General Plan Amendment No. 2023-01 - City of Taft 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031)

The City of Taft has completed its 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for the period 2023–2031 through General Plan Amendment No. 2023-01, which was adopted and filed as a Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on August 20, 2025. The project involved analyzing regional housing needs and identifying sites capable of accommodating 508 assigned units across all income levels, while evaluating regulatory barriers and affirmatively furthering fair housing. The amendment qualifies for a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), based on the determination that no significant environmental impacts are anticipated, eliminating the need for an environmental impact report. Administrative compliance required payment of state and county fees totaling $7,142.25, including a $50 filing fee processed through the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s office, and submission of supporting documentation such as a certified exemption finding and, where applicable, Fish and Wildlife correspondence. The City of Taft serves as the lead agency, with City Manager Craig Jones and City Planner Luke Risner designated as primary contacts responsible for implementation and oversight. There is no indication of a competitive procurement, contract award process, or federal acquisition clauses; the activity is purely a municipal planning and environmental compliance action. All documentation was submitted in hard copy format with original signatures, with no electronic filing or digital delivery systems utilized. The scope is policy-focused and citywide, involving no physical construction, delivery of goods, or defined periods of performance beyond the adoption of the housing element as part of the city’s general plan. No contract value, pricing structure, or commercial line items are associated with the action, as it is an internal governmental update governed entirely by state environmental and land use regulations.