[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6530384,"mediaKeyId","3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a","parentId",3663971,"title","Taft Planning Director Mark departs after 12 years; transition, housing element and fire‑severity map updates noted","audioSeconds",154,"startMs",982000,"endMs",1136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a&start=982&end=1136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a/thumbnail_982000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530384/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-Planning-Director-Mark-departs-after-12-years-transition-housing-element-and-fireseverity-map-updates-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530384-adbeb3999500847768d4b62acca89d6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190379&Signature=YK5SNYLmIJler~ERa-IPhQRwLLW7b7TEI2S3llEFo1wc4jxnLgrTOAPme-ZCMatxJHceNDtsvnMb5H0M5RKgpwoVGHmsPV0ZbtW-34SHW-OrhTCRLllYIs6Pn7dKxbffKnOk3ExckuvMACV0tUb8su~eewxUVTSJ2AIS2w-DnOIZRsz~aAhZLhV4Hen-NdK3iIzHX0IiyCNIr-yq4VUPGC9oS~B0lZl8o4cuz2CSoY55a46a0OKOTb9CPxNjSKghS5moDEuBCmTy2~IQOqjOpbDHKVzSSsHaJ~SPLPnqC764Ztuma9p5okJdBzNXdRwPIkQ26Yb-0gMbvpT0FZXydQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Taft City Clerk","date","2025-06-04T02:22:40Z","article","Planning Director Mark told the City of Taft Planning Commission on June 4 that his last day with the city would be June 5 after approximately 12 years in city service. He said he will assist during the transitional period, coordinate with the consultant working on the housing element and remain available for limited support while a successor is identified.

Mark reflected on his time with Taft, noting his initial introduction to the council in June 2013 and thanking commissioners and council members by name. He said the city is working with a consultant on the housing element and that the consultant will present remaining work to the commission and city council in the coming weeks to complete the housing element process.

Mark also relayed that Kern County Fire had presented updated Cal Fire high fire severity zone maps to the county and that the maps show an increase in areas rated moderate or high statewide; he said the city will have a process, likely led by the consultant or successor staff, to bring proposed map adoption and potential insurance implications before the commission and council at a future meeting.

City attorney and commissioners offered remarks of thanks during the meeting. Mark said he expected to remain in contact with staff and to assist with outstanding projects where feasible. He also noted he plans to be in town for some future events and that staffing arrangements with the consultant will provide interim support for projects remaining on his docket.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Taft Planning Commission Meeting | June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning Director Mark said June 4 that his last day with the City of Taft will be June 5 after about 12 years; he will provide transition support while the consultant working on the housing element and city staff complete outstanding work.","taxTitle","Taft, Kern County, California","taxId",58534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530389,"Taft staff brief commissioners on Kern County oil-and-gas permitting overhaul and EIR; public hearing planned",175,731000,906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a&start=731&end=906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a/thumbnail_731000.jpg","/articles/6530389/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-staff-brief-commissioners-on-Kern-County-oil-and-gas-permitting-overhaul-and-EIR-public-hearing-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530389-0119fd243303f2088071630a74445bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190379&Signature=bAqU0aC4umA6mnw6SN3hkKhgrjzNiBLKBtcYuZJJJgVpIt35FZQJ0YN2jVF2SqMRtzRR2abU7LvDexRIx3XaMY60xKyvXztonXzIOl--mcE09tWnG4ck-SKDKBOt4o9rgkPVLd6VS-y0ls4ET1P0unjwd0TCtvMHchf5DM0eBovtOs3fS0o8OI1fl0ZVxY2ibGI1u~VCuu3Qnioevwf3L06JGT9U12WF2RI2UaOYwCnQd5T029M8-2t3a7vJg84a~vSCQ4Q1MymhzWKcetGvS2Z0lWQO-d8JLpT7sMpTEsMM-ibHdOw2KJyFW9SAiQf3vJnt-vyO2qKCstKZ-rFFMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Taft Planning Director Mark told the Planning Commission on June 4 that Kern County is revising its oil and gas permit code and circulating an environmental impact report (EIR) that would establish mitigation fees and an expedited review track for new wells and associated site compounds.

Mark described the project as a code update—similar in form to a local zoning code chapter—and said the county’s EIR identifies likely impact fees to address air‑quality impacts (to regional or state air quality boards), biological impacts (to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife) and transportation impacts (potential fees to Kern County and Caltrans for additional truck traffic). He said the county intends an expedited review pathway that staff characterized as “as close to over the counter as it can be” for this type of permitting, with an anticipated short administrative review window on the order of days to a couple of weeks, plus an application fee and additional impact fees.

Mark said the effort has been in motion since about 2018, went through a prior revision during the COVID period, and has repeatedly been challenged after Board of Supervisors approvals. He urged interested parties to consult the Kern County Planning Department agenda and contact the listed planner; he said the county planning commission was scheduled to meet June 5 for further consideration and that the Board of Supervisors would likely review the project later at a regular board meeting.

Mark also said that stakeholders supporting the revision, including industry and county planning staff, have driven the effort and that written comments or letters of support could be submitted on short notice through the planner contact on the county agenda. He encouraged residents who wish to comment to use the county’s stated public‑comment channels and noted the item will move from county planning commission to the board for final action.

No formal action was taken by the City of Taft Planning Commission on the county project during the meeting; the session was informational and advisory in nature.","Taft Planning Director Mark briefed the commission June 4 on Kern County’s code update and EIR intended to streamline permitting for new oil and gas wells, including proposed impact fees for air quality, biology and transportation and an expedited review track.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530393,"Taft Planning Commission approves CUP allowing Taft Apple Market to seek Type 20 beer-and-wine license",441,288000,729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a&start=288&end=729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663971-837261dce780eb9d3865b9f5f98dbc5a/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6530393/Taft/Kern-County/California/Taft-Planning-Commission-approves-CUP-allowing-Taft-Apple-Market-to-seek-Type-20-beer-and-wine-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530393-e5aabedcb4aa830692132588b1b79cf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190379&Signature=f-xSaBVB0KWWmymwwAdi~23QTXbF6gEYC97-nVmr9zLqg-5-Vs0pEtS~gMUjcuAEeIm3ishM~IwBiwJlA651BlFV5mvKhw7wbQKWlAHdTzDuAsnRbBv9kHmvg636gccvzgvOMWh3hkU1gS7NoTyKOK3Q9e7eB55PxB0827925NPB9bQnefD0FEcZAiWfZbVZD2Q9lvSz4aJLbHgn9EoqL0hTdS52DOyQzSagcTIyp93AzXIWHK43LXNPdJGavlBHY6EBucjqfVOpQnpduLo2Yn89pO3vu38y-RydXULtSonXggPWpv2OHapFuigqD8rEuPhdTRw-pQquOFTmrIbyPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Taft Planning Commission voted unanimously June 4 to adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-05, authorizing Taft Apple Market at 301 Gardner Field Road to seek a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 20 license for off‑sale of beer and wine.

Staff told the commission that the proposed Taft Apple Market—a small-box grocery in the former Kmart building on a 7.47‑acre parcel—would dedicate a six‑door refrigerated area and a north‑wall floor display for beer and wine sales. Planning staff noted the license type prohibits on‑premises consumption. The planning department also recommended the permit be approved and found the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (existing facilities). The Taft Police chief provided staff a response raising no objection to the license.

The matter drew brief public comment. The store owner told commissioners the ABC application process took “a couple months” and thanked the city for help; no members of the public spoke in opposition. Commissioner discussion focused on procedural questions and the store’s hours and operations as described in the applicant’s statement of operations.

In the presentation, staff flagged that the site lies within Census Tract 3304, which county and city records list as an area that is formally authorized for only three off‑sale market licenses but that currently contains 11 approved off‑sale licenses (the staff report included an attached list). Staff described the nearest existing market licenses as the recently issued Dollar General less than a mile north on Gardner Field Road and Valley Acres Market about six miles to the northeast. Staff said the city and county may approve additional licenses at their discretion and recommended the commission weigh alcohol‑related crime and nuisance considerations; the police response indicated staff did not expect a significant crime impact from this incidental line of business.

Commissioners moved to adopt the resolution to approve Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-05. A roll call vote recorded four yes votes: Commissioner Daven, Commissioner Johnson, Vice Chair Schertz and Chairman Livingston. The motion carried.

Next steps: the planning commission approval allows the applicant to pursue the Type 20 ABC license through the state Alcoholic Beverage Control process. The city’s CUP approval and the CEQA exemption were recorded in the resolution; no appeals or effective dates were stated during the meeting.","The City of Taft Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution approving Conditional Use Permit No. 2025-05, clearing the way for Taft Apple Market at 301 Gardner Field Road to apply for a Type 20 off-sale beer-and-wine license; staff found no policing objections and determined the project exempt under CEQA section 15301.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Taft Planning Director Mark departs after 12 years; transition, housing element and fire‑severity map updates noted

Taft staff brief commissioners on Kern County oil-and-gas permitting overhaul and EIR; public hearing planned

Taft Planning Commission approves CUP allowing Taft Apple Market to seek Type 20 beer-and-wine license