General Plan Amendment 21-0424/Williamson Act Cancellation 25-0001

The City of Bakersfield is processing General Plan Amendment 21-0424 and Williamson Act Cancellation 25-0001 to facilitate the residential development of approximately 28.91 acres in southwest Bakersfield. Property owner Keith Gardiner, represented by New Gen Engineering Group Inc., is requesting the cancellation of a Land Conservation contract on parcels 541-010-23 and -27 to change the land use designation from Resource-Intensive Agriculture to Low-Medium Density Residential. This action enables the development of 147 single-family residential lots under Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 7410, featuring a net density of 8.64 dwelling units per acre. The project includes the construction of Mountain Vista Drive to connect with McCutchen Road, as well as the installation of off-site pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The project was approved on March 11, 2026, following a Mitigated Negative Declaration that found no significant environmental impacts, provided specific mitigation measures for air quality, traffic, and biological resources are implemented. Key requirements include compliance with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding protected species, adherence to hazardous materials regulations, and payment of a cancellation fee to the California Department of Conservation equal to 12.5 percent of the land's fair market value. Additionally, the developer must participate in the Regional Transportation Impact Fee program and obtain necessary grading, building, and encroachment permits from the City of Bakersfield, along with approvals from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.