A GAS STATION PROJECT IS ON HOLD IN SAN JUAN BAUTISTA. THE ISSUE, IN PART, IS THE FATE OF A PAIR OF RED-TAIL HAWKS THAT HAVE BEEN NESTING IN A TREE ON THE PROPERTY (NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 156 AND THE ALAMEDA). THAT TREE WAS ONE OF ABOUT 8-10 100 YEAR-OLD TREES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN BY THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. RED TAIL HAWKS ARE LISTED AS A FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY PLAN TO RE-LOOK AT THEIR APPROVAL, AND THE FUTURE OF THE SITE, NEXT MONTH. IN THE MEANTIME, ALL PLANS FOR THAT PROPERTY ARE ON “HOLD”.