Vila Borba Planned Community EIR

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued an Incidental Take Permit to Lennar Homes of California, LLC, authorizing the limited and unintended harm to two protected species—the endangered least Bell’s vireo and the candidate species Crotch’s bumble bee—as a result of constructing a 3.53-acre off-site detention basin to support flood protection for the Vila Borba Community in Chino Hills. This permit, issued under Section 2081(b) of the Fish and Game Code, permits take of these species whose habitat will be permanently altered by the project, with mitigation and conservation measures required to offset the ecological impact. The project is tied to the broader Vila Borba Planned Community and is subject to environmental compliance under the California Endangered Species Act. The permitting authority and environmental oversight are coordinated through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, with Lisa Cardoso listed as the Environmental Scientist for inquiries and Kim Zuppiger of the City of Chino Hills serving as the primary project planner. Although the project is forecasted in public records with a posting date of July 2026, the permit itself has been issued to facilitate construction and ensure legal compliance with state endangered species regulations, balancing development needs with species conservation obligations. Engagement with regulatory agencies and adherence to conservation plans are critical to the project’s implementation timeline and environmental approval.