Castanea Project LLC Williamson Act re-enrollment
Summary
SCH Number
2023060761
Public Agency
Kings County
Document Title
Castanea Project LLC Williamson Act re-enrollment
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/28/2023
Document Description
Prior to December 2002, the Project Site (APNs 026-320-009, 026-330-001, & 026-330-074) was under private ownership and enrolled into the Williamson Act Program. In December 2002, Westlands Water District acquiring the Project Site in lieu of eminant domain to retire the lands from irrigated agriculture. Westlands Water District is a public entity; therefore, the Williamson Act contracts on the lands became null and void pursuant to Government Code Section 51295. On May 27, 2022, the ownership of the Project Site was transferred from Westlands Water District to Chestnut Westside, LLC, a private entity, when a Grant Deed was recorded as Document No. 2210286 in the Official Records of Kings County. On March 20, 2023, the ownership was transferred from Chestnut Westside, LLC to Castanea Project, LLC, also a private entity, when a Grant Deed was recorded as Document No. 2304227 in the Official Records of Kings County. Government Code Section 51295 states that if a public agency determines that former Williamson Act or Farmland Security Zone land that it acquired in lieu of eminent domain is not needed and is sold to a private entity, such land must be re-enrolled into the Williamson Act Program.
Contact Information
Name
Noelle Tomlinson
Agency Name
Kings County Community Development Agency
Job Title
Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Kettleman City
Counties
Kings
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Nevada Ave & Highway 41
Total Acres
1040
Parcel #
026-320-009, 026-330-001, 026-330-074
State Highways
Highway 41
Township
20 S
Range
19 E
Section
6
Base
MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15317, Class 17
Reasons for Exemption
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Categorical Exemption Class 17 for Open Space Contracts or Easements in Section 15317 of the California Environmental Quality Act & CEQA Guidelines states, “Class 17 consists of the establishment of agricultural preserves, the making and renewing of open space contracts under the Williamson Act, or the acceptance of easements or fee interests in order to maintain the open space character of the area. The cancellation of such preserves, contracts, interests, or easements is not included and will normally be an action subject to the CEQA process.” The re-enrollment of this contract is in a previously established agricultural preserve and maintains the open space character of the area, and therefore qualifies for the CEQA Class 17 Categorical Exemption from environmental review.
County Clerk
Kings
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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