Planning commission approves 313‑lot Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7451 in Northwest Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Planning Commission voted June 4 to adopt a mitigated negative declaration and approve Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7451, clearing the way for a proposed subdivision of about 40.77 acres in northwest Bakersfield into 313 single‑family lots.

Veronica Martinez, an associate planner with the city’s Development Services Department, told commissioners staff’s review found that, with mitigation measures addressing air quality, biological and cultural resources and traffic, the project would not have significant environmental impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act and recommended approval.

The proposal from McIntosh and Associates, representing property owner Diamond Farming Company, would subdivide roughly 40.77 acres southeast of Olive Drive and Santa Fe Way into 313 single‑family lots, one multi‑use trail and one park lot. Staff said typical lot sizes would range from about 3,440 to 3,600 square feet (roughly 40 feet by 86 feet for the typical lot). Access was described from Fridge Way on the east boundary and Poplar Spring Avenue on the south boundary.

Whitney Jackson of Trinity Consultants, speaking on behalf of the applicant, outlined the project’s air‑quality and greenhouse‑gas analysis and mitigation commitments. Jackson said the applicant is committing to an all‑electric development with no natural gas connections, photovoltaic systems, electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure and battery storage and that those features would reduce the project’s greenhouse‑gas emissions. "The all‑electric development, together with the proposed photovoltaic systems, would amount to a 22.6% decrease in the project's total greenhouse gas emissions," Jackson said. She added the applicant proposed purchasing carbon credits to offset remaining lifecycle emissions in an effort to reach net‑zero.

Jackson also summarized modeled health risks and pollutant thresholds presented to the commission and said modeled excess cancer risk and chronic health index values were below thresholds used by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

Steve Pruitt of Pruitt Biological Resource Consulting described wildlife field studies conducted under California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidance, said on‑site enhancements are proposed for special‑status species including kit fox, and described an ancillary, applicant‑initiated effort to establish a 500‑acre private habitat conservation bank "that when implemented could serve as partial offset to potential impacts." Pruitt clarified the bank is an initial, separate effort and is not tied to the tract map under consideration.

Representatives for the applicant, including Blaine Neptune of McIntosh and Associates and Tom Dee and Mike Petrini for the applicant and homebuilder, said they had worked with staff and submitted supplemental memos and rebuttals addressing comments such as a Sierra Club letter filed earlier that day and asked the commission to approve the project so housing can move forward.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. Commissioners asked questions limited to clarifications of the record; a commissioner asked whether the proposed conservation bank was part of the project’s mitigation program, and Pruitt reiterated it was not directly tied to this specific tract application.

After discussion the commission closed the public hearing, a motion to approve the mitigated negative declaration and Vesting Tentative Tract Map 7451 was made and seconded, and the motion passed. The record notes Vice Chair Martin and Commissioner Kaur were absent for the vote.

The staff presentation also noted notifications were sent to property owners within 300 feet, the mitigated negative declaration was available for a 30‑day public review period, and staff had received written comments that were addressed in the staff report. Staff additionally disclosed memos submitted to the commission, including one distributed at the meeting.

The commission moved on to routine communications, with staff advising of a June 18 meeting and the imminent release of two environmental impact reports and a general plan update document.

The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.