Public Invited to Meet and Comment on Delano Courthouse

FOR RELEASE


Contact: Daisy Yee, 415-865-8929

Dec 5, 2011

Public Meeting and Invitation to Comment on Proposed New Delano Courthouse

What: A public meeting hosted by the State of California’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) will present information about the proposed new Delano courthouse, to be located on 3.5 acres on South Lexington Street at the northwest corner of Woollomes Avenue, just east of State Road 99, near the Delano Municipal Airport.

This meeting is a necessary step under the California Environmental Quality Act. At the meeting, the public and other interested parties will have an opportunity to review and comment on the AOC’s environmental report, a Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration.

The review period for the draft environmental study extends through 5 p.m. on December 28, 2011. The AOC’s draft study and other project information, as well as instructions for submitting comments, are available on the California Courts website: www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-kern-delano.htm. Click the Background tab for environmental information.

When: Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Where: Delano/McFarland Branch Courthouse, 1122 Jefferson Street, Delano

Who: The AOC’s Office of Court Construction and Management, which will present project information, and interested parties, who may ask questions, provide verbal comments, or submit written comments.

Why: The proposed project involves construction of a three-courtroom courthouse that will improve access to justice and security for residents of Delano and other parts of Kern County. With the mitigation steps the AOC plans to take, the environmental effect of the proposed project will be less than significant. The proposed project is funded by Senate Bill 1407, which finances critically needed courthouse construction, renovation, and repair through a portion of judicial branch fees, fines, and penalties, with no impact on the state’s General Fund. More information on the project is available at www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-kern-delano.htm.