in terrain to the northwest. The SPA is under the jurisdiction of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SVJAPCD).

Local air districts and California Air Resources Board (CARB) monitor ambient air quality to assure that air quality standards are met. Depending on whether the standards are met or exceeded, the SJVAB is classified as being in “attainment” or “nonattainment.” Under state law, air districts are required to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for when a district is in non-compliance. SVJAPCD operates and maintains an expansive network of air monitoring sites throughout the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley. A total of 24 sites are currently operated directly by the District or in collaboration with the CARB. In addition, CARB also independently operates a number of air monitoring stations in the Valley, along with additional sites operated by the National Park Service and tribal nations. While there are no monitoring stations in the City of Taft, CARB maintains several air quality monitoring sites in the cities of Bakersfield and Maricopa. The nearest monitoring sites are 40 and 8 miles away from the City, respectively,

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment these nearby sites were deemed to be generally representative of ambient air quality in the City of Taft and the project area because of their similar climate, meteorology, and topography.

The air monitoring network measures concentrations of pollutants for which the U.S. EPA has established a health-based air quality standard. Pollutants monitored include ozone, PM10 and PM2.5, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. In addition to routine monitoring, the SJVAPCD operates a network of five Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) focused on capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the summer season.

The SJVAPCD prepares an annual Air Monitoring Network Plan and a 5-year Air Monitoring Network Assessment, which are both required by EPA. The Annual Network Plan and 5-year Network Assessment include a wealth of information regarding the air monitoring equipment operating in the Valley, along with details of upcoming changes to the monitoring network and analysis of how well the monitoring network covers the needs of the Valley’s population.

The SJVAPCD has adopted several attainment plans to achieve state and federal air quality standards to comply with the California Clean Air Act (CCAA) and federal Clean Air Act (CAA).

Following are descriptions and the current status of SJVAPCD’s various air quality attainment plans.
2018 PM 2.5 Plan
On August 19, 2021, the SJVAPCD Governing Board approved the Attainment Plan Revision for the 1997 Annual PM2.5 Standard to establish a new attainment target for the 1997 annual PM2.5 standard.

Ozone Plans
The CAA mandates the SJVAPCD to develop and submit a new attainment plan for the revised federal 8-hour ozone standard by August 2022 to the U.S. EPA. In October 2015, EPA strengthened the standards for ground-level ozone from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb.

The SJVAB is classified as an “extreme” nonattainment area for this revised standard, with an attainment deadline of 2037.

Air Quality Guidelines for General Plans
Assembly Bill 170 (Reyes) was passed in 2003 and requires each City and County within the jurisdiction of SJVAPCD to amend its general plan to include goals, policies, standards, and feasible implementation measures to improve air quality. The Air Quality Guidelines for General Plans is a guidance document published by SJVAPCD in June 2005. The guidelines are intended to serve as a resource to cities and counties located within the SJVAB and to assist local jurisdictions in meeting the requirements of AB 170. The guidelines include recommended

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment goals, policies, and programs for adoption in general plans to reduce vehicle trips, reduce miles traveled, and improve air quality throughout the region and to promote healthier more livable communities throughout the SJVAB. Taft’s 2017 General Plan incorporates goals and policies to reduce emissions of regional criteria pollutants, in accordance with AB 170.

III.a) The Project includes a Specific Plan Update and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment that ensures implementation of the City’s General Plan with respect to the planning and development of downtown Taft. The DTSP provides a plan for land use, development regulations, development incentives, and other related actions aimed at implementing the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan. The improvements envisioned in the DTSP, and Zoning Ordinance are suggested conceptual designs intended to be used as guidance for the City in implementing future improvements. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment does not include any site-specific proposals or development, nor does it grant any entitlements for development. As a policy and regulatory document, the Project would have no physical effect on the environment. Additionally, since the proposed Project would not directly involve any changes to the General Plan, the Project would be consistent with applicable attainment plans.

Therefore, the project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of any applicable attainment or maintenance plans related to air quality ambient standards. Impacts would be less than significant.

III, b, c) The Project is a policy document that does not propose any specific development; therefore, adoption of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment would not violate any air quality standard, contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation, or result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant. As discussed above in section III the Project would be in compliance with the City’s General Plan which is in compliance with the Air Quality plans set forth by the SJVAPCD. Additionally, the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment adoption would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations because it is not anticipated to result in a net increase in emissions beyond those anticipated under the City General Plan. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

III.d) The land use and zoning designations proposed for the DTSP, and Zoning Ordinance amendment do not allow for uses that are typically odor generating. Land uses typically producing objectionable odors include agricultural uses, wastewater treatment plants, food processing plants, chemical plants, compost facilities, petrol refineries, fiberglass manufacturing, food processing facilities, and landfills. The DTSP does not support heavy industrial or agricultural uses, the Project Area would be comprised of mostly mixed-use commercial, office, and residential uses. The Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not propose any changes to land uses within the General Plan boundary and therefore future development could include industrial or agricultural uses where already designated. However, these potentially odor

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment generating land uses have been captured in the General Plan EIR analysis and no increase of these odors is anticipated with the implementation of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Other odor emissions from the proposed Project would be limited to those associated with vehicle use and engine exhaust or idling. Future site-specific uses and operations would require project specific CEQA review and compliance with plans and policies set forth by the SJVAPCD.

Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Air Quality.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would
the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Have a substantial adverse effect,
either directly or through habitat
modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive,
or special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by the California
Department of Fish and Game or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect
on any riparian habitat or other
sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans,
policies, and regulations or by the
California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect
on state or federally protected
wetlands (including, but not limited
to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.)
through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other
means?
d) Interfere substantially with the
movement of any native resident or
migratory fish or wildlife species or
with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife
nursery sites?
e) Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological
resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions of an
adopted Habitat Conservation Plan,
Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local,
regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on biological resources if it would have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means; interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites; conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance; or conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan.

DISCUSSION
The topography of the Project Area is generally flat, with a relatively constant elevation and no major topographical features. According to the 2009 City of Taft General Plan EIR, the Project Area is classified as urbanized. The majority of downtown Taft is developed or disturbed, with the exception of the Rails to Trails open space area at the southern boundary of the downtown region. Parts of the Project Area are surrounded by more urban development comprising of single-family homes, commercial/retail, institutional uses, and light industrial within the City center. The eastern and western portions of the City boundary are comprised of open space and vacant land.

Discussed in the 2009 General Plan EIR, the urban land cover type contains both native and exotic species. Vegetation within these areas consists primarily of introduced ornamental trees and shrubs and manicured lawns as well as invasive weeds in disturbed areas. Wildlife habitat within the urban areas is very low. Animal species that occur in these areas typically include introduced species adapted to human habitation. However, the most densely developed urban areas provide wildlife habitat for western scrubjay, rock dove (Columba livia), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), and American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Associated mammals include house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat, little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus), raccoon, opossum, squirrels, and striped skunk. Suburban areas provide habitat for a greater diversity of native birds and mammals, such as bushtits (Psaltriparus minimus), oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens), California quail, and mule deer (Taft General Plan EIR, 2010).

Overall, there is little natural habitat structure present across the urbanized and developed areas.

The Project involves a policy document that does not propose any specific development at this time. Future development that may be proposed as a result of Project adoption would be classified as CEQA exempt according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects. Furthermore, development that could be proposed as a result of project adoption

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment would aid in reaching the General Plan’s development goals. Analysis for this section comes largely from the 2009 Taft General Plan EIR.

IV.a) The Project includes an update to the existing Specific Plan and a corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment. While the DTSP is centralized to downtown Taft, the Zoning Ordinance update applies to the whole City of Taft. Both the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment ensure implementation of the City’s General Plan with respect to the planning and development of downtown Taft and citywide. The vast majority of downtown Taft has been disturbed or developed and contains limited habitat to support native wildlife. Although a few vacant lots within the Specific Plan Area may contain native vegetation, these areas have been heavily degraded by vehicular traffic and pedestrian use. The DTSP provides a plan for land use, development regulations, development incentives, and other related actions aimed at implementing the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan with regard to downtown Taft.

The Zoning Ordinance amendment includes updates to ADA regulations for compliance with State regulations, implements design standards for residential and commercial development, and aids in streamlining ministerial review for development projects assumed under the General Plan. The Project does not propose any specific development at this time, however, development that could occur from implementation of the Project could affect special-status species or their habitat. Therefore, it is recommended that Mitigation Measure BIO-1 be implemented to reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level. Mitigation Measure BIO1, as detailed below, states that prior to groundbreaking activities development applications shall be reviewed by City staff or third-party inspectors to identify locations where sensitive or special status species or habitat may occur, if the potential development site is flagged then the applicant shall seek the guidance of a qualified third-party inspector or biologist for appropriate recommendations or site-specific mitigation and approval. Therefore, with Mitigation Measure BIO-1, along with future site-specific review of operations, a less than significant impact would occur.

IV.b) The Project includes an update to the existing Specific Plan and a corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment. The Project ensures implementation of the City’s General Plan with respect to the planning and development of downtown Taft. As discussed above in Section IV.

Discussion and Response IV.a, the Project does not propose any specific development, however Project adoption may attract development proposals with the potential to affect riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities. With the incorporation of BIO-1 which calls for site specific review of potential future development proposals, impacts would be less than significant. Furthermore, a majority of the urban area where development proposals are expected to occur, has been previously disturbed and developed, with limited availability for riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities to occur. Project adoption would be in conformance with the adopted General Plan which it’s 2009 Draft EIR, evaluated whether land use and development consistent with the General Plan could result in loss of riparian habitat or

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment other sensitive natural communities, including Waters of the U.S. The 2009 EIR analysis noted that several policies and actions included in the General Plan Update would reduce potentially significant effects through its policies and associated actions. General Plan policies LU-5, C-3, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, and C-19 would reduce potential impacts to sensitive natural communities and Waters of the U.S through conservation and resource protection measures.

Therefore, with compliance with the General Plan’s policies and actions and Mitigation Measure BIO-1, impacts would be less than significant.

IV.c) The Project is located in the City of Taft, primarily affecting the urbanized region of the City. The urbanized area is currently composed of a mix of commercial, retail, residential, open space, and light industrial uses. The Project Area is considered an urbanized setting. The Project involves a policy and regulatory document with updates to the Specific Plan and a corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment. The Project has been prepared to be in accordance, and consistent with, the Taft General Plan. The Project aims to revitalize downtown Taft as a vibrant mixed-use center for the community. A search of the National Wetlands Inventory from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) shows the DTSP area contains a riverine along the southeastern portion of the downtown area. Buena Vista Lake is located approximately 5 miles northeast of the City boundary. Project adoption is not expected to impact bodies of water located outside of the City boundary as the Zoning Ordinance amendment aims to promote infill development more centralized to the urbanized setting of Taft. The riverine located within the downtown Taft boundary is classified as intermittent and may contain flowing water for only part of the year. Should a development proposal occur near the riverine, or other jurisdictional waters the adopted policies and action items of the City’s General Plan (LU-5, C-14 [actions C-14d, C-14e, and C-14f], C-15 and C-17) would provide adequate mitigation to ensure impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, with conformance to the adopted General Plan, the Project would have a less than significant impact.

IV.d) Wildlife movement corridors are routes frequently utilized by wildlife that provide shelter and sufficient food supplies to support wildlife species during migration. Movement corridors generally consist of riparian, woodland, or forested habitats that span contiguous acres of undisturbed habitat. In addition, open space provides an opportunity for dispersal and migration of wildlife species. As the DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance Amendment is a regulatory and policy document, no development is currently proposed. However, Project adoption may attract development proposals. Specific development projects that may be proposed as a result of Project adoption would be subject to Mitigation Measure BIO-1 and the policies of the adopted General Plan. The following General Plan policies and actions aid in preserving wildlife corridors; Land Use Policy LU-5, and Conservation Policies and Actions C-3, C-3a, C-13, C-13a, C-13b, C-14, C-14a, C-14b, C-14c, C-14d, C-14e, C-14f, C-15, C-15a, C-15b, C-16, C-17, C-17a, C-18, C-19, and C-19a. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment is in conformance with the adopted General Plan, with implementation of these General Plan

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment policies and actions impacts to wildlife corridors from future development that may be possible under the Project would be mitigated. Therefore, with implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1 and conformance with the City’s General Plan, impacts would be less than significant.

IV.e) The City’s General Plan Open Space and Conservation Element provides a variety of goals, policies, and actions related to protecting and enhancing the existing habitat and present special-status species. The City has an adopted “Approved Tree List” which details the types of trees approved for planting within the City. Future development proposed to implement the DTSP, and corresponding Zoning Ordinance would be required to comply with all applicable policies included in the General Plan and the Approved Tree List. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

IV.f) Habitat Conservation Plans and Natural Community Conservation Plans are site-specific plans to address effects on sensitive species of plants and animals. Land uses and development consistent with the proposed project would not conflict with any adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved conservation plan. No such conservation plans have been adopted encompassing Taft, and no impact would result.

MITIGATION MEASURES
BIO-1: Prior to groundbreaking activities the City shall review development applications and identify locations where habitat suitable for sensitive species may exist. Prior to the pre-permit site inspection applications will be checked against publicly available aerial imagery and databases such as the California Natural Diversity Database, California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service List of Threatened and Endangered Species to evaluate the potential for sensitive habitat on-site.

During the pre-permit site inspection City staff and third-party inspectors will determine if sensitive species are present. If it is determined that sensitive species are present or could be present CDFW will be consulted. CDFW may recommend approval of the proposed development, ask to conduct a site inspection, or request additional studies in order to make the determination that no impacts to sensitive species will occur.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated on Biological Resources.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would
the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of a historical
resource pursuant to §15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of an
archaeological resource pursuant
to §15064.5?
c) Disturb any human remains,
including those interred outside of
formal cemeteries?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on cultural resources if it would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5; cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5; or disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries.

DISCUSSION
Cultural resources are defined as prehistoric and historic sites, structures, and districts, or any other physical evidence associated with human activity considered important to a culture, a subculture, or a community for scientific, traditional, religious, or any other reason. Significant cultural resources not only include sites and structures that are formally listed on national, State, and local historic registers, they also include places that are eligible for listing, as well as potential for archaeological remains associated with Native American settlement discussed further under Section XVIII, Tribal Cultural Resources.

The Project involves a regulatory and policy document which would serve as a framework for development within the Project Area. It sets the foundation for how the City will operate, based upon identified goals and policies relating to a range of topics specific to downtown Taft, including: land use; urban design; parks and open space; transportation; and sustainable infrastructure. The developed portion of the Project Area consists of mostly mixed-use commercial, retail, and residential uses. Project adoption may attract future development consistent with the current and surrounding land uses.

V.a) State CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 defines “substantial adverse change” as physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource is materially impaired. CEQA Guidelines, section 15064.5, subdivision (b)(2), defines “materially impaired” for purposes of the definition of “substantial adverse change” as follows:

The significance of an historical resource is materially impaired when a project:

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment 1) demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of an historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its inclusion in, or eligibility for, inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources; or
2) demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics that account for its inclusion in a local register of historical resources pursuant to section5020.1(k) of the Public Resources Code or its identification in an historical resources survey meeting the requirements of section 5024.1(g) of the Public Resources Code, unless the public agency reviewing the effects of the project establishes by a preponderance of evidence that the resource is not historically or culturally significant; or
3) demolishes or materially alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of a historical resource that convey its historical significance and that justify its eligibility for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources as determined by a lead agency for purposes of CEQA.

The Project does not propose any specific development; however, Project adoption may attract development proposals. Future development allowed under the DTSP, and Zoning Ordinance amendment could result in the destruction or remodeling of historic or cultural resources. The DTSP contains policies to which help promote the preservation of historic resources through its Community Character Theme, however it is recommended that future development proposals be evaluated on a site-specific basis if a historical resource could be impacted. Therefore, with the incorporation of mitigation measure CUL-1 as described below, impacts would be less than significant.

V.b) The Project is a regulatory and policy document, as such, no development is currently proposed. However, Project adoption may attract development proposals. Future development allowed under the DTSP, and Zoning Ordinance Amendment could result in the adverse change of an archaeological resource. Actual effects to archaeological resources are known only when an individual project is proposed because those effects depend highly on both the individual project site conditions and the characteristics of the proposed ground‐disturbing activity. Future development could affect previously undiscovered archaeological resources that may be present on or below the ground surface. With incorporation of Mitigation Measure CUL-2, which provides guidelines for protecting undiscovered archeological resources from new development involving grading or excavation below the previous level of disturbance, impacts would be less than significant.

V.c) It is unlikely that human remains will be uncovered during any proposed developments, as development is expected to occur within or adjacent to previously disturbed areas. The Project is a regulatory and policy document, and as such, no development is currently proposed.

However, project adoption may attract development proposals. If during future development unknown human remains are encountered, a significant impact could occur. Implementation

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment of Mitigation Measure CUL-3 during future development would establish safeguards to the proper treatment of human remains should any be encountered during construction and groundbreaking activities. Therefore, a less than significant impact associated with human remains would occur.

MITIGATION MEASURES
CUL-1: Future developers within the Project Area, for projects not considered exempt, shall retain a qualified architectural historian to evaluate all historic-age buildings within the proposed project footprint for California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) eligibility, to determine any potential adverse impacts to historical resources under CEQA. A report of findings shall be prepared and submitted to the City within 30 days of completion of the evaluation, concurrent with the proposed application for development.

CUL-2: For new development that involves grading or excavation below the previous level of disturbance, if cultural resources are encountered during ground-disturbing activities, work in the immediate area shall be halted and an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for archaeology (NPS 1983) shall be contacted immediately to evaluate the find. If necessary, the evaluation may require preparation of a treatment plan and archaeological testing for CRHR eligibility. If the discovery proves to be significant under CEQA and cannot be avoided by the project, additional work such as data recovery excavation may be warranted to mitigate any significant impacts to cultural resources. In the event that archaeological resources of Native American origin are identified during project construction, a qualified archaeologist will consult with the City to begin Native American consultation procedures.

CUL-3: If human remains are discovered, work shall halt in that area and the procedures set forth in the California Public Resources Code (Section 5097.98) and State Health and Safety Code (Section 7050.5) will be followed. The Principal Investigator shall contact the County Coroner.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated on Cultural Resources.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment VI. ENERGY. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Result in a potentially significant
environmental impact due to
wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary
consumption of energy, or wasteful
use of energy resources, during
project construction or operation?
b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or
local plan for renewable energy or
energy efficiency?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on energy if it would result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, or wasteful use of energy resources, during project construction or operation.

DISCUSSION
On October 7, 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 350, known as the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (De León, Chapter 547, Statutes of 2015), which sets ambitious annual targets for energy efficiency and renewable electricity aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. SB 350 requires the California Energy Commission to establish annual energy efficiency targets that will achieve a cumulative doubling of statewide energy efficiency savings and demand reductions in electricity and natural gas final end uses by January 1, 2030. This mandate is one of the primary measures to help the state achieve its long-term climate goal of reducing GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The proposed SB 350 doubling target for electricity increases from 7,286-gigawatthours (GWh) in 2015 up to 82,870 GWh in 2029. For natural gas, the proposed SB 350 doubling target increases from 42 million therms (MM) in 2015 up to 1,174 MM in 2029 (CEC, 2017) The Project involves an update to the existing Specific Plan, and a corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment. The Project ensures implementation of the City’s General Plan with respect to the planning and development of Taft. The DTSP provides a plan for land use, development regulations, development incentives, and other related actions aimed at implementing the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan with regard to downtown Taft.

The Zoning Ordinance amendment provides updates to the City’s ADA regulations bringing them into compliance with the State and providing avenues for streamlining development proposals in order to help reach the goals of the Taft General Plan.

Gas and Electric services for Taft are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). PG&E is a publicly traded utility company which generates,

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment purchases, and transmits energy under contract with the California Public Utilities Commission.

Electricity is generated by coal-fired and nuclear power plants, as well as clean energy sources such as hydro-electric plants, solar facilities, wind turbines, and geothermal facilities. Natural gas is mainly utilized for water heaters and heating of homes, as well as a broad range of commercial and industrial equipment. In areas where natural gas is not available, propane gas, stored in onproperty tanks, may also be utilized.

VI.a) The proposed Project does not include any site-specific designs or proposals, nor does it grant any entitlements for development. Future development within the Project Area would involve the use of energy during construction and associated operation. Energy use during construction would primarily be in the form of fuel consumption to operate heavy equipment, light-duty vehicles, machinery, and generators for lighting. Temporary grid power may also be provided to construction trailers or electric construction equipment. In addition, construction activities would also result in short-term fuel consumption from worker trips, operation of dieselpowered equipment, and hauling trips. Energy use during construction would be temporary and would be standard for similar construction projects in the region. Long-term operation of development projects would require permanent grid connections for electricity and natural gas service to power internal and exterior building lighting, as well as heating and cooling systems.

In addition, the increase in vehicle trips associated with potential development could increase fuel consumption.

Future development in the Project Area would be subject to energy conservation requirements in the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations [CCR], California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings) and the California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) (Title 24, Part 11, of the CCR). Therefore, compliance with these energy efficiency and energy reduction measures would reduce the use of nonrenewable energy sources for development in the Project Area. Adherence to Title 24 requirements and California Green Building Standards would ensure that future development would not result in wasteful and inefficient use of non-renewable resources due to building operation. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

VI.b) The Project is a policy and regulatory document; future site-specific development that would occur as a result of DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment adoption would be required to comply with the provisions of adopted policies in the General Plan and Climate Action Plan. Project adoption may attract development proposals, with the proposed land use and zoning changes development proposals would primarily consist of infill development which is considered CEQA exempt according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects. Therefore, the Project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. Potential impacts would be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Energy.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment VII. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the
project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Directly or indirectly cause
potential substantial adverse
effects, including the risk of loss,
injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known
earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most
recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning
Map issued by the State
Geologist for the area or
based on other substantial
evidence of a known fault?
Refer to Division of Mines
and Geology Special
Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground
shaking?
iii) Seismic-related ground
failure, including
liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or
the loss of topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic unit or
soil that is unstable, or that would
become unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially result in onor off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction
or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as
defined in Table 18-1-B of the
Uniform Building Code (1994),
creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks
or alternative wastewater disposal
systems where sewers are not
available for the disposal of
wastewater?

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment f) Directly or indirectly destroy a
unique paleontological resource or
site or unique geologic feature?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on geology and soils if it would directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault, strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction, or landslides; result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil; be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse; be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property; have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater; or directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature.

DISCUSSION
The Project includes an update to the existing Specific Plan and a corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment. The Project provides a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework that guides future development in the downtown area and Zoning Ordinance changes involving updates to ADA compliance and avenues for streamlining specified development proposals citywide. The Project ensures implementation of the City’s General Plan with respect to the planning and development of downtown Taft and citywide. The DTSP provides a plan for land use, development regulations, development incentives, and other related actions aimed at implementing the goals, policies, and actions of the General Plan with regard to downtown Taft.

The Zoning Ordinance aids in streamlining development already assumed under the City’s General Plan buildout.

The discussion for this section is based on the Geotechnical Hazards Investigation study done by Krazan & Associates, Inc. in September 2008 for the City of Taft General Plan Update.

Geological Setting:

A site reconnaissance of the City was performed by Krazan and Associates in August 2008.

Alluvial fans formed by the Kern River have resulted in a rather flat topography for the Project Area, elevations within the City range from 280 feet to 2,000 feet above median sea level (amsl).

The Project Area is located in Kern County, along the west margin of the southern San Joaquin Valley portion of the Great Valley Geomorphic Province of California and borders the Temblor Range portion of the Coast Ranges Geomorphic Province. The San Joaquin Valley is bounded to the north by the Sacramento Valley portion of the Great Valley, to the east by the Sierra Nevada, to the west by the Coast Ranges, and to the south by the Transverse Ranges. The Planning Area is known for significant oil and gas production. Oil fields were discovered in the 1920s and during the 1930s production began to increase significantly (Krazan, 2008).

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Subsurface investigations consisting of exploratory drilling has been performed by Krazan & Associates within the City’s Planning Area for over 25 years. Based on the findings of the geologic study for the General Plan Update, the subsurface conditions encountered appear typical of those found in the geologic region. In general, the upper soils consist of approximately 6 to 12 inches of very loose silty sand, silty sand with trace clay, sandy silt, clayey sand, or clayey gravel (Krazan, 2008). Soils within the Project Area are primarily disturbed by prior development of downtown Taft.

There is no land within the Project Area designated for mining.

Seismicity:

In 1975 the Kern County Planning Department prepared Seismic Hazard Atlases for a majority of the USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles in the central valley portion of Kern County.

The Taft quadrangle shows the Buena Vista Hill Thrust and an unnamed related fault in the vicinity. The Maricopa, Fellows, and Taft quadrangles show the Midway Fault, an inferred surface fault, extending northwest to southeast through the oil fields in the southwest corner of the Planning Area. Several unnamed minor subsurface faults are shown on the Seismic Hazard Atlas maps to be located throughout the oil fields outside of the Project Area. Krazan & Associates deemed most of these faults to not be considered a concern. (Krazan, 2008) Of the twelve USGS topographic quadrangle maps that cover the Project Area, there are four Fault Rupture Hazard Zone maps that show the location of faults in the vicinity of the City. Figure 5 Regional Geologic Map shows the faults of concern within the City. The Official Fault Rupture Hazard Zone Maps are available at the City of Taft Planning Department for review and reference.

Liquefaction and Landslides:

Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of a soil is reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid loading. Liquefaction occurs in saturated soils, in which the space between individual particles is completely filled with water. This water exerts a pressure on the soil particles that influences how tightly the particles themselves are pressed together.

Prior to an earthquake, the water pressure is relatively low. However, earthquake shaking can cause the water pressure to increase to the point where the soil particles can readily move with respect to each other.

As noted above, the predominant soils within the Project Area consist of varying combinations of very loose/very soft to very dense/hard silts, clays, sands, gravels, and cobbles. According to Krazan’s findings, the potential for soil liquefaction within the Project Area ranges from very low to moderate due to the variable density of the subsurface soils and the presence of shallow groundwater.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The majority of the Project Area is relatively level with no major changes in grade. Earthquake induced landslides, seiches, and flooding are not expected as the Project Area does not contain any large bodies of water and is not located adjacent to any hillside areas, nor does it contain any reservoirs which could catastrophically fail during an earthquake.

VII.a.i) The purpose of the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is to mitigate the hazard of surface faulting by preventing the construction of buildings used for human occupancy over an area with known faults. Unlike damage from ground shaking, which can occur at great distances from the fault, impacts from fault rupture are limited to the immediate area of the fault zone where the fault breaks along the grounds surface. The Project Area is not located within or adjacent to an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The nearest earthquake fault is the Buena Vista Fault, which lies approximately 1.3 miles northeast of downtown Taft. The Project comprises of the adoption of a Downtown Specific Plan and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment, a programmatic regulatory and policy document. Future development within the Project Area would be subject to environmental review as required by federal, State and City regulations, and discretionary review, and must be consistent with the policies and regulations of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance. In addition, any future development proposed for the Project Area would be required to be constructed in accordance with the most recent edition of the California Building Code (CBC) to provide a sound design. Compliance with all applicable regulations and the CBC would ensure that future development would minimize potential impacts. Therefore, there would be a less than significant impact.

VII.a.ii) The Project is located in a seismically active region where earthquakes originating on local and regional seismic faults can produce severe ground shaking. No site-specific development would occur as a result of the Project. However, future development within the Project Area would be subject to environmental review as required by federal, State and City regulations, and discretionary review, and must be consistent with the policies and regulations of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance. In addition, any future development proposed for the Project Area would be required to be constructed in accordance with the most recent edition of the California Building Code (CBC) to provide a sound design. Compliance with all applicable regulations and the CBC would ensure that future development would minimize potential impacts to people and property in the event of an earthquake. Project-related impacts associated with seismic ground shaking would be less than significant.

VII.a.iii) As mentioned in the discussion above, liquefaction involves a sudden loss in strength of saturated, cohesion-less soils that are subject to ground vibration and results in the temporary transformation of the soil to a fluid mass. Liquefaction typically occurs in areas where the soils below the water table are composed of poorly consolidated, fine- to medium-grained, primarily sandy soil. In addition to the required soil conditions, the ground quickening and duration of the

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment earthquake must also be of a sufficient level to induce liquefaction if the groundwater levels are within 50 feet of the ground surface. The Project involves a programmatic policy-level document. No development is specifically proposed at this time. However, future development with the project area would be subject to environmental review as required by federal, State and City regulations, discretionary review, and must be consistent with the policies of the DTSP. In addition, any development proposed for the Project Area would be required to be constructed in accordance with the most recent edition of the California Building Code (CBC) to provide a collapse resistant design. Compliance with applicable regulations and the CBC would ensure that future development would minimize potential impacts to people and property in the event of seismic related ground failure. Therefore, project-related impacts associated with seismic related ground failure would be less than significant.

VII.a.iv) The Project Area is located within an urbanized and built-out area. the City of Taft is also located within a relatively flat topographical area that would not be at risk of landslides occurring.

Therefore, no impact would occur.

VII.b) The Project is a programmatic policy-level document and does not include any proposals for development projects. However, Project adoption may attract development proposals.

Specific development projects that may be proposed as a result of DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment adoption could be considered infill development according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects. Furthermore, existing state law requires future development projects to obtain coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) statewide General Construction permit. The NPDES program regulates point source discharges caused by construction activities and the quality of stormwater in municipal stormwater systems. As part of the permit application process, future projects would require a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), which would include a list of best management practices (BMPs) to be implemented on the site both during and after construction to minimize erosion and sedimentation. Compliance with state law would minimize potential soil erosion impacts. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

VII.c,d) As discussed under impact discussions (VII.a.i) through (VII.b) of this section, the DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment would not expose forecast residential development to significant impacts associated with seismic hazards, including seismic shaking, surface rupture, liquefaction, or landslides and slope failure. Future development within the Project Area would be required to conform to the CBC as required by State law. The Project does not include current proposals for development projects, nor would the project grant any entitlements for development. Future development would need to comply with existing state and local regulations. Compliance with these regulations would minimize potential risks associated with unstable and expansive soils. This impact would be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment VII.e) Wastewater service is provided by the City of Taft. Wastewater service is provided to all areas within the City’s Municipal Boundary. There are existing gravity pipes that run throughout the Project Area, which could support the intended growth. The Project involves a policy and regulatory document and does not include current site-specific development proposals; however, Project adoption may attract development. Future development would either need to be served by the City’s existing wastewater treatment plant or by individual septic tanks in order to treat anticipated wastewater generated potential proposed development. Any future proposals for development within the Project Area would be required to comply with Regional Water Control Board regulations related to wastewater treatment to minimize any potential release into local water sources. Moreover, the City would require project-specific geotechnical engineering analysis as part of the building permit process to determine if soils underlain the site would be able to adequately support the chosen wastewater treatment method. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

VII.f) Paleontological resources include fossil remains, as well as fossil localities and rock or soil formations that have produced fossil material. Fossils are the remains or traces of prehistoric life. The proposed Project does not include any specific developments, nor does it grant any entitlements for development. As a policy and regulatory document, the DTSP would not directly result in potential disturbance of paleontological resources. Therefore, there is low potential for unique paleontological resources or site or unique geological features to be encountered within the Project area due to past ground disturbing construction activities.

However, future improvements to implement the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment could adversely affect potential resources. With incorporation of Mitigation Measure GEO-1 below, which provides specific requirements in the event any fossil(s) or paleontological resources are encountered during construction of a future development, a less than significant impact would occur.

MITIGATION MEASURES
Mitigation Measure GEO-1 would reduce the impact of future construction activities on potentially unknown paleontological resources to a less-than-significant level by addressing discovery of unanticipated buried resources and preserving and/or recording those resources consistent with appropriate laws and requirements.

GEO-1: In the event that fossils or fossil-bearing deposits are discovered during Project construction, the contractor shall notify a qualified paleontologist to examine the discovery and excavations within 50 feet of the find shall be temporarily halted or diverted. The area of discovery shall be protected to ensure that fossils are not removed, handled, altered, or damaged until the Site is properly evaluated, and further action is determined. The paleontologist shall document the discovery as needed, in accordance with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology standards (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 1995), evaluate the

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment potential resource, and assess the significance of the finding under the criteria set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5. The paleontologist shall notify the appropriate agencies to determine procedures that would be followed before construction is allowed to resume at the location of the find. If the Project proponent determines that avoidance is not feasible, the paleontologist shall prepare an excavation plan for mitigating the effect of the Project based on the qualities that make the resource important. The plan shall be submitted to the City of Taft for review and approval prior to implementation.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated on Geology and Soils.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 5: Regional Geologic Map & Key

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Place holder for second page of Figure 5)

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG), either directly or indirectly,
that may have a significant impact on
the environment?
b) Conflict with an applicable plan,
policy, or regulation adopted for the
purpose of reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on greenhouse gas emissions if it would generate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment; or conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.

DISCUSSION
The Project is located within the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).

The SJVAPCD has direct and indirect regulatory authority over air pollution and GHG emission sources within its jurisdictional boundary, including Taft.

The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, also known as Assembly Bill (AB) 32, is a State law that establishes a comprehensive program to reduce GHG emissions from all sources throughout the State. AB 32 requires the State to reduce its total GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of approximately 15 percent below emissions expected under a “business as usual” scenario. Pursuant to AB 32, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) must adopt regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost effective GHG emission reductions. The following major GHGs and groups of GHGs being emitted into the atmosphere are included under AB 32: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) (ARB, 2014). Assembly Bill (AB) 1803, which became law in 2006, made CARB responsible to prepare, adopt, and update California’s GHG inventory. The 2020 GHG emissions limit statewide, equal to the 1990 level, is 431 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) (CARB, 2019). Pursuant to Executive Order S-3-05, California has a reduction target to reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels (CARB, 2014).

In 2017 the City of Taft published its Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP is intended to streamline future environmental review of projects in Taft by following CEQA Guidelines and meeting the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District expectations for a Qualified GHG

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Reduction Strategy. In addition, the CAP serves as the City’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, implementing both General Plan and State guidance.

In 2019, California’s total GHG emissions were estimated to be 418.2 million metric tons of CO2e (MMTCO2e) by CARB. As shown in Table 2 below, the transportation sector accounts for the largest percentage of California’s GHG emissions, or 41 percent (CARB, 2021).

Table 2. California’s GHG Emissions by Economic Sector
Economic Sector
Percentage of California’s
Total GHG Emissions
Transportation 41%
Industrial 24%
Electricity Generation (in state) 9%
Electricity Generation (imports) 5%
Agriculture 7%
Residential 8%
Commercial 6%
Total 100%
Source: California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2021. California Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Program. Available at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/ghg-inventory-data.

VIII.a) The Project includes policy and regulatory documents and does not directly propose or grant any entitlements for development and thus would not result in any direct physical changes to the environment. However, project adoption may attract development proposals. Specific development projects that may be proposed as a result of DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment adoption could be considered infill development. Infill development aids in reducing driving and greenhouse gas emissions by providing options for housing and commercial development nearby an urban core with a multi-modal network of streets, bike paths, sidewalks, trails, and public transportation options. If future development application is proposed that does not meet CEQA Guidelines as infill development, then future site-specific review would be necessary. Construction and implementation of improvements could generate GHG emissions from construction activities, increased vehicle use, natural gas combustion, and other operational sources. Emissions would incrementally contribute to global GHG levels.

However, all development within the City would be subject to compliance with the provisions of the City’s General Plan and Climate Action Plan. Additionally, future development proposals that would occur under the provisions of the DTSP and/or Zoning Ordinance amendment would be required to comply with the California Green Building Standards Code and the

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment California Energy Code. Compliance with these requirements would result in lower emissions than produced by the existing buildings in the SPA and greater Project Area. Further, future CEQA review of project-level impacts would evaluate the potential for individual projects to generate GHG emissions that may have a significant impact on the environment and would include feasible mitigation measures as appropriate. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

VIII.b) California has adopted several policies and regulations for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions. AB 32 was enacted in 2006 to reduce statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Senate Bill (SB) 375 was enacted in 2009 with the goal of reducing GHG emissions by limiting urban sprawl and its associated vehicle emissions. The Project would be consistent with applicable plans adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions, as it prioritizes an integrated, multi-modal network of streets, bike paths, sidewalks, and trails that provide connections between surrounding areas of the city and downtown Taft. The DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment intends to ultimately create a walkable, pedestrian friendly city and downtown that is a lively center and focal point for the community.

As such, implementation of the Project would serve to reduce GHG emissions. Furthermore, the Project would not directly propose or grant any entitlements for development. However, Project adoption may attract development proposals. Specific development projects that may be proposed as a result of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment adoption would be considered infill development according to CEQA Guidelines Class 32 § 15332. In-Fill Development Projects. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment IX. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment through the
routine transport, use, or disposal of
hazardous materials?
b) Create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment through
reasonably foreseeable upset and
accident conditions involving the
release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous
materials, substances, or waste within
one-quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school?
d) Be located on a site which is included
on a list of hazardous materials sites
complied pursuant to Government
Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to
the public or the environment?
e) For a project located within an airport
land use plan or, where such a plan has
not been adopted, within two miles of
a public airport or public use airport,
would the project result in a safety
hazard or excessive noise for people
residing or working in the project area?
f) Impair implementation of, or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
g) Expose people or structures, either
directly or indirectly, to a significant risk
of loss, injury or death involving
wildland fires?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on hazards and hazardous materials if it were to create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment; emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school; be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites complied pursuant to Government

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would create a significant hazard to the public or the environment; result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area if located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport; or impair the implementation of, or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan; or expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires.

DISCUSSION
A material is considered hazardous if it appears on a list of hazardous materials prepared by a federal, state, or local agency, or has characteristics defined as hazardous by a federal, state, or local agency. Chemical and physical properties such as toxicity, ignitability, corrosiveness, and reactivity cause a substance to be considered hazardous. These properties are defined in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22, §66261.20-66261.24. A “hazardous waste” includes any hazardous material that is discarded, abandoned, or will be recycled. Therefore, the criteria that render a material hazardous also cause a waste to be classified as hazardous (California Health and Safety Code, §25117).

The Project is based in the City of Taft which is classified as an urbanized setting. The Project concerns a policy and regulatory document. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment provides for a mix of land uses designed to achieve the overarching vision, goals, and policies of creating a thriving, healthy and balanced community with an economically diverse downtown environment. While the Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not propose any changes to land uses and densities above what was assumed in the General Plan, the DTSP does include changes to the land uses downtown that result in higher densities than assumed under the General Plan.

The DTSP could result in additional dwelling units and employment opportunities, and 9 acres of recreational open space. The DTSP would allow for some Light Industrial (LI) uses along the southern and eastern edge of the SPA as shown in Figure 4, Land Use. Allowable uses under this land use would include manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and distribution, and multi-tenant industrial uses. The LI land use designation also supports administrative and professional offices and commercial activities on a limited basis. According to the DTSP, these uses must be generally compatible with those in nearby commercial and residential zones, and not produce substantial environmental nuisances such as noise, odor, dust/smoke or glare.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The Project Area includes three (3) clean-up or permitted hazardous waste site as mapped by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) EnviroStor database (2022).

They include the following:
• County Airport -Taft Airport ID #80000801 – inactive, needs evaluation as of July 1, 2005
• Laidlaw Environmental Services ID #CAD089864805 – Closed • County Airport ID #80000802 – inactive, needs evaluation as of July 1, 2005 According to the State Water Resources Quality Control Board’s (SWRQCB) GeoTracker database (2022) there no active sites within the Project Area, however there are approximately 23 closed sites within the Project Area.

IX.a,b) The Project includes policy and regulatory documents which would allow for additional commercial, residential, and office uses, with some light industrial. As a part of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment, parking improvements, landscaping, and mobility enhancement would be incorporated into potential development. Construction of the Project components would require the use of hazardous materials such as gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, oil, grease, solvents, and paints. Construction of potential development would be conducted in accordance with all applicable State and federal laws. For example, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol regulate the transportation of hazardous materials and wastes, including container types and packaging requirements, as well as licensing and training for truck operators, chemical handlers, and hazardous waste haulers. Additionally, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the California Hazardous Material Management Act, and the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22, regulate the transport, use, and storage of hazardous materials during the construction. Worker safety regulations cover hazards related to the prevention of exposure to hazardous materials and a release to the environment from hazardous materials use. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) also enforces hazard communication program regulations, which contain worker safety training and hazard information requirements, such as procedures for identifying and labeling hazardous substances, communicating hazard information related to hazardous substances and their handling, and preparing health and safety plans to protect workers and employees. Any possible future development proposals within the Project Area would be required to comply with existing hazardous materials laws and regulations, therefore potential impact associated with transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials is considered less than significant.

Once potential developments are in operation, future improvements and operations could require the use of common materials such as paint, fertilizers and pesticides for landscaping maintenance, and various chemicals, fuels, and oils depending upon the nature of the development. Additionally, development activities such as groundbreaking activities, construction in close proximity to a roadway, construction in close proximity to mining or

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment former mining activities, demolition or modification of existing buildings, importation of backfill soil, or work in close proximity to an agricultural or former agricultural site may occur as a result of the Project. As stated above, hazardous materials are regulated by state, federal, and local agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and Kern County Operational Area Hazardous Materials Plan which details safety standards for handling hazardous materials. In addition to these laws and regulations Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 shall be incorporated. HAZ-1 states that prior to construction or site disturbance at any of the locations where a Cortese List site was recorded or a sensitive land use as defined by DTSC, would be subject to further environmental investigation, including Phase I or Phase II analyses as described below as Mitigation Measure HAZ-1. Therefore, with adherence to local, state, and federal regulations, impacts would be less than significant.

IX.c) The Project Area contains numerous schools. Under the DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment no substantial change in land use is proposed adjacent to the school areas, as shown above in Figure 3 and 4 Existing and Proposed Land Use. As described in section IX (a) and (b), possible future construction consistent with the Project would involve the use of fuels and related materials typical of construction activities. Any future development proposals would be required to comply with all existing hazardous materials laws and regulations. Since no substantial changes in land use are proposed adjacent to the school site, potential operational hazards would comprise of the routine use of minor quantities of chemicals such as paints, cleaning solvents, and ammonia associated with normal residential or retail operations.

Therefore, there would be a less-than-significant impact related to the emission or handling of hazardous materials or wastes within one quarter mile of an existing or proposed school site.

IX.d) The provisions in Government Code Section 65962.5 are commonly referred to as the "Cortese List." A search of the Cortese List was completed for the project to determine if any known hazardous waste sites have been recorded on or adjacent to the Project Area. These include:
• - Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database; • - List of Leaking Underground Storage Tank Sites from the Water Board GeoTracker database;
• - List of solid waste disposal sites identified by the Water Board with waste constituents above hazardous waste levels;
• - List of "active" Cease and Desist Orders and Cleanup and Abatement Orders from the Water Board; and
• - List of hazardous waste facilities subject to corrective action pursuant to Section 25187.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment A records search was conducted using the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) GeoTracker database and the State of California Department of Toxic Substance Control’s (DTSC) EnviroStor database. A total of 23 Sites were identified in the vicinity of the Project boundary. A majority of these sites are LUST sites for which hazardous materials remediation has been completed and four (4) sites are considered a Cleanup Program Site all of which have been closed and completed. To ensure that future development under the proposed Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment implementation of Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 shall be incorporated. HAZ-1 states that prior to construction or site disturbance at any of the locations where a Cortese List site was recorded or a sensitive land use as defined by DTSC, would be subject to further environmental investigation, including Phase I or Phase II analyses as described below as Mitigation Measure HAZ-1. Therefore, with mitigation incorporated, a less than significant impact would occur.

IX.e) The Taft-Kern County Airport is located approximately 0.30 miles east of downtown Taft.

The Project is in conformance with the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), as the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment does not suggest any major changes in land use or zoning adjacent to the Taft-Kern Airport. The ALUCP identifies an airport influence area for each airport and policies that apply to military aviation and the military installations.

Proposed development projects within these areas must be reviewed to determine their potential to affect the airport. If a project is proposed nearby the airport, the project would be reviewed for its potential to affect adjacent non-airport land within the airport influence area.

The ALUCP describes the existing and planned land uses within the Project Area as “continued infill of mixed urban uses.” The Project as proposed is consistent with the ALUCP, therefore impacts would be less than significant.

IX.f) The Project involves a regulatory policy document which would support new development regulations in conjunction with contemporary planning principles. The Project serves to provide a vision and planning framework for future growth and development within downtown Taft and citywide. As such, the DTSP portion of the Project would result in increased intensities in land uses within downtown Taft, above what was assumed in the General Plan buildout.

Implementation of the Project could add additional traffic and residences requiring evacuation in case of an emergency. The resulting changes in land use patterns could increase the potential for conflicts with existing emergency response or emergency evacuation plans by making execution of emergency response activities more difficult. An efficient roadway and circulation system is vital for the evacuation of residents and the mobility of fire suppression, emergency response, and law enforcement vehicles. The DTSP addresses the importance of implementing a safe, convenient, and accessible mobility network under Goal 3-4 Policy 5 “Implement a citywide wayfinding system that highlights unique locations in Downtown Taft and connections to other parts of Taft and the greater region.” In addition to adherence of the DTSP policies for

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment safe and accessible mobility, all new development and modifications would comply with the following emergency response plans.

As required by State law, Kern County has established emergency preparedness procedures to be prepared for and respond to a variety of natural and manmade disasters that could confront the community. The following sections summarize the Project’s consistency with applicable emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans.

County of Kern Emergency Operations Plan:

The intent of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is to provide the concept of operations and strategic activities for responding to any type of emergency incident affecting Kern County. The EOP plan is part of a larger planning framework that supports emergency management within the state and the Operational Area. Additional agency and organization-specific plans support the EOP and annexes. These plans also provide local, regional, and State agencies and entities with a consolidated framework for coordinating activities and resources, thus promoting efficient use of resources during all phases of emergency management.

Kern Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan:

The FEMA Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 requires that local governments, as a condition of receiving federal disaster mitigation funds, have a Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) that describes the process for assessing hazards, risks and vulnerabilities, identifying and prioritizing mitigation actions, and soliciting input from key stakeholders. Hazard mitigation is the use of sustained long-term actions that will reduce the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage that can result from a disaster.

By following the mandated local emergency response plans, any future construction and operation of future development within the Project Area would not directly impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan or involve the development of structures that could potentially impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

IX.g) The City of Taft has a Fire Protection Agreement with the Kern County Fire District (KCFD).

There are no areas in the City of Taft that are located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The Project Area is located in a largely urbanized area and downtown Taft and surrounding areas are designated “unzoned”; the rest of Taft is designated as a Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone. As stated in the DTSP, and in line with the General Plan, all new development within the Project Area should comply with the Fire Code and be reviewed for adequate water supply and pressure, fire hydrants, and access to structures by firefighting

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment equipment and personnel. With adherence to regular cultivation and weed removal as enforced by KCFD, impacts would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
HAZ-1: For projects within the Project Area that require excavation or groundbreaking activities at any of the locations where a Cortese List site was recorded, or adjacent to a sensitive land use as defined by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) including; hospitals, homes, day care centers, and schools a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (and Phase II sampling where appropriate) would be required. If the Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessment determines that remediation is required, the project sponsor would be required to implement all remediation and abatement work in accordance with the requirements of the DTSC, Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), or other jurisdictional agency.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact with mitigation on Hazards and Hazardous Materials.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment X. HYDROLOGY AND WATER
QUALITY. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Violate any water quality
standards or waste discharge
requirements or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or
ground water quality?
b) Substantially decrease
groundwater supplies or interfere
substantially with groundwater
recharge such that the project
may impede sustainable
groundwater management of the
basin?
c) Substantially alter the existing
drainage pattern of the site or
area, including through the
alteration of the course of a
stream or river or through the
addition of impervious surfaces,
in a manner which would:
i) Result in substantial
erosion or siltation on- or
off-site?
ii) Substantially increase the
rate or amount of surface
runoff in a manner which
would result in flooding
on- or off-site?
iii) Create or contribute
runoff water which would
exceed the capacity of
existing or planned
stormwater drainage
systems or provide
substantial additional
sources of polluted
runoff?
iv) Impede or redirect flood
flows?

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or
seiche zones, risk release of
pollutants due to project
inundation?
e) Conflict with or obstruct
implementation of a water
quality control plan or
sustainable groundwater
management plan?
Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on hydrology and water quality if it would violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality; substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin; substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner, which would result in substantial erosion or siltation onor off-site, substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding onor off-site, create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff, or impede or redirect flows; in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation; or conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan.

DISCUSSION
Regional and Local Hydrology and Water Resources Setting:

According to the Storm Drainage Technical Report for the Taft General Plan Update and EIR prepared by Storm Water Consulting, Inc. (2009), elevations for the City of Taft range from approximately 1,160 feet above mean sea level (msl) near the Sandy Creek crossing of Midoil Road to about 750 feet along Sandy Creek at the east end of the Taft-Kern County Airport. (Storm Water Consulting, 2009, Pgs 6-7).

The most significant stream nearby the project boundary is the Kern River which originates in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to the east of Bakersfield near Mount Whitney. The Kern River is regulated by Isabella Dam which controls roughly 2,074 square miles of upstream watershed.

The Kern River traverses southwesterly and is located approximately 14 miles northeast of Taft. (Storm Water Consulting, 2009, Pg 6).

There is one upstream dam listed by the Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams called the Isabella Dam. The Isabella Dam forms Isabella Lake along the Kern River and its tributaries in the Sierra Nevada to the east of the City’s Planning Area. The dam is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and impounds up to 568,000 acre-feet of water originating from a contributing watershed area of 2,074 square miles.

The Project is based in Taft which is classified as an urbanized setting. The City is mostly developed between Taft Highway to the east, Ash Street to the north, Hillard Street to the west, and A street/Oak Street to the South.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Water Service:

Water service is provided by West Kern Water District (WKWD). WKWD was formed in May 1959 and includes many unincorporated communities as well as the cities of Maricopa and Taft. The District has an irregular boundary and encompasses a service area of approximately 300 square miles. WKWD recently updated its Urban Water Management Plan in 2020. The Plan describes the District’s water supply, water demands, water reliability, and water conservation efforts. This document provides estimated population growth and water demands through the year 2045 and serves as a long-range planning document for the District.

WKWD contracted with Kern County Water Authority (KCWA) in 1966 to receive an allotment of water through the State Water Project (SWP). The 2020 Plan states that WKWD is allocated approximately 31,500 acre-feet of water per year (AFY) by KCWA. However, this number represents the maximum WKWD can request annually as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) determines the amount that will be delivered in a given year. Given this, the supply received each year is generally lower than 31,500 AFY. The Plan projects that between 2020 and 2045 the total supply will decrease from 25,700 AFY to 25,100 AFY and the demand will increase from 16,338 AFY to 17,735 AFY. Additionally, the plan provides analysis for dry years and includes banking groundwater for use in these dry years. This analysis in the Plan shows that WKWD has adequate supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years throughout the 25-year planning period, particularly due to the long history of banking groundwater for use in dry years.

While the existing water system could support some of the intended growth within the Project Area, future development that proposes a significant increase in the number of residential units or square footage of non-residential use, will need to conduct project-level analysis to determine available water system capacity.

Depending on the intensity, future development may require the upsizing of existing water mains. Exact sizing and location of mains would be determined for each proposed development when project information is known. See Figure 6 Water Map, for more details on location of facilities. Additionally, future development will need to consider the existing connection lines as they could be old and may require replacement in connection with site specific renovation and/or expansion projects.

Wastewater Service:

Wastewater service is provided by the City of Taft. The City of Taft amended its Sewer System Maintenance Plan in 2018. The goal of the plan is to provide high quality and reliable wastewater collection for Taft residents by maintaining, improving, and providing collection infrastructure that has adequate capacity.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 1120 East Ash Street and is jointly owned by the City of Taft (52%) and the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District (48%). The City of Taft operates the sewer plant through a contract with the Kern Sanitation Authority. The Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently upgraded in 2012. Wastewater service is provided to all areas within the City’s Municipal Boundary, which includes the DTSP area. There are existing gravity pipes that run throughout the Project Area which could support some of the intended growth.

Proposed developments producing a significant increase in the number of residential units or square footage of non-residential use, will need to be evaluated to determine available system capacity of sewer systems. See Figure 7 Sewer Map, for more information on existing facilities.

Drainage and Storm Water Quality:

Per the City of Taft Sewer Maintenance Plan, the city has a predominantly “surface flow” storm water conveyance system that does not include any underground storm water assets. The majority of storm water flows drains northeastward and are conveyed through a curb and gutter conveyance system that ultimately flow to the Sandy Creek which runs along the northern City boundary. There is only one significant storm drain line within the city limits. Due to the lack of facilities, no service map is available.

The city and surrounding County neighborhoods do not have soils that are conducive for recharging drainage flows into a typical detention/retention basin that is now standard with new developments. New development would need to consider this when siting and grading for buildings to avoid issues with concentration of water and ponding near buildings.

Regulatory Setting:

The Clean Water Act (CWA), initially passed in 1972, regulates the discharge of pollutants into watersheds throughout the nation. Section 402(p) of the act establishes a framework for regulating municipal and industrial stormwater discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (NPDES Program). Section 402(p) requires that stormwater associated with industrial activities that discharge either directly to surface waters or indirectly through municipal storm sewers must be regulated by an NPDES permit. The California Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list identifies water bodies with impaired water quality.

None of the rivers, creeks, or streams within the City are on the most recent (2018) California Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list and according to the Tulare Basin Water Quality Control Plan surface water quality in the basin is generally good.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is responsible for implementing the Clean Water Act and issues NPDES permits to cities and counties through Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs). The Project is located within a portion of the state that is regulated by the RWQCB’s Central Valley Region. SWRCB has issued a statewide General Permit (Water Quality Order No. 99-08-DWQ) for construction activities within the state. The Construction General Permit (CGP) is implemented and enforced by the RWQCBs. The CGP applies to any construction activity that disturbs one acre or more and requires the preparation and

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that identifies best management practices (BMPs) to minimize pollutants from discharging from a given construction site to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). BMPs may include, straw bales, fiber rolls, and/or silt fencing structures to assure the minimization of erosion resulting from construction and to avoid runoff into sensitive habitat areas, limit ground disturbance to the minimum necessary, and stabilize disturbed soil areas as soon as feasible after construction is completed. Any future development within the Project Area would be designed in accordance with the requirements of the CGP and would implement BMPs during construction.

In addition to federal and state regulations the Project must also align with local plans such as the Kern Urban Water Management Plan, adopted in June 2021, the Urban Water Management Plan serves as s a foundational document and source of information about the Kern River Valley District’s historical and projected water demands, water supplies, supply reliability and potential vulnerabilities, water shortage contingency planning, and demand management programs. The Urban Water Management Plan is a long-range planning document utilized by Cal Water for water supply and system planning and offers a source for data on population, housing, water demands, water supplies, and capital improvement projects.

X.a) Future development in the Project Area would generate construction of new structures, which could create additional impermeable surfaces, people, and vehicles that could result in the increase of urban pollutants such as oils, heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers into the storm drain system. As discussed above under Section X. Regulatory Setting, water quality is regulated by the SWRCB through the NPDES Program established by the Clean Water Act. The goal of the program is to control and reduce pollutants to water bodies from point and nonpoint discharges for both long term project activities and construction activities. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issues and enforces NPDES permits for discharges to water bodies in the portion of Kern County where the DTSP is located. Future development proposals that would disturb more than one acre of land during construction are required to file a notice of intent to be covered under the NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated With Construction Activity for discharges of storm water associated with construction activities. Project applicants must propose control measures that are consistent with this permit and consistent with recommendations and policies of the local agency and the RWQCB. The State NPDES General Construction Permit requires development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that uses storm water “Best Management Practices” to control runoff, erosion and sedimentation from project sites both during and after construction. The SWPPP has two major objectives: (1) to help identify the sources of sediments and other pollutants that affect the quality of storm water discharges; and (2) to describe and ensure the implementation of practices to reduce sediment and other pollutants in storm water discharges. Therefore, with compliance of state and local regulations, impacts would be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment X.b) Water for the Project Area is provided by the WKWD. WKWD recently updated its Urban Water Management Plan in 2020 which describes the District’s water supply, water demands, water reliability, and water conservation efforts. As stated above in the discussion for Section X, Water Service, the Urban Water Management Plan states there is an allotment of up to 31,500 AFY for the City and that projections predict the demand will be approximately 17,735 AFY between the years 2020 and 2045. Leaving the Project Area with a surplus of water. Additionally, the Urban Water Management Plan provides analysis for dry years and includes banking groundwater for use in these dry years. This analysis in the Urban Water Management Plan shows that WKWD has adequate supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years, therefore impact would be less than significant.

X.c.i, ii, iii, iv) The Project involves regulatory and policy documents but does not propose any specific development; however, Project adoption may attract development proposals. While the Zoning Ordinance amendment does not increase densities above what is assumed in the General Plan, the land use changes in the DTSP increase the densities assumed by the General Plan for the downtown area. At buildout the DTSP area could result in a total of approximately 3,121 dwelling units and 4,272 employment opportunities within downtown Taft. The DTSP is currently primarily developed, and existing drainage patterns are already in use within the area.

New development that could be facilitated within the DTSP and entire Project Area would generally follow the existing topography, drainage patterns, and stream courses.

Per the City of Taft Sewer Maintenance Plan, storm water drains via surface flow northeastwardly and the Project Area does not include any underground storm water assets. Storm water is conveyed through a curb and gutter conveyance system that ultimately flows to Sandy Creek along the northern City boundary. During future construction activities, development under the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment could create the potential for additional impervious surfaces, surface soils to erode and sediment transport to occur. Given that the Project Area where development would be anticipated is generally developed, alterations to the existing drainage pattern from future development would be minimal or nonexistent. Adherence to storm water discharge requirements as provided by the City engineer during the permitting process would require new development projects to provide for on-site storm water detention or retention. Therefore erosion, siltation, or flooding on- or off‐site is not expected.

Furthermore, any impacts from development projects within the Project Area associated with alteration of site drainage and related erosion from site disturbance such as construction activities, would be substantially lessened to a less than significant level through compliance with the NPDES permit requirements under the Clean Water Act. Through compliance with updated standards in the DTSP and NPDES permit and regulations, impacts associated with erosion, sedimentation, drainage, flow and flooding, would be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment X.d) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes base flood elevations for Special Flood Hazard Areas, which indicate 100-year flood zones, or areas that could be inundated by the flood that has a one percent probability of occurring in any given year. The Project site is not located within a FEMA mapped floodplain, as shown in FEMA FIRM Panel 06029C2639E, effective September 26, 2008, as Figure 8, FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. The Project is located within an inland area and is not in close proximity to a large body of water that could carry pollutants from a tsunami or seiche. Additionally, future development proposals would be reviewed by the City for compliance with all requirements as they relate to development within a flood hazard area. Applicants may also be required to prepare a projectspecific hydrology study and Water Quality Management Plan if a development is proposed in a flood hazard area. Therefore, with continued implementation of City development standards, the impact related to release of pollutants due to project inundation would be minimized.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

X.e) As mentioned above in impact X.b. and X.c., Taft has adopted an Urban Water Management Plan and Sewer System Maintenance Plan which detail the City’s water supply, demands, reliability, conservation efforts, and ways to provide and maintain reliable wastewater collection and treatment. As discussed under impact X.c. implementation of the Project would include development standards that would protect the quality of groundwater and surface water through construction runoff controls and enforcement of state regulations. Development within the Project Area would be subject to the NPDES Permit issued by the RWQCB. The NPDES permit requires that permanent post-construction stormwater quality control measures and treatment facilities be implemented as development takes place. Compliance involves a series of BMPs related to erosion control, stormwater treatment, detainment, and infiltration measures, as well as quantity controls. Through compliance with updated standards in the DTSP and NPDES permit and regulations, the Plan would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of applicable water quality or management plans and impacts would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Hydrology and Water Quality.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 6: Water Map

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 7: Sewer Map

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Figure 8: FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XI. LAND USE AND PLANNING.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Physically divide an established
community?
b) Cause a significant environmental
impact due to a conflict with any
land use plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of avoiding
or mitigating an environmental
effect?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on land use and planning if it would physically divide an established community or cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.

DISCUSSION
The City of Taft is nestled in a small valley in the southern foothills of the Temblor Mountain Range in the heart of California's oil country. Taft is located seven miles north of Maricopa and thirty-five (35) miles southwest of Bakersfield. The California Department of Finance's 2020 population estimate lists the City of Taft with 8,630 residents. Additionally, there are three unincorporated county neighborhoods contiguous to Taft's City Limits; they are Ford City, South Taft and Taft Heights providing an additional 8,315 residents utilizing city services.

The Project consists of a Specific Plan update and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment that primarily focuses on the downtown area of Taft, although parts of the Zoning Ordinance amendment would have Citywide affects. The Project aims to establish downtown as a central zone with street-oriented uses and as a vibrant mixed-use district surrounding by residential uses. A corresponding amendment to the City of Taft Zoning Ordinance is proposed as a result of the changes to the land and zoning designations within downtown Taft as well as updates to the ADA regulations and providing avenues for streamlining ministerial permits for development citywide. The Project supports new development regulations which reflect current and new market demand with development feasibility context, includes contemporary planning principles, and adds additional provisions for adaptive reuse. Additionally, the Project provides a vision and planning framework for future growth and development in the approximately 212- acre downtown Taft region and introduces new Land Use Designations not included in the previously adopted 1999 Downtown Taft Specific Plan.

The DTSP and corresponding Zoning Ordinance amendment presents a vision, themes, goals, policies, design standards, and implementation strategies for categories such as land use, mobility, parks and open space. The Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not include any changes to densities or intensities above what is assumed in the General Plan buildout other than the implementation of the DTSP, however the DTSP does include changes to land uses

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment and densities assumed in the General Plan. If adopted the DTSP could result in a total of approximately 3,121 dwelling units, 4,272 employment opportunities over 890,000 square feet of retail development complimented with over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial and office space, and 9 acres of recreational open space in downtown Taft.

XI.a) The Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not include any changes to land uses, intensities or densities above what was assumed in the General Plan buildout. However, the DTSP includes land use changes that consist primarily of mixed-use. commercial/retail, office, and residential uses, some light industrial. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance amendment seeks to create a walkable, pedestrian-friendly city and a lively downtown center that is the focal point for the community. The mix of land uses proposed by the DTSP would be compatible with the other existing uses in the immediate vicinity of downtown and its main thoroughfares, including areas both north of Kern Street/Highway 33, west of 10th street, and south of Supply Row and Front Street.

In addition, as a part of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment, objective design guidelines/standards are set in place to ensure high-quality, well-designed and cohesive development throughout the City. The Design Guidelines and Standards, of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance detail general design policies, site design, architectural design, building form and articulation, parking, building frontage and access, building materials and colors, streetscape, public realm design policies, pedestrian design, hardscape and furnishings, lighting, signage and wayfinding, gateways and monuments, and landscape design policies. Although the DTSP could encourage street redesign, no new major roads or other large linear facilities would be constructed that would physically divide existing neighborhoods. As such, the Project would not divide an established community and impacts would be less than significant.

XI.b) Under Government Code Section 65450 et seq., a specific plan implements and must be consistent with the governing general plan. The City of Taft General Plan lays the framework for how the city will grow and develop moving into the future. The General Plan identifies eight “guiding principles” for Taft’s vision of the future. The Taft General Plan includes supportive references to the Specific Plan. For example, the General Plan states “Promote a vibrant, healthy, active downtown by providing safe multi-family and mixed-use housing with a harmonious mix of uses and transportation options available” while also encouraging infill development and attractive residential development. The goals and policies within the General Plan that implement these visions provide the foundation upon which the Project is based and therefore, the DTSP has been prepared to be in accordance, and consistent with, the Taft General Plan. If adopted, the updated DTSP would replace and supersede the previous 1999 Specific Plan for downtown Taft. The updated DTSP is also intended to be adopted with minor amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, since it does not propose a substantial change to existing land uses in the Project Area. Consequently, the updated DTSP and Zoning Ordinance would serve

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment as an extension of the City’s General Plan, providing both policy and regulatory direction specific to downtown Taft and avenues to streamlining ministerial permits through the Zoning Ordinance updates. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Land Use and Planning.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XII. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the
project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Result in the loss of availability of a
known mineral resource that would
be of value to the region and the
residents of the state?
b) Result in the loss of availability of a
locally important mineral resource
recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan or other
land use plan?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on mineral resources if it would result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state or result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan.

DISCUSSION
The California Department of Conservation Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (Section 2710), also known as SMARA, provides a comprehensive surface mining and reclamation policy that permits the continued mining of minerals, as well as the protection and subsequent beneficial use of the mined and reclaimed land. The SMARA directs the State Geologist to identify and map the non-fuel mineral resources of the State in order to show where economically significant mineral deposits occur and where they are likely to occur based upon the best available scientific data. As such, the California Geological Survey and the State Mining and Geology Board are the state agencies responsible for the classification and designation of areas containing, or potentially containing, a significant mineral resource. Areas known as Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs) are classified based on geologic factors, without regard to existing land use and land ownership. The primary objective of the process is to provide local agencies with information on the location, need, and importance of minerals within their respective jurisdictions. The areas are categorized into four general classifications (MRZ-1 through MRZ-4) and are defined as follows:
• MRZ-1 Areas where adequate information indicates that no significant mineral deposits are present, or where it is judged that little likelihood exists for their presence. • MRZ-2 Areas where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or where it is judged that a high likelihood for their presence exists.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment • MRZ-3 Areas containing mineral deposits, the significance of which cannot be evaluated from available data.
• MRZ-4 Areas where available data is inadequate for assignment to any other MRZ.

XII.a and b) As noted in the project description above, this analysis is incorporating by reference and using previously prepared General Plan Update EIR for this project. The General Plan Update Draft EIR evaluated whether implementation of the General Plan Update could result in the loss of potentially valuable mineral resources. While there is no land within the proposed General Plan Update Land Use Map designated for mining, the analysis noted that mineral resource areas are known to exist within the Planning Area, and that development under the General Plan Update could preclude the exploration for and extraction of mineral resources, such as oil and gas drilling. While General Plan Update policies and actions would help minimize impacts to mineral resources, there was no mitigation available to prevent the permanent loss of mineral resources. Therefore, this impact was determined to be significant and unavoidable. The General Plan Update Draft EIR came to these conclusions based on the “Mineral Lands Classification” maps published by the State in Special Report 147. The report showed that there were hundreds of MRZ-2 sites identified in the entire General Plan area.

The Project includes both a Specific Plan and Zoning Ordinance Amendment. The Project is a policy-level document and does not include any site-specific development designs or proposals.

However, there may be impacts to mineral resources from projects resulting from the buildout of the Project. The report referenced above “Special Report 147” Mineral Land Classification:

Aggregate Materials in the Bakersfield Production-Consumption Region, was published by Judy Wiedenheft Cole in 1988. Further review of the map from this report shows that although there may be other extraction sites and/or MRZ-2 lands within the General Plan area itself, it does not appear that there are any existing or former extraction sites within the DTSP area. Additionally, in 2009, “Special Report 210” was published by Busch, L.L which was an Update of the 1988 Mineral Land Classification: Aggregate Materials in the Bakersfield Production-Consumption Region, Kern County, California. The maps from this report show no MRZ-1, 2 or 3 areas within the City of Taft or the DTSP area.

The DTSP is located in the urban core of the City. No properties in the immediate vicinity of the DTSP Area are used for mineral recovery. Development of the DTSP is not likely to result in loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource and as stated above, it does not appear that there are any extraction sites or MRZ-1,2, or 3 areas mapped by the State within the DTSP area.

While the DTSP area may not include any mineral resources, the Zoning Ordinance Amendment includes policy changes Citywide, and implementation may result in development on lands that have mineral resources. As such, future development would require further CEQA review of project-level impacts prior to implementation to ensure that the individual projects do not result

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment in a significant impact to mineral resources and conform to the regulations established in the General Plan, in particular policy E-10 which supports the reduction of conflicts between potential mineral resource lands and urban uses. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have less than significant impact on Mineral Resources.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XIII. NOISE. Would the project result
in:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Generation of a substantial
temporary or permanent
increase in ambient noise levels
in the vicinity of the project in
excess of standards established
in the local general plan or noise
ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
b) Generation of excessive
groundborne vibration or
groundborne noise levels?
c) For a project located within the
vicinity of a private airstrip or an
airport land use plan or, where
such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a
public airport or public use
airport, would the project expose
people residing or working in the
project area to excessive noise
levels?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on noise if it would result in the generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies; or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels; or expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels (for a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport or an airport land use plan, or where such as plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport).

DISCUSSION
Criteria for determining the significance of noise impacts were developed based on information contained in CEQA Guidelines Appendix G and the City’s noise standards and guidelines.

The City of Taft standards for construction noise are as follows:
• Restrict noise-generating construction activities that would result in increased levels of annoyance to nearby noise-sensitive land uses to between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends. • Require the use of temporary construction noise control measures including the use of temporary noise barriers, if necessary, as mitigation for noise generated during construction of public and/or private projects.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The City of Taft noise thresholds are included in Table 8.0-1 of the General Plan and are as follows in Table 3:

Table 3: Land Use Compatibility for New Development Near Transportation and Non-Transportation Noise Sources
Land Use Interior
Spaces
Ldn/CNEL, dB
Outdoor Activity Areas Ldn/CNEL, dB
Acceptable Conditionally
Acceptable
Conditionally
Unacceptable
Residential, Low
Density SingleFamily, Duplex,
Mobile Homes
45 55–65 65–75 75–Above INTERPRETATION
ACCEPTABLE:
(Mitigation Not
Required) Specified
land use is
acceptable.

CONDITIONALLY
ACCEPTABLE:
(Mitigation
Required) Use
should be permitted
only after careful
study and inclusion
of mitigation as
needed to satisfy
policies of Noise
Element.

CONDITIONALLY
UNACCEPTABLE:
(Mitigation
Required) Use may
be infeasible. Use
should be permitted
only after careful
study and inclusion
of mitigation as
needed to satisfy
policies of Noise
Element.

Residential,
Multi-Family
45 55–65 65–75 75–Above
Transient
Lodging –
Hotels, Motels
45 55–65 65–75 75–Above
Mixed Use 45 55–65 65–75 75–Above
Schools,
Libraries,
Churches,
Hospitals,
Nursing Homes
45 55–65 60–70 70–Above
Auditoriums,
Concert Halls,
Amphitheaters
-- -- 55-70 --
Sports Area,
Outdoor
Spectator Sport
-- -- 55-75 --
Playgrounds,
Neighborhood
Parks
-- 55-70 70-75 --
Office Buildings,
Business,
Commercial,
and Professional
-- 55-70 70-75 75-Above
Industrial,
Manufacturing,
Agriculture
-- 55-70 70-80 75-Above
Source: City of Taft General Plan Update (2017)
The buildout of the Project will result in an increase in noise and sensitive receptors. All future development will need to adhere to the City of Taft’s zoning ordinance Chapter 6-13-12, 6-11- 18 and other applicable sections referring to noise as well as the General Plan thresholds and policies to ensure minimal impacts.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Existing sensitive receptors in the Project vicinity include residential neighborhoods to the north, west and south of the Project area. Existing noise generators within the Project area include scattered industrial uses and restaurants/bars.

XIII.a) As noted in the project description above, this analysis is incorporating a previously prepared General Plan Update EIR as reference for this project. The General Plan Update Draft EIR evaluated whether activities associated with construction of land uses allowed under the General Plan Update could result in elevated noise levels at noise-sensitive land uses. The analysis noted that increases in ambient noise levels, particularly during the nighttime hours, could result in increased levels of annoyance and potential sleep disruption. Future development in the DTSP area and as a result of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment would be subject to General Plan policies N-4 and Action N-4a which would help mitigate construction noise impacts of future development through limiting hours of operation and noise controls. The General Plan Update Draft EIR also evaluated whether implementation of the General Plan Update could result in increased traffic noise levels that could adversely affect existing and future noise-sensitive land uses. The analysis noted that future noise-sensitive land uses could be exposed to roadway noise levels in excess of the City’s noise standards. Future development would be subject to General Plan policies N-1, N-2, N-3, and N-6 and noise thresholds which would help mitigate traffic noise impacts through site design, truck routes, and noise barriers.

The improvements and development envisioned to implement the DTSP are expected to generate noise levels compatible with the surrounding urban environment. Future projects would be required to comply with Caltrans standards that establish construction and operations requirements related to transportation noise, as well as the City’s noise standards contained in the General Plan Noise Element including the following requirements:
• Action N-1b: Require an acoustical analysis as part of the environmental review process when proposed development is likely to produce noise levels that exceed the City’s noise standards.
• Action N-1c: Identify potential noise impacts during the acoustical analysis to be mitigated in the project design to the maximum extent.
• Action N-9a: Require new noise-sensitive uses proposed in or adjacent to areas designated for commercial, industrial, natural resources, or agriculture to be provided a disclosure statement notifying them of existing and/or potential noise-producing uses. • Action N-9b: Require new noise-sensitive uses proposed adjacent to existing and/or potential noise-producing operations, including oil drilling islands, to be provided a disclosure statement, where possible.
• Action N-10a: Require design and construction standards that minimize noise conflicts between residents with shared walls or floors/ceilings.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment As such, future development would require further CEQA review of project-level impacts prior to implementation to ensure that the individual projects do not result in a significant noise level and conform to the regulations established in the General Plan. Light industrial uses, and residential adjacent to light industrial uses would have to adhere to the mitigation measures below in order to minimize noise and conflicts of land uses. Additionally, the City may require the preparation of a noise impact study or acoustical analysis with future development applications for projects within the Project area as described below in Mitigation Measure NOI1. Based on the results of the noise impact study, the applicant’s project may be conditioned, by requiring noise studies prior to project approval and sound attenuation features to reduce noise exposure. Implementation of these policies would ensure that people within the DTSP area or projects as a result of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment are not subjected to unacceptable noise levels. A less than significant impact would occur.

XIII.b) There are no allowable uses in the DTSP Area that are associated with the generation of excessive vibration or groundborne noise. However, there may be projects resulting from the Zoning Ordinance Amendment that would contribute to the generation of vibration or groundborne noise during construction. Construction of future development in the Project area may temporarily generate potential short-term noise or vibration impacts. Because impacts would generally be short-term, development would be subject to General Plan policies Policy N-4 and Action N-4a which help to minimize impacts on adjacent uses through limiting hours of operation and construction controls. Depending on the type of development proposed, the City may require the preparation of a noise impact study with future development applications for projects within the DTSP Area. Based on the results of the noise impact study, the applicant’s project may be conditioned, and by requiring noise studies prior to project approval. Noise studies would address noise impacts including groundborne vibration. Additionally, light industrial uses, and residential adjacent to light industrial uses would have to adhere to the mitigation measures below in order to minimize noise and conflicts of land uses.

Implementation of this policy and mitigation would ensure that people within the DTSP area, or projects as a result of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment are not subjected to unacceptable groundborne vibration or noise levels. A less than significant impact would occur.

XIII.c) The General Plan Update Draft EIR evaluated whether implementation of the General Plan Update could expose noise-sensitive land uses to aircraft noise in excess of applicable noise standards for land use compatibility. The analysis noted that while the land uses in the General Plan Update are consistent with the noise policies and recommended land uses identified within the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, it is conceivable that future development within the City, as well as future expansion of airport activities and associated noise contours, could occur in future years, which may result in increased exposure to aircraft noise levels at some nearby noise-sensitive land uses. The DTSP area is within two (2) miles of the Taft-Kern County Airport, and projects resulting from the Zoning Ordinance Amendment may be within

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment two (2) miles of the airport. Given the distance to this airport, the Project would likely be exposed to noise levels associated with airport operation. Implementation of General Plan policies N-1, N-2, N-3, and N-5 would ensure that future development near Taft-Kern County Airport would meet applicable noise criteria for land use compatibility and/or include noise attenuation features to meet applicable noise standards. This impact was determined to be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
NOI-1: Prior to the issuance of a building permit any light industrial adjacent to residential, the Planning Director, or designee, shall insure that uses are limited to activities that would not exceed 75 CNEL. The Applicant shall submit a final acoustical memorandum for review and approval by the Planning Director, or designee, to confirm that standard building noise reductions shall be achieved. The memorandum shall calculate the exterior-to-interior noise reduction which will account for the specific window and glass door sizes and types to confirm interior noise level standard are less than 45 A-weighted decibels (dBA) Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL). The Planning Director, or designee, shall ensure that the project plans include perimeter noise barrier walls for sensitive receptors.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated on Noise.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XIV. POPULATION AND HOUSING.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Induce substantial unplanned
population growth in an area, either
directly (for example, by proposing
new homes and businesses) or
indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of
existing people or housing,
necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on population and housing if it would induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (e.g., by proposing new homes and/or businesses) or indirectly (e.g., through extension of roads or other infrastructure); or displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.

DISCUSSION
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial census, the population of Taft in 2020 was approximately 8,546. The Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) adopted the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan (2018 RTP), which integrates the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) to ensure consistency between low-income housing needs and transportation planning. As discussed in the 2018 RTP, the Kern region’s official regional housing need from California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the projection period January 2013 – December 2023 was a minimum of 67,675 housing units.

The 2018 RTP identifies the vacant land capacity for jurisdictions in the Kern region, stating that Kern region has more than enough vacant land capacity for housing at a variety of densities to accommodate the regional housing needs for the existing and projected housing population.

The 2018 RTP indicates a 2017 population for Taft of 9,492 people and a 2042 forecasted population of 13,680 people, meaning the 2018 RTP anticipates population growth of 4,188 people over 24 years. To the same effect, using existing General Plan land use designations, the General Plan buildout for the Project area would result in a population of approximately 5,280 people, or 2,808 dwelling units5
.
5 Existing General Plan Buildout and Project Buildout populations of the Project Area were calculated using UrbanFootprint, which estimates values for population using the dwelling unit counts multiple by census rates (ACS 2019 5-Uear Estimates) for occupancy to estimate households. Population is then calculated using census-derived rates for household size by dwelling unit type at the tract level (UrbanFootprint 2022, https://help.urbanfootprint.com/methodology-documentation/base-parcel-canvascreation#population-and-households.)

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XIV.a) As previously discussed, the General Plan buildout for the Project area would result in a population of approximately 5,280 people, or 2,808 dwelling units, and buildout of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment would result in a population of approximately 6,180 people, or 3,121 dwelling units1
. Therefore, the Project has the potential to provide approximately 900 more residents or 313 dwelling units, than under existing General Plan conditions. Considering the 2018 RTP estimated approximately 4,188 additional people by 2042, the Project would provide approximately 21.5% of the RTP planned growth for Taft, and thus would be within the Kern COG 2042 population forecast for Taft. In addition, the proposed project does not directly propose extension of roads or other infrastructure that would encourage development beyond what is already planned elsewhere in the City. Therefore, the proposed project would not directly or indirectly induce substantial unplanned population growth, and impacts would be less than significant.

XIV.b) The Project would accommodate anticipated future growth through a compact urban form that seeks to make efficient use of existing infrastructure and public services, thus minimizing expansion that could be the impetus for the removal of existing housing units and/or businesses. Future improvements constructed in the Project area would primarily consist of infill development. Project implementation would not directly result in new construction; however, implementation of the Project over time would allow for potential future development of approximately 900 more residents or 313 dwelling units over that currently allowed under buildout of the General Plan.

There are a few existing houses that are sited for new development areas. However, Project implementation would encourage undeveloped and underutilized lands to be converted to mixed-use and residential housing that would substantially increase the City’s existing housing stock. Conversion of existing residential uses to nonresidential uses that could potentially displace a substantial number of people or housing units is not anticipated. Therefore, implementation of the Project would not displace substantial numbers of existing residents or housing units and would not necessitate the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.

The Project does not directly propose the demolition of existing uses located in the Project area, nor does it propose a substantial change in land use designations that would result in the displacement of large numbers of people or housing within the Project area. As such, impacts in this regard would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant impact on Population and Housing.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XV. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project
result in substantial adverse physical
impacts associated with the provision
of new or physically altered
governmental facilities, need for new
or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental
impacts, in order to maintain
acceptable service ratios, response
times or other performance objectives
for any of the public services:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Fire protection?
b) Police protection?
c) Schools?
d) Parks?
e) Other public facilities?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on public services if it would result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, or result in the need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for (a) fire protection, (b) police protection, (c) schools, (d) parks, or (e) other public facilities.

DISCUSSION
The City of Taft maintains Fire Protection through the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD), Police Protection through the Taft Police Department and has schools and parkland throughout the city that would serve future development, discussed in more detail below. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment project are policy documents and does not provide any project specific proposals or entitlements.

XV.a) Fire Protection
In 2007, the City of Taft entered into a Fire Protection Agreement with the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD). As a result of the Agreement, the KCFD became the exclusive provider of fire protection services to the City of Taft and the City's fire personnel were absorbed within the KCFD. The KCFD serves approximately 8,000 square miles, which includes the City of Taft. The City of Taft is primarily served by the KCFD fire station 21 located at 303 N. 10th Street in Taft.

This station has a response area of 172 square miles. The staff and equipment at this station includes Engine 21 with a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter, Truck 21 with a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter, and a Battalion Chief as Battalion 2. The Taft Station 21 is the Battalion 2 headquarters station. There are no official service standards, however, the KCFD recommended response time standards are 4 minutes in suburban areas.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The City of Taft General Plan EIR states that the Kern County Fire Department’s (KCFD) unofficial goal of 1 on-duty firefighter per 3,000 population, the General Plan Update could result in the need for 23 firefighters within the Planning Area by project buildout (2050). The General Plan states that all residential, commercial, and industrial developments would be subject to California Fire Code regulations regarding fire-resistance-rated construction, fire protection systems such as alarm and sprinkler systems, fire services features such as fire apparatus access roads, means of egress, fire safety during construction and demolition, and wildland-urban interface areas. The General Plan EIR also determined that implementation of General Plan policies would ensure that new development would fund new public facilities such as those needed for fire protection and emergency medical services (Policies PF-7 and PF-8), that development projects would be reviewed for concerns associated with the provision of fire protection services (policies PF12, S-20, and S-22), and that the City would coordinate with the appropriate service providers to ensure adequate fire protection and emergency medical services (Policies PF-16 and S-20). In addition, Policy S-21 requires the promotion of fire prevention. Compliance with these policies, along with the California Fire Code, would assist in reducing impacts associated with increased demand for fire protection and emergency services.

Therefore, this impact was determined to be less than significant.

The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are policy-level documents and do not include any site-specific development designs or proposals. However, future build out of the Project could increase the number of persons and buildings in the project area, thereby increasing the future demand police protection services. The buildout of the Project estimates a population of 6,180 persons in the Downtown area, approximately 900 more than under General Plan conditions. Using the KCFD unofficial goal of one fire fighter per 3,000 persons, the buildout of the Project could result in the need for one additional firefighter above that assumed in the General Plan. In line with the General Plan and General Plan EIR, future development will be subject to all California and City Building Codes, Fire Codes to minimize risks of fires and wildfires. Adherence to applicable codes would decrease the demand for fire services and ensure that there is adequate emergency access on site. The implementation of the proposed Project would not result in unacceptable response times or other performance objectives. The construction of new or expanded fire protection facilities that occur due to Project buildout would not cause significant environmental impacts. Therefore, impacts associated with fire protection services would be less than significant.

XV.b) Police Protection
The Taft Police Department provides protection to approximately 10 square miles and over 9,000 people. The Taft Police Department building is located at 320 Commerce Way, approximately half a mile east of the eastern DTSP boundary. Additionally, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office is located at 315 N Lincoln St, approximately one mile north of the northern DTSP boundary.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The General Plan EIR analysis discussed that increased development and associated population growth to 68,018 persons would increase the demand for law enforcement services, which could in turn generate the need for new law enforcement personnel. The Taft Police Department estimated needing an additional seven (7) to 10 officers by project buildout including new equipment (i.e., vehicles, pistols, radios, etc.). Furthermore, the Taft Police Department anticipated that no expansion or construction of new facilities would be necessary to accommodate the additional officers and equipment needed. In addition, implementation of the General Plan policies would ensure that, if new law enforcement personnel, equipment, or facilities are needed, new development would fund new public facilities and personnel such as those needed for law enforcement services (policies PF-7 and PF-8), that development projects would be reviewed for concerns associated with the provision of law enforcement services (Policy S-19), and that the City would review police services regularly to ensure adequate levels of service (Policy S-18). Compliance with these policies would ensure that additional personnel and equipment needs resulting from buildout of the General Plan Update would be planned for and funded.

The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are policy-level documents and do not include any site-specific development designs or proposals. However, future build out of the Project could increase the number of persons and buildings in the project area, thereby increasing the future demand fire protection services. Project buildout estimates a population of 6,180 persons in the Downtown area, approximately 900 more than under General Plan conditions. Using the same assumptions as the General Plan, it comes out to approximately 1 law enforcement personnel per 6,800 persons. Using that same calculation, the buildout of the DTSP could result in the need for 1 additional law enforcement personnel above that assumed in the General Plan.

Therefore, the implementation of the DTSP would not result in unacceptable response times or other performance objectives. As stated in the General Plan EIR the construction of new or expanded police protection facilities is not anticipated to occur and therefore would not cause significant environmental impacts. Therefore, impacts associated with police protection services would be less than significant.

XV.c) Schools
The Project is located within the boundaries of the Taft City School District. The Taft City School District is located in the western portion of Kern County and comprises an area of approximately 116 square miles. The Taft City School District operates five (5) elementary schools and one (1) junior high school. Additionally, the DTSP area is within the Taft Union High School District which includes Buena Vista High School and Taft Union High School. Additionally, Taft has a public community college, Taft College which is part of the West Kern Community College District. The closest schools to the Project area are Taft Primary Elementary School and Taft Union High School. Taft Primary Elementary School is the located at 212 Lucard St,

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment approximately half a block north of the DTSP area. Taft Union High School is located at 701 Wildcat Way, approximately two blocks north of the Project area.

The General Plan EIR evaluated whether that the projected growth under the General Plan Update would require new or expanded school facilities to serve the increased demand. Project buildout estimates a population of 6,180 persons, approximately 900 more than under General Plan conditions. As such, the buildout of the DTSP could result in the need for new or expanded school facilities. However, the environmental effects of construction of such facilities within the Project area were programmatically evaluated in the technical analyses of the certified EIR as part of overall development of the Planning Area and the applicable school district would be required to conduct the appropriate environmental review prior to any significant expansion of school facilities or the development of new school facilities. Future development would be subject to General Plan policies PF-18 and PF-19, which encourage school siting that minimizes land use and environmental conflicts and ensures coordination with school districts regarding new development and other planning issues (policies PF-4, PF-9, and LU-88). Future school sites would also be subject to California Department of Education (CDE) standards for school sites.

In addition, future site-specific development would be required to pay State-mandated school fees to offset the impact associated with new students generated by new growth. At present, there are no impact fees other than for schools. Furthermore, future development would also require further CEQA review of project-level impacts prior to implementation to ensure that the individual projects do not result in a significant demand on existing school facilities. Therefore, potential impacts on schools would be less than significant.

XV.d) Parks
The City of Taft along with the West Side Recreation and Park District (WSRPD) currently maintain the majority of parkland within the City of Taft. The only recreational facility within the DTSP area is the Rails to Trails shared use corridor that runs east-west through the Plan area, which is maintained by the City of Taft Public Works Department.

Project buildout estimates a population of 6,180 persons, approximately 900 more than under General Plan conditions. As such, the buildout of the DTSP could result in the need for new or expanded park facilities. Per General Plan policy, OS-7, parks shall be provided at a minimum of

2.5 acres of park land per 1,000 persons through dedication of land or payment of in-lieu fees to contribute to the acquisition and development of parks or recreation facilities. As such, the Project would require 2.25 acres of park land due to the additional 900 residents. However, the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are policy-level documents, and do not include any site-specific development designs or proposals. As such, potential impacts on parks would be less than significant.

XV.e) Other Facilities

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment The Taft Library is a branch of the Kern County Library and is centrally located near Taft College, Taft Union High School, Lincoln Junior High School and Roosevelt Elementary. The Taft library provides services to Taft residents and College students. The library is located at 27 Cougar Court, Taft, CA 93268. It is not anticipated that buildout of the Project will have an impact on library services.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant on Public Services.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XVI. RECREATION. Would the
project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks
or other recreational facilities such
that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would
occur or be accelerated?
b) Does the project include
recreational facilities or require the
construction or expansion of
recreational facilities which might
have an adverse physical effect on
the environment?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on recreation if it would increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated; or include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.

DISCUSSION
The City of Taft along with the West Side Recreation and Park District (WSRPD) currently maintain the majority of parkland within the City of Taft. The only recreational facility within the DTSP area is the Rails to Trails shared use corridor that runs east-west through the Plan area.

XVI.a) The City of Taft General Plan Update Draft EIR (Impact 4.13.4.1) evaluated whether implementation of the General Plan Update would increase the demand for existing facilities and require additional parks and recreational facilities to accommodate the anticipated growth associated with buildout of the Planning Area. The analysis noted that implementation of the General Plan Update to increase the population within the Planning Area at buildout by 49,948 persons over existing conditions, requiring additional parkland and facilities to accommodate anticipated increased demand.

While the City does not currently have an adopted standard relative to parkland, the General Plan establishes a standard of 2.5 acres of neighborhood parks, community parks, and recreational facilities per 1,000 persons residing in the City through dedication of land or payment of in-lieu fees. Based on that standard, the General Plan Update would result in the need for a total of 170 acres of parkland within the Planning Area at buildout. The DTSP is anticipated to have approximately 6,180 persons at buildout. This is approximately 900 persons above what was anticipated in the General Plan for this area. Based on the 2.5 acres per 1,000 persons park standard discussed above, the DTSP area would need to contribute a total of 15.45-

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment acres of parkland. The DTSP area already supports approximately 7.5-acres of parkland in the form of the Rails to Trails shared use corridor that runs through the Plan area, leaving a deficit of 7.95 acres of parkland. The City of Taft envisions the extension of this corridor to the east which would add approximately 1.8-acres of parkland to the area for a total of 9.3-acres of parkland. Although there are no specific open space, parks or other public realm improvements specifically cited in the DTSP, the DTSP promotes and incentivizes the incorporation of parks and open space into future development. Due to the urban nature of the Plan area, it is anticipated that the 6.1-acres of required parkland is expected to occur over time as the Plan area builds out. Through a variety of ways as identified in the DTSP; including acquisition of property by the City, public improvements may be funded by grants and through the City’s Capital Improvement Program, public/private and public/public joint ventures, and through private development. Future development resulting from the DTSP, or Zoning Ordinance Amendment would be evaluated and would be required to comply with the provisions of adopted policies in the General Plan that would ensure that adequate park facilities are provided.

Therefore, this would be considered less than significant.

XVI.b) As previously stated, there are no specific open space, parks or other public realm improvements specifically cited in the DTSP area or Zoning Ordinance Amendment, the Project promotes and incentives the incorporation of parks and open space into future development.

There would be no adverse physical effect on the environment. Therefore, this would result in no impact.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less than Significant on Recreation.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XVII. TRANSPORTATION. Would the
project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Conflict with a program, plan,
ordinance or policy addressing the
circulation system, including
transit, roadway, bicycle and
pedestrian facilities?
b) Would the project conflict or be
inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines
section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
c) Substantially increase hazards due
to a geometric design feature (e.g.,
sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g., farm equipment)?
d) Result in inadequate emergency
access?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on transportation if it would conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities; conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b); substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design features (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment); or result in inadequate emergency access.

DISCUSSION
This section analyzes the transportation and traffic impacts that may result due to development of the proposed Project. The discussion and analysis provided in this section is based on the Traffic Impact Analysis for The Downtown Taft Specific Plan, Taft, California (TIA) (May 2022) (provided in Appendix C of this IS/MND).

The Local Transportation Analysis and Vehicle Miles Travelled Analysis has been prepared for the Project in accordance with the Kern County Standards for Traffic Engineering (February 23, 2010), the City of Taft General Plan Circulation Element (June 2010, Amended April 2017) and Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (State of California Office of Planning and Research, December 2018). The studies evaluate the potential level of service (LOS) deficiencies and transportation improvements that may need to be considered in association with the traffic generated by the proposed Downtown Taft Specific Plan project, includes an Active Transportation and Public Transit Assessment and evaluates the project’s potential Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) impacts as required by CEQA.

The VMT analysis examined the following scenarios:

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment • The average VMT per capita resident, average VMT per employee, and total VMT without the Downtown Taft Specific Plan were calculated for the entire Greater Taft Area subarea of the Kern COG model for both the Baseline Year 2020 and Horizon Year 2042 scenarios
• The average VMT per capita resident, VMT per employee, and total VMT with the Downtown Taft Specific Plan.

VMT per capita resident is used for all residential land use types, VMT per employee is used for the office and industrial uses, and total VMT is used for the retail uses, as recommended by the State of California Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

Roadways
There are five main roadways identified by the report.

Kern Street/State Route 33 (SR-33) is classified as an Arterial Highway and extends from the northwest to the southeast boundaries of the City of Taft. The roadway is currently constructed with two travel lanes in each direction from approximately 500 feet west of Cascade Place to the intersection with 1st Street and East Kern Street. Southeast of 1st Street, SR-33 is reduced to one travel lane in each direction. A striped center two-way left-turn lane is currently provided along Kern Street/SR-33 from 500 feet of Cascade Place to 10th Street. No left-turn lanes are provided along Kern Street/SR-33 southeast of 9th Street within the Specific Plan area and opposing travel lanes are separated by a striped double yellow line. On-street parking along Kern Street/SR-33 is generally permitted between 10th Street and 1st Street but is prohibited along SR-33 southeast of 1st Street. Bicycle facilities are currently not provided along Kern Street/SR33. The posted speed limit on Kern Street/SR-33 is 35 miles per hour between 10th Street and 1st Street and is 40 miles per hour southeast of 1st Street. 10th Street is classified as an Arterial and extends from Ash Street to A Street/Oak Street within the City of Taft. The roadway is currently constructed with two travel lanes in each direction and a striped center two-way left-turn lane from Ash Street to Main Street. 10th Street narrows from four travel lanes to three travel lanes with a center two-way left-turn lane between Main Street and Front Street. South of Front Street, 10th Street is striped with one travel lane in each direction without a center two-way left-turn lane. On-street parking is generally prohibited along 10th Street from Ash Street to Front Street. South of Front Street, on-street parking is generally permitted along the east side of the street. Bicycle facilities are currently not provided along 10th Street. The posted speed limit on 10th Street is 35 miles per hour.

6th Street is classified as a Collector and extends from Ash Street to Oak Street within the City of Taft. The roadway is currently constructed with two travel lanes in each direction from Ash Street to Main Street. 6th Street narrows from four travel lanes to two travel lanes south of Main

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Street. The opposing travel lanes are separated by striped double yellow lines. No left-turn lanes are provided along 6th Street. On-street parking is generally permitted along 6th Street from Ash Street to Front Street. South of Front Street, on-street parking is generally permitted along the east side of the street. Bicycle facilities are currently not provided along 6th Street. The posted speed limit on 6th Street is 35 miles per hour.

Center Street is classified as a Local Street and extends from 10th Street to SR-33 within the City of Taft. The roadway is currently constructed with one travel lane in each direction, and the opposing travel lanes are separated by a dashed yellow line. No left-turn lanes are provided along Center Street. On-street parking is generally permitted on both sides of Center Street, and angled parking spaces are provided along one or both sides of the street between 10th Street and 2nd Street. Bicycle facilities are currently not provided along Center Street. The posted speed limit on Center Street is 25 miles per hour.

Main Street is classified as a Local Street and extends from 10th Street to SR-33 within the City of Taft. The roadway is currently constructed with one travel lane in each direction, and the opposing travel lanes are separated by a dashed yellow line. No left-turn lanes are provided along Main Street. On-street parking is generally permitted on one or both sides of Main Street between 10th Street and 2nd Street. On-street parking is generally prohibited along Main Street between 2nd Street and SR-33, except for a short section between 300 feet and 600 feet west of SR-33 where on-street parking is permitted along the north side of the roadway. Bicycle facilities are currently not provided along Main Street between 10th Street and 2nd Street. A Class II bicycle lane is currently provided in each direction of travel along Main Street between 2nd Street and SR-33. The posted speed limit on Main Street is 25 miles per hour between 10th Street and 2nd Street and is 35 miles per hour between 2nd Street and SR-33.

Pedestrian Facilities
Sidewalks are generally provided along both sides of most roadways within the Specific Plan area. Below are descriptions of the existing pedestrian facilities along key roadways within the Specific Plan:

Kern Street/West Side Highway (SR-33)
Sidewalk widths range from 12 feet to 15 feet along both sides of Kern Street (SR-33) between 10th Street and 8th Street. Sidewalks along Kern Street (SR-33) between 8th Street and 1st Street are primarily non-contiguous on both sides of the roadway and are approximately five (5) feet in width. Several wide sections of sidewalk 12-15 feet in width are also provided along Kern Street (SR-33) between 8th Street and 1st Street. No pedestrian facilities are provided along West Side Highway (SR-33) southeast of the Kern Street (SR-33)/East Kern Street/1st Street intersection.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Pedestrian crossings are provided at most intersections along the Kern Street (SR-33) corridor between 10th Street and 1st Street. Signalized pedestrian crossings with high-visibility ladder crosswalks are provided across all four legs of the Kern Street (SR-33)/10th Street intersection.

There are also several uncontrolled pedestrian crossings across Kern Street (SR-33) where highvisibility ladder crosswalks are provided and solar-powered LED enhanced pedestrian crossing signs with push-button activation, which are provided at the following intersections: Kern Street (SR-33)/8th Street, Kern Street (SR-33)/7th Street, Kern Street (SR-33)/5th Street, Kern Street (SR33)/3rd Street, Kern Street (SR-33)/2nd Street, and Kern Street (SR-33)/East Kern Street/1st Street.

High-visibility ladder crosswalks are also provided across all four legs of the all-way-stop controlled intersections of Kern Street (SR-33)/6th Street and Kern Street (SR-33)/4th Street.

Center Street
Contiguous sidewalks treated with stamped concrete decorative pavers are provided along both sides of Center Street between 10th Street and 2nd Street adjacent to primarily commercial uses, and range between 6 feet and 12 feet in width. East of 2nd Street, land uses transition from commercial to residential, and the standard 5-foot-wide contiguous sidewalks are provided on both sides of Center Street between 2nd Street and 1st Street. No sidewalks are provided along Center Street between 1st Street and SR-33, where adjacent properties are primarily undeveloped. Both controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings are provided at several intersections and at mid-block locations along Center Street between 10th Street and 2nd Street.

High-visibility ladder crosswalks and/or crosswalks treated with pavers are provided at uncontrolled mid-block crossings between 7th Street and 6th Street, between 6th Street and 5th Street, between 5th Street and 4th Street, between 4th Street and 3rd Street, and between 3rd Street and 2nd Street. High-visibility ladder crosswalks are also provided across Center Street and other intersection legs at the intersections of Center Street/7th Street, Center Street/6th Street, Center Street/4th Street, Center Street/3rd Street, and Center Street/2nd Street.

Crosswalks treated with stamped concrete decorative pavers are provided across all four legs of the Center Street/5th Street intersection.

Main Street
Most of the segment of Main Street between 10th Street and 7th Street is currently lacking sidewalks along one or both sides of the roadway. Along Main Street between 7th Street and 3rd Street, a mix of contiguous and non-contiguous sidewalks are provided on both sides of the street, with a few missing gaps along undeveloped parcels. Sidewalk widths range from 5 feet to 10 feet along Main Street between 7th Street and 3rd Street. Along Main Street between 3rd Street and 2nd Street, sidewalks are only provided along the north side of the street, and along Main Street between 2nd Street and SR-33, where adjacent properties are primarily undeveloped, sidewalks are not provided except for short sections along developed parcels.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment An uncontrolled mid-block pedestrian crossing with a crosswalk treated with pavers is provided across Main Street between 6th Street and 4th Street on the east leg of the former Main Street/5th Street intersection. The former 5th Street between Center Street and Main Street was converted to a linear park in which vehicular traffic is prohibited.

10th Street
Contiguous sidewalks ranging between 5 feet and 10 feet in width are currently provided on both sides of 10th Street between Kern Street (SR-33) and Main Street. Contiguous sidewalks are only provided along the west side of 10th Street between Main Street and Supply Row, and along 10th Street south of Supply Row, contiguous sidewalks are provided on both sides of the street.

An uncontrolled mid-block pedestrian crossing with a high-visibility ladder crosswalk is provided across 10th Street at the location where the Taft Rails to Trails Multi-Use Path crosses 10th Street.

6th Street
Contiguous sidewalks approximately 10 feet in width are currently provided on both sides of 6th Street between Kern Street (SR-33) and Main Street. Between Main Street and Supply Row, contiguous sidewalks approximately five (5) feet in width are currently provided on both sides of 6th Street. Contiguous sidewalk is currently only provided along the west side of 6th Street between Supply Row and Front Street. High-visibility ladder crosswalks are provided across 6th Street at the intersections of 6th Street/Kern Street (SR-33), 6th Street/North Street, 6th Street/Center Street, and at an uncontrolled mid-block pedestrian crossing at the location where the Taft Rails to Trails Multi-Use Path crosses 6th Street between Main Street and Supply Row.

Existing Bicycle Network
Most of the roadways within the Specific Plan area are currently lacking bicycle facilities except for Main Street between 2nd Street and SR-33, where a narrow shoulder with “bike lane” signage is provided in both directions of travel, but the shoulder lane is discontinuous in the eastbound direction. The lane widths of the existing bicycle lanes and associated signage along Main Street between 2nd Street and SR-33 are substandard, and therefore these existing bicycle lanes are not considered Class II bicycle lanes.

A Class I bike path (Taft Rails to Trails) is currently provided within the Specific Plan area between Main Street and Supply Row. The Taft Rails to Trails bike path is oriented in a general east-west direction and is approximately two (2) miles in length. The bike path is approximately 12 feet wide and is divided by a dashed line along the western and eastern sections but is undivided through the middle section of the bike path. There are no current plans to extend the existing Taft Rails to Trails Class I bike path, although the City of Taft General Plan Circulation Element identifies future trail connections to the community of Fellows to the northwest and the community of Maricopa to the southeast.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Existing Transit Network
Taft Area Transit (TAT) and Kern Transit currently provide the following transit bus routes within the Specific Plan area and through the City of Taft:

• TAT Taft-Maricopa Route: The Taft-Maricopa Route extends between the Cities of Taft and Maricopa via Kern Street/SR-33. Within the City of Taft, the Taft-Maricopa Route extends north from Kern Street (SR-33) onto Wildcat Way (aligned with 7th Street) and provides transit access to Taft High School, Taft College, and the Albertsons shopping center. The route continues west along Ash Street, heads south on 10th Street back to Kern Street (SR-33), and then proceeds southeast along Kern Street (SR-33) through the Specific Plan area toward Maricopa.

Service is currently provided Monday through Friday between 7:12am and 6:05pm and runs three (3) times daily. During the morning peak hour, the Taft-Maricopa Route begins at the Maricopa Post Office at 7:12am and ends at the bus stop along eastbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street at 7:42am. The Taft-Maricopa Route runs again in the afternoon, beginning at Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street at 1:34pm. The afternoon route circulates through the City of Taft and heads to Maricopa, then returns to circulate through Taft a second time and ends at the bus stop along eastbound Kern Street (SR33) at 2nd Street at 2:25pm. A third route runs during the evening peak hour, beginning at Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street at 5:14pm. The evening route circulates through the City of Taft then heads to Maricopa, and then returns to circulate through Taft a second time and ends at the bus stop along eastbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street at 6:05pm.

The Taft Area Transit also offers curb-to-curb, reservation-based Dial-a-Ride services that is open to the public. The service is limited to the City of Taft and does not travel to the City of Maricopa. The TAT operates out of the Taft Transit Center located in the Project Area at 550 Supply Row with administrative offices and a storage yard for transit vehicles.

• Kern Transit Route 120 (Taft-Bakersfield): Kern Transit Route 120 extends between Taft and Bakersfield via 6th Street, Harrison Street, Highway 119, Highway 43, and Highway

58. Within the City of Taft and the Specific Plan area, Route 120 heads south on 6th Street, heads west on Kern Street (SR-33), heads south on 8th Street, heads east on Main Street, heads south on 4th Street, heads west on Supply Row to the Taft Transit Center, continues west on Supply Row, and then heads north on 6th Street back to Highway 119 and Bakersfield. Within the City of Taft, stops are provided at Taft College, the Heritage Park Senior Complex, (8th Street at North Street), and the Taft Transit Center.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Service is currently provided Monday through Friday between 6:10am and 9:02pm and runs four (4) times daily. Service is also provided on Saturday between 7:50am and 6:57pm and runs three (3) times daily from Taft to Bakersfield, and two (2) times daily from Bakersfield to Taft. During the weekday morning hours, westbound Route 120 departs the Downtown Bakersfield Transit Center at 6:10am and arrives at the Taft Transit Center at 7:16am. Eastbound Route 120 during the morning hours departs Taft College at 7:40am and arrives at the Downtown Bakersfield Transit Center at 9:07am. Headways during the morning peak period are approximately every two (2) hours. Route 120 also operates afternoon service between Taft and Bakersfield from 12:47pm to 3:57pm.

During the evening hours, westbound Route 120 departs the Downtown Bakersfield Transit Center at 5:47pm and arrives at the Taft Transit Center at 7:09pm. Eastbound Route 120 during the evening hours departs Taft College at 7:35pm and arrives at the Downtown Bakersfield Transit Center at 9:02pm.

The Taft Area Transit (TAT) Taft-Maricopa Route and Kern Transit Route 120 maps and schedules as described above are provided in Appendix F.

A total of four (4) transit bus stops for the Taft Area Transit (TAT) Taft-Maricopa Route are currently provided along Kern Street (SR-33) within the Specific Plan area, which are listed below:
• Eastbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 5th Street: No shelter or amenities provided. • Eastbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street: No shelter or amenities provided. • Westbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 2nd Street: No shelter or amenities provided. • Westbound Kern Street (SR-33) at 4th Street: Bench, shelter and trash receptacle provided.

The Taft Transit Center serves Kern Transit Route 120 between Taft and Bakersfield. One transit bus stop is also provided for Kern Transit Route 120 within the Specific Plan area along southbound 8th Street at North Street next to the Heritage Park Senior Complex, where a bench and shelter is provided.

XVII.a) As policy-level documents, the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment do not include any site-specific designs or proposals, nor do they grant any entitlements for development that may impact the circulation system. However, future improvements within the Project Area may include the development of new housing or businesses that may directly or indirectly increase those utilizing the circulation system within the Project area.

The proposed Project does not contemplate adding new roadways, however, the DTSP may enhance existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities, as well as improve the roadways within the Project area to meet the standards included in the General Plan. The Project designates Kern

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Street as an arterial highway, 10th Street as an arterial, 6th Street and 2nd Street as collectors, and the remaining streets in the DTSP area as local streets, consistent with General Plan Policy CI6, which outlines the desired roadway system for the outlined in the General Plan and would not change any other roadway classifications within the City boundaries. New development would need to be consistent with General Plan policies CI-2, CI-7, CI-8, CI-9, CI-14, and CI-24 which would include improvement of roadways and highways as well as measures to reduce vehicle trips,
Future development that would exceed any of the thresholds determined in the Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (State of California Office of Planning and Research, December 2018) would prepare the appropriate project-level traffic impact study and submit it to the City for review and approval. As no development is proposed under the Project and future development would be consistent with all applicable plans and policies, the Project is not expected to conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system. Furthermore, future development would also require further CEQA review of project-level impacts prior to implementation to ensure that the individual projects do not result in a significant impact to traffic. The City may require the preparation of a traffic impact study with future development applications for projects within the Project area. Based on the results of the traffic impact study, the applicant’s project may be conditioned to mitigate traffic impacts. Therefore, no conflicts with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system will occur. No impact is anticipated.

KernCOG - Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) is developing comprehensive Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs) for the Cities of Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, and Wasco. These LRSPs are a part of the ongoing safety effort as per the Regional Transportation Plan (2018). An LRSP is a means for providing local and rural road owners with an opportunity to address unique roadway safety needs in their jurisdictions. The process of preparing the LRSPs will help create a framework to systematically identify and analyze safety problems and recommend safety improvements for the 9 Cities of Kern COG. The LRSPs would enable the 9 cities to enhance safety for all modes of transportation and for all ages and abilities.

XVII.b) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are not anticipated to conflict with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3 (b) criteria for analyzing transportation impacts concerning vehicle miles travelled (VMT). The analysis of VMT impacts described below meets the requirements stipulated by CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3 (b) and incorporates relevant advice contained in the Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA published by the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR).

VMT Analysis Methodology

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment A VMT analysis was prepared in accordance with the Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (State of California Office of Planning and Research, December 2018). The analysis was conducted using the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) regional travel demand model for Baseline Year 2020 and Horizon Year 2042. RICK provided Kern COG the proposed land uses to input into the five Travel Analysis Zones (TAZs) that make up the Downtown Taft Specific Plan area in the Kern COG model, which are listed below:

• TAZ 1805
• TAZ 1806
• TAZ 1816
• TAZ 1817
• TAZ 1819
As discussed above, the average VMT per capita resident, average VMT per employee, and total VMT without the DTSP were calculated for the entire Greater Taft Area subarea of the Kern COG model for both the Baseline Year 2020 and Horizon Year 2042 scenarios to compare against the VMT per capita resident, VMT per employee, and total VMT with the DSTP. VMT per capita resident is used for all residential land use types, VMT per employee is used for the office and industrial uses, and total VMT is used for the retail uses, as recommended by the State of California Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

VMT Analysis Findings
Table 4, VMT Analysis below summarizes the findings of the VMT analysis. Based on the results shown in table 4:
• The “Project-Specific” VMT per capita resident for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan is approximately 50.5% of the Horizon Year 2042 Without Project Greater Taft subregional average VMT per capita resident. Therefore, based on the CEQA significance threshold of 85% of the subregional average VMT per capita resident, the VMT per capita resident for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan residential land uses is presumed to be less than significant.
• “Project-Specific” VMT per employee for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan is approximately 62.5% of the Horizon Year 2042 Without Project Greater Taft subregional average VMT per employee. Therefore, based on the CEQA significance threshold of 85% of the subregional average VMT per employee, the VMT per employee for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan office and industrial land uses is presumed to be less than significant.
• Horizon Year 2042 Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT with the buildout of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan is forecast to increase by 232,888 miles versus the Horizon Year 2042 Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT without the project. Based on the CEQA

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment significance threshold of “net increase in total regional VMT” for retail uses, the Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT with the buildout of the DTSP is presumed to be significant.

Although the identified significant VMT impact based on net increase in the Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT is associated with the CEQA significance threshold for retail uses, the increase in the Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT is attributed to the increase in the total resident and employee population in the Greater Taft Subregion. The Horizon Year 2042 Without Project total resident and employee populations are 27,213 and 15,514, respectively, and the total resident and employee populations increase to 35,729 and 20,659, respectively with the buildout of the Project.

The less-than-significant project-specific VMT per capita resident and VMT per employee is attributed to the mix of residential, office/industrial and retail in the same area. While there are no significant impacts attributed to the VMT per capita resident or VMT per employee, the net increase in the Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT does result in a significant impact per CEQA and mitigation measures are required to reduce to a level below significant.

Table 4: VMT Analysis
Scenario VMT Per Land Use
VMT per Capita
Resident
VMT per Employee
(For Office/
Industrial Uses)
Total
Subregion VMT
(For Retail Use)
Baseline Year 2020 Without Project:
(Subregional Average VMT)

88.40 136.41 1,808,842
Horizon Year 2042 Without Project:
(Subregional Average VMT)

94.62 165.98 2,575,003
Horizon Year 2042 With Project:
(Subregional Average VMT)

78.59 135.92 2,807,891
Horizon Year 2042 With Project:
(Project-Specific VMT)

47.77 103.78 443,188
Project % of Subregional Average:
(Project-Specific VMT/ Baseline Year
2042 Without Project VMT)

50.5% 62.5% NA
Change in Total Subregional VMT: NA NA +232,888
CEQA Significance Threshold: 80.4 (85%) 141.1
(85%)
Net Increase
Significant Impact? No No Yes
Mitigation
The increase in the total Greater Taft Subregion resident and employee populations result in a net increase of 232,888 miles, which is a net increase of 9.04% over the Horizon Year 2042

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Total Greater Taft Subregional VMT without the project. Therefore, VMT-reducing mitigation measures that provide a 9.04% or more reduction in VMT are required. Table 5, VMT Reduction Measures below outlines the measures selected to minimize VMT impacts to less than significant. VMT reduction measures were selected from the 2021 CAPCOA manual and are included in the DTSP as Goal 3-4, Policies 6, 7 and 8. As shown in Table 5, the total percent VMT reduction with the recommended additional mitigation measures is calculated to be 13.90%.

The minimum percent VMT reduction that is needed to mitigate the project’s VMT impact is

9.04%. Therefore, the VMT impact associated with the buildout of the Project would be reduced to a level that is less than significant with the mitigation described below.

Table 5: VMT Reduction Measures
CAPCOA VMT Reduction
Measure
Description of Measure Calculated
VMT
Reduction (%)
Future Planned and Recommended Improvements from Local Transportation Analysis1 Measure T-18: Provide
Pedestrian Network
Improvement
Recommended improvements to improve
existing sidewalks and to construct new sidewalks
along roadways where sidewalks currently do not
exist.

2.12%
Measure T-20: Expand
Bikeway Network
Includes the planned bikeway network
improvements within the Specific Plan area per
the Kern Region Active Transportation Plan, and
the additional recommended bikeway
improvements within the Specific Plan area
(includes only Class I, II and IV bikeway facilities).

0.53%
Measure T-25: Extend Transit
Network Coverage or Hours
Recommended transit network improvements to
expand the Taft Area Transit route and the Kern
Transit Route 120 within the Specific Plan area.

Recommendations also include expanding the
hours of operation for both Taft Area Transit and
Kern Transit Route 120.

2.68%
Recommended Additional Mitigation Measures
Measure T-7: Implement
Commute Trip Reduction
Marketing
Require larger employers within Specific Plan area
to implement a marketing strategy to promote a
commute trip reduction program that would
educate employees about their transportation
options to their places of employment such as
carpooling, transit, bicycling or walking.

4.00%
Measure T-8: Provide
Rideshare Program
Require larger employers within Specific Plan area
to implement a rideshare program for employees
to encourage carpooling and reduce singleoccupancy vehicle trips.

4.00%

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Measure T-10: Provide End-ofTrip Bicycle Facilities Assumes bicycle parking (racks) would be provided for all places of employment in Specific
Plan area, with up to 25% of employers providing
showers and lockers.

0.23%
Measure T-11: Provide
Employer-Sponsored Vanpool
Assumes vanpools would be provided by the
larger employers within Specific Plan.

2.27%
Measure T-23: Provide
Community-Based Travel
Planning
Travel advisors would visit all households within
Specific Plan area to educate residents about
various and alternative transportation options
available to them.

0.59%
Measure T-26: Increase Transit
Service Frequency
Increase transit service frequency to 30-minute
headways throughout the day for both Taft Area
Transit and Kern Transit Route 120.

0.96%
Total Percent VMT Reduction with Additional Mitigation Measures: 13.90%2 Source: CAPCOA Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Assessing Climate Vulnerabilities, and Advancing Health and Equity (Final Draft, December 2021)
1 DRAFT Downtown Taft Specific Plan Local Transportation Analysis (Rick Engineering Company, May 27, 2022) 2 Subtotal and total percent VMT reductions were calculated using the CAPCOA diminishing effectiveness equation, and these values do NOT reflect the sum of the percent VMT reductions for the individual measures.

XVII.c) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance are not anticipated to substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment). Vehicular traffic would utilize the existing network of regional and local roadways that serve the Project. The Project supports transportation improvements along the key corridors and the TIA recommends transportation improvements including restriping, left turn lanes, signs and pavement markings, improve existing sidewalks, provide high visibility crosswalks at all intersections, and improved bicycle infrastructure along roadways and at intersections. As such, the Project aims to reduce hazards by reducing pedestrian crossing distances, providing high visibility crossing treatments, and reducing vehicular conflict zones. Additionally, the General Plan EIR includes polices that would ensure efficient circulation and adequate access are provided in the City, reducing cross-traffic conflicts. Future development, as part of the City’s project approval process, would be required to comply with existing regulations, including General Plan policies and Zoning regulations that have been prepared to minimize impacts related to design features, including General Plan policies and actions CI-14, CI-14b, Action CI-25d, Policy CI-31, Policy CI-32. Therefore, the Project would not increase hazards due to geometric design features or incompatible uses and this would be less than significant.

XVII.d) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance are not anticipated to result in inadequate emergency services. The City, throughout the buildout period of the Project, would ensure relevant coordination with local emergency response providers, particularly during construction periods where temporary road closures may be expected. The Project would also comply with General

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Plan Policy PF-16 in regard to response times and emergency access. Adherence to State and City requirements, combined by compliance with the City’s General Plan polices and Zoning regulations, would ensure that the adoption of the Project would result in less-than-significant impacts with regards to inadequate emergency access.

MITIGATION MEASURES
As defined in Table 5 above.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Transportation and Traffic.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XVIII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES.

Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project cause a substantial
adverse change in the significance of a
tribal cultural resource, as defined in
Public Resources Code §21074 as either
a site, feature, place, or cultural
landscape that is geographically
defined in terms of the size and scope
of the landscape, sacred place, or
object with cultural value to a California
Native American tribe, and that is:
i) Listed or eligible for listing in the
California Register of Historical
Resources, or in a local register of
historical resources as defined in
Public Resources Code
§5020.1(k)?
ii) A resource determined by the
lead agency, in its discretion and
supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant
pursuant to criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code §5024.1? In
applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code §5024.1, the lead
agency shall consider the
significance of the resource to a
California Native American tribe.

Thresholds of Significance: The project would have a significant effect on Tribal Cultural Resources if it would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code §21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Places or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code §5020.1(k), or is a resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code §5024.1.

DISCUSSION
The City, as lead agency, is also required to coordinate with Native American Tribes through the SB18 consultation when an amendment or adoption of a general plan or specific plan, or designation of open space. On April 28, 2022, the City of Taft sent out letters pursuant to AB 52

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the seventeen tribes listed on the NAHC’s list pursuant to SB 18. At the time this document has been drafted four tribes have responded to the City’s outreach letter.

On April 28, 2022, the Tejon Tribe declined consultation and recommended the City reach out to the Tejon Tribe. On April 29, 2022, the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians responded to the SB 18 request for consultation saying the proposed project is outside of their ancestral territory. On June 9, 2022, the Tubatulabal Tribe responded with a request to change their mailing address with the City’s records, and no further comment. To date, no other responses from any of the tribes contacted under AB 52 or SB 18 have been received.

XVIII.a.i) There are no historic resources within the DTSP area that are listed in the California register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code §5020.1(k). There is one historic resource identified within the City of Taft, Fort Taft. The Project would not impact this historic resource. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated.

XVII.a.ii) A sacred lands search was requested from the NAHC during the preparation of the City’s General Plan in 2009. The results of the sacred lands search were received December 23, 2007, and did not identify any Native American sacred lands within the General Plan Planning Area. A total of 17 Native American individuals and organizations were contacted to elicit information on Native American resources within the project area. As of July 18, 2022, 4 responses were received. Given the Sacred Lands File review was negative and no request for consultation from Native American Tribes were received, the potential to encounter historic or archaeological materials during project-related construction activities is considered less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Tribal Cultural Resources.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XVIX. UTILITIES AND SERVICE
SYSTEMS. Would the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less
Than
Significa
nt
Impact
No
Impact
a) Require or result in the relocation
or construction of new or
expanded water, wastewater
treatment or storm water drainage,
electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the
construction or relocation of which
could cause significant
environmental effects?
b) Have sufficient water supplies
available to serve the project and
reasonably foreseeable future
development during normal, dry
and multiple dry years?
c) Result in a determination by the
wastewater treatment provider
which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate
capacity to serve the project’s
projected demand in addition to
the provider’s existing
commitments?
d) Generate solid waste in excess of
State or local standards, or in
excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair
the attainment of solid waste
reduction goals?
e) Comply with federal, state, and
local management and reduction
statutes and regulations related to
solid waste?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on utilities and service systems if it would require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects; not have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years; result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it does not have adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments; generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment attainment of solid waste reduction goals; or not comply with federal, State, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste.

DISCUSSION

Water Supply
Water service is provided by West Kern Water District (WKWD). WKWD recently updated its Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) in 2020. The UWMP describes the District’s water supply, water demands, water reliability, and water conservation efforts. The UWMP provides estimated population growth and water demands through the year 2045 and serves as a long-range planning document for WKWD. WKWD contracted with Kern County Water Authority (KCWA) in 1966 to receive an allotment of water through the State Water Project (SWP). The 2020 UWMP states that WKWD is allocated approximately 31,500 acre-feet of water per year (AFY) by KCWA.

However, this number represents the maximum WKWD can request annually, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) determines the amount that will be delivered in a given year.

Typically, the supply received each year is generally lower than 31,500 AFY.

The UWMP projects that between 2020 and 2045 the total supply will decrease from 25,700 AFY to 25,100 AFY and the demand will increase from 16,338 AFY to 17,735 AFY. Additionally, the UWMP provides analysis for dry years and includes banking groundwater for use in these dry years. The UWMP shows that WKWD has adequate supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years throughout the 25-year planning period, particularly due to the long history of banking groundwater for use in dry years.

Table 6 and 7 below shows the water supply and demand projections included in the WKWD’s 2020 UWMP for both normal years and single year drought conditions.

Table 6: Water - Normal Year Supply and Demand Comparison

Source: 2020 UMWP

Water Use Water Use (AFY)
2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Surface Water (100%
of Normal)
18,600 18,600 18,600 18,600 18,600 18,600
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 25,750 25,750 25,750 25,750 25,100 25,100
Total Demand 16,338 17,356 17,448 17,542 17,637 17,735
Difference from
Banked
Groundwater
0 0 0 0 0 0

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Table 7: Water - Single Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison Water Use Water Use (AFY)
2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Surface Water (8% of
Normal)
1,600 1,600 1,600 1,600 1,600 1,600
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500
Total Supply 8,750 8,750 8,750 8,750 8,100 8,100
Total Demand 16,338 17,356 17,448 17,542 17,637 17,735
Difference from
Banked
Groundwater
7,588 8,606 8,698 8,792 9,537 9,635
Source: 2020 UMWP
Year Description Water Use (AFY)
2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Year 1 Surface Water (19% of
Normal)
3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500 3,500
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 10,650 10,650 10,650 10,650 10,000 10,000
Total Demand 16,338 17,356 17,448 17,542 17,637 17,735
Difference (from
Banked Groundwater
5,688 6,706 6,798 6,892 7,637 7,735
Year 2 Surface Water (78% of
Normal)
14,500 14,500 14,500 14,500 14,500 14,500
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 21,650 21,650 21,650 21,650 21,000 21,000
Total Demand 16,338 17,356 17,448 17,542 17,637 17,735
Difference (from
Banked Groundwater
0 0 0 0 0 0
Year 3 Surface Water (24% of
Normal)
4,400 4,400 4,400 4,400 4,400 4,400
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 11,550 11,550 11,550 11,550 10,900 10,900
Total Demand 14,704 15,620 15,703 15,788 15,873 15,962
Difference (from
Banked Groundwater
3,154 4,070 4,153 4,238 4,973 5,062
Year 4 Surface Water (42% of
Normal)
7,900 7,900 7,900 7,900 7,900 7,900
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 15,050 15,050 15,050 15,050 14,400 14,400
Total Demand 14,704 15,620 15,703 15,788 15,873 15,962

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Difference (from
Banked Groundwater
0 570 653 738 1,473 1,562
Year 5 Surface Water (29% of
Normal)
5,400 5,400 5,400 5,400 5,400 5,400
Surface Water
Transfers/Exchanges
7,150 7,150 7,150 7,150 6,500 6,500
Total Supply 12,550 12,550 12,550 12,550 11,900 11,900
Total Demand 14,704 15,620 15,703 15,788 15,873 15,962
Difference (from
Banked Groundwater
2,154 3,070 3,153 3,238 3,973 4,062
Source: 2020 UMWP
Wastewater System
Wastewater service is provided by the City of Taft. The City of Taft amended its Sewer System Maintenance Plan in 2018. The goal of the plan is to provide high quality and reliable wastewater collection for Taft residents by maintaining, improving, and providing collection infrastructure that has adequate capacity. The Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant, is located at 1120 East Ash Street, is jointly owned by the City of Taft (52%) and the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District (48%). The City of Taft operates the sewer plant through a contract with the Kern Sanitation Authority. The Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently upgraded in 2012. Wastewater service is provided to all areas within the City’s Municipal Boundary, which includes the DTSP area.

There are existing gravity pipes that run throughout the DTSP area.

Drainage and Storm Water Quality
Per the City of Taft Sewer Maintenance Plan, the City has a predominantly “surface flow” storm water conveyance system that does not include any underground storm water assets. The majority of storm water flows drains northeastward and are conveyed through a curb and gutter conveyance system that ultimately flow to the Sandy Creek which runs along the northern City boundary. There is only one significant storm drain line within the City limits, but there is no segment of it that is within or even crosses through the DTSP area.

The City and surrounding County neighborhoods do not have soils that are conducive for recharging drainage flows into a typical detention/retention basin that is now standard with new developments. New development will need to consider this when siting and grading for buildings to avoid issues with concentration of water and ponding near buildings.

Solid Waste
In 2021 the City of Taft entered into a solid waste franchise agreement with Westside Waste Management. Westside Waste Management is contracted to collect trash from local residents and businesses & deliver it to the landfill. Solid waste facilities serving the Project area include

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment the J & D Recycling located at 1277 Kern St, Taft, CA 93268, and the Kern County Landfills (Taft Landfill) located at 13351 Elk Hills Rd, Taft, CA 93268 XVIX.a) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment do not include any site-specific designs or proposals. As noted in Section XIV, population growth anticipated by the Project is 900 persons above that anticipated in the General Plan. While the existing water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, and telecommunications facilities system could support some of this intended growth within the Project area, future development that proposes significant increase in the number of residential units or square footage of non-residential use, will need to conduct project-level analysis to determine available water system capacity. Depending on the intensity, future development may require the upsizing of existing facilities. Exact sizing and location would be determined for each proposed development when project information is known and, on a project-project basis. As noted above the WKWD Urban Water Management Plan states that WKWD has adequate supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years throughout the 25-year planning period outlined in the plan. The existing wastewater gravity pipes run throughout the Project area which could support some of the intended growth, proposed developments producing a significant increase in the number of residential units, or square footage of non-residential use, will need to be evaluated to determine available system capacity of sewer systems on a projectby-project basis. Future improvements would require site-specific design and engineering as well as further CEQA review of project-level impacts prior to implementation. Furthermore, future improvements would be subject to the City’s development standards, which would minimize impacts to runoff or impacts to the existing surface flow drainage system. As the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment is a policy-level document, it does not include the construction or relocation of any utilities. Therefore, this would be considered a less than significant impact.

XVIX.b) As discussed above, the UWMP states that WKWD has adequate supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years throughout the 25-year planning period outlined in the plan. Table 6 and 7 show the capacity to meet the demand both in normal years and dry years. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are policy-level documents and are not proposing any development that would impact the existing water system. Any future development would require further CEQA review for impacts to the water system to determine if any new lines, extensions or line size modifications and would be designed in coordination with the City Engineer. Therefore, this would be considered a less than significant impact.

XVIX.c) As previously noted, wastewater service is provided to all areas within the City’s Municipal Boundary, which includes the DTSP area, and any areas covered in the Zoning Ordinance Amendment. There are existing gravity pipes that run throughout the Project area. The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment are policy-level documents and are not proposing any

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment development that would impact the existing wastewater system. Future development will need to be evaluated to determine available system capacity of sewer systems or size modifications necessary. Any new wastewater treatment systems would be designed in coordination with the City Engineer and abide by all relevant laws and regulations governing wastewater treatment.

Therefore, this would be considered a less than significant impact.

XVIX.d) The proposed DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment does not include any sitespecific development or design and therefore no additional waste is generated by implementation. However, the Project anticipates approximately 3,121 residential units at buildout. Many sites within the DTSP area are vacant and therefore would result in minimal amount of demolition waste during construction. Future construction activities envisioned by the Project could generate solid waste in the form of waste asphalt and structure demolition.

These activities would be required to comply with federal, State, and local statutes and regulations governing solid waste. Additionally, per section 5-1-12 of the City of Taft Municipal Code, projects shall reuse, recycle, or divert from landfills or disposal sites at least 65%, or per current CalGreen and California Building Code requirements, of all construction and demolition waste unless a lower rate is approved by the City as a part of the project's Waste Management Plan. Therefore, the construction and demolition waste associated with future development contemplated by the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment would have less-than-significant impacts on landfills.

The operation of future development within the Project area would likely generate higher volumes of solid waste than what is currently generated, due to the increase in population associated with development. The majority of this population increase is assumed to be captured in the City’s current General Plan. Solid waste collection would continue to be collected in the Project area and taken to the nearby Taft Landfill.

In 2021 the City of Taft entered into a solid waste franchise agreement with Westside Waste Management until May 31, 2031. Westside Waste Management would collect solid waste from residents and businesses in the Project area and deliver it to the Taft Landfill. The Taft Landfill is operated by the Kern County Public Works Department and is located approximately 5-miles north of the DTSP area. Additional capacity, if needed, could be provided by either the expansion of the Taft Recycling and Sanitary Landfill or diversion to one or more of the six additional regional landfills in Kern County. Additional regional landfills are located between 14 - 60 miles from Taft. Future site-specific development would require further CEQA review and would abide by relevant laws and regulations governing solid waste disposal treatment. Future site-specific development would abide by relevant laws and regulations governing solid waste disposal treatment. Impacts associated with solid waste are expected to be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XVIX, e) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment would comply with existing or future statutes and regulations, including waste diversion programs mandated by City, State, or federal law. As discussed above, it is not anticipated that future development resulting from the DTSP, or Zoning Ordinance Amendment would result in an excessive production of solid waste that would exceed the capacity of the existing landfills serving the City of Taft. Therefore, the Project would result in a less than significant impact related to federal, State, and local statutes and regulations related to solid wastes.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would a Less Than Significant Impact on Utilities and Service Systems.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XX. WILDFIRE. If located in or near
state responsibility areas or
lands classified as very high fire
hazard severity zones, would
the project:

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Substantially impair an adopted
emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
b) Due to slope, prevailing winds,
and other factors, exacerbate
wildfire risks, and thereby
expose project occupants to,
pollutant concentrations from a
wildfire or the uncontrolled
spread of a wildfire?
c) Require the installation or
maintenance of associated
infrastructure (such as roads,
fuel breaks, emergency water
sources, power lines or other
utilities) that may exacerbate fire
risk or that may result in
temporary or ongoing impacts
to the environment?
d) Expose people or structures to
significant risks, including
downslope or downstream
flooding or landslides, as a result
of runoff, post-fire slope
instability, or drainage
challenges?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on wildfire if it would impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan; due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to, pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire; require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment; or expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage challenges.

DISCUSSION
The DTSP is in the City’s urban core, while the Zoning Ordinance Amendment covers citywide policy updates. Per CalFire’s Fire Hazard Severity maps the downtown and surrounding areas are not in proximity to any High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The rest of the city is

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment within the “Moderate” Fire Hazard Severity Zone. CalFire’s maps also identify the Project area as being in a “Local Responsibility Area” (LRA) which indicates that fire protection is provided by local agencies.

In 2007, the City of Taft entered into a Fire Protection Agreement with the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD). As a result of the Agreement, the KCFD became the exclusive provider of fire protection services to the City of Taft and the City's fire personnel were absorbed within the KCFD.

The Kern County Fire Department updated its Emergency Operations Plan in 2022. The Kern County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is an all-hazards document that provides for the integration and coordination of planning efforts of the County with those of its cities, special districts, and the state region. It provides a framework for the County of Kern to use in performing emergency functions before, during, and after an emergency event, natural disaster, or technological incident.

XX.a) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment do not include any site-specific designs or proposals or grant any entitlement for development. The graphics shown throughout the DTSP are intended to be conceptual and provide guidance for developers and City implementation.

The majority of uses in the DTSP will likely be in-fill development in an already developed area, and therefore is not anticipated to negatively impact emergency response or evacuation plans.

Future development as a result of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment could impact emergency response or evacuation plans depending on the location and will need to be assessed on a caseby-case basis. Future development would require further CEQA review to ensure that proposed improvements do not significantly impact emergency response or evacuation plans. In line with the City of Taft General Plan, all new development within the Project area will comply with the Fire Code and be reviewed for adequate water supply and pressure, fire hydrants, and access to structures by firefighting equipment and personnel. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.

XX.b) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment areas are generally flat and are not adjacent to any mountains or hillsides that would increase wildfire risk. It is intended that the majority of the development types in the Project area will mostly be residential and commercial uses that include minimal hazardous materials. Due to this it is unlikely that in the event of a wildfire that would expose occupants to pollutant concentrations. Furthermore, future development would require further CEQA review to ensure that proposed improvements do not significantly exacerbate wildfire risks and thereby expose occupants to pollutant concentrations. Impacts would be less than significant.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XX.c) The DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment do not include any site-specific development or infrastructure upgrades. However, future developments may require improvements to, or installation of new infrastructure as part of their design. Additionally, future development would require further CEQA review to ensure that proposed improvements do not require infrastructure that would exacerbate wildfire risks. All development will comply with the Fire Code and would not exacerbate fire risk. As no development is currently proposed, impacts would be less than significant.

XX.d) The City of Taft is generally flat and due to this is not at risk for downslope flooding or landslides. The majority of the Project area is not within FEMA flood hazard areas. However, there are portions of the City within Special Flood Hazard Areas, Zone A and Regulatory Floodway (Zone AE). The Zone AE study area runs along the Sandy Creek in the northwest portion of the city. The downtown area, specifically, is generally undesignated however there is a small portion on the southeast corner of the plan area designated as Zone A and a small portion at the northwest corner designated as Zone X. Future projects that occur as a result of the Project, that are located in or around any flood hazard areas would need to be evaluated to assess any risks prior to approval. Further CEQA analysis may be necessary on a project-byproject basis. However, since no development is currently proposed, impacts would be less than significant.

MITIGATION MEASURES
No mitigation required.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Wildfire.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF
SIGNIFICANCE.

Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Does the project have the
potential to substantially degrade
the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of
a fish or wildlife species, cause a
fish or wildlife population to drop
below self-sustaining levels,
threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, substantially
reduce the number or restrict the
range of a rare or endangered
plant or animal or eliminate
important examples of the major
periods of California history or
prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts
that are individually limited, but
cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable”
means that the incremental
effects of a project are
considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of
past projects, the effects of other
current projects, and the effects
of probable future projects)?
c) Does the project have
environmental effects, which will
cause substantial adverse effects
on human beings, either directly
or indirectly?
THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE: The project would have a significant effect on mandatory findings of significance if it would have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory; have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.); or have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.

DISCUSSION

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment XXI.a) The Project is located within the jurisdiction of what will be the Kern County Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan (VFHCP), however this Habitat Conservation Plan has not yet been adopted by the County Board of Supervisors. The intent of the VFHCP is to conserve federally protected species, State-protected species, and/or other species of concern. As described in Section IV Biological Resources, the Project would have no direct impact on biological resources, and future improvements envisioned in the Project would be subject to applicable federal, state, and local regulations that protect such resources, as well as to further CEQA review of project-level impacts. Mitigation Measure BIO-1 would ensure protection of sensitive habitat and species by requiring a site-specific biological study, where appropriate, conducted by a qualified biologist. In addition, Mitigation Measures CUL-1, CUL-2, and CUL-3 ensure a qualified historian or archeologist to evaluate all historic-age buildings within a proposed project footprint, or for an applicant to provide a cultural resources report for development proposals which would excavate below the previously disturbed level. Mitigation Measure CUL-3 describes the proceedings for if human remains are discovered, pursuant to California Public Resources Code (Section 5097.98) and State Health and Safety Code (Section 7050.5).

There are no important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory found at the site. Therefore, the project, with the implementation of the identified conditions of approval, best management practices, and mitigation measures, would not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory.

XXI.b) CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(b) identifies the following two elements as necessary for an adequate cumulative analysis:
• A list of past, present, and probable future projects producing related or cumulative impacts, including, if necessary, those projects outside the control of the agency; or • A summary of projections contained in an adopted local, regional, or statewide plan, or related planning document, that describes or evaluates conditions contributing to the cumulative effect. Such plans may include: a general plan, regional transportation plan, or plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A summary of projections may also be contained in an adopted or certified prior environmental document for such a plan. Such projections may be supplemented with additional information such as a regional modeling program. Any such document shall be referenced and made available to the public at a location specified by the lead agency.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Past, present, and future projects in proximity to the project were considered and evaluated as part of this Initial Study. The impacts of the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment implementation may have cumulatively considerable impacts with regard to Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, and Noise.

Although incremental changes in certain environmental topics can be expected as a result of future improvements envisioned in the proposed Project, all foreseeable potential environmental impacts would be considered less than significant or would be reduced to a less than significant level through implementation of the mitigation measures recommended in this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration or in future CEQA review of project-level impacts.

This would also ensure that any contribution to cumulative impacts would be less than cumulatively considerable.

XXI.c) Construction of future improvements envisioned in the DTSP and Zoning Ordinance Amendment would have the potential to cause adverse environmental impacts related to Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, and Noise. Although the Project itself does not include development and construction, it would provide a guide to future development of the downtown area and citywide. This Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration mandates compliance with all required regulations and laws that would reduce potential impacts to Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, and Noise. Further, the Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 included in this Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration requires the preparation of a Phase I Initial Site Assessment for sites that may encounter hazardous materials during construction.

Additionally, future developments and improvements would be required to complete projectspecific CEQA review that would analyze project-level impacts and would likely include mitigation measures that would address site-specific impacts. This would ensure minimization of substantial adverse effects on human beings. Therefore, with the incorporation of the proposed and future mitigation measures, the Project would not result in environmental effects that would cause substantial direct or indirect adverse effects on human beings.

FINDINGS
The proposed project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on Mandatory Findings of Significance.

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment VI. REFERENCES
2022 California Environmental Quality Act Statute and Guidelines. Accessed February 2022. Available at:
https://www.califaep.org/docs/2022_CEQA_Statue_and_Guidelines.pdf Proposed Draft General Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report for the City of Taft 2009. Accessed January 2022. Available at:
https://taft.municipalcms.com/files/documents/document1409070124011514.pdf City of Taft General Plan, Amended April 2017. Accessed February 2022. Available at:
https://taft.municipalcms.com/files/documents/TaftGeneralPlan1742065629040720PM.pdf City of Taft Climate Action Plan, Adopted 2017. Accessed February 2022. Available at:
https://www.cityoftaft.org/files/documents/ClimateActionPlan1742072326031121PM.pdf City of Taft Sewer System Maintenance Plan. April 2018. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://www.cityoftaft.org/files/documents/document1515080732062118.pdf California Department of Conservation (DOC). 2016. Farmland Mapping & Monitoring Program. California Important Farmland Finder. Accessed March 2022. Available at:
https://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/fmmp.

United States Census Bureau. 2020 Census Demographic Data Viewer. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/data/interactive-maps.html San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. CEQA, Land Use, ISR. Accessed March 2022. Available at:
https://www.valleyair.org/transportation/ceqa_idx.htm
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory GIS portal. Accessed April 2022. Available at:
https://fwsprimary.wim.usgs.gov/wetlands/apps/wetlands-mapper/ State Water Resources Control Board. Geo Tracker Database. Accessed April 2022. Available at:
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/
Department of Toxic Substances Control. EnviroStor Database. 2022. Accessed April 2022. Available at:
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/
California Water Boards Central Valley – R5. TMDL - The Integrated Report 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments and 305(b) Surface Water Quality Assessment. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/water_issues/tmdl/impaired_waters_list/2014_int_rpt_dev/ 2014_2016_int_rpt/2018_0406_usepa_appr_ltr_final.pdf
Kern River Valley District – 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. June 2021. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://www.calwater.com/docs/uwmp2020/KRV_2020_UWMP_FINAL.pdf United States Department of Homeland Security. FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/advanceSearch#searchresultsanchor California Department of Finance. Demographics 2020 Census. Accessed May 2022. Available at:
https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/
VI. APPENDICIES

Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Appendix A – Draft Specific Plan

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Appendix B: Zoning Ordinance Amendment

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Appendix C: Traffic Impact Analysis & VMT Analysis

City of Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning Ordinance Amendment Appendix D: Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program

DOWNTOWN
TAFT

SPECIFIC
PLAN
Administrative Draft
July 2022
Prepared for:

Prepared By:

In Association with:

Acknowledgements:

Taft City Council
Dave Noerr – Mayor
Orchel Krier – Mayor Pro Tem
Josh Bryant – Council Member
Jeff Eveland – Council Member
Edward Whiting – Council Member
City of Taft Planning Commission
Ron Orrin – Chairman
Jerry Livingston – Vice Chairman
John Dowden – Commissioner
Kathleen Johnson – Commissioner
Bob Leikam – Commissioner
City of Taft Planning & Development Services Department Mark Staples – Planning & Development Services Director Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview...................................................................... 3

1.2 Purpose and Intent of the Specific Plan.................... 5

1.3 Objectives .................................................................... 5

1.4 Legal Authority and Scope ......................................... 5

1.5 City of Taft Setting....................................................... 7

1.5.1 Project Context .................................................... 7

1.5.2 Project Location and Surrounding Uses............ 8

1.6 Planning Background ...............................................13

1.7 Planning Background and Process..........................13

1.8 Relationship To Other Planning Documents ..........14

1.8.1 General Plan.......................................................14

1.8.2 Climate Action Plan ...........................................15

1.9 Consistency with the Specific Plan ..........................15

2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES

2.1 Overview....................................................................19

2.2 Vision..........................................................................19

2.3 Themes ......................................................................20

2.4 Goals and Policies .....................................................21

3.0 LAND USE

3.1 Overview ................................................................... 33

3.2 Downtown Taft Land Use Plan................................ 33

3.3 Land Use Designations and Zones ......................... 39

3.4 Affordable Housing.................................................. 43

3.4.1 Streamlined Approval Process......................... 43

3.4.2 Permit Fees Reduction ..................................... 44

3.4.3 Density Bonus ................................................... 44

3.5 Allowable Uses ......................................................... 46

3.6 Development Standards.......................................... 53

3.7 Parking Requirements ............................................. 53

3.8 Parking Incentives .................................................... 59

3.9 Lot Size Examples..................................................... 61

3.10 Objective Design Standards .................................... 63

3.10.1 Building Siting, Access & Orientation.............. 63

3.10.2 Circulation & Parking........................................ 64

3.10.3 Building Scale, Massing and Articulation........ 65

3.10.4 Roofline Variation ............................................. 65

3.10.5 Building Materials, Finishes and Colors .......... 67

3.10.6 Sustainable Design Features............................ 67

3.10.7 Landscape Elements......................................... 68

3.11 Frontage Requirements........................................... 70

4.0 DESIGN GUIDELINES

4.1 Overview....................................................................77

4.2 General Design Policies ............................................77

4.3 Site Design.................................................................78

4.4 Architectural Design .................................................78

4.5 Building Form and Articulation................................79

4.6 Parking.......................................................................82

4.7 Building Frontage and Access..................................83

4.8 Building Materials and Colors..................................85

4.9 Streetscape and Public Realm Design Policies .......88

4.9.1 Public and Common Open Space.....................88

4.9.2 Pedestrian Design..............................................89

4.9.3 Materials, Hardscape and Furnishings ............90

4.9.4 Lighting...............................................................91

4.10 Signage and Wayfinding...........................................93

4.10.1 Gateways and Monuments...............................95

4.11 Landscape Design Policies .......................................97

5.0 MOBILITY

5.1 Overview................................................................. 101

5.2 Mobility Network.................................................... 101

5.3 Roadway Network.................................................. 103

5.3.1 Roadway Classifications................................. 103

5.3.2 Roadway Cross-sections................................. 107

5.4 Bicycle Network...................................................... 111

5.5 Pedestrian Network ............................................... 113

5.5.1 Paseos.............................................................. 113

5.5.2 Alley and Mid-Block Connections .................. 114

5.6 Transit Network and Connections........................ 115

6.0 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

6.1 Overview ................................................................. 119

6.2 Public Realm Programming................................... 119

6.2.1 Pocket Parks.................................................... 119

6.2.2 Public Outdoor Spaces ................................... 120

6.2.3 Linear Parks..................................................... 120

6.2.4 Amenities......................................................... 122

6.3 Public Realm Standards......................................... 127

6.3.1 Public Realm and Open Space Requirements
.......................................................................... 127

6.3.2 Public Realm and Open Space Incentives..... 127

6.4 Trails Overview....................................................... 128

6.5 Public Realm Amenities and Enhancements ....... 129

7.0 INFRASTRUCTURE

7.1 Overview ................................................................. 133

7.2 Water Supply .......................................................... 133

7.3 Wastewater............................................................. 134

7.4 Drainage and Storm Water Quality ...................... 137

7.5 Telecommunications and Cable Service .............. 138

7.6 Energy ..................................................................... 138

7.7 Public Facilities ....................................................... 139

7.7.1 Fire Service...................................................... 139

7.7.2 Police Service .................................................. 139

7.7.3 Emergency Medical Services.......................... 141

7.7.4 Schools ............................................................ 141

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION

8.1 Overview................................................................. 145

8.2 Administration ....................................................... 145

8.3 Severability ............................................................. 147

8.4 Environmental Review........................................... 147

8.5 Subsequent Development Entitlements/Construction
and Development Permits....................................... 148

8.5.1 Ministerial Review........................................... 148

8.5.2 Discretionary Review...................................... 148

8.6 Minor Modifications/Substantial Conformance.. 150

8.6.1 Equivalent or Deviation of Development
Standards ........................................................ 150

8.7 Specific Plan Amendments.................................... 150

8.8 Capital Improvement Program ............................. 152

8.8.1 Anticipated Public Improvements: ................ 152

8.8.2 Funding Sources ............................................. 152

8.8.3 Financing Tools ............................................... 155

8.9 Implementation Strategy....................................... 156 Appendices
Appendix A: Proforma Analysis
Appendix B: Permitted Use Definitions
List of Figures
Figure 1-1: Regional Location................................................ 9 Figure 1-2: Specific Plan Boundary.....................................10 Figure 3-1: Land Use Plan....................................................35 Figure 3-2: Conceptual View of Downtown Taft................36 Figure 3-3: Downtown Transition Designation Product
Type Example - Townhome.................................................37 Figure 3-4: Downtown Transition Designation Product
Type Example - Apartment..................................................38 Figure 3-5: Downtown Taft Transit and Parking................60 Figure 5-1: Conceptual View of Downtown Taft............. 102 Figure 5-2: Mobility Network............................................ 105 Figure 5-3: Collector Street............................................... 109 Figure 5-4: Local Street..................................................... 110 Figure 5-5: Bicycle Network.............................................. 112 Figure 6-1: Public Realm Activation(5th Street Corridor) 123 Figure 6-2: 5th Street Conceptual Design ....................... 124 Figure 6-3: 5th Street Conceptual Design ....................... 125 Figure 7-1: Water Map...................................................... 135 Figure 7-2: Sewer Map...................................................... 136 List of Tables
Figure 3-1: Allowed Uses .................................................... 47 Figure 3-2: Development Standards Table........................ 54 Figure 3-3: Parking Standards ............................................ 55 Figure 5-1: Roadway Classifications................................. 104 Figure 5-2: Bicycle Facilities .............................................. 111 Figure 8-1: Implementation Strategy............................... 157 This page has been left blank intentionally
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 2

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 3

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview
The Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP) will bring about community revitalization and economic regeneration to Taft through the creation of a vibrant downtown core. The Plan envisions a complete community that integrates an urban mixed-use center with surrounding lower density mixed use, residential, office space, medical and industrial land uses.

Through the Plan, the city strives to develop a downtown residential community that is healthy, balanced and
celebrates the rich history and culture of the area.

The DTSP provides a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework that guides future development in the
downtown area. Encompassing approximately 212 acres
and located in the center of Taft, the Downtown Specific Plan area (DTSP area) is bisected by the Class I ‘Rails to Trails’ shared pedestrian/cycleway path. The Plan is designed to bring a dynamic mix of land uses to the City’s
underdeveloped downtown area through both infill and new development by allowing over 3,100 dwelling units and
facilitating the creation of a downtown core enhanced with the potential of up to 890,000 square feet of retail
development and 1,000,000 square feet of commercial and office space.

The city has developed the Plan in collaboration with
residents, local businesses, and landowners, to provide a forward-looking vision for the future of the downtown area.

The Plan presents a vision, themes, goals, policies, design standards, and implementation strategies for categories such as land use, mobility, parks and open space
opportunities and infrastructure.

Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Oil Worker Monument located at 6th Street and Supply Row Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 5

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.2 Purpose and Intent of the
Specific Plan
The Specific Plan serves as a framework for development within the DTSP area. It sets the foundation for how the City will operate, based upon identified goals and policies
relating to a range of topics, including land use, urban design, parks and open space, transportation, and
sustainable infrastructure. It establishes a framework for the land use, intensity, development regulations, and design standards that will support future development. The DTSP is intended to be used by property owners, developers,
designers, City staff, and elected officials in the review of proposed development projects in the SPA.

1.3 Objectives
The objectives of the Specific Plan have been prepared to be consistent with the Taft General Plan and will be
implemented by the goals and policies contained in Chapter 2: Goals and Policies.

The objectives of the Downtown Specific Plan include the following:

1. Provide a comprehensive policy and regulatory
framework that guides development in Taft’s
downtown area in accordance with the Taft
General Plan.

2. Create development standards that are unique to
the DTSP area and will enhance developments in
the downtown area.

3. Develop a streamlined entitlement and
permitting process to encourage the accelerated
production of a diverse range of residential
development and housing types.

4. Encourage a diversified downtown economy.

1.4 Legal Authority and Scope
State Law requires that a Specific Plan be in conformance with a city’s General Plan. This Specific Plan has been prepared in conformance with the City of Taft’s General Plan for the enhancement and development of Taft’s Downtown, as described in the following Chapters.

The primary effect of a Specific Plan is the establishment of a clear and detailed plan for a specific area. Existing zoning is replaced with development standards of the Specific Plan which best meet the needs of the specific area. After
adoption by the City of Taft, all public and private
development projects and improvements must be
consistent with the adopted Specific Plan.

This Specific Plan seeks to build upon the vision of the General Plan and previous Downtown Specific Plan, to
provide greater flexibility as well as more detailed guidance.

Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 6

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Plan has been structured to better adapt to economic, physical, and social changes by applying new use and
development priorities to parcels and districts.

The Downtown Specific Plan is established through the
authority granted to the City by California Government Code, Sections 65450 through 65457, as a means of systematically implementing the General Plan. A Specific Plan, through text and diagram(s), must identify the following:

1. The distribution, location, and extent of the uses
of land, including open space, within the area
covered by the plan.

2. The proposed distribution, location, and extent
and intensity of major components of public and
private transportation, sewage, water, drainage,
solid waste disposal, energy, and other essential
facilities proposed to be located within the area
covered by the plan and needed to support the
land uses described in the plan.

3. Standards and criteria by which development will
proceed, and standards for the conservation,
development, and utilization of natural resources,
where applicable.

4. A program of implementation measures including
regulations, programs, public works projects, and
financing measures necessary to carry out
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). Workshop #2, November 2021 Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 7

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.5 City of Taft Setting
Incorporated in 1910, the City of Taft is located in Kern County and situated at the southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley of California at 955 feet above mean sea level.

The city has a desert climate with long, hot, dry summers and brief, cool and moist winters. See Figure 1-1: Regional Location. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and average annual rainfall of approximately 5 inches
predominantly falls in the winter and spring. California State Routes 33 and 119 converge to the east of downtown area defined by this Specific Plan.

1.5.1 Project Context
Located in the center of the Midway-Sunset oilfield, the largest oilfield in the contiguous United States, the City’s roots date back to the oil booms of the early 1900s. As a result, most major oil companies have had a presence in Taft over the years and this has affected the built form of the city.

The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe railroads, in tandem with the oil industry, impacted the physical formation of Taft through the laying of the Sunset Railroad. By the 1920’s, the laying of these lines dictated Taft’s street grid pattern which remains today, although the rail line was removed in the Oil Derrick Monument along Rails to Trails 1990s.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.5.2 Project Location and Surrounding
Uses
The DTSP area comprises approximately 212 acres of flat land. As shown in Figure 1-2: Specific Plan Boundary, the DTSP area is generally bound by Kern Street to the north and West Side Highway to the east, both of which are part of State Route 33, Front and Oak Streets to the south, and 10th Street to the west.

The northern section of the DTSP area is largely comprised of commercial and retail activities in single or double story buildings. Many of these buildings hold architectural value and character from art deco to craftsman examples and
could be attractive adaptive re-use propositions. There are also two pockets of residential developments in the northwestern and eastern sections, including an affordable senior apartment development.

Bisecting the DTSP area, between Supply Row and Main
Street, the old Sunset Railway lines have been removed and this land has been repurposed into open green space.

Traversing this public space, the City of Taft has created the Class I ‘Rails to Trails’ shared pedestrian/cycleway path.

Currently, this path terminates to the east of the DTSP area adjacent to the West Kern Oil Museum. There has been
reinvestment within this portion of the city including a new Best Western hotel and monument to workers in the oil
industry in the form of a 43-foot oil derrick.

The southern section of the DTSP area, between the ‘Rails to Trails’ repurposed railway land and Front Street, is
predominantly vacant. Although within this area there are some scattered retail and commercial activities. Many of these land parcels adjacent to the old Sunset Railway have been recently purchased by City and provide development opportunity.

Oil Worker Monument
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 9

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Figure 1-1: Regional Location
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 10

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Figure 1-2: Specific Plan Boundary
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 11

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Historical Image of the Taft Railroad
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 12

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Historical Image of Center Street
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.6 Planning Background
The City of Taft (City) first adopted its Downtown Specific Plan in 1994 and incorporated amendments in 1999. In June 2010, the city then adopted a General Plan Update. This Plan was a comprehensive update on the previous General Plan, establishing a new Planning Area in addition to amending land use designations in the downtown area to mixed use.

Subsequent to this adoption, a lawsuit settlement with the Sierra Club required the amendment of the General Plan in 2017 to reduce the Planning Area and include an Urban
Growth Boundary, among other concessions. As a result, the existing 1999 Downtown Specific Plan became inconsistent with the new 2017 general plan.

In 2020 the city was awarded grant funding for the drafting and adoption of a Downtown Taft Specific Plan that will be consistent with the General Plan and guide an acceleration in housing production. In January of 2021, the city sought to undertake this process through a comprehensive update of its Downtown Specific Plan (the Plan).

1.7 Planning Background and
Process
The planning process for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan included a comprehensive public engagement plan that was prepared to be inclusive, transparent and engage the
community in the planning process by offering multiple
opportunities for public input and participation.

The first phase involved a thorough evaluation of the
opportunities and constraints. The purpose of this study was to provide context and insight into the community
characteristics that influence and define opportunities for community change and growth in the City of Taft. This
served as the starting point for identifying possible
implementation tools for future programs and projects
within the DTSP area that will be most effective in achieving the vision of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan & Zoning
Ordinance Amendment project. The information from this
exercise then served to facilitate discussion between
community stakeholders and the city staff.

The following four stakeholder workshops were conducted leading into the preparation of the Specific Plan:

1. Opportunities, Constraints, and the Vision;

2. Land Use Alternatives;

3. Preferred Land Use Plan; and

4. Specific Plan draft document.

Due to COVID-19, the workshops were undertaken in a
hybrid style in order to make them more accessible.

Throughout these sessions, stakeholders were presented
with ample opportunity to learn and influence the
development of the Plan.

To further the dissemination of information, a dedicated webpage was established on the City’s website and a Social Pinpoint page launched. These avenues assisted in keeping Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 14

1.0 INTRODUCTION
stakeholders up to date with the Specific Plan process and notification of future workshops.

A Proforma Analysis was also conducted for two potential sites for residential development within the DTSP area. Both these sites were owned by the city at time of analysis and zoning based on the Preferred Land Use Plan developed
through public outreach. The purpose of the proforma
exercise was to understand the economic development
potential of these two sites within the DTSP area. The
analysis found that to achieve an acceptable return for both apartments and townhouses, there will likely be a funding gap to be overcome.

1.8 Relationship To Other
Planning Documents

1.8.1 General Plan
In 2017, the City of Taft adopted the General Plan Update.

The General Plan lays the framework for how the city will grow and develop moving into the future. The General Plan identifies eight “guiding principles” for Taft’s vision of the future. The subject of this Specific Plan document,
Downtown Taft, is the subject of one of these guiding
principles. The General Plan seeks to promote a “vibrant, healthy and active downtown by providing safe multi-family and mixed-use housing” while also encouraging infill
development and attractive residential development.

The goals and policies within the General Plan that
implement these visions provide the foundation upon which this Specific Plan is based and therefore, the Downtown Specific Plan has been prepared to be in accordance, and consistent with, the Taft General Plan.

Workshop #2, November 2021
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 15

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.8.2 Climate Action Plan
The Climate Action Plan seeks to address the challenges of climate change through the reduction of locally generated greenhouse gas emissions and improving community health and local air quality.

The Specific Plan seeks to achieve the goals of this plan through the encouragement of higher density and mixeduse Downtown development. This development will be encouraged to provide greater access to local active
recreational opportunities and a reduction of the
dependance on personal motor vehicles.

1.9 Consistency with the
Specific Plan
The DTSP shall guide all land use and development decisionmaking processes for the area. The Specific Plan does not replace or augment building safety codes or other nonplanning related codes. All applications for new construction, substantial modifications to existing buildings, and changes in land use shall be reviewed for conformance with this Specific Plan.

Workshop #2, November 2021
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 16

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5th Street Plaza from the Rails to Trails Corridor
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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES
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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS

AND POLICIES
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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES

2.1 Overview
This chapter describes the intended future of Downtown
Taft and identifies the qualities most important to the Taft community, as defined through the vision, goals, and
policies. Community input through multiple outreach efforts informed the development of a comprehensive vision for
the Downtown Specific Plan. Goals were developed based on the vision across each of the topics addressed in this specific plan to guide future development in Downtown Taft. This chapter includes the vision for future development in
Downtown Taft. Detailed below are the vision, themes, goals, and policies.

2.2 Vision
The DTSP is designed to include a dynamic mix of land uses, ensuring a healthy and balanced community that celebrates the history and culture of the area. Residential, commercial, employment, and recreational opportunities are linked
together through safe streets, connected trails, recreational districts, and a range of housing options.

The Specific Plan creates an inviting atmosphere in
Downtown Taft by identifying ways to attract and retain commercial, retail, housing opportunities, and expand upon the City’s rich history with energy and oil. A special focus of the Specific Plan area includes the ‘Rails to Trails’ connection and Oil Worker Monument. The Specific Plan identifies ways to build upon this history while providing economic growth and housing development through the use of connected
corridors. The landscaping and architectural details reflect a connection with the oil workers history and provides a
unique identity that attracts local residents and visitors to live, shop, dine, work, and recreate in Downtown Taft.

Fox Theatre, Downtown Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 20

2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES

2.3 Themes
Achieving the vision for Downtown Taft requires a set of goals and policies that outline strategies to implement change. The goals and policies provide tangible steps and/or actions to achieve the vision for Downtown Taft. As outlined below, the goals and policies are structured around four different core themes from the vision. Under each theme are a set of goals supported by policies that give the City measurable and implementable actions intended to help
accomplish that goal.

The four themes are:
• Strong Economy
• Sustainable Development
• Active Community
• Community Character
Strong Economy: The City of Taft strives to create a robust and diversified economy that provides community members with a range of employment opportunities and resiliency and
adaptability to market changes. The strong economy goals seek to retain existing businesses and attract new business to the area to stimulate job creation, particularly in Downtown Taft.

Sustainable Development: The Downtown Taft Specific Plan is the foundation for the growth of smart and sustainable housing and improvements to mobility, connectivity, and in the Downtown area. The sustainable development goals seek to promote the creation of housing; both diverse and affordable, assess the infrastructure needs to accommodate growth in the city and ensure that Taft is accessible both locally and regionally.

Active Community: The City of Taft is committed to enhancing its parks, trails, and recreational amenities to promote an active community in Downtown Taft. The introduction of additional housing units will lead to enhancement and greater use of these facilities. The active community goals seek to promote the health and well-being of the community, encourage social interaction, and build upon the Rails to Trails corridor with high quality recreation amenities and community education.

Community Character: The Downtown Taft Specific Plan aims to enhance and protect the community’s small town and historic character while attracting new investment and growth. The Community Character goals seek to preserve historic resources, promote historic architecture in Downtown areas, and celebrate and encourage arts and culture.

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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES

2.4 Goals and Policies
The goals and policies provide the overarching direction for the Specific Plan, its implementation, and future
development within Downtown Taft. The goals and policies have been developed with support of the community,
business owners, and key stakeholders. Goals have been
attributed to the different themes in which to carry out the vision. Each goal is supported by policies that give the City measurable, implementable actions intended to help
accomplish that goal.

Theme 1: Strong Economy
Goal 1-1: Retain existing, and attract new businesses to drive economic development
Policies

1. Encourage expansion of existing businesses to serve the needs of the community and provide employment
opportunities for residents in Downtown Taft.

2. Work with small businesses to support, retain, and grow the local economy by connecting them with resources available to support their creation and growth.

3. Promote the City of Taft and its available commercial and industrial opportunities as desirable places for businesses to locate and identify economic incentives that can be utilized to attract these businesses to Taft.

4. Explore opportunities to partner with local schools or other educational organizations to offer programs that provide vocational/trade training, internships, and other work
opportunities for residents.

5. Develop a focused economic development plan for
Downtown Taft that targets business and industry that are well-suited to the area and provides incentives to attract and retain these businesses.

Goal 1-2: Achieve economic diversification through a mix of shops and services for residents and visitors.

Policies:

1. Encourage new and existing developments to incorporate street-activating commercial uses to attract residents and visitors to shop locally.

2. Encourage a range of commercial uses in the Downtown area such as retail, restaurant, and office activities.

3. Promote the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of buildings in the Downtown area by streamlining the city approval
processes to reduce the time, costs of permits and other processes to encourage development.

4. Provide a range of spaces at affordable rates for businesses of all sizes, including small local businesses and start-ups, to encourage residents to invest in Taft.

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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES
Commercial Building on the Corner of Center Street and 4th Street Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 23

2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES
Rails to Trails Corridor looking towards Main Street and 5th Street Plaza Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 24

2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES
Theme 2: Active Community
Goal 2-1: Create High-Quality Recreation Opportunities
Policies:

1. Collaborate with the development community to
incorporate high-quality recreation opportunities with
future developments.

2. Require the provision of, and connection to, high-quality recreation and public realm amenities and enhancements in all new development.

3. Identify potential trail enhancements green space and path connections from the existing Rails-to-Trails corridor to other parts of Downtown Taft and the surrounding
neighborhoods.

4. Support the development of an outdoor amphitheater that can be used for performances, events and exhibition of local art and artists.

Goal 2-2: Facilitate Health + Wellness Initiatives
Policies:

1. Collaborate with local agencies to identify the needs of individuals of all abilities and backgrounds in Downtown Taft, and provide resources to support their health,
wellbeing and wellness.

2. Support the creation of a regular farmers’ market in Downtown Taft. The market is to operate as a catalyst,
activating indoor and outdoor spaces, bringing residents into the Downtown Core, supporting local farmers and
artisans, and increasing access to healthy food options.

3. Pursue the establishment of events in Downtown Taft that promote community health, wellbeing, and wellness.

4. Support housing construction practices, where initiated by developers, that are free from asbestos, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous chemicals.

5. Encourage the rehabilitation and retrofitting of substandard buildings to improve health outcomes of occupants.

Goal 2-3: Active Streets and Plazas for residents and visitors to gather
Policies:

1. Encourage entertainment, dining, cultural uses and other social gathering spaces throughout Downtown Taft to
activate the Downtown Core, draw visitors from the region and serve the residents of Taft.

2. Encourage pedestrian oriented streetscapes that provide features of public interest, such as lighting, art, water features and other amenities to draw residents and visitors to walk main street and interact with businesses in the Downtown Core.

3. Support the establishment of al-fresco dining areas and varied outdoor seating options within the public realm while maintaining efficient pedestrian movement in these areas.

4. Allow entertainers such as street performers, musicians and artists displays at specific locations within Downtown to active public areas.

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5th Street Plaza from Main Street
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 26

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Theme 3: Sustainable Development
Goal 3-1: Strong mix of compatible land uses in Downtown Taft
Policies:

1. Encourage a diverse range of uses including housing, office, retail, community facilities and services, and lodging to support residents and visitors of Taft.

2. Support horizontal and vertical mixed use in the Downtown Core and transitional areas to provide housing in proximity to retail, employment, and other services to allow residents to live, work and shop near one another.

3. Prioritize infill and mixed-use development to activate the Downtown Core through incentives.

4. Locate new development near existing services and
infrastructure.

5. Support the development of a variety community facilities, recreational opportunities and other amenities that will serve the community.

Goal 3-2: A diverse range of housing opportunities
Policies:

1. Encourage new developments to include a variety of housing options for all age groups and income levels by providing a variety of different floor plans and housing sizes.

2. Support a range of housing types in the plan area, including but not limited to single family, multi-family, live-work units.

3. Increase and maintain the affordable housing supply in Downtown Taft by supporting a range of housing types,
including smaller units, live-work units and other innovative housing types, designs and techniques.

4. Incentivize the development of affordable housing units with sources such as tax credit programs, public-private
partnerships, and other innovative funding sources.

5. Implement development standards for the Downtown Taft area that promotes building and site design that is inviting and fits the area.

6. Develop an assessment of needs that identifies areas of housing need in Downtown Taft.

Goal 3-3: Sustainable infrastructure systems throughout Downtown Taft
Policies:

1. Assess and identify any infrastructure that needs upgrading or improvements to ensure that all the Downtown Core can accommodate growth and any new developments in
Downtown Taft have adequate water, sanitary sewer,
stormwater facilities and other critical infrastructure.

2. Incorporate sustainable stormwater management
techniques into new developments such as bio-swales,
rainwater collection systems and other techniques to
manage stormwater runoff.

3. Support renewable energy technologies on new
development to promote energy conservation.

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2.0 VISION, THEMES, GOALS AND POLICIES

4. Encourage new development to utilize current
telecommunication technology.

5. Where practical, support the separation of grey water from wastewater and utilize this grey water in landscaping
around developments.

6. Encourage the use of low-flow devices such as shower heads and taps in new developments to conserve fresh water.

Goal 3-4: A safe, convenient, and accessible mobility network for all ages and abilities
Policies:

1. Create Complete Streets in Downtown Taft that support multi-modal transportation systems.

2. Provide bike infrastructure such as racks and repair stations in the public realm throughout Downtown.

3. Activate alley and mid-block paths using art, lighting, landscaping, and other design techniques to provide more safe, comfortable, and inviting options for pedestrians and bicyclists.

4. Implement the citywide wayfinding system highlighting the unique locations in Downtown Taft and connections to the greater Taft area.

5. Encourage bike share facilities to increase accessibility for residents.

6. Build upon and expand the existing bus service to provide more frequency to and from destinations.

7. Improve the pedestrian network by enhancing existing sidewalks and constructing new sidewalks and facilities where they currently do not exist.

8. Enhance and expand the bicycle network within Downtown Taft and linkages to other parts of the city.

Wayfinding along Rails to Trails
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Commercial Building, Downtown Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 29

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Theme 4: Community Character
Goal 4-1: Preserve and enhance the historic and cultural heritage of Downtown Taft
Policies:

1. Create development standards for the Downtown area that preserve existing historic architecture and ensures that new development integrates the historic framework of the area.

2. Create historic districts or places that celebrate the history and culture of Downtown Taft and serve as places of
learning and are destinations for residents and visitors.

3. Provide quality wayfinding and signage throughout the Downtown Core that identifies key locations, destinations and improves the accessibility of the Downtown area and articulates and demonstrates Taft’s history.

Goal 4-2: Provide support for increased public safety
measures in Downtown Taft.

Policies:

1. Provide pedestrian-scaled lighting on all streets in Downtown Taft.

2. Encourage building orientation towards the street

3. Encourage activation of the public realm through the establishment of community events, pop-up cafes or food trucks and/or and festivals to bring eyes-on-the-street in the Downtown area.

4. Support development that utilizes design outcomes that provide opportunities for passive surveillance.

5. Encourage storefront window design that promotes
practicable sightlines between indoor and outdoor
environments, while allowing for the concurrent advertising of goods and services.

Goal 4-3: Support, encourage and develop Taft’s Arts and Culture Community
Policies:

1. Encourage public art projects within public spaces
throughout the Downtown area, and encourage public art
on private properties, such as murals.

2. Partner with community members to provide arts, cultural programs, and events to celebrate and promote the history and diversity of the Taft area.

3. Utilize arts and culture to engage youth and expand
programs and events in Downtown Taft.

4. Allow and support special events conducted by local
organizations and residents to showcase the arts and
culture of Taft.

5. Promote art as a placemaking tool to activate public spaces.

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Oildorado Store at the corner of 5th Street and North Street This page has been left blank intentionally
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3.1 Overview
This chapter outlines and describes the Land Use Plan for the Downtown Taft Specific Plan which acts as the policy and regulatory framework for the development and use of land in the Plan Area. The overall goals of the Land Use Plan are to encourage new housing opportunities, improve economic vibrancy, and allow for flexibility in the use and
implementation as Downtown Taft develops over time. The Land Use chapter sets forth the standards for how those goals are achieved.

The Plan Area comprises a mixture of commercial,
residential, light industrial and vacant land. Residential neighborhoods are located to the north, south and west
while light industrial activities operate to the east. Given the wide range of activities occurring within the area and the availability of vacant land, a significant opportunity is presented to promote a mix of land uses that provide a
range of community services and activity nodes desired by the community.

This chapter also contains the Development Standards for the Specific Plan area. The requirements of this Chapter supersede the requirements of the Planning and Zoning Title of the City of Taft Municipal Code (Title VI).

If there is a conflict between the regulations provided in the Planning and Zoning Ordinance and this Specific Plan, the regulations provided in the Specific Plan shall prevail. Where direction is not provided in this Specific Plan; the provisions of the Planning and Zoning Ordinance shall prevail.

3.2 Downtown Taft Land Use
Plan
The Downtown Taft Specific Plan provides for a mix of land uses designed to achieve the overarching vision and goals of increasing housing, creating a thriving, healthy and balanced community with an economically diverse Downtown urban
environment. As shown in Figure 3-1, the approximately 210- acre area is comprised of eight land use designations
focused on encouraging compatible development that
brings activity to the Downtown Core complemented with
nearby recreation opportunities.

To improve cohesiveness of development and vibrancy of
the Downtown environment, the Plan sets forth a transition of intensities. The DTSP builds upon the existing pedestrianscaled grid-block pattern and includes the most dense/intense development in the Downtown Core, with
lower density development radiating out toward the edge of the plan area. The DTSP land use plan introduces two
distinct Mixed-Use districts, Downtown Core and Downtown Transition. The Downtown Core is intended to encourage
vertical high density residential and commercial uses,
supplemented by high-quality public spaces that in turn will create a unique Downtown main street look and feel. The Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 34

3.0 LAND USE
Downtown Transition in comparison encourages a lower
intensity horizontal development pattern, creating a
transition to the existing lower density residential
neighborhoods to the north and south, while still allowing a wide variety of uses. The differences in standards, intensities and scales between these mixed-use designations are
intended to create an inclusive Downtown area that
welcomes a variety of housing types and businesses in turn attracting a variety of people from different backgrounds. In addition to the mixed-use districts, the DTSP also puts particular emphasis on providing workforce housing. A LiveWork designation is provided in proximity to the Downtown Core that encourages residents to build and grow local
businesses, with the opportunity to live above their
workspace. Again, this use diversifies the opportunities for residents both in terms of housing and employment.

In order to graphically show what types of development
these mixed-use areas (in particular the downtown
transition land use) could support in the future; two graphic renderings have been created. See figure 3-3: Downtown
Transition Designation Product Type Example - Townhome
and Figure 3-4: Downtown Transition Designation Product Type Example - Apartments. These renderings show
examples of potential townhome and apartment product
types, how these product types could look, how they interact with the existing downtown framework of trails and
buildings, and they provide context for the scale and density of buildings allowed in the DTSP area. See Figure 3-1: Land Use Plan for greater detail on the location of the Downtown Transition land use and other land uses within the DTSP area.

The land use designations shall be consulted in tandem with the development standards included in Section 3.6 below, and design standards and guidelines, detailed in Chapter 4 – Design Guidelines to ensure intended development
intensity. The development standards and guidelines for building heights, building frontages, and other urban design elements shall further ensure development is cohesive and well-integrated.

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Figure 3-1: Land Use Plan
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 36

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Figure 3-2: Conceptual View of Downtown Taft
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Figure 3-3: Downtown Transition Designation Product Type Example - Townhome Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 38

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Figure 3-4: Downtown Transition Designation Product Type Example - Apartment Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 39

3.0 LAND USE

3.3 Land Use Designations and Zones
This section provides a description of the land use designations and zones withing the DTSP. The locations of the below land use designations and zones are depicted on the Land Use Plan as shown in Figure 3-1. Existing zoning is replaced with development standards of the specific plan and therefore supersedes the City of Taft Zoning Map for the Specific Plan area.

Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU)
The core area of Downtown Taft is generally located between North Street to the north, 2nd Street to the east, Main Street to the south and 7th Street to the west and is intended to be the heart of where people live, work, shop and dine in Taft. The Downtown Core Mixed Use (DC-MU) land use designation provides flexibility by allowing a combination of commercial and residential uses within Taft’s Downtown Core that complement each other, creating a vibrant space for residents to enjoy. Developments within the DC-MU land use will grow vertically rather than horizontally and must respect the history and culture of the Downtown area by reflecting the historic architecture and design.

Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU)
The intent of the Downtown Transition Mixed Use (DT-MU) land use designation is to provide less intense, neighborhood-scaled mixed-use development that creates a transition into the Downtown Core. The DTMU land use designation allows for a combination of commercial and residential uses, similar to the DC-MU, however, it is intended that developments will grow horizontally instead of vertically to provide a transition between the Downtown Core and surrounding neighborhoods.

While development in the DT-MU must still respect the history and culture of the Downtown area, there is greater flexibility in architectural types encouraged in this transition area.

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Medium Density Residential (MDR)
The intent of the Medium Density Residential (MDR) land use designation is to provide a range of housing types and therefore a range in level of affordability for residents in an urban setting. This designation is important for providing workforce housing. This designation allows for a mix of small lot single and multi-family detached and attached residential uses, including duplex, triplex, or multi-plex, townhomes, courtyard or motor court housing, and other types of residential developments. The MDR land use provides a transition in residential densities between the Downtown Core and surrounding residential neighborhoods. In addition to the residential uses above, the MDR land use also allows for limited neighborhood commercial uses such as convenience stores, restaurants, and other neighborhood-serving uses.

Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU)
The intent of the Live-Work Mixed Use (LW-MU) land use designation is to provide workforce housing immediately above, adjacent to, or near employment. The majority of the area designated as LW-MU is intended to be made up of live-work housing such as shopkeeper units, but also supports infill development between the existing single-family, duplex and multi-family developments. Live-work housing is generally described as a residential unit on the second floor above a commercial/office workspace, with both the commercial/office and the residential component being occupied by the same resident. The LW-MU is strategically located between the Downtown Core and the office and medical land uses to allow residents easy access to goods, services, and entertainment.

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Commercial (C)
The intent of the Commercial (C) land use designation is to provide for a range of locally serving commercial uses that will provide a wide variety of retail, wholesale, and service uses such as automobile service, eating/drinking establishments, entertainment facilities, retail, office, service establishments and other commercial uses.

Light Industrial (LI)
The intent of the Light Industrial (LI) land use designation is to provide suitable locations for manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and distribution, and multi-tenant industrial uses in the eastern area of Downtown Taft. The LI land use designation also supports administrative and professional offices and commercial activities on a limited basis. These uses must be generally compatible with those in nearby commercial and residential zones, and not produce substantial environmental nuisances such as noise, odor, dust/smoke or glare. New development in the areas designated as LI shall include high-quality development standards, such as adequate buffering from less-intensive land uses and access to major transportation routes for truck traffic.

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Office-Medical (O-M)
The intent of the Office Medical (O-M) land use designation is to provide opportunities for expansion of professional offices, medical facilities, supportive care, and other compatible uses.

Open Space (OS)
The intent of the Open Space (OS) land use designation is to build upon the current active and passive recreational spaces in Downtown Taft. The OS designation generally includes community and neighborhood parks, gardens, linear parks, and trails. Typical building types include park restrooms or other ancillary structures such as recreation centers, and community centers. New development along the existing Rails to Trails greenway corridor shall integrate into the open space network.

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3.4 Affordable Housing
There are a number of state laws and local policies and programs available to jurisdictions to support and
incentivize affordable housing. In particular, the State Density Bonus Law and California Senate Bill 35 provide developers incentives to build affordable housing.

The Pro-Forma Analysis (Appendix A) prepared on two sites in the DTSP area, determined that market rate housing
would require some level of financial support, or gap
financing in order to result in a financially viable rate of return under the current market conditions. This financial viability may change as the Downtown area continues to
grow and revitalize or as market conditions such as interest rates change. Recognizing the significant financial challenges on residential development, the DTSP does not set forth any requirements for developers to provide affordable housing or pay in-lieu fees for affordable housing.

Instead, to encourage affordable housing both now and in the future as market conditions change, the DTSP outlines the following incentives that could be utilized by developers to incorporate affordable housing into their development.

In order to utilize the affordable housing incentives in this section, development must meet the following
requirements:
• At least ten percent (10%) of the total dwelling units in the development must be affordable.
• The affordable units must be available for persons
whose income level does not exceed 80% of the
median income level as identified by the Kern County
Housing Authority.
• The units are subject to affordability covenants for a minimum of 55 years.

The requirement to provide affordable housing units can be met in any of the following ways:
• On the same site as the proposed project; or
• On a site different from the proposed project, so long as that site is located within the Downtown Taft
Specific Plan area.

3.4.1 Streamlined Approval Process
The project approval process typically adds considerable time and thereby expense to development projects.

Reducing or eliminating review cycles for affordable projects could materially increase the viability of residential projects within the Downtown area. New development in the DTSP
area may choose to set aside at least ten percent (10%) of the total dwelling units in the development as affordable housing. Future development that set aside 10% or higher affordable units would be entitled to expedite processing of the project through the City of Taft. Under normal
processing timelines, discretionary review can take between 90-180 days. The expedited review process would shorten the timeline to 60-90 days.

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3.4.2 Permit Fees Reduction
The project processing and permit fees are often a burden on development projects. New development within the
DTSP area that incorporate at least ten percent (10%) of the total dwelling units in the development as affordable
housing would be entitled to waiving 20% of the total fee.

3.4.3 Density Bonus
A project proposing the following affordable housing ratios for low-income persons will be eligible for up to the following graduated density bonus:
• 10% affordable housing units = 20% density bonus;
or
• 15% affordable housing units = 30% density bonus;
or
• 20% affordable housing units = 40% density bonus if
a supplemental transportation analysis is completed.

Example of Affordable Housing
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 45

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Pioneer Mercantile Building, Downtown Taft
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 46

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3.5 Allowable Uses
Table 3-1 establishes which land uses are permitted (P), Permitted with a Director’s Permit (DP) or conditionally permitted (C) within each of the Specific Plan land use designations. In the City of Taft, a permitted use requires approval of a site plan by the Planning Commission, a
Director’s Permit requires approval by the Planning Director, and a conditionally permitted use requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) which requires approval by the Planning
Commission.

Generally, a use not expressly listed should be considered not allowed within the DTSP area. However, if a use has been omitted that is similar in terms of character, intensity, and scale as a listed use of this Specific Plan, then the Director shall be responsible to make a determination to include or omit the proposed use. The decision would be based on if the proposed use is substantially similar in character and intensity of development intended for the DTSP.

See Chapter 8: Implementation, for more details on
substantial conformance. If determined in conformance, the use would be subject to the permit process that governs the category in which it falls. Unless the proposed use is
determined to be similar to a listed use, it shall be a prohibited use. Land uses listed in Table 3-1 without a “P” or “C” identified under a particular land use designation shall be considered a prohibited use.

Existing Crosswalk, Downtown Taft
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Accessory Uses:

Accessory uses and structures
located on the same site as a use
permitted subject to a conditional
use permit

P P P P P P P
Watchman/caretaker living quarters
only when incidental to and on the
same site as a permitted or
conditional use (where 24-hour
surveillance is required)
C
Commercial Uses:

Ambulance service P P P P
Auction houses C P
Automotive and light truck sales P P P
Automotive service, and repair C P
Automotive rental agencies
(including outdoor storage)

C C C C
Automotive washing (self- or full
service)
P P
Bail bond services DP DP DP DP
Boat and RV (sales only) P C P
Cocktail lounge/bar C C C C
Commercial recreational facilities
(indoor)

P P P P
Commercial recreational facilities
(outdoor)

C C C C
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Electronic coin operated games
(commercial operated) 5 or more
games

C C C P
Electronic coin operated games
(commercial operated) less than 5
games

DP DP DP DP
Flexi-space commercial DP DP DP DP
Home improvement and hardware
stores (with outdoor storage)

P P P P
Hotels, Bed and breakfast C P P P C
Kennel and catteries C
Seasonal pop-up DP DP DP
Market, Grocery/Supermarket P P P
Market, Liquor C C C P
Market, Convenience C DP DP DP
Mini storage (for public use) P
Miniature golf courses DP C C P
Mortuaries C
Motorcycle shops (sales and
service)

P C P P
Parking facilities (off site) C P C C P
Personal Services, General C P P P P DP
Personal Services, Fitness/Health
Facility

DP DP DP DP DP
Personal Services, Instructional DP DP DP DP DP
Restaurants, sit-down C P P P P C C
Restaurant, take-out P P P P
Restaurant, drive-thru C C C
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Retail Sales, New Retail P P P P C C
Retail Sales, Used/Pawn P P P C
Shopping centers (small) DP DP
Theaters, including both motion
picture and live performing arts

P P P P
Tobacco shop and private smoking
lounge

C C C C
Veterinary offices and animal
hospitals, including exterior
kennels, pens or runs

C C C C
Home Occupations:

Home occupations P P P P
Manufacturing Uses:

Bottling plants P
Food preparation P P P P P
General manufacturing of goods
including electronics and carpentry
C
Design and Services DP DP DP DP P
Laboratories: chemical, dental,
electrical, optical, mechanical, and
medical
C P
Pharmaceuticals: cosmetics, drugs,
perfumes, toiletries, and soap (not
including refining or rendering of
fats or oils)
P P
Office and Related Uses:

Offices P P P P P P
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Financial services and institutions P P P P P
Medical, dental, and related health
services for humans, including
clinics, laboratories and the sale of
articles clearly incidental to services
provided

P P P P P
Prescription pharmacies when
located within a building containing
the offices of medical practitioners

P P P P P
Public/Quasi-Public Uses:

Amphitheater and Auditoriums C C C
Places of assembly including
churches, synagogues, mosques,
temples, clubs, lodges, fraternities,
and sororities

DP DP DP DP DP DP
Communication and
telecommunication facilities (not
including radio and television)

C C C C
Hospitals C C
Convention hall, trade show, exhibit
building with incidental food
services

C C C C
Educational institutions, including
daycare facilities (public and private
and vocation schools)

DP DP DP DP DP DP
Fire and police stations P P P P P P
Post Office branch C P P P P
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Public administration buildings,
civic centers, and utility services
offices

P P P P P
Public libraries and museums C P P P C C
Public parks and recreation, unless
project otherwise entails a public
hearing, then permitted

DP DP DP DP DP
Public utility and public service
substations, reservoirs, drainage
sumps, pumping plants,
transmission lines and similar
installations, not including public
utility offices, unless project
otherwise entails a public hearing

C C C C C
Recreational vehicle parks C P
Residential care facility (per State
law)

DP DP DP DP
Transportation facilities P P P P P P
Residential Uses:

Board and care facility (12 or more
residents)
C P
Boarding/rooming house (7 or
more residents)
C C
Convalescent care C C C C P
Emergency shelter P P P P P P
Multi-family dwellings P C P P P
Senior congregate care, assisted
living

C P P P P
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Table 3-1: Allowed Uses

MDR C DC-MU DT-MU LW-MU O-M LI OS
Senior independent living C
Single-family dwelling P
Single-family residential
attached
P P P
Supportive housing P P P
Transitional housing P C C P
Temporary Uses:

Temporary uses P P P P P P P P
Other Uses:

Other uses similar to, and no more objectionable than, the uses identified above, may be permitted subject to approval by the Planning Commission
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 53

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3.6 Development Standards
The Development Standards contained in Table 3-2 are
intended to help achieve the vision for the DTSP by setting standards for future development within the plan area. The following development standards apply to future public
improvements and private development in the Plan Area.

These standards also address the design of new buildings and renovations to existing structures.

3.7 Parking Requirements
Table 3-3: Parking Standards below provided parking
standards for uses within the DTSP area. If a use is not identified within Table 3.3 then the City of Taft Zoning Ordinance shall apply. Where an application using the
parking standards of this Chapter will result in a fractional space, the fraction shall be rounded to the next lower whole number.

Existing Commercial Building, Downtown Taft
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Table 3-2: Development Standards Table
The following table outlines the development standards for each land use designation in the Downtown Taft Specific Plan area. 1 FAR = Floor Area Ratio; DU/AC = Dwelling Unit Per Acre 2 Upper Story Step backs apply. Any portion of the structure exceeding 30 feet in height shall be stepped back from the side property line 5 feet 3 Where abutting an alley, a zero-foot (0’) rear setback shall apply 4 Where abutting existing residential uses, the rear setback shall be increased by 5 feet Land Use
Description
Target
Density
(FAR or
DU/AC)1
Minimum
Lot Area
(Square
Feet)
Minimum
Lot Width
(Feet)
Minimum
Lot Depth
(Feet)
Setbacks2
(Feet) Maximum
Building
Height
Frontage
Minimum Requirements
Front
Minimum
Interior
Side
Minimum
Street
Side
Minimum
Rear3
Medium Density
Residential (MDR) 12-24 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ 10’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 45’ or 3 stories See Section

3.11 Commercial (C) 1.0 5,000 SF 25’ 100’ - 3’ - 3’ 45’ or 3 stories
See Section

3.11 Downtown Core
Mixed Use (DC-MU) 25-40 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ - - - - 45’ or 4 stories See Section

3.11 Downtown
Transition Mixed
Use (DT-MU)
15-30 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ 10’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 45’ or 4
stories
See Section

3.11 Live-Work Mixed
Use (LW-MU) 10-20 2,500 SF 25’ 100’ - 5’ 5’ 5’ 35’ See Section 3.11 Office-Medical (OM) 1.0 15,000 SF 100’ 100’ 10’ 10’ 5’ 10’3 35’ - Light Industrial (LI) 1.0 15,000 SF 75’ 100’ 15’ 10’ 15’ 10’4 50’ - Open Space (OS) 0.10 1 acre 100’ 200’ 20’ 10’ 20’ 10’ 30’ - Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 55

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Table 3-3: Parking Standards
Allowed Use Minimum Off Street Parking Requirements
Commercial Uses:

Automobile (including motorcycle) repair and services 1 space per 600 square feet of gross floor area or 3 spaces per bay, whichever is greater
Automobile, boat, and RV sales (including motorcycle) 1 space per 600 square feet of gross floor area and 2 spaces per service bay (if applicable)
Automobile washing (self- service) 1 space per 2 washing stalls Bank, savings, and loan (including bail bonds) 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area Cocktail lounge/bar 1 space per 100 square feet of drinking and dining Eating and drinking facility with or without
take out facilities
1 space per 100 square feet of gross dining area, not
including outdoor dining
Flex-space commercial (including pop ups) 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area Furniture, major appliances, and home improvement stores 1 space per 600 square feet of gross floor area Hotels/Bed and breakfast inns 1 space per unit, 1 space for the manager and 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area of other uses
Kennels and catteries 1 space for the manager, 1 space per 8 pets capacity for boarding on site
Market (all use types as defined in Appendix B) 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area Mini Storage 5 spaces, plus 1 space per 75 units
Mortuaries 1 space per 5 seats, plus funeral procession of queue capacity for 5 cars
Personal services (all types as defined in Appendix B) 1 space per 500 square feet of gross floor area Pharmacy 1 space per 300 gross square feet of floor area Retail Sales 1 space per 450 square feet of gross floor area Office Uses:

Administrative, business, professional 1 space per 450 square feet of gross floor area Government (including post offices) 1 space per 600 square feet of gross floor area Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 56

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Table 3-3: Parking Standards
Allowed Use Minimum Off Street Parking Requirements
Home occupation/office No parking requirements above residential requirements Educational Uses:

Business and trade schools 1 space per each 5-person capacity, or 1 space per 300 gross square feet of floor area, whichever is greater
Entertainment and Recreation Uses:

Arcades, games, coin operated games 1 space per 300 square feet of gross floor area Commercial Recreation Facility, Indoor (Bowling alleys, billiard halls)
2 spaces per alley or billiard table. Restaurant, arcade, or other accessory uses computed separately.

Commercial Recreation Facility, Outdoor (miniature golf, skating rinks, tennis, pickleball, handball and racquetball facilities)
1 space per miniature golf hole.
2 spaces per tennis, pickleball, handball and racquetball court
10 spaces per basketball courts or skating rinks
1 space per 300 square feet for any clubhouse or admin
building or common areas.

Neighborhood parks 5 spaces for the first 2 acres, plus 1 additional space per acre
Places of public assembly not including places of worship (Auditoriums, Amphitheaters, Auction houses, Convention halls)
1 space per 5 seats or 1 space per 100 gross square feet where there are no fixed seats
Theaters, movie 5 spaces plus 1 space per 3 fixed seats Industrial Uses:

Manufacturing
1 space per 600 gross square feet of floor area
devoted to manufacturing, plus the required amount of
parking for gross square footage devoted to other uses
Research and development (including laboratories and
pharmaceuticals) 1 space per 300 gross square feet of floor area Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 57

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Table 3-3: Parking Standards
Allowed Use Minimum Off Street Parking Requirements
Medical and Health Services:

Convalescent and nursing homes 1 space per 3 beds and 1 space per 2 employees on largest shift
Daycare, preschools, nursery schools, family
daycare, residential care homes:

Daycare centers 1 space per 6 clients and 1 space per employee on largest shift
Family daycare homes 1 space per employee on the largest shift and applicable residential requirements as outlined in this table.

Residential care homes 1 space per bed and additional parking regulations apply for other uses (offices etc.)
Hospitals 0.75 spaces per 1 bed
Medical and dental offices and clinics, emergency rooms 1 space per 300 gross square feet of floor area Veterinary clinics and offices 1 space per 600 gross floor area Civic Uses:

Libraries, museums, galleries 1 space per 600 square feet of gross floor area Places of worship
1 space per 5 seats or 1 space per 100 square feet of gross assembly/viewing area and 1 space per 600 square feet of non-assembly areas or ancillary uses.

Public utilities/communication facilities 1 space per 450 square feet of gross floor area Residential Uses:

Board and care facilities 1 space per 3 residents
Boarding/rooming house 1 space per room, plus 2 spaces
Live-work units 1 space per unit and 1 space per 300 square feet of floor are used by nonresident employees or customers
Multi-family dwellings:

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Table 3-3: Parking Standards
Allowed Use Minimum Off Street Parking Requirements
Residential parking
Studio: 1 space per unit
1 bedroom: 1 space per unit
2 bedrooms: 1.5 spaces per unit
3+ bed: 2 spaces per unit
Guest parking 0.25 per unit over 11 units; no guest parking for 10 or less units
Senior housing; congregate
care:

Resident parking 0.5 per unit with 1 guest space per every 4 beds and 1 space per 2 employees on largest shift
Guest parking 0.25 spaces per unit
Senior housing; independent living:

Resident parking 1 space per unit
Guest parking 0.25 spaces per unit
Single-family dwelling 2 spaces per unit1
Supportive Housing 1 space per unit
Transitional Housing 1 space per unit
Accessory Uses:

Accessory Uses No parking required
Watchman/caretaker living quarters 1 space per caretaker 1 For projects that propose conversion of a garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit, the required number of parking spaces for the primary Single Family Residential unit must be maintained and must be provided on the property. There are no additional parking requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units.

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3.8 Parking Incentives The following parking incentives are intended to reduce parking in certain circumstances in the DTSP area in order to encourage development investment and increase
alternative mobility within the Plan area. Figure 3-5 shows the location of parking and transit stops within Downtown Taft.

Transit Credit: If the project is within a 1,000-foot radius of a transit stop then parking may be reduced up to 10% of the minimum spaces required.

Shared Parking: Shared parking recognizes that parking
spaces can serve two or more individual land uses without conflict or overlap. Shared parking may be utilized
throughout the DTSP area. A shared parking agreement
must be created between interested parties and submitted to the Planning & Development Services Director. Shared parking may be considered for residential uses and retail, manufacturing, auto service, office, and transit uses in Downtown Taft.

Downtown Core: To support the economic viability of
development in Downtown Taft, uses located within the
Downtown Core area of the DTSP are eligible for up to 10% reduction in parking. This incentive may supplement any other incentive the development may be eligible for and shall not preclude the usage of multiple incentives.

Tandem Parking: In certain cases, tandem parking may be used to meet parking requirements for new development
projects. In the case of residential development, tandem parking can be implemented by providing one regular
parking space and one tandem parking space for an
individual dwelling unit requiring two parking spaces; for commercial development, tandem parking works best for
attendant-assisted or valet parking.

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Figure 3-5: Downtown Taft Transit and Parking
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3.9 Lot Size Examples
The examples below show examples of typical lot sizes in Downtown Taft and appropriate lot coverage based on the intensity of the development. In all cases landscaping should be incorporated into the design, layout, and parking of the development.

Small Lot Size Medium Lot Size Large Lot Size
Lot Size: 25’x125’ Lot Size: 75’x125’ Lot Size: 100’x125’ Small lot sizes such as the example
above can fit for development such as
townhomes and shopkeeper/adaptive
reuse type uses.

Medium lot sizes such as the example
above can be a great fit for developments
such as cottage courts, or duplex uses.

Large lot sizes are conducive to denser
products such as mixed use and multifamily uses such as motor courts or garden walk-up apartments.

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Best Western Plus Hotel, Downtown Taft
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3.10 Objective Design Standards
The following objective design standards are intended to create a cohesive, high-quality, pedestrian friendly design for Downtown Taft that attracts residents and businesses. In order to achieve this, new development must incorporate these standards into their design when developing within the DTSP area. Additional design guidelines that may be incorporated into new development are in Chapter 4.0.

3.10.1 Building Siting, Access &
Orientation
Orient building doors, windows, and entrances to relate directly to public and private streets, drives, paseos, greenways, and common open space amenities and
generally create an attractive presence.
• Provide direct access from ground level residential
units to streets and communal areas.
• Provide direct access from ground level commercial
to the primary street frontage.
• For sites greater than one acre in area, incorporate
informal outdoor gathering areas and pedestrian
nodes that can function as community gathering
spaces into the overall site design. These areas
should relate to the development’s common facilities,
such as the play areas, courtyards, barbecue area,
and community buildings.

Example of an Activated Street, El Cajon, CA
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• For sites with frontage on the Rails to Trails Linear Park, provide access to a common walkway/area that
connects the development to the park.

3.10.2 Circulation & Parking
• Minimize cross circulation between vehicles and
pedestrians by providing a continuous, clearly
marked walkway from the parking areas to main
entrances of buildings. The use of enhanced paving
for crosswalks and entries is encouraged (such as
concrete surface treatment, brick, terra-cotta, or
stone pavers).
• Provide walkways and/or corridors between
residences, parking areas, and all site facilities for
safe access. Pedestrian walkways in parking areas
should be provided, clearly identified, and made safe
and attractive through the use of hardscape design,
landscaping and lighting.
• For sites greater than one acre in area, provide a
system of paths, sidewalks, corridors, and walkways
that are safe and pleasant pedestrian environments,
connect dwelling units and common areas, are wellintegrated with the surrounding neighborhood, and provide multiple pedestrian access points.
• Incorporate any two (2) or more of the following
design features in surface parking areas of the
development:
o Carports/ Shade Structures providing a
minimum of 50% shade covering for parking
area.
o A minimum 10-foot landscape area (trees,
shrubs, groundcover) at the exterior
perimeter of all parking lots. The 10-foot
landscape area may consist of existing and
established native and naturalized vegetation
and new container plant material consisting of
24-inch box trees and 1- and 5-gallon shrubs
and groundcover. New planting should
consist of a combination of small, medium,
and large-scale trees, shrubs, and
groundcover.
o One 24-inch box canopy shade tree for every
30 linear feet of parking area. Tree spacing
may be varied to accommodate site
conditions or design considerations; however,
the total number of trees calculated for all
parking areas shall be maintained.
o Where feasible, trees shall be oriented to
provide shade for the non-covered parking
areas.

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3.10.3 Building Scale, Massing and
Articulation
• Reduce the visual bulk of new development by
incorporating any three (3) of the following design
features:
o Frontage elements, such as bay windows,
porches, projecting eaves, awnings, and
similar elements, to add visual interest and
reduce the scale and mass of buildings. See
below for frontage examples.
o Blank walls without windows, doors, or other
articulation are strongly discouraged. The
maximum length of any blank wall shall be
limited to 15 feet.
o Accentuated building corners (this may be
achieved with architectural treatments, such
as a change in material, greater building
height at the corner, rounded or chamfered
building facades, pronounced building forms,
enhanced window treatments or projections -
such as awnings, trellises, parapets, roof
overhangs, etc.)
o Fenestration elements, such as recessed
windows, decorative panels and trim, color
accents, offsets and framed openings to
reduce their visual bulk and scale.
o Patterned garage doors, painted trim, or
varied garage door colors.
o A change in materials and finishes, providing
at least three materials and finishes across the
building façade.
o A horizontal offset in the building plane
consisting of a minimum six-inch offset in the
building façade for every 30 feet of building
frontage.
o A ten-foot step back of the third floor.
o Blocks greater than 400-feet in length shall
include mid-block connections with
courtyards or public paseos.

3.10.4 Roofline Variation
• Provide variation in the roof lines of new
development through breaks in parapets, varied
parapet heights, pitched roofs, gabled roofs, and/or
mansard roofs.

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•
Example of Mixed Use with Varied Rooflines and Building Articulation, La Mesa, CA Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 67

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3.10.5 Building Materials, Finishes and
Colors
• Residential dwelling units, community facilities, and other structures shall provide a unified appearance
through a consistent use of building materials,
textures, and colors. Exterior columns or supports for
site elements, such as trellises and porches, shall
utilize materials and colors that are compatible with
the rest of the development. The color applied on
relief, decorative trim, and wood frames shall be
compatible with the overall building color.
• Materials such as brick, stone, copper, etc. shall be left in their natural colors. Veneer shall turn corners and avoid exposed edges.
• Paint and façade materials shall not use primary
colors except in approved business signage.
• Storefronts shall be of a non-reflective glazing.

Mirrored glazing is prohibited for all storefronts in
the DTSP area.
• Commercial buildings in the Downtown Core (Center
Street) shall be consistent with one of the following
architectural styles:
o American mercantile
o Craftsman

3.10.6 Sustainable Design Features
• Provide an appropriately sized, conveniently located, and accessible area on site for the storage and
disposal of recyclables (for recycling of paper, glass, plastic, and metal waste).
• Limit the amount of artificial light that is projected beyond the site and into high-traffic areas. Light
fixtures in parking areas shall be arranged and have
shielding to reduce ambient light spilling into
adjacent properties.
• Provide adequate, accessible, and conveniently
located bicycle parking and storage and
accommodate bicycle traffic within the development.
• To the extent feasible, provide roofing materials with a minimum 3-year aged solar reflection and thermal
emittance or solar reflection index equal to or greater than the values specified in the voluntary measures
under California Green Building Standards Code.

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• Provide low flow plumbing fixtures and fittings that
do not exceed the maximum flow rate specified in
Table A5.303.2.3.1 (voluntary measures) of the
California Green Building Standards Code and
Appliances and fixtures for commercial applications
that meet the provisions of Section A5.303.3
(voluntary measures) of the California Green Building
Standards Code.

3.10.7 Landscape Elements
Each development shall strategically locate landscape
elements to define and accentuate different areas of the neighborhood:

Edges
• Provide a unifying and three-tiered system of formal
and mature trees, dense rows of shrubs and
groundcover within the setback areas of
development.

Gateways
• Frame the project entrances with corner markers,
low garden walls, gateway signage, perennial color
accent landscape, and signature trees.
• Provide enhanced paving and landscape to
accentuate the entrance of the development.

Internal Drives
• Provide landscape at internal drives with a consistent species of low-level shrubs and groundcover
Example of Landscape Elements between Housing
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between bays of garage doors and on-street parking
spaces, with accent landscape planted at all corners
and bends.

Paseos & Courtyards
• The spaces between buildings that are not dedicated
to parking and drives may be designed as landscaped
paseos and courtyards, with highly connected paths
and planting schemes that match the size, character
and activity envisioned for the space.
• Landscape elements such as bushes, shrubs, flowers
shall be maintained at a height of no more than three
feet when located adjacent to pedestrian pathways
and building facades so that viewpoints are not
obstructed.
• Screen mechanical equipment, garages,
maintenance areas, and utilities with landscape
materials, such as vines, hedges, shrubs, berms, or
garden walls so that these are not exposed to view
from the street, major walkways, or residences within
the development.
• Provide clear, legible entry signage to identify each building. Clearly indicate internal circulation signage and visitor parking areas. For sites greater than one
acre in area, provide a directory and map that shows
the location of buildings and amenities within the
neighborhood.

Example of Housing Facing Pathways
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 70

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3.11 Frontage Requirements
The following images indicate acceptable frontage types in the DTSP area. One or a combination of these should be utilized for new development within the DTSP.

Arcade, Colonnade, Gallery
A number of openings along the building façade that invite pedestrians into the space. Landscaping and/or streetscape elements are located between the façade and sidewalk.

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Balcony
An elevated space above the ground floor that includes space for furniture, and landscaping elements such as planters
Awning, Canopy, Marquee, Sunshade, Trellis
The building façade includes an architectural element such as an awning or trellis and landscaping or streetscape elements are incorporated between the building façade and sidewalk. This frontage type is typically utilized to indicate the entry to a commercial or multi-family entry, and provide shade to ground level storefronts, entries, and outdoor seating areas along south facing frontages Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 72

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Bay and Box Bay Window
A window projecting outward from the building façade that creates visual interest/architectural relief. Bay or Box Bay windows should be incorporated on the sides of buildings and generally not included on the main building façade.

Yard, Forecourt, Planter
A boxed in area between the building façade and the sidewalk that includes landscaping elements such as planters, gardens, fences etc. Yards such as these are typically seen with multi-family residential uses and create a forecourt area providing a sense of security, but still allowing visibility to the street. Yards are enclosed with a fence or other element that stops at the back of sidewalk. The fence/wall and gate materials should adhere to the design guidelines outlined in the DTSP.

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Porch, Patio
A ground floor space that defines the entrance to the building. The space may be fully or partially covered and include some landscaping elements or seating where appropriate.

Stoop
A ground level space that includes stairs to the main entrance on the building façade. An awning or shade structure can be included. The stoop materials and architectural design should be consistent with the main building.

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Example of an Arcade Design Feature: ‘Typewriter Co’, El Cajon, CA This page has been left blank intentionally
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4.0 DESIGN GUIDELINES
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4.1 Overview
This chapter sets forth the design guidelines to help achieve high-quality, well-designed development throughout the
DTSP area. The overall intent of these guidelines is to encourage design that accomplishes the desired vision for Downtown Taft that as described in Chapter 2. This vision comprises a Downtown area that is designed to include a dynamic mix of land uses, ensuring a healthy and balanced community that celebrates history and culture with
residential, commercial, employment, and recreational
opportunities that are linked together through safe streets, connected trails, recreational districts, and a range of housing options.

This chapter identifies the overarching design guidelines for the DTSP area, which are intended to be used in conjunction with Chapter 4.0: Land Use. All projects within the DTSP area are required to demonstrate consistency with this chapter.

4.2 General Design Policies
The general design guidelines will direct the design of public and private developments across all land use designations within the DTSP area.

Development across the DTSP area should be consistent
with the following general design policies:
• Buildings and development sites should be
thoughtfully designed, architecturally interesting and
appropriately scaled- in order to produce a highquality urban setting that promotes walkability and safety in the Downtown area.
• Buildings should be oriented towards the
streetscape, activating frontages, enhancing
pedestrian interaction, and be designed to integrate
with the public realm.
• Development should create attractive, high-quality
public realm spaces, landscaping, and pedestrian
oriented amenities that are safe, vibrant, and
accessible to all.
• Development should incorporate a network of safe
streets, parks, and civic spaces that supports and
promotes an active pedestrian environment and
activates alleyways.
• Development should contribute to a distinctive
identity for the Downtown area that recognizes Taft’s
historic industries.

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4.3 Site Design
Site design, or the general layout of a development on a site, determines the accessibility, connectivity, and attractiveness of that development. Enhancing site design and connectivity to the public realm in turn improves the way the community interacts and experiences the DTSP area. Development in the DTSP area should incorporate the following site design guidelines:
• Placement of structures should be sited in a manner
that will complement the adjacent structures.
• All sites should be developed and coordinated in a
manner to provide order and diversity.
• Where possible, visual linkages between structures
and their surroundings should be used such as
trellises, arcades or other open space structures.
• Structures should be configured to minimize
pedestrian and vehicle conflicts on site.
• Structures within mixed use areas should consider
end-of-trip facilities for alternative modes of
transport such as cycling. These could include
storage racks, enclosed lock-up facilities, and bike
repair stations.
• Buildings should be sited to define the public realm
with façades aligned parallel to the street or open
space areas. Should buildings have dual public realm
frontages, they should provide dual orientation.
• Buildings in the mixed use and residential areas
should maintain a generally uniform setback from
the street with form variation provided by way of
architectural elements including entry setbacks.
• Buildings should be designed and oriented to
minimize energy consumption (overhangs, earth
berming against exterior walls, etc.).

4.4 Architectural Design
The overall design concept of Downtown Taft is that of a vibrant and healthy Downtown area that incorporates
historical architectural styles into the design. The following architectural designs guidelines should be applied by
development within the DTSP area with the intent of
establishing a sense of community as well as encouraging creative expression to bring forth a strong and unique sense of place.

The following architectural designs are preferred:
• American Mercantile
• Spanish Colonial Revival
• Craftsman
Developments within the Downtown Core area bounded
between Main Street and North Street and 2nd and 8th Streets should primarily reflect an American Mercantile design, while surrounding areas within the DTSP, particularly along the ‘Rails to Trails’ may incorporate a variety of architectural styles such as Spanish Colonial or Craftsman.

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4.5 Building Form and
Articulation
In conjunction with architectural vision and themes, building form will enable Downtown Taft to develop into the vision sought by the Taft community. The following design
guidelines should be considered for development within the DTSP area:
• In high-density residential areas portions of the
building should provide vertical and clustered
horizontal massing breaks to encourage proportional
diversity.
• Variations in building facades, including
entranceways, should provide architectural interest,
shade and shadow opportunities, and relief to the
streetscape.
• The articulation of volume of residential buildings
should be broken down to give individuality.
• Variation in building height, including step backs,
should be utilized to break up volume and promote
individuality.
• Building façades, particularly commercial and
industrial, should be articulated and varied to add
scale and avoid monotonous walls, by incorporating
different textures, colors, materials, and distinctive
architectural treatments that add visual interest.
• Architectural elements such as awnings, canopies,
trellises, or cornice treatments should be applied on
commercial and industrial buildings to assist in
maintaining a human scale to the development.
• Development should integrate varied roof lines
through the use of sloping roofs, variation of building heights, step backs, or innovative architectural
elements.

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•
Example of Varied Roof Lines, Materials, Colors, and Articulation Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 81

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Example of Parking Incorporating Landscaping
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4.6 Parking
The provision of parking is important to provide access to facilities within the Specific Plan area. When considering development within the DTSP area, development should
consider the following:
• The visual impact of parking should be minimized
where possible by orienting it away from primary
frontage streets. This can include the (re)location of
parking to the rear of developments.
• In the Downtown Core, rear alleys can be activated by providing parking options for employees, patrons,
and residents.
• All parking areas should provide interior landscaping for aesthetic enhancement. If parking is provided at
the side of buildings, these areas should be buffered
by landscaping.
• Parking should be designed to minimize conflicts
between pedestrians and motorists.
• Development should provide one vehicular access
point within a single frontage and multiple vehicular
access points should be avoided.
• Vehicle access should account for pedestrian safety
and retain sightlines for both pedestrians and
motorists.
• Development should provide ample parking for
alternative forms of transportation such as bicycles
and these facilities can be installed within the public realm or incorporated into commercial or residential
amenities.
• Development should consider the need for electric
vehicle charging stations.
• Surface parking lots should be screened from
adjacent streets and properties. Screening should
provide visual interest but should not be so dense
that the screening elements (such as walls or
landscaping) limit pedestrian access and sight lines
for safety and security.
• The availability and utilization of street parking.

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4.7 Building Frontage and
Access
Thoughtfully developed building frontages and access
contribute to the creation of attractive and inviting
environments. These features directly interface with the public realm thereby affecting the enjoyment of the street, sidewalk, alleyway, paseo, or green space in which they open up on to. The following design guidelines should be
considered for any development within the DTSP area:
• In residential and commercial land uses, the use of
awnings can provide respite from the weather and
create an engaging entrance. The use of awnings,
preferably mechanical, is encouraged.
• Renovation and adaptive re-use in mixed use areas is
encouraged to give a new lease on life for
underutilized buildings. However, cosmetically
covering original features when renovating external
façades, particularly facing the public realm, is
discouraged in order to preserve the integrity of the
original design.
• The utilization of windows, bays, or alternative
translucent features on the front of commercial
buildings is encouraged to provide connection to the
street.
• Commercial and residential buildings should provide
convenient and direct pedestrian access from street
frontages as opposed to through parking lots.
• Buildings should differentiate ground floor from
upper floors by utilizing changes in massing, colors,
materials and architectural relief that add visual
interest.
• Exposed mechanical systems and equipment should
be architecturally integrated into the design or
screened on commercial and industrial buildings.
• Variation in ground floor entry setbacks is
encouraged to provide more outdoor areas for shops
to display goods, restaurants to provide seating and
expanded dining opportunities and residences to be
set back from the street.

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Activated Street Frontage Including Access and Seating, La Mesa, CA Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 85

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4.8 Building Materials and
Colors
The use of high-quality materials is essential for creating buildings that convey the sense of quality and permanence desired for the community. Further, color schemes have the potential to bring buildings to life.

The following design guidelines should be considered for development within the DTSP area:
• High-quality, durable materials should be used in all development and where possible, local materials.
• Building exteriors should provide visual interest
through the use of varying building materials and
colors yet consider and be compatible with the
existing color, texture, and materials used on
surrounding buildings.
• Buildings throughout the Downtown area should
utilize a variety of materials, such as brick, stucco, and wood to align with the historical building materials.

However, stucco shall not be used to cover up
existing brick or stone buildings.
• Building material and colors should be used to unify
and provide visual interest to building exteriors.
• Paint and façade materials should not use bright or
high contrasting colors, such as primary colors,
except within the limits of approved business
signage.

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Examples of Commercial Building Frontages
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Examples of Streetscape Design
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4.9 Streetscape and Public
Realm Design Policies
The following design guidelines apply to all public spaces within the DTSP area.

4.9.1 Public and Common Open Space
An attractive streetscape can enhance the livability and desirability of the DTSP area. Features such as street trees, lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, street widths, setbacks, and fencing can contribute to an attractive streetscape. An emphasis on streetscape design is necessary to encourage pedestrian circulation and interaction. Public spaces in Downtown Taft should be designed as extensions of the
public sidewalk by providing pedestrian amenities such as seating and fountains and by continuing the pavement
treatment of the sidewalk.

The following design guidelines related to Public and
Common Open Space should be considered for
development within the DTSP area.
• Plazas and courtyards are encouraged within the
mixed-use Downtown area.
• Primary access to public plazas and courtyards
should be from the street. Secondary access may be
from retail shops, restaurants, offices, and other
uses.
• Shade trees or architectural elements that provide
shelter and relief from direct sunlight should be
provided. Should architectural elements be utilized,
the materials must take into account the degrading
potential of the sun, i.e. shade sails.
• End-of-trip bicycle facilities should be provided such as bike stands in an easily viewable area.
• Outdoor dining opportunities should be encouraged
including open-air cafes, kiosks, pushcarts, and food
trucks. Movable seating should be incorporated into
these areas where possible.
• Murals should be incorporated on blank building
elevations or underutilized walls to create visual
interest, activate a space, and create a sense of
ownership by the community.
• A variety of artwork representing Taft’s history should be incorporated within the design for any new
development in public and common open space
areas.
• Through-blocks and alleys should be enhanced with
art, seating, lighting to increase vibrancy, and
enhance pedestrian experience and safety.
• Pedestrian scale should be considered in all levels of design by incorporating features such as benches,
tables, drinking fountains, shade, and other
amenities.
• All streetscape enhancements (lighting, signage,
benches etc.) should have a cohesive look, feel, and
design.

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4.9.2 Pedestrian Design
The design of pedestrian-orientated spaces such as
walkways are crucial to the creation of a vibrant and
successful Downtown. Generally located within the public right-of-way, these routes wrap the perimeter of the city blocks providing access to street frontages, recreational areas, and private residences. Although pedestrian facilities are primarily associated with sidewalks and parkways, they also include street crossing amenities such as crosswalks and bulb-outs as well as public plaza and mini-park areas where space constraints allow. All development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to
Pedestrian Design:
• Development in the public right-of-way should
improve public safety using CPTED (Crime Prevention
Through Environmental Design) strategies.
• Features located in the public realm and public
spaces should be durable, requiring little to no
maintenance and assume minimal City funding for
repairs or improvements.
• The placement and use of outdoor dining areas and
other business-related elements in retail and
commercial areas should create a cohesive look from
existing elements found in downtown and not block
the sidewalk such that an adequate path of travel is
maintained.
• Pedestrian networks should be incorporated that
provide direct lines of travel between destinations
and discourage shortcutting through private or
planted areas.
• The placement of buildings, fences, and other
permanent structures or improvements should not
obstruct future routes between areas. Connectivity
between mixed use residential and recreational
areas should be encouraged through appropriate
alley, paseo, and walkway design.
• Direct pedestrian access to building entrances and
street frontage from pedestrian walkways and onstreet parking should be provided. Designed obstructions routing pedestrians through parking
lots to get to businesses and other destinations
should be avoided.
• Obscuring sightlines should be avoided through
proper placement and design of building projections,
signs, landscaping, and other elements. Clearly
confer the right-of-way to the pedestrian through
grade separation, articulated pavement, signage, or
other means, particularly in the Downtown mixeduse areas.

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4.9.3 Materials, Hardscape and
Furnishings
All development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to Materials, Hardscape and Furnishings:
• Durable, high-quality materials should be used to
convey the sense of quality and permanence desired
for the DTSP area, minimize maintenance concerns,
and promote buildings that will last over time.
• Public amenities such as trash bins, seating, and bike facilities should be provided in all development
within the public realm.
• Where possible, construction should utilize locally
sourced materials to reflect the environment in which
Taft is situated.

Public realm seating, La Mesa, CA
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4.9.4 Lighting
Ornamental and functional lighting can be provided to both the public and private realm such as public open spaces, streets, and pedestrian corridors. Lighting helps with
wayfinding and provides safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. It is also important to ensure lighting does not negatively interfere with residents or surrounding areas.

All development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to Lighting:
• Lighting should be implemented at pedestrian scale
throughout the DTSP area and within individual
developments to improve nighttime visibility and
safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Lighting should be provided to ensure a safe
environment but should not cause areas of intense
light or glare, particularly in residential areas.
• Lighting should be sensitive to adjacent land uses and architectural features or lighting fixtures that provide down-lighting and lighting that is shielded from
adjacent uses should be implemented.
• Lighting should be integrated into the architectural
and landscape design of development.
• An appropriate hierarchy of light fixtures, structures and intensity should be considered during the
lighting design for the various elements of a project
(i.e., building and site entrances; walkways, ramps,
and stairs; outdoor use areas, parking areas, and
other areas of the site).
• The use of many short, low intensity fixtures is
encouraged over the use of a few tall fixtures that
illuminate large areas to achieve the desired lighting
level.
• Pedestrian scaled lighting should be utilized in the
development of cycle facilities to provide safety and
visibility.

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Examples of pedestrian scale streetlights
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4.10 Signage and Wayfinding
Signs and wayfinding elements provide an important
element of community design. Proper design and
application of signs help orient people, increase a
community’s sense of place and contribute to the overall design of buildings and the streetscape. By directing
residents and visitors to desired locations, signage and wayfinding improves circulation efficiency and access to important or desired destination points. The design and style also contribute to the character and setting for
commercial, residential, recreation, and public use areas. In addition to complying with applicable downtown sign
regulations, all development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to Signage and Wayfinding:
• Wayfinding and signage are encouraged throughout
the DTSP area. Signage should incorporate a historic
theme, where possible.
• Fascia signs should be placed and fitted to areas
provided on building architecture.
• Commercial signs should consider using graphics
and font types reflective of the era that the building
was constructed or reflect the historical significance
of Taft.
• Window and canopy signs are encouraged and
should coordinate with the graphics of the main
panel sign. Window and canopy sign square footage
should be included in calculating permissible sign
area.
• The installation of wayfinding signage is encouraged
within all proposed development
Example of Informational Signage
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Examples of Wayfinding and Signage from Taft’s Approved Sign Program Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 95

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4.10.1 Gateways and Monuments
Gateways establish the visual setting for areas, indicating to visitors and/or residents a sense of arrival and place. An attractive gateway is crucial for establishing a desired atmosphere and sense of place, as sought in Downtown Taft.

Monuments can enable a nod to the history of a place and creation of a culture or feel of a city center. All development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to Gateways and Monuments:
• Gateway design should complement, and be
consistent with, the American Mercantile
architectural design.
• Gateways should be prominently marked with
signage, accent paving, lighting, landscaping, accent
trees, monumental features, and ornamental
lighting.
• Gateways should only be used to demarcate key
locations in the public realm.
• Monuments should strongly reflect Taft’s history and
future direction with community input on design.
• Neither gateways nor monuments should detract
from the enjoyment of the public realm, nor should
they detract from the safe or efficient operation of
the road network.

Examples of Gateways from Taft’s Approved Sign Program
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4.11 Landscape Design Policies
All development within the DTSP area should consider the following related to Landscaping:
• Landscaped areas should be planned as an integral
part of the overall project and not left as an
afterthought.
• Landscaping should be used to help define outdoor
spaces and soften a structures appearance.
• All landscape materials should be compatible with
the structure design in terms of type and scale/size.
• The use of on-site pedestrian amenities, such as
benches, shelters, drinking fountains, lighting, and
trash receptacles, is strongly encouraged.

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Examples of Landscape Design
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5.1 Overview
This chapter describes the mobility network for the
movement of people, goods, and services. This Plan
prioritizes an integrated, multi-modal network of streets, bike paths, sidewalks, and trails that provide connections between surrounding areas of the city and the Downtown
Core and convenient access between places within the
Downtown Core. The multi-modal-oriented approach
supports the overall goal of this Specific plan to revitalize Downtown Taft through the attraction of mixed-use
development, new housing options, and an activated public realm.

The mobility network is strongly correlated with the Land Use Plan for Downtown Taft. This Land Use Plan supports increased residential densities alongside a mix of
commercial and recreational uses and policies that
encourage walking and cycling experiences to be more
comfortable, safe and convenient. In addition, the mobility approach seeks to benefit people, movement, and the
environment by providing a wider range of mobility options and facilities making transportation more accessible,
inclusive, and affordable, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and air pollution, and improving public health by promoting physical activity. These objectives seek to ensure that as new development occurs and new residents move
into Downtown Taft, the existing mobility system can adapt and evolve effectively.

5.2 Mobility Network
The street system within the DTSP area is based on a
traditional grid-block pattern. The mobility network includes a system of roadway types, the Rails to Trail corridor, and internal paseos that provide access throughout the Plan area and connect Downtown Taft with the surrounding
areas. The system is designed to ensure that high volumes of pedestrians and bicyclists can move efficiently,
encouraging residents to walk and bike to Downtown
destinations. See Figure 5-2: Mobility Network.

The proposed mobility enhancements provided in this
chapter support a multimodal transportation network. This network is necessary to allow Downtown Taft to grow while maintaining accessibility and minimizing potential traffic congestion associated with buildout of the DTSP area. The focus of new facilities is to enhance the existing pedestrian and bike environment, activate the public realm and provide additional opportunities for alternative modes of
transportation outside of the automobile.

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Figure 5-1: Conceptual View of Downtown Taft
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5.3 Roadway Network
The DTSP area consists of 15 roadways. No new roadways
are identified however, many of the roadways are to be
enhanced to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle facilities and improvements. These enhancements will not impact the vehicular traffic as the number of lanes will be maintained throughout the plan area. In general, roadways within the plan area are broken up into three roadway classifications:
arterials, collectors, and local roads. Table 5-1: Roadway Classifications below outlines the roadway classifications provided for streets in the DTSP area by the Circulation Element of the Taft General Plan. Figure 5-2 identifies where each roadway is located withing the DTSP area.

5.3.1 Roadway Classifications
As discussed above there are three main roadway
classifications within the plan area are: local streets, collectors, and arterials. These are discussed in further detail below.

Local Streets:

Local Streets provide for direct access to abutting properties and for localized traffic movements within residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Local streets are typically developed with a 60-foot right-of-way and one travel lane in each direction.

Collectors:

Collectors provide for traffic movement between arterial and local streets, traffic movement within and between
neighborhoods and major activity centers, and limited direct access to abutting properties. Historically, Collectors within Taft have been developed as an 80-foot right-of-way.

However, new Collectors are now required to be developed with a 90-foot right-of-way, and one to two travel lanes in each direction.

Arterials:

Arterials serve as the primary network for cross-town traffic flow. Arterials connect areas of major traffic generation within the urban areas and connect with important county roads and state highways. Arterials also provide for the Downtown Taft Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 104

5.0 MOBILITY
distribution and collection of through traffic to and from collector and local streets serving residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Access to abutting uses should be limited, where possible, to facilitate traffic flow and reduce potential traffic conflicts and hazards. Arterials should not be located adjacent to sensitive land uses nor bisect
neighborhoods. Arterials are typically developed with a 110- foot right-of-way and two to three travel lanes in each direction.

Table 5-1: Roadway Classifications
Street Name Classification
Kern Street/Highway 33 Arterial Highway
North Street Local Road
Center Street Local Road
Main Street Local Road
Supply Row Local Road
Front Street Local Road
S 10th Street Arterial
8th Street Local Road
7th Street Local Road
6th Street Collector
5th Street Local Road
4th Street Local Road
3rd Street Local Road
2nd Street Collector
1st Street Local Road
Taft Rails to Trails Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show
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Figure 5-2: Mobility Network
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Taft Rails to Trails Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show
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5.3.2 Roadway Cross-sections
This section discusses the characteristics for the local, collector, and arterial streets within the DTSP area. The following pages provide graphic representation of what
typical streets should look like within the DTSP area.

The main focus is to enhance the collector and local streets as these make up the majority of the streets in the DTSP area. Figure 5-3: Collector Street and Figure 5-4 Local Street provide examples of typical collector and local streets should look like and outline some of the important design
characteristics. There are no graphics representing arterial streets as there are no significant changes proposed for these streets. Kern Street (Highway 33) and 10th Street are located on the edges of the DTSP area and are the only
arterials located within the Plan area. Arterials typically include a 110-foot right-of-way, are generally automobile focused, include class II bikeways and wayfinding signage.

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Taft Transit Center, Downtown Taft
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Figure 5-3: Collector Street
The above graphic is looking south along 6th Street from the interaction at North Street and shows what a typical collector street is intended to look like in the DTSP area. Collector streets typically include a 90-foot right-of-way with activated street frontages.

Enhancements to collector streets should include:
• Enhanced Sidewalks
• Class II or III Bike Paths, where feasible
• Parking
• Street trees
• Pedestrian-scaled lighting
• Public Art
• Wayfinding Signage
• Cycle storage racks
• Activated storefronts
• Corner bulb-outs
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Figure 5-4: Local Street
The above graphic is looking along Center Street between 3rd Street and 4th Street and shows what a typical local street is intended to look like in the DTSP area. Local streets typically include a 56-foot right-of-way with pedestrian focused frontages.

Enhancements to local streets should include:
• Enhanced Sidewalks
• Class III Bike Paths
• Parking on both sides of the road
• Street trees
• Pedestrian-scaled lighting
• Wayfinding Signage
• Activated storefronts
• Bulb-out areas for seating and landscaping
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5.4 Bicycle Network
The DTSP area includes a portion of the ‘Rails to Trails’ corridor, a Class I Bikeway that runs for approximately two miles east-west parallel to Supply Row. The trail occupies a corridor that was formerly the Sunset Railroad, which was built to transport oil from the productive oil fields in this part of Kern County to the county seat and largest city of
Bakersfield. The DTSP includes a network of bicycle facilities that enhance and build upon the established bikeway
system, including providing bikeways and facilities such as on streets throughout the DTSP area. The enhancements
encourage bicyclists to utilize streets in the DTSP area by increasing facilities and improving safety. Figure 5-5: Bicycle Network identifies graphically the locations of various bicycle facilities.

The following bikeways are classified by Caltrans and can be utilized within the DTSP area to facilitate greater uptake in cycling.

Class I Bikeways: Class I bikeways, also known as bike paths or shared-use paths, are corridors with exclusive right of way for bicyclists and pedestrians, away from the roadway and with cross flows by motor traffic minimized. Class I facilities support both recreational and commuting opportunities
and are typically provided along rivers, shorelines, canals, utility rights-of-way, abandoned railroad rights-of-way, within school campuses, or within and between parks.

Class II Bikeways: Class II bikeways, also known as bike lanes, are established along streets and are defined by pavement striping and signage to delineate a portion of a roadway for bicycle travel. Bike lanes are one-way facilities, typically striped adjacent to motor traffic travelling in the same direction. Contraflow bike lanes can be provided on one-way streets for bicyclists travelling in the opposite Direction.

Class III Bikeways: Class III bikeways, or bike routes, designate a preferred route for bicyclists on streets shared with motor traffic not served by dedicated bikeways to
provide continuity to the bikeway network. However, bike routes are generally not appropriate for roadways with
higher motor traffic speeds or volumes. Routes are
established by placing signage, road surface striping, and wayfinding along roadways.

Table 5-2: Bicycle Facilities
Street Name Bike Path Classification
Arterial Streets Class II and Class IV Bikeway
Collector Streets Class II Bikeway
Local Streets Class II and Class III Bikeways
Rails to Trails Class I Bikeway
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Figure 5-5: Bicycle Network
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5.5 Pedestrian Network
Pedestrian facilities within the DTSP area include the ‘Rails to Trails’ corridor and sidewalks along public roadways. The DTSP includes a network of sidewalks, trails, linear
connections such as paseos, alley and mid-block
connections that improve pedestrian comfort and
accessibility.

5.5.1 Paseos
Paseo refers to a corridor that provides pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Paseos are typically within, adjacent, or through a planned development. Although paseos are not
associated with a roadway or within public right of-way, they may be adjacent or parallel and contain easements allow public access. Paseos serve as connector trails by improving access and facilitating connections between and through development. Paseos should have an active frontage,
provide an opportunity for amenities, and allow for
pedestrian and bicycle travel. Lighting, wayfinding signage, and landscaping should be provided as part of paseos while considering the location near adjacent development. There is also an opportunity to locate recreational amenities as part of the paseo to activate the space and provide
additional opportunities for recreation. Such a corridor may be used for emergency vehicle access; any other vehicular traffic, however, is not permitted.

Examples of Pedestrian Connections
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5.5.2 Alley and Mid-Block Connections
An alley is a roadway, generally not more than thirty (30) feet wide, that provides access to the rear or side of parcels.

Alleys often provide access to parking, loading docks, and refuse collection in commercial and residential areas. By moving garage access to alleys, the street-facing facade of homes are more visually engaging.

A mid-block connection is a design element that is provided to facilitate the movement of people across or through a block where there is no intersection. For example, a
pedestrian crossing, underpass, or paseo could be provided at the mid-point of a block to allow pedestrians to cross the street safely without having to traverse the entire block. This can be particularly effective in breaking down long block lengths.

The following characteristics and design elements should be incorporated into the design and configuration of pedestrian connections within the DTSP area.
• Sidewalks should be of sufficient width to
accommodate comfortable two-way pedestrian
traffic
• Alleys and through-block connections should
effectively provide access to parking, loading docks,
and refuse collection while also creating a
comfortable and safe pedestrian environment.
• Paseos and mid-block connections should be
incorporated to break up large blocks and provide
relief for pedestrians.

The following design features should be incorporated into the design of off and on-site pedestrian corridors
throughout the DTSP area:
• Adequate lighting for pedestrian safety and comfort
• Benches and other seating options
• Planters
• Trash receptacles
• Street trees
• Public art and murals
• Pocket parks
• Distinctive paving
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5.6 Transit Network and
Connections
The DTSP area is served by the Taft Area Transit (TAT)
system. The TAT primarily provides Dial-a-Ride services as well as a Taft-Maricopa route connecting the two cities. The Taft-Maricopa route has three specified travel times, one in the morning and two in the afternoon with a total of four bus stops between 6th Street and 1st Street. The Taft Transit Center is located along Supply Row between 4th and 6th
Streets and houses the TAT offices and yard for the fleet vehicles.

In addition, Kern Transit, a Kern County regional transit service, also serves the Taft city and unincorporated areas, including downtown with a stop at the Taft Transit Center.

Kern Transit provides transit service, route #120, that connects Taft with Bakersfield.

The DTSP does not include any changes to the transit
network or connections. However, as development occurs
within the DTSP area, an expanded public transit system may be required to accommodate growth.

Bike Racks along Rails to Trails Corridor
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Rails to Trails Corridor
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6.1 Overview The vision for Downtown Taft is a vibrant heart of the community with interconnected public realm spaces that
increase opportunity for social interaction and offers a range of passive and active recreational opportunities, improving the quality of life for all community members. The
Downtown area should be a place where people are drawn
to live with spaces to live, work, and socialize. The design of public spaces and recreational amenities will be an
important factor to achieve that.

This chapter outlines the public realm types and standards within the Plan area, including amenities, standards and design of public spaces and recreational facilities.

6.2 Public Realm Programming The function and design of the public realm is important to consider in any Downtown area, often requiring creative solutions to provide recreational and common spaces for the community where open space may be limited. This
section identifies types and design of spaces that could be incorporated into the development of Downtown Taft to
effectively achieve the vision of this Plan. Additionally, Figures 6-1: Public Realm Activation (5th Street Corridor) and 6-2 and 6-3: 5th Street Conceptual Design below provides a graphic example of how these spaces can be incorporated into areas within the DTSP area to enhance and activate the public realm.

6.2.1 Pocket Parks
Pocket parks are small outdoor spaces, no more than one acre, which are best suited in urban areas where
opportunities for larger parks are not always feasible. Pocket parks can incorporate a variety of amenities that improve, provide relief from and enhance the urban setting. The
defining characteristic of a pocket park is its small size. A pocket park is typically smaller than one acre in size.

Example of a Pocket Park
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6.2.2 Public Outdoor Spaces
Public outdoor spaces are similar to Pocket Parks.

While they can both be small in size, public outdoor spaces are generally larger than one acre, and are human-made
open spaces within an urban setting. Many of these spaces include a variety of uses, such as sitting, dining, socializing, recreating, and provide venues for arts and entertainment that Pocket Parks would be unable to efficiently provide for.

These spaces are intended to create breaks in the urban form for the community to congregate, rest, socialize and enjoy. Most often, public outdoor spaces are thought of as plazas for commercial and office spaces, however, public outdoor spaces can also be incorporated into or adjacent to a mix of any uses including residential developments to provide residents amenities. Public outdoor spaces could include the following:
• Plazas
• Piazza
• Parklets
• Courtyards
• Seating areas
• Play areas
• Recreational facilities or equipment
• Dog parks

6.2.3 Linear Parks
Linear open space connections can range from as short as one block, to as long as several miles. Linear parks can serve both as passive and active recreation with smaller linear parks, such as through-block connections providing
pedestrians with quick, safe and aesthetically pleasing routes between places and buildings in the Downtown area.

Linear parks can include the following types of spaces:
• Trails
• Paseos
• Through-block connections
• Activated alleys
Example of Public Outdoor Space
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Example of Thru-Block Connection, La Mesa, CA
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6.2.4 Amenities
The public realm spaces should offer a range of amenities for the community to utilize and enjoy. The following are some amenities that could be incorporated into public
spaces throughout the Specific Plan area:
• Landscaping
• Benches
• Water features
• Amphitheater
• Community Garden
• Shade structures/shaded seating options
• Wayfinding signage
• Children’s play structures
• Fitness circuit
• Drinking fountains
• Small dog park area
• Lighting
• Public Art
See Chapter 4.0: Design Guidelines, for design standards and guidelines for amenities.

Example of Public Amenity Seating
Example of Shaded Amphitheater
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Figure 6-1: Public Realm Activation (5th Street Corridor) Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 124

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Figure 6-2: 5th Street Conceptual Design
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Figure 6-3: 5th Street Conceptual Design
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Example of an Activated Street Front
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6.3 Public Realm Standards This section describes the public realm and open space standards for the Plan area.

6.3.1 Public Realm and Open Space
Requirements
Although there are not specific open space, parks or other public realm improvements specifically cited in the Specific Plan, the DTSP promotes the creation of these spaces and envisions they will occur as revitalization opportunities become available. This is expected to occur over time
through a variety of ways, including acquisition of property by the City, public improvements funded by grants and the City’s Capital Improvement Program, public/private and
public/public joint ventures, and through private
commercial and residential development.

Private development park requirements may be
implemented in multiple forms:
• New residential and mixed-use development may
dedicate open space or public realm space as
described in this chapter onsite as part of a
Development Agreement.
• New residential and mixed-use development may
pay an in-lieu fee, or Development Impact Fee (“DIF”),
which will contribute to City acquisition and
construction of open space and public realm space
within the Plan Area.

6.3.2 Public Realm and Open Space
Incentives
In order to further encourage private development, not only residential but also commercial and office uses to
incorporate these open space and public realm spaces, the following incentives are available to new development in the Downtown area:

Permits and Project Approvals Acceleration:

New developments that provide publicly accessible plazas, or open space or other spaces as described in the Chapter into their project design may be subject to expedite
approvals. Furthermore, projects that incorporate the open space and public realm objective design standards outlined in Chapter 3 may be able to process projects ministerially, provided they meet all other development standards.

Fee Reductions:

New developments or redevelopments may be subject to
fee reductions if they provide publicly accessible plazas, or open space or other spaces as described in this Chapter into their developments.

Increased FAR:

Up to 10 percent additional floor area can be added to a project by providing publicly accessible public realm spaces, plazas, linear connections, or open space into their project design.

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Any development interested in utilizing one or more
incentives from this program will need to discuss the details with the appropriate City Staff. Incentive(s) used for a project are documented and tracked by the city and are on a caseby-case basis.

6.4 Trails Overview
The Rails to Trails shared use path serves as the key
recreational foundation of Downtown Taft. In 2006 the City of Taft removed the Sunset Railway lines and repurposed this land into open green space for recreational purposes.

The trail is now a well-used amenity for bicyclists and pedestrians and is a priority for improvement and expansion per the City’s General Plan. Approximately 2.0 miles in length, Rails to Trails runs east to west between Highway 33 and Hillard Street. Within the Specific Plan area, the trail is located between Main Street and Supply Row and runs the entire length of the Specific Plan area.

The trail is a key component of bringing residents from outside of the Specific Plan area into the Downtown core to work, shop and socialize. Additionally, for users living in the Downtown area the trail also provides connection to
surrounding neighborhoods and facilities. For example, at the western terminus, the trail links to a paseo along Hillard Street that connects users to A Street Park and Parkview Elementary School.

In line with the vision of the General Plan, this Specific Plan intends to support the expansion of the shared use path beyond the Plan area and incorporate improvements along the trail to enhance and activate the corridor.

Example of Trail Wayfinding
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6.5 Public Realm Amenities and
Enhancements
It is the intent of this Specific Plan for public and common open spaces to contribute to an attractive streetscape and enhance the livability of the DTSP area through plazas, paseos and activated alleys that lead to a well-connected series of recreational public spaces, extension of the Rails to Trails shared path corridor, and additional features in the public realm such as streets, lighting, landscaping and other amenities as detailed in Chapter 4.0: Design Guidelines will encourage pedestrian circulation, social interaction in the Downtown area.

A key element of this program will be encouraging
development that fronts the Rail to Trails corridor to
incorporate improvements and amenities that enhance the useability, connectiveness, and aesthetics of the trail. New development that has frontage along Rails to Trails should aim to maximize access, safety, and usage of the corridor by improving signage, lighting and overall aesthetic qualities through the use of various amenities. Developments should incorporate features such as shade, rest stops, public art, fitness equipment, mile markers, landscaping, and trail furnishings such as benches, waste bag dispensers, bike racks, metal trash and recycling receptacles.

Additionally, encouraging development that utilizes and enhances the public realm on local roads will facilitate the replication and expansion of the 5th Street paseo between Center Street and Main Street. The expansion and
development of a network of paseos such as this is
encouraged to increase pedestrian safety and enjoyment
within the Downtown area.

Other public spaces such as new plazas and courtyards,
through-blocks, alleys, and other pedestrian-oriented
spaces shall be implemented as new development occurs
within the DTSP to contribute to a vibrant, active and
successful Downtown.

Example of Container Retail
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Rails to Trails Corridor
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7.1 Overview
As Downtown Taft grows and develops, infrastructure and service improvements will be required to support the DTSP area. In order to proactively prepare for future demands it is important to look at the existing infrastructure to identify where improvements may be necessary. It is likely that new residential and commercial developments within Downtown Taft will need to contribute to improvements to the existing infrastructure in order to support the added intensity and growth of the area.

This chapter is intended to identify and address the relevant public services and infrastructure system needs within the DTSP area.

7.2 Water Supply
Water service is provided by West Kern Water District
(WKWD). WKWD was formed in May 1959 and includes many
unincorporated communities as well as the cities of
Maricopa and Taft. The district has an irregular boundary and encompasses a service area of approximately 300
square miles.

WKWD recently updated its Urban Water Management Plan
in 2020. The Plan describes the district’s water supply, water demands, water reliability, and water conservation efforts.

This document provides estimated population growth and
water demands through the year 2045 and serves as a longrange planning document for the district.

WKWD contracted with Kern County Water Authority
(KCWA) in 1966 to receive an allotment of water through the State Water Project (SWP). The 2020 Plan states that WKWD is allocated approximately 31,500 acre-feet of water per year (AFY) by KCWA. However, this number represents the maximum WKWD can request annually, the
Department of Water Resources (DWR) determines the
amount that will actually be delivered in a given year. Given this, the supply received each year is generally lower than 31,500 AFY.

The Plan projects that between 2020 and 2045 the total
supply will decrease from 25,700 AFY to 25,100 AFY and the demand will increase from 16,338 AFY to 17,735 AFY.

Additionally, the plan provides analysis for dry years and includes banking groundwater for use in these dry years.

This analysis in the Plan shows that WKWD has adequate
supplies to meet demands during normal, single-dry, and multiple-dry years throughout the 25-year planning period, particularly due to the long history of banking groundwater for use in dry years.

While the existing water system could support some of the intended growth within the DTSP area, future development that proposes significant increase in the number of
residential units or square footage of non-residential use, will need to conduct project level analysis to determine available water system capacity. Depending on the intensity, future development may require the upsizing of existing water mains. Exact sizing and location of mains would be Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 134

7.0 INFRASTRUCTURE
determined for each proposed development when project
information is known. See Figure 7-1: Water Map for more details on location of facilities.

Additionally, future development will need to consider the existing connection lines as they could be old and may
require replacement in connection with site specific
renovation and/or expansion projects.

7.3 Wastewater
Wastewater service is provided by the City of Taft. The City of Taft amended its Sewer System Maintenance Plan in 2018.

The goal of the plan is to provide high quality and reliable wastewater collection for Taft residents but maintaining, improving, and providing collection infrastructure that has adequate capacity.

The Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant, is located at 1120 East Ash Street, is jointly owned by the City of Taft (52%) and the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District (48%). The City of Taft operates the sewer plant through a contract with the Kern Sanitation Authority. The Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently upgraded in 2015 with the installation of
processing equipment that resulted in more efficient
processing of wastewater. These upgrades increased the
treatment capacity of the facility without creating new pits.

Wastewater service is provided to all areas within the City’s Municipal Boundary, which includes the DTSP area. There are existing gravity pipes that run throughout the DTSP area, which could support some of the intended growth within the DTSP area, proposed developments producing a significant increase in the number of residential units, or square
footage of non-residential use, will need to be evaluated to determine available system capacity of sewer systems. See Figure 7-2 for more information on existing facilities.

West Kern Water District Offices
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Figure 7-1: Water Map
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Figure 7-2: Sewer Map
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7.4 Drainage and Storm Water
Quality
Per the City of Taft Sewer Maintenance Plan, the city has a predominantly “surface flow” storm water conveyance
system that does not include any underground storm water assets. The majority of storm water flows drains
northeastward and are conveyed through a curb and gutter conveyance system that ultimately flow to the Sandy Creek which runs along the northern City boundary. There is only one significant storm drain line within the city limits, but there is no segment of it that is within or even crosses through the DTSP area. Due to the lack of facilities, no service map is available.

The city and surrounding County neighborhoods do not
have soils that are conducive for recharging drainage flows into a typical detention/retention basin that is now standard with new developments. New development will need to
consider this when siting and grading for buildings to avoid issues with concentration of water and ponding near
buildings.

Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant
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7.5 Telecommunications and
Cable Service
The City of Taft is serviced by the following providers for telecommunication and cable services.

Telephone services:
• AT&T
• Spectrum
• Frontier
Cable and satellite services:
• AT&T
• Spectrum
• Direct TV
• Dish Network
• Frontier
Internet services:
• AT&T
• Spectrum
• Dish Network

7.6 Energy
The City of Taft receives its electricity and natural gas services by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and SoCal Gas.

Oil Derrick Monument
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7.7 Public Facilities

7.7.1 Fire Service
In 2007, the City of Taft entered into a Fire Protection Agreement with the Kern County Fire District (KCFD). As a result of the Agreement, the KCFD became the exclusive
provider of fire protection services to the City of Taft and the City's fire personnel were absorbed within the KCFD. The KCFD serves approximately 8,000 square miles, which
includes the City of Taft. The City of Taft is primarily served by the KCFD Fire Station 21 located at 303 N. 10th Street in Taft. This station has a response area of 172 square miles.

The staff and equipment at this station includes Engine 21 with a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter, Truck 21 with a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter, and a Battalion Chief as Battalion 2. The Taft Station 21 is the Battalion 2
headquarters station. There are no official service
standards, however, the KCFD recommended response time
standards are 4 minutes in suburban areas. KCFD also
conducts fire plan check reviews of construction drawings for new developments.

There are no areas in the City of Taft or the Planning Area that are located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

The Specific Plan area is designated as within a Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Within recent years there have been numerous urban and wildland fires within Kern County and vicinity. In Kern County, forest and grass fires are the main types of wildland fires of concern. Fortunately, no major wildfires have affected the City of Taft in recent years.

In line with the General Plan, all new development within the Specific Plan area should comply with the Fire Code and be reviewed for adequate water supply and pressure, fire
hydrants, and access to structures by firefighting equipment and personnel.

7.7.2 Police Service
The Taft Police Department provides protection to
approximately 15 square miles of the city and over 9,000 people. The Taft City Police Department building is located at 320 Commerce Way, approximately half a mile east of the eastern Specific Plan boundary. Additionally, the Kern
County Sheriff’s Office is located at 315 N Lincoln St, approximately one mile north of the northern Specific Plan boundary.

The Taft Police Department also has a shared services
agreement with Kern County Sheriff's Office. This agreement allows each department to respond to each other’s calls for service in the adjacent County communities of Ford City, South Taft, and Taft Heights.

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Kern County Fire Department Appliance
Kern County Fire Department Buildings
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7.7.3 Emergency Medical Services
Emergency medical services in the City of Taft are provided by Hall Ambulance Services (HAS), which operates under a performance-based contract with Kern County.

7.7.4 Schools
The closest schools to the DTSP area are Taft Primary
Elementary School and Taft Union High School. Taft Primary Elementary School is the located at 212 Lucard St,
approximately half a block north of the Specific Plan area.

Taft Union High School is located at 701 Wildcat Way,
approximately two blocks north of the Specific Plan area.

Additionally, Taft has a public community college, Taft College located 29 Cougar Ct, approximately 0.3 miles north of the Specific Plan area.

Kern County Police Department
Taft College
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Hall Ambulance Post 21, Taft, CA

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ADMINISTRATION
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8.1 Overview
This chapter describes the processes, procedures, and
funding strategies for implementation in order to achieve the visions and goals of the Specific Plan. This chapter establishes procedures that allow flexibility in the
development of the DTSP Area to respond to market
conditions over the anticipated buildout of the DTSP while ensuring consistency with the purpose and intent of the Specific Plan.

8.2 Administration
The requirements of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the City of Taft Planning and Development
Services Department and other City departments in the
same manner as the provisions of the City of Taft Zoning Ordinance (Title VI), and in conjunction with the policies contained in this Specific Plan.

Unless otherwise specified, where the provisions of this Specific Plan differ from those in the Zoning Ordinance (Title VI), the provisions of this Specific Plan shall take precedence.

Where the Specific Plan is silent on a topic, the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance (Title VI), shall remain applicable.

The Planning and Development Services Director is
responsible for interpretation of the Specific Plan, including each of its appendices. The Director is also responsible for determination of substantial conformance. Substantial
conformance means that the proposed development is
generally consistent with the Specific Plan. The Director should consider the following factors when determining
substantial conformance:
• The proposed development is consistent with the
vision, intent, and purpose of the Specific Plan.
• The proposed development does not alter the intent
of the Specific Plan as defined by policy and
regulatory framework for development, consistent
with the goals, policies, standards, and/or other
Specific Plan elements.
• The proposed development is consistent with good
planning practice.
• The proposed development is consistent with the
architectural and design guidelines provided in the
DTSP.
• The proposed development does not create a
potentially significant environmental impact.

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Oil Worker Monument
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8.3 Severability
If any section, text, exhibit, attachment, table, or portion of this Specific Plan is found to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision and the invalidity of that provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Specific Plan.

8.4 Environmental Review
The Downtown Taft Specific Plan was required by California law to undergo environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to State and local CEQA guidelines, the City of Taft prepared and an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (State Clearinghouse No. ##########, adopted on
XXX XX, XXX) to address the potential environmental impacts of the DTSP. The IS/MND analyzes the DTSP at a
programmatic level and also assists development at a
project-level to alleviate or bypass CEQA requirements if development is deemed consistent. Prior to the approval of the Specific Plan, the IS/MND was considered and certified by the Taft City Council. Any amendments to this Specific Plan or discretionary approvals required to implement this Specific Plan are subject to the requirements of CEQA. As stated above, it is the intent that through the MND process adhering to the land use regulations and design standards Fox Theatre, Downtown Taft Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 148

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
of this Plan may not require an extensive California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") review process.

8.5 Subsequent Development
Entitlements/Construction
and Development Permits
Applications for permits, subdivision maps, or other future development actions pursuant to this Specific Plan shall be acted upon in accordance with the applicable decisionmaking processes established in this Specific Plan, as well as the applicable sections of the Subdivision Ordinance (Title X) and the Zoning Ordinance (VI) of the Municipal Code. The type of application requested determines the process that shall be followed for each application. The following sections describe the processes for various types of development approvals as well as minor and major specific plan
amendments. The section is intended to allow for flexibility during future build-out of the Project under the Specific Plan.

Any permits not set forth in this Specific Plan shall be considered in accordance with the provisions of the
Subdivision Ordinance (Title X) and the Zoning Ordinance (VI) as applicable.

8.5.1 Ministerial Review
Ministerial Review is an administrative process in which the Planning and Development Services Director can approve, deny, or grant minor deviations to a project that
substantially conforms to the DTSP (as defined above in section 8.2). Ministerial review is intended to be a “check-thebox” review and is not intended to include interpretations.

However, should the DTSP need interpretation for
substantial conformance, it is the responsibility of the Planning and Development Services Director to interpret the Specific Plan and proposed development based on the
factors outline in section 8.2 above. It is noted however, that despite a Ministerial Review process, there will still be conditions of approval requiring necessary permits such as, but not limited to, grading, street improvements,
infrastructure improvements and building permits.

8.5.2 Discretionary Review
Discretionary Review matters require application for
applicable permits and a review and decision by an approval body. In the City of Taft, the Planning Commission and/or City Council represent the approval body. Public noticing and public hearings before the approval bodies are
required. In turn, additional CEQA analysis may be required.

Examples of discretionary review include:
• Conditional Use Permits (CUP)
• Tentative Maps (TM)
• Specific Plan Amendments
• Variances
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The State Bank of Taft Building, 5th Street and North Street, Downtown Taft Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 150

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8.6 Minor Modifications /
Substantial Conformance
The minor modifications outlined in this section do not require a Specific Plan Amendment and are subject to review and approval by the Planning and Development Services
Director. Minor modifications should be identified as part of the required development application(s). The Planning
Director shall find the minor modification in substantial conformance with the Specific Plan as defined in Section 8.2 above.

8.6.1 Equivalent or Deviation of
Development Standards
If an application proposes an alternative or a minor
deviation from the development standards provided in this Specific Plan but is still in substantial conformance (as defined above in section 8.2) with the Specific Plan, then the application may be ministerially approved by the Planning Director.

Examples include:
• Substitution of construction materials or methods for materials or methods that are functionally equivalent
or superior.
• Substitution of required landscaping materials for
like or similar materials.
• Minor changes to or deviations from architectural
details, landscape treatments, fencing, lighting, or
other similar standards.
• Reduction in off-street parking spaces for nonresidential uses of no more than 10 percent of the minimum required parking spaces.
• Building/landscape setback reduction, of no more
than 10 percent of the minimum required setback
area.
• Building height increase of no more than 10 percent
of the maximum allowable building height.
• Modifications of a similar nature to those listed
above, which the Planning Director deems minor and
in line with the intent of the Specific Plan.

8.7 Specific Plan Amendments
All Specific Plan modifications that do not meet the criteria of a Minor Modification as defined in this chapter shall require a formal Specific Plan Amendment. Authority for approval of specific plan amendments shall be vested in the City Council. The application and hearing process shall follow the “General Plan Amendment “process outlined in Chapter 2: Permits and Approvals of the City’s Zoning Ordinance (Title IV).

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Rails to Trails Corridor
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8.8 Capital Improvement
Program
The implementation of the DTSP will occur over the next several years. The implementation of the DTSP will rely heavily on both public and private investment and funding.

Public investment is necessary to attract developers and contribute to a successful and well maintained Downtown.

This section identifies improvements, timeframes,
responsibilities, costs, and potential funding sources for a range of capital improvement projects within the DTSP area.

8.8.1 Anticipated Public Improvements:
• Rails to Trails improvements and enhancements
• Water supply facilities
• Stormwater and drainage facilities
• Wastewater management and facilities
• Dry utilities maintenance and collaboration with
PG&E to underground their utilities within DTSP area.
• Circulation network improvements
• Streetscape enhancements
• Public realm amenities and investment

8.8.2 Funding Sources
A capital improvement program is important to the
implementation of this Specific Plan. The capital
improvement program needs to ensure the timely financing of public streets, utilities, public realm, and other necessary capital improvements. Various options are available for the financing and funding of capital improvements, operations, and maintenance of said improvements associated with the Specific Plan. Some of the possible funding sources for public improvements are listed below:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• Transformative Climate Communities (TCC)
• Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities
(AHSC)
• Infill Infrastructure Grant
• The Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank
(IBank)
• City of Taft General Fund
• Caltrans
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Grocery Outlet Mural
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Grocery Outlet Mural
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8.8.3 Financing Tools
Business Improvement District (BID): A BID is a
public/private partnership designed to improve local public services, enhance economic growth, and increase services, such as security, maintenance, marketing and capital
improvements, within business areas. A BID is a form of an assessment district for an area that is fixed, established, and formed by a city. A BID is not itself a unit of government but instead is a program of the city that establishes it. The board of directors of a BID is normally elected, in a selfadministered proceeding, by the business or property owners subject to the BID assessment.

The BID allows the governing body (City Council) to levy an additional tax on property owners or businesses within a designated area and to utilize the revenues for
improvements and programs, subject to a majority vote of the property owners or business owners, within the
proposed district. Establishing a BID is voluntary.

Community Facility District (CFD): A Community Facilities District is a Special Tax District formed under the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 that funds public
improvements and ongoing services within an identified
area. A CFD can provide financing for a variety of local public facilities and services, such as street improvements, water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, drainage,
electricity, schools, parks, and police protection. Under State law, any county, city, special district, school district or joint powers of authority may establish a CFD. In order to
establish a CFD, it must be approved by a two-thirds margin of qualified voters in the district. If there are fewer than twelve registered voters within the district, the vote may be passed by current landowners. At the close of the legal proceedings, an established CFD has all the legal privileges of a legally sanctioned governmental body. The legislative body of the public entity that creates the CFD serves as the legislative body of the district.

Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD): EIFDs are a tool to fund economic development projects within a geographic boundary utilizing tax increment financing. They are a tool for economic development at the local level and offer a means to spur new infrastructure, attract new capital deployment, and align public funding resources in a
geographic area to support businesses and residents.

As part of the formation of an EIFD, the entity forming an EIFD (typically a City Council) must complete a Resolution of Intention (ROI) that describes the district’s boundaries, states the type of public facilities and development
proposed to be financed or assisted by the EIFD, states the need for the EIFD and the goals it proposes to achieve, states that incremental property tax revenue from the City may be used to finance the activities of the EIFD, and fixes a time and place for a public hearing for approval of the district. EIFDs are governed by a Public Financing Authority (PFA) made up of five members (of at least three elected officials and two local community members who live or work in the district Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 156

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
area). The PFA oversees the creation of the District’s
Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP), which outlines the specific projects the District will fund.

Community Revitalization and Investment Authority:
(CRIA): In 2015, the State of California established CRIAs, another type of tax increment financing district, that
increases funding for and production of affordable housing in disadvantaged communities as well as other types of
infrastructure projects. To qualify, a city or county must meet the criteria for disadvantaged communities, including having areas with high unemployment or high crime rates, neighborhoods with deteriorated infrastructure, and/or
areas with a significantly lower median household income.

After its formation by the governing body of a city or county, a CRIA must adopt a revitalization plan which identifies the specific activities the CRIA will carry out and finance, and limits activities to only the designated areas defined by the plan. Community identified projects that a CRIA might
undertake may include improvements to existing
infrastructure, construction of new infrastructure, building parks and open space, remediating contaminated
properties, providing financial assistance to small
businesses and entrepreneurs, and constructing affordable housing.

CRIAs are governed by a five-member board made up of at least three members of a legislative body and two
community members who live or work in the district area.

8.9 Implementation Strategy
Table 8-1: Implementation Strategy below includes a list of actions broken up by the key themes identified in Chapter 2; strong economy, sustainable development, active
community and community character. These actions help to ensure that the DTSP is successfully implemented in line with the vision.

Table 8-1 summarizes each action and provides an
estimated timeframe, assigns primary responsibility,
estimates approximate costs, and identifies potential
funding sources. Cost estimates and funding may change
over time based on development activity, funding
availability, and staffing resources.

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Table 8-1: Implementation Strategy
Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
Strong
Economy
Develop marketing and promotional
materials geared to attracting
businesses to invest in Downtown
Taft.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Partner with the Taft District
Chamber of Commerce and other
interested party’s such as California
State University - Bakersfield and
Fresno State’s Office of Community
and Economic Development, to
create a business assistance
program that connects local
businesses and fosters collaboration
and support by providing local
businesses with technical assistance
in marketing, accounting, or finance.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Create an economic development
task force for ongoing collaboration
between the public and private
sectors to discuss how the city could
better facilitate economic
development. Representatives from
the business community could
include business owners, property
owners and developers, or leaders
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
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Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
from the Chamber of Commerce or
other business groups.

Maintain a regularly updated
inventory of available commercial
and industrial spaces on the City’s
website.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Create a Business Improvement
District to contribute to the
maintenance, development, and
marketing of downtown by working
with local property owners and
commercial tenants.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department;
City Council; City
Administration
<$50,000 Business
Improvement
District formation
Leverage vacant, or underutilized
buildings as temporary pop-up
business space. Establish temporary
activity permits for pop-ups.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Partner with the Taft College, Taft
Union High School and local
businesses to provide opportunities
for internships and other vocational
training to retain young working
professionals in Taft.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department; City
Manager’s Office
<$50,000 General Fund
Sustainable
Development
Create a green building and
adaptive reuse incentive program
for the Downtown area. This
program could include an expedited
permitting process, reduced
building and permit fees, and/or tax
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$100,000 Affordable
Housing and
Sustainable
Communities
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Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
credits for developers of green
buildings and adaptive reuse in the
downtown area.

Study and develop an updated
Transfer of Development Rights
(TDR) program that will assist in
overall preservation efforts in
Downtown Taft.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Develop a housing needs
assessment that is updated
annually. Study/seek funding
opportunities to create housing.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund;
Affordable
Housing and
Sustainable
Communities
Improve infrastructure in the
downtown area, including facility
upgrades and service improvements
in order to support growth. Seek
various funding sources in the short
term until long term funding
mechanisms are in place.
5-15 years Public Works Greater than
$1,000,000
Enhanced
Infrastructure
Financing District,
Infrastructure
and Economic
Development
Bank, Infill
Infrastructure
Grant
Create incentive programs
prioritizing projects that provide
diversity in housing and business
investments in Downtown Taft.

Incentives may include expedited
permit and approval processing, fee
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
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Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
waivers, density bonuses, and other
programs.

Active
Community
Implement the approved wayfinding
signage program for the downtown
area to help to improve the
accessibility, attractiveness and
vibrancy of the downtown area and
creates a distinctive image for
Downtown Taft.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
$50,000 -
$250,000
Business
Improvement
District
formation,
Community
Facility District
CFD, Community
Development
Block Grant
Enhance and promote a regular
farmers/vendor market in
downtown Taft to attract local small
businesses, non-profits, local
farmers and residents to Downtown
Taft through regular scheduling and
temporary street closures.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department;
local
businesses/nonprofits; or
regional farmers
<$50,000 General Fund
Design and construct pedestrian
connectivity and access
improvements throughout
downtown, including but not limited
to ADA compliance, enhanced
crosswalks, shade trees, benches
and other amenities.
5-15 years Public Works $500,000 -
$1,000,000
Community
Development
Block Grant,
Infrastructure
and Economic
Development
Bank, Infill
Infrastructure
Grant
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 161

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
Design and construct a core bicycle
network throughout Downtown.

Link the bike network to the rest of
Taft.
5-15 years Public Works $250,000 -
$500,000
Affordable
Housing and
Sustainable
Communities,
Community
Development
Block Grant
Expand bike parking supply
including short-term, long-term and
bike sharing facilities for both
commercial and residential land
uses.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
$250,000 -
$500,000
Affordable
Housing and
Sustainable
Communities,
Community
Development
Block Grant
Partner with West Side Health
and/or other medical providers to
host informational meetings and/or
create educational content for
healthy downtown living.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Community
Character
Implement a community art and/or
mural program to enhance the
downtown area and create a local
sense of place.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 Community
Facility District,
Community
Development
Block Grant
Invest in streetscape elements,
lighting, signage, historical markers,
and public art; prioritizing
Downtown’s history.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
$50,000 -
$250,000
Community
Development
Block Grant,
Enhanced
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 162

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
Infrastructure
Financing District,
Infrastructure
and Economic
Development
Bank
Invest in the creation of new and
improved public spaces that can be
used to host seasonal festivals and
gatherings, and that feature public
art. Prioritize investments in existing
public spaces and facilities that host
public events.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
$250,000 –
$500,000
Community
Development
Block Grant,
Enhanced
Infrastructure
Financing District,
Infrastructure
and Economic
Development
Bank
Incentivize the use of privatelyowned, vacant, or underutilized buildings as temporary art space
that welcomes interactive
components. Incentives can be in
the form of grants, fee waivers, or
tax breaks.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$100,000 General Fund,
Public Art Grants
Adopt regulations that help
preserve and adapt historic
buildings downtown, in order to
help retain the history of Downtown
Taft through establishing criteria for
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 163

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Theme Action Timeframe Responsibility Cost Potential
Funding Source
historic downtown landmarks and
buildings.

Establish a program to connect
available and underutilized venues
with those seeking spaces for
special events.
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department
<$50,000 General Fund
Streamline event permitting and
support the creation of a Special
Event Task Force to organize,
promote and run festivals, parades
and other outdoor public events to
promote downtown as an
entertainment destination
1-5 years Planning and
Development
Department; City
Manager’s Office
<$50,000 General Fund
Downtown Taft Specific Plan | Page 164

8.0 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Taft City Hall

MEMORANDUM
TO: Mark Staples, Planning and Development Services Director, City of Taft FROM: Britt Palmberg, AICP, Principal Planner/Economic Analyst, RICK Planning + Design DATE: February 11, 2022
SUBJECT: Downtown Taft Specific Plan Proforma Analysis Summary – City Owned Properties at the Northeast and Southwest Corners of 4th Street and Supply Row
Rick Engineering Company – Planning + Design Division (RICK) has prepared this memorandum to summarize proforma analyses conducted for two potential sites for residential development within the Downtown Taft Specific Plan area based on the Preferred Land Use Plan. The first subject property is a 1.06-acre parcel at the northeast corner of 4th Street and Supply Row, currently owned by the City. The second subject property is a 6.71-acre parcel at the southwest corner of 4th Street and Supply Row, also currently owned by the City. The purpose of the proforma exercise is to understand the underlying economics concerning the potential development of these two key sites within the Downtown Taft Specific Plan area.

The attached sheets provide the results of the proforma analyses, as well as underlying assumptions for the proforma exercise. The following outlines key assumptions for the proforma exercise:
• The proformas assumed the construction of either a standard, wood construction residential multi-family project, or a wood construction townhome project, on the City-owned properties. The proformas were developed to reflect the financial returns to a third-party developer that would acquire a particular parcel from the City of Taft and proceed with construction of residential units (either townhomes, or multifamily apartments). • The proformas integrate assumptions concerning hard and soft costs, based upon research in the local market and the experience of our team in working in markets across California and across the country. • The proformas include assumptions concerning anticipated revenues from either the rental of multi-family units, or the sale of townhomes. • The proforma analyses assumed that the City would sell the subject parcel to a potential developer, using assumptions for the sales price of a vacant lot in the Taft area (on a per acre basis).

February 11, 2022
Subject: Downtown Taft Specific Plan – Proforma Analysis