Agenda — Arvin City Council, January 28, 2025 (part 2 of 4)

RESOLUTION NO. ____________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARVIN
AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN BY ADOPTING THE 2024 SAFETY
ELEMENT UPDATE INCORPORATING 2020 KERN COUNTY MULTIJURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INCLUDING

ADOPTION OF AN EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3).

WHEREAS, the City of Arvin City Council adopted the 2019 Safety Element which incorporated the 2012 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Arvin City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-55 adopting the updated 2020 Kern Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; and WHEREAS, the 2024 Safety Element incorporates the 2020 Kem County MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) adopted by the City of Arvin, and is in compliance with Government Code Section 65032; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Arvin on December 17, 2024 adopted a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the 2024 Safety Element and a Notice of Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Section 15061 (b)(3); and WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a public hearing on January 28, 2025 providing opportunity for all interested persons to give testimony; and WHEREAS, the City Council duly considered the Planning Commission's recommendations and the City Council desires to adopt the Updated Safety Element and a finding under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that the project is exempt.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arvin as follows:

1. The City Council of the City of Arvin finds that the above recitals are true and correct.

2. The City Council adopts the Notice of Exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3), as there is no possibility that the updated Safety Element to the General Plan may have a significant effect on the environment.

3. The City Council adopts the 2024 Safety Element which incorporates the 2020 Kem County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) in its entirety, to the General Plan as shown on Exhibit A of this Resolution.

4. Upon adoption of this resolution, the Deputy City Clerk is directed to file the Notice of Determination with the Kern County Clerk’s office and with the State of California, CEQA Submit

5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin at a regular meeting thereof held on the 28th day of January 2025 by the following vote:

AYES: ________________________________________________________________________ NOES: ________________________________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: ____________________________________________________________________ ABSENT: _____________________________________________________________________ ATTEST
CECILIA VELA, City Clerk

CITY OF ARVIN
By:

OLIVIA CALDERON, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

By:

NATHAN HODGES, City Attorney
Exhibit A – 2024 Safety Element
Appendix 1 – 2021-55 Reso Adopting 2020 Kern JMHMP_081021 Appendix 2 – City of Arvin 2020 MJHMP
I, ______________________________, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Arvin, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of the resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin on the date and by the vote indicated herein.

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EXHIBIT A
2024 Safety Element
Which Incorporates The
2020 Kem County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP)

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s
FINAL
DECEMBER 10, 2024
Resolution 2025-XX
2024 Safety Element Update
Prepared by:

City of Arvin
Community
Development
Department
SAFETY

ELEMENT

SAFETYELEMENT
LEAD AGENCY:

CITY OF ARVIN
200 CAMPUS DRIVE
ARVIN, CA 93203
PREPARED BY:

Community Development Department
Jeffrey Jones – City Manager/Finance Director
Christine Viterelli- Grants Manager
Jake Raper – Project Coordinator
ADOPTED: January 28, 2025
CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025- XX

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX 1-2
Purpose 5
Relationship to Other General Plan Elements 6
Context and Setting 6
Hazard Risk Ranking 7
Geologic and Seismic Hazards 7
Geologic Hazards 7
• Geology 7
• Hydrology 7
• Groundwater Supply 8
• Groundwater Quality 8
• Surface Hydrology 8
Seismic Hazards 9
• Fault Rupture 12
• Ground Shaking 12
• Secondary Seismic Hazards 12
• Liquefaction 12
• Earthquake – Induced Landslide and Slope Failure 14
• Seismic Seiches 14
Flood Hazards 14
• Local Flooding 14
• Dam Inundation 18
• Levee Failure 18
Hazardous Materials 18
• Transportation of Hazardous Materials 19
• Hazardous Materials Sites 20
• Hazardous Waste 20
Oil Wells – Site Development Adjacent to and Over Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells 20 • Oil Well Hazards 20
• Construction Site Well Review Program 21
Fire Hazards 21
• Wildland Fires 21
• Structure Fires 22
Airport Operations 23
Emergency Services, Preparedness, and Response 23
• Fire Protection Services 23
• Fire Prevention 23
• Police Protection Services 23
• Emergency Medical Services 24
• Emergency Communications Center 24
• Emergency Operations Plan 24
• Emergency Operations Center 25
• Terrorism Response and Recovery Plan 25
• Evacuation Routes 26
• Emergency Incident Information and Notification 26
Drought Severity 26
• Establishment of Drought Reduction Program 27

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Goals and Policies 28-33
• Citywide Safety 28
• Geologic and Seismic Hazards 28
• Flood Hazards 29
• Hazardous Materials 30
• Fire Hazards 31
• Emergency Services, Preparedness, and Response 32
• Drought Severity 32-33

EXHIBITS
Figure 1-4: City of Arvin. EQ S. San Andreas Mojave N. Vulnerability and Exposure Snapshot – Excerpt from 2020 Kern MJHMP
10 Exhibit Figure 4.34 – Earthquake Shake Map for Kern County 11 Figure 1-5: City of Arvin – Subsidence Vulnerability and Exposure Snapshot - Excerpt from 2020 Kern MJHMP
13 Firm – Arvin Flood Insurance Rate Map – Kern County- California 16 Figure 1-3 City of Arvin FEMA Flood Vulnerability and Exposure Snapshot - Excerpt from 2020 Kern MJHMP
17 Exhibit Figure 4.82 City of Arvin Wildfire Risk 22

APPENDICIES
Appendix 1 - Resolution No. 2021-55 Adopting the Updated Kern 2020 Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan
Appendix 2 - City of Arvin – Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020

REFERENCES
(All References are on file at the Community Development Department) City of Arvin General Plan – Land Use Element – Updated 2024, Conservation and Open Space Element, Air Quality Element Community Health Element, and Implementation Plan – 2012 City of Arvin General Plan – Circulation Element adopted August 21, 2012 City of Arvin General Plan – Noise Element adopted 1988, Safety Element adopted 1988, and Economic Development Element adopted 1988
City of Arvin Zoning Ordinance
City of Arvin Standards and Specifications
City of Arvin Drainage Master Plan Update – August 2009 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Management Plan 2020 Volumes 1 and 2 2019 Safety Element
Title 15, Building, Chapter 17.15.32 Floodplain Management

PURPOSE
The State General Plan Guidelines direct cities to incorporate required elements into their general plans, including Safety. The purpose of the Safety Element is to reduce the potential risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from natural and human-induced hazards.

The Safety Element establishes preventative and responsive policies and programs to mitigate the potential impacts associated with hazards that may affect the City of Arvin. This Element along with the 2020 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) addresses geologic and seismic hazards, flood hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materials, and emergency preparedness and response planning.

The Safety Element also includes policies on natural hazard mitigation planning that implement and supports the Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), adopted by the Arvin City Council on August 10, 2024, by Resolution No. 2021-55. City Council adopted the updated Kem Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1 and its Annex, as approved by FEMA and Cal OES, as the official mitigation plan for The City of Arvin. The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and the FEMA Region IX officials have reviewed the updated MJHMP, and approved it contingent upon this official adoption by the participating governing body. The adoption of the MJHMP complies with the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act and to augment its emergency planning efforts by formally adopting the updated 2021 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan ( MJHMP).

An adopted, most recently adopted MJHMP, hazard mitigation plan is required as a condition of future funding for mitigation projects under multiple FEMA pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs.

The MJHMP must be incorporated into the local jurisdiction Safety Element in order to qualify for pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs. The adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) describes the type, location, and extent of all natural hazards that can affect the jurisdiction; describe the jurisdiction’s vulnerability to these hazards; include a mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses; and contains a plan maintenance process. The 2021 Kern County MultiJurisdiction (Arvin) Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) addresses the natural disasters that may affect the City of Arvin: Flood, Geologic, Severe Weather, Drought, and Extreme Heat. The HMP identifies community policies, actions, and tools for implementation to reduce the public’s exposure to these hazards, to minimize property damage and community disruption, and to reduce or avoid the costs of disaster relief.

Arvin City Council on August 10, 2024, by Resolution No. 2021-55 adopted the 2020 Kern MultiJurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), Attachment 1, which incorporates implementation programs of the Safety Element and contains programs that implement its policies. The City of Arvin participates in the Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Planning and the HMP is updated on a five (5) year cycle. The HMP will continue to be incorporated by reference in the Safety Element. The Safety Element and HMP are complementary documents that work together to achieve the goal to reduce the impacts on a community from a disaster.

The City of Arvin’s Safety Element is incorporating the 2020 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) Volume 1 and its Annex for the City of Arvin, Attachment 2, as approved by FEMA and Cal OES, as the official mitigation plan for The City of Arvin.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
The California Government Code requires internal consistency among the various elements of a general plan. The Safety Element is affected by policies contained in other elements of the Arvin General Plan including the Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Conservation and Open-Space, and Noise Elements, and may overlap with topical areas addressed in these elements.

The Land Use Element is linked to the Safety Element as the policies and programs are intended to protect current and planned land uses. Potential hazards identified in the Safety Element are addressed through programs established to avoid or mitigate public safety impacts associated with future development, such as land use compatibility.

The Housing Element identifies existing and projected housing needs, and establishes goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing to serve all members of the community. The Safety Element addresses hazards or nuisances that should be considered when determining the location of new housing development and improvements to existing housing.

The Circulation Element is closely related to safety and security as well-designed streets and efficient circulation are imperative during an emergency. The provision of viable evacuation routes within the City are linked to the planned circulation system described in the Circulation Element. Safety is integral in maintaining an efficient, effective, coordinated, multi-modal circulation system that serves a variety of transit, automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian users in a complete street network.

The Conservation and Open Space provides information on soils and erosion, and water quality within the Planning Area in the interest of health, safety, and welfare. Additionally, flood control measures are included in the Conservation and Open Space of the City's General Plan under the title of Public Health and Safety for the protection of the lives and property of its citizens during a disaster. Flooding has been identified as a major issue for areas of the City and is discussed in detail in the HMP.

The Noise Element also affects Safety Element as it contains safety guidelines regarding acceptable noise levels which consider occupational noise exposure as well as noise exposure in the home. The guidelines recognize exterior noise levels to protect the public from hearing loss, activity interference, sleep disturbance, and annoyance. The Noise Element also documents and guides the location of noise sensitive land uses including all residential uses and schools so they may be less impacted by noise.

Section 65300.5 of the Government Code states that the general plan and the individual elements shall be integrated and internally consistent. The city will maintain this consistency as future General Plan amendments are processed by evaluating proposed amendments for consistency with all elements of the Arvin General Plan.

CONTEXT AND SETTING
The Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan – Participating Jurisdiction Annex – City of Arvin, Attachment 2, details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the City of Arvin. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the umbrella plan document. As such, all sections of the umbrella plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the City of Arvin. This Annex provides

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additional information specific to the City of Arvin, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for the City of Arvin.

HAZARD RISK RANKING
The City of Arvin, based on the hazard prioritization process used for Kern County resulted in the hazard risk of four (4) vulnerability areas: 1. Earthquakes; 2. Flooding;

3. Drought; and 4. Soil Stability.

GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS
Geologic and soils hazards include subsidence, expansive soils, and steep slopes and landslides. Seismic hazards related to earthquakes include ground shaking and ground failures, such as liquefaction, lateral spreading, ground lurching, seiches, mudslides, landslides, and soil slumping. Geologic hazards pose a danger to residents of Arvin and can result in significant property and infrastructure damage.

GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Existing Safety and Geologic Conditions
Geology:

The San Joaquin Valley, which includes the Arvin area, is the most extensive basin area in the State of California. This basis area was formed by intermittent westerly tilting of the underlying crystalline rocks, which elevated the Sierra-Nevada Mountains on the east border of the valley and depressed the western portion of the valley. Slopes in the valley feature a southwest alignment and consist of underlying crystalline based complex and overlying sediments.

In the vicinity of the community of Arvin, the sediment layer is approximately 4,800 ft. thick and consists of older sedimentary rocks composed primarily of stratified sandstone, conglomerates and shale. In addition, there is overlying younger unconsolidated sediment approximately 1,900 ft. thick.

Portions of Kern County are identified as seismically active areas consisting of major unstable fault lines. Within the Arvin vicinity, 8 major fault line systems have been identified. The White Wolf Fault runs 3 miles south of the community of Arvin. The Edison Fault runs 8 miles north of the community. In addition, the San Andreas Fault, the Garlock Fault, the Sierra-Nevada Fault, the Big Pine Fault, the Kern Canyon Fault, and the Bear Mountain Fault are significant fault systems which run in the vicinity of Arvin.

Three major earthquakes have occurred in the county since such events have been historically recorded, the nearest seismic event to the local community occurred in 1952. This major quake, known as the Arvin-Tehachapi quake, measured 7.7 on the Richter scale and caused extensive damage throughout the County. The epicenter of the quake was located on the White Wolf Fault zone which impacted the City. Magnitude 5.0 and above earthquakes occur frequently, but damage has been limited from these events. However, damage to the Arvin community was relatively minimal. (App-3 1988 Safety Element)
Hydrology:

The Arvin area significantly contributes to Kern County as being one of the most productive agricultural counties in the nation. In order to sustain the intense farming activities in the area,

Groundwater Supply:

Arvin receives its water services from the Arvin Community Services District. The district manages the water source for domestic, agriculture, recreational and industrial purposes from groundwater within the Tulare Lake groundwater basin, which encompasses asignificant portion of theSanJoaquin Valley. Groundwater within the basin moves in a south-southwest direction within the basin toward the low lying portion of the valley.

The Arvin Community Services District (ACSD), adopted its 2015 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), which was an update of the 2010 UWMP, and is required to update the UWMP each cycle where the year ends in 15 and 0. The plan includes a description of the service area of the District, the current and projected population of the District, a description of the climate and other demographic factors that affect water management, identification of the existing and planned water resources of the District including groundwater management plan prepared by the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (“AEWSD”) which is the underlying water purveyor in the area, description of the groundwater basin and groundwater levels, the participation of ACSD with AEWSD in the groundwater management program, the location, the amount of groundwater pumped in the last five years and sufficiency of the supply, a description of the groundwater supply and a projection of the groundwater demands for the next 20 years, a description of the reliability of the groundwater supply and its vulnerability to seasonal or climactic shortage, a statement addressing he consistency of the District’s water supply, a district’s anticipated water supply projects, the District’s water use projections, water use projections for lower income families, the District’s water shortage contingency plan and a water supply reliability assessment.

The district’s 2015 Urban Water Management Plan is available at the district’s office located at 309 Campus Drive, Arvin, Ca 93203, contact phone number 661-854-2127.

Groundwater Quality:

Groundwater quality in the Arvin area is suitable for domestic use. According to the Arvin Community Services District, the water underlying the Arvin community is generally of good quality. As noted above, the 2015 UWMP addresses the water supply and quality for the Arvin area.

The Arvin Community Services District water supply is deemed to be of high quality. This determination relates to an excellent groundwater recharge basin for the Kern River watershed and activities of the Arvin Edison Water Storage District. Water from these sources is of high quality.

Surface Hydrology:

The City of Arvin is situated on a deep alluvial fan. The ground surface slopes from northeast to southwest at a 0.5% slope. The primary utilization of the land surrounding the community is almost exclusively agriculture, oil extraction, or open space. The soil in these areas are identified as being highly permeable. As the land is very low sloping and the soil has a tendency of being permeable, water run-off is considered slight.

The Arvin area does not possess any significant natural bodies of water. The Arvin-Edison Canal is located to the north and east of the City, running in a diagonal alignment. The East Side Canal, which runs in a northwest-southwest alignment, approaches within one mile of the

Sycamore and Little Sycamore Creeks are natural drainage channels which flow from the Tehachapi Mountains approximately four miles east and southeast, respectively, of the Arvin community. These creeks carry relatively low volumes of water and are only identified on a seasonal basis. The flows from these creeks usually run no farther than the Arvin-Edison Canal.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the entire incorporated land within the City of Arvin as well as the immediate surrounding vicinity, lies within the 100 year floodplain of Caliente Creek. This major drainage channel flows into the Southern San Joaquin Valley floor about 10 miles northeast of the Arvin community. Water flow is only seasonal; however, this channel has historically carried large volumes of water over short time periods. Subsequently, considerable damage has been caused to some of the agriculture in outlying and developed areas in the Southern San Joaquin Valley floor. During similar flood occurrences, the creek water has flowed in a north to south direction into a channel just east of Tower Line Road, which turned in a westerly direction approximately one mile south of the City of Arvin. During more intense flooding periods, the water flow has been less predictable and has been known to cover parts of the Arvin General Planning area.

In recent years, flooding has been a significant issue in the Arvin area. Storm water run-off generated within the City of Arvin is generally collected and transported by streets into the City’s existing two drainage sumps. Sump One is located on the west central portion of the City along Comanche Drive near Bear Mountain Boulevard. Sump Two is located on the southwest portion of the community within the Smotherman Park site.

The City of Arvin maintains a Master Drainage System, which can collect and hold storm water run-off originating within the majority of the city from any storm of a magnitude less than or equal to a 10-year storm. Storm events of greater magnitude can also be accommodated through the overflow provision provided with the existing and proposed sumps. The majority of run-off produced by storms is presently being collected and conveyed to the south end of the City by existing street improvements and pipelines to the sumps. Future run-off is expected to continue being collected in the same manner but will be supplemented by additional street and pipeline improvements.

SEISMIC HAZARDS
Arvin, like most of California, is located within a seismically active region. Faults and earthquakes present direct hazards from fault rupture and ground shaking, as well as indirect hazards, as described further below. Kern County, in general, is recognized as a seismically active region with several major unstable fault lines identified in the county’s geologic composition.

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Figure 1-4: City of Arvin – EQ S. San Andreas Mojave N. Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot – Excerpt from 202 Kern MJHMP

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Fault Rupture
Kern County is located in one of the more seismically active areas of California and my, at any time, be subject to moderate-to-severe ground shaking. The reason for this is the presence of the major active faults in portions of the County. The infamous San Andrea’s Fault runs just outside of and parallel to the western border of Kern County and eventually enters the south western portion of the county near Frazier Park, where it is intersected by the northeasterly trending Garlock Fault. Please refer to Section 4.2.10 Earthquakes – Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Management Plan for a more detailed discussion of faults.

The White Wolf Fault and the Edison Fault are respectively located three miles south and eight miles north of the Arvin community. In addition, a number of other unstable fault lines, including the San Andreas, Garlock, Big Pine, Kern Canyon and Bear Mountain Faults are situated in the general vicinity of Arvin.

The White Wolf Fault Zone is south and east of Arvin. In 1952 a 7.7 earthquake was experienced. Refer to Figure 4.34 Earthquake Shake Map for Kern County. Additionally, seismic hazard mapping indicates that the City has low seismic hazard potential. While there are no known active faults residing within or near the City limits, the Planning Area is likely to experience hazards associated with earthquakes, such as ground shaking.

Ground Shaking
Ground shaking from earthquakes affects the most people and can cause the most damage of any geologic hazard. The amount of ground shaking depends on the magnitude of the earthquake, the distance from the epicenter, and the type of earth materials in between. Arvin experienced significant ground shaking from a Magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred on the White Wolf Fault in 1952. Arvin is located within an area identified as having moderate ground shaking probability.

Secondary Seismic Hazards
Ground shaking can induce secondary seismic hazards such as liquefaction, lateral spreading, subsidence, ground fissuring, and landslides. Liquefaction of saturated cohesionless soils can be caused by strong ground motion resulting from earthquakes.

Liquefaction
Liquefaction can occur when loose sand and silt that is saturated with water behaves like a liquid when shaken by an earthquake, resulting in ground failure. The California Geological Survey identifies liquefaction zones where the stability of foundation soils must be investigated and countermeasures undertaken in the design and construction of buildings for human occupancy.

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Earthquake-Induced Landslide and Slope Failure
In addition to liquefaction, the California Geological Survey identifies landslide zones, which generally indicate steep hillslopes composed of weak materials that may fail when shaken by an earthquake. These areas are required to be investigated and countermeasures undertaken in the design and construction of buildings for human occupancy. Arvin is not located within an area identified as having the potential for earthquake-induced landslides. Similarly, due to the relatively flat topography of Arvin and the surrounding area, lateral spreading, mudslides, ground lurching, and soil slumping are unlikely to occur.

Seismic Seiches
Seismic seiches are standing waves in an enclosed or partly enclosed body of water, such as rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes. There are no large bodies of water located within the Planning Area. The potential for water from the lake to reach the Planning Area in the event of a seiche is limited.

FLOOD HAZARDS
Local Flooding
The location, topography, and land uses in and around the City pose unique drainage situations for the way local runoff is contained. As the City has been developed on predominantly agricultural lands, sump basins are the primary facilities used to retain the local storm water flows. The City has prepared a Storm Drain Master Plan to identify and address local flooding issues within the City. Identified improvements to the existing drainage systems consist primarily of upsizing existing storm drain facilities and extending existing storm drain systems farther upstream to the areas of flooding.

Arvin is within either the 1% or .02% annual chance of a flood event. Much of the flooding in Arvin is characterized by a shallow sheet flow of 2 feet depth or less. Arvin adopted Chapter 15.32 Flood Management which promotes the public health and safety, and general welfare of its citizenry requiring all new development to comply with the development standards as established and may be modified from time to time.

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Figure 1-3: City of Arvin – FEMA Flood Zone Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot – Excerpt from 2020 Kern MJHMP

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Dam Inundation
Dams are man-made structures built for a variety of uses including flood control, power, agriculture, water supply, and recreation. When dams are constructed for flood control, they usually are engineered to contain a flood with a computed risk of occurrence. Dam failures can result from any one or a combination of causes, including prolonged periods of rainfall and flooding; earthquake; inadequate spillway capacity resulting in overtopping; or internal erosion caused by embankment or foundation leakage or piping. Dams can fail at any time of year, but the results are most catastrophic when the dams fill or overtop during winter or spring rain/snowmelt events. The onset time of dam failure depends on the type of failure. If the dam is inspected regularly then small leaks allow for adequate warning time. Once a dam is breached, however, failure and resulting flooding occurs rapidly. Although there are several dams that have the ability to affect Kern County in the event of failure, the potential for significant flooding associated with dam inundation to occur within Arvin has not been identified. Dam inundation maps for Lake Isabella, the largest reservoir in the County, indicate that flooding from dam failure would not extend into Arvin.

Levee Failure
Levee’s are designed to protect against a certain level of flooding. However, levees can and do decay over time and can also be overtopped, or even fail during large floods. According to the 2012 Kern Multi Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (Kern MJHMP) Figure 4.32, Kern County Levee Location Map, there are no levees located within Arvin or the surrounding area. The Kern MJHMP identifies the likelihood of a levee failure as low with limited affects to Kern County in the event of a levee failure, with the exception of Bakersfield. However, the Friant-Kern Canal, which is located west of the City’s western boundary, serves as a levee structure. The Friant-Kern Canal is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation. Although unlikely, the canal levee could fail if overtopped. In the event the canal is breached, runoff would spread out and flow into the City of Arvin from the east. No flows have overtopped the canal levee since its opening in 1953, but water has ponded near the top of the levee.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
The California Code of Regulations defines a hazardous material as a substance that, because of physical or chemical properties, quantity, concentration, or other characteristics, may either (1) cause an increase in mortality or an increase in serious, irreversible, or incapacitating, illness or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of, or otherwise managed. Hazardous waste is hazardous materials that no longer have practical use, such as substances that have been discarded, discharged, spilled, contaminated, or are being stored prior to proper disposal. A hazardous materials incident involves the uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance during storage, use, or transport.

In addition, the California Legislature has passed a law, 65962.5(a) of the Government Code, which requires persons applying for development projects to review a listing of all hazardous waste sites. If the site of your proposed development project is included on the list of hazardous waste sites (Kern County Cal/EPA below), then it shall be noted. Please review the website “htpp://envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov” type in Arvin, CA for most recent listing.

The State’s Accidental Release Prevention Law provides consistency with Federal laws (i.e., the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act and the Clean Air Act) regarding accidental chemical releases and allows local oversight of both the State and Federal programs. State and Federal laws are similar in their requirements; however, the California threshold planning quantities for regulated substances are lower (stricter) than the Federal quantities. Local agencies may set lower reporting thresholds or add additional chemicals to the program. The Accidental Release Prevention Law is

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implemented by the Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) and requires that any business utilizing a greater quantity of a regulated substance than the specified threshold quantity, register with the responsible CUPA as a manager of regulated substances and prepare a Risk Management Plan.

A Risk Management Plan must contain an off-site consequence analysis, a five-year accident history, an accident prevention program, an emergency response program, and a certification of the truth and accuracy of the submitted information. Businesses submit their plans to the CUPA, which makes the plans available to emergency response personnel. The Business Plan must identify the type of business, location, emergency contacts, emergency procedures, mitigation plans, and chemical inventory at each location.

Under CUPA, site inspections of these hazardous materials programs (above ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste treatment, hazardous waste generators, hazardous materials management and response plans, and the California Fire Code) are consolidated and accomplished by a single inspection. In addition, this program provides emergency response to chemical events to furnish substance identification; health and environmental risk assessment; air, soil, water, and waste sample collection; incident mitigation and cleanup feasibility options; and on-scene coordination for state superfund incidents. The program also provides for the oversight, investigation, and remediation of unauthorized releases from underground tanks.

The CUPA for the City of Arvin is Kern County’s Environmental Health Services Department. The Environmental Health Services Department (EHSD) was established in 1989 by the Board of Supervisors.

The EHSD’s Hazardous and Solid Waste Division is designed to protect the public health and the environment in the areas of hazardous material and waste surveillance and enforcement, radiological health, vector control, solid waste and infectious waste. Legal authority for these programs is provided by a variety of state and local statutes including the California Health and Safety Code and the California Code of Regulations, which designates the EHSD as the Local Enforcement Agency for the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Kern County Environmental Health Division, Hazardous Materials Emergency Response program serves to protect the residents of Kern County by responding to hazardous materials emergencies. The first responders perform health and environmental safety assessments, substance identification and monitoring as part of an interagency Emergency Response team as well as provide and oversee investigation and cleanup of incidents activities.1
Transportation of Hazardous Materials
Hazardous substance incidents could occur in Arvin due to the presence of highways and railways. The transport of hazardous materials may occur along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad spur and/or Hwy 223 (Bear Mountain Blvd.) which traverse the City. In the event of train derailment, hazardous materials transported on the rail line could be released impacting adjacent development and properties. Given the City’s reliance on groundwater, the potential release of hazardous materials could migrate into the groundwater aquifer, potentially contaminating the City’s drinking water supply.

Transportation of hazardous materials/wastes is regulated by California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title

26. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is the primary regulatory authority for the interstate transport of hazardous materials. The DOT establishes regulations for safe handling procedures (i.e., packaging, marking, labeling, and routing). The CHP and Caltrans enforce Federal and State regulations and respond to hazardous materials transportation emergencies. Emergency responses are coordinated as necessary between Federal, State, and local governmental authorities and private persons through a State Mandated Emergency Management Plan.

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Hazardous Materials Sites
Hazardous materials can be found in certain businesses in Arvin including production or service processes, which generate hazardous waste. These businesses include automotive services, dry cleaners, photo processing, printing lithography, and medical services. The Kern County EHSD is responsible for the remediation of the Underground Storage Tanks through alternatives including soil washing, vapor extraction, bioremediation, and pump and treat of the contaminated groundwater. Remediation alternatives would provide benefits of no contamination of groundwater and soil. Facilities handling moderately and extremely hazardous materials have a greater chance of significant onsite and offsite consequences if the hazardous materials are released. The last inspection date and category are used to determine inspection priority and frequency, respectively.

Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Residential Hazardous Wastes are products purchased for use in or around the home, that when improperly discarded, may threaten human health or the environment including household cleaners; deodorizers; personal hygiene products; pesticides; herbicides; insecticides; pet care products; paint products; photographic chemicals; swimming pool chemicals; and automotive products & fluids.2 Business Hazardous Waste is generated during the course of operating a business including schools, government agencies, churches, farms, landlords, property managers, ranches, non-profit organizations as well as conventional businesses. Kern County area landfills do not accept hazardous waste. However, households may bring residential hazardous wastes to one of three County Special Waste facilities or hazardous waste collection events in the county, while businesses that generate hazardous waste are required by state and federal law to contract with registered hazardous waste transporters and disposers. The Kern County Special Waste Facilities serve the hazardous waste disposal needs of Kern County businesses including within the City of Arvin. The Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program allows eligible businesses to bring hazardous waste to one of three Special Waste Facilities serving Kern County.

State and Federal Laws limit the use of this type of program to businesses that qualify as a CESQG.

Businesses generating larger amounts are required to use a licensed hazardous waste hauler to manifest and transport their waste. Historical accumulations of waste may require the services of a licensed hazardous waste hauler.

OIL WELLS – SITE DEVELOPMNET ADJACENT TO AND OVER ABANDONED OIL

AND GAS WELLS
Oil Well Hazards
The City of Arvin has several active and abandoned Oil and Gas Wells within its jurisdiction and within its Sphere of Influence. Issues related to oil well productions include occasional spills of crude oil and groundwater contamination. More long-term issues involve the decommissioning of the oil wells, abandonment of the wells and development of the area after it is no longer used as an oil well.

Wells must be vented to the atmosphere and plugged for several hundred feet with cement or claybased mud according to the specification in the Hazards exist for both active and abandoned oil wells. Potential hazards from active oil wells include potential soil and groundwater contamination, as well as the release of methane gas. The abandonment of oil wells falls with the jurisdiction of the California Department of Conservation; Geologic Energy Management Division, CalGEM. The California Geologic Energy Management

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Division (CalGEM) prioritizes protecting public health, safety, and the environment in its oversight of the oil, natural gas, and geothermal industries, while working to help California achieve its climate change and clean energy goal. Oil wells are subject to regulation and oversight by CalGEM.

Additionally, CalGEM provides regulations regarding the placement of structures on abandoned oil well sites. Abandoned wells must be vented to the atmosphere and plugged. A well is plugged by placing cement in the well-bore or casing at certain intervals as specified in California laws or regulations (Abandonment/Reabandonment Guidelines) published by and regulated by the California Department of Conservation; Geologic Energy Management Division, CalGEM.

Construction Site Well Review Program:

Prior to the development of lands where abandoned or activity wells exist, the City will contact the California Department of Conservation; Geologic Energy Management Division, CalGEM, for assistance in the development review process. The CalGEM is charged with implementing Section 3208.1 of the Public Resources Code (PRC). As a result, the Division developed the Construction Site Well Review Program to assist local permitting agencies in identifying and reviewing the status of oil or gas wells located near or beneath proposed structures.

Before issuing building or grading permits, local permitting agencies review and implement the Division’s preconstruction requirements. Interaction between local permitting agencies and the Division helps resolve land-use issues and allows for responsible development in oil and gas fields.

California Public Resources Code Section 3208.1 intent is to prevent, as far as possible, damage to life, health, and property. The operator responsible for plugging and abandoning deserted wells under Section 3237 shall be responsible for the abandonment as provided in Section 3208.1(a).

FIRE HAZARDS
Wildland Fires
A wildland fire is a large destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) conducts fire hazard severity mapping including mapping areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. According to the Kern County Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map, there are no Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) located within the Arvin Planning Area.

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Structure Fires
There is the potential for Arvin to experience structure fires, including homes, industrial and commercial buildings, and other facilities. Many fires are related to human behavior or buildings that do not meet current fire regulations. Fires vary in terms of their potential threat to life and property. Areas with older buildings and deteriorated structures tend to have higher fire hazards. Generally, the risk of injury and damage is greater for higher occupancy structures, such as apartment buildings, hotels, hospitals, and

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churches. Land use considerations affect fire potential, as industrial and commercial areas tend to have higher risks of fire associated with operations. Consideration for fire protection in the City also involves adequate access for fire and emergency response as new areas develop within the Planning Area.

AIRPORT OPERATIONS
The nearest public use airport is the Bakersfield Municipal Airport which is located approximately 18 miles to the northwest, and the nearest private airport is the agricultural (crop dusting) landing strip located approximately a quarter mile to the southwest of the city limits.

EMERGENCY SERVICES, PREPAREDNESS, AND RESPONSE
Fire Protection Services
The City of Arvin provides fire prevention, fire protection, emergency medical services, and related services through a contract with the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD). Other Fire Department functions include hazardous materials mitigation, public education and training, arson investigation, air operations, and apparatus maintenance. The Department provides service to Arvin and the surrounding area from Station 54 located at 301 Campus Drive in Arvin (Figure II-3). KCFD employs more than 625 permanent staff, and serves an area spanning more than 8,000 square miles and a population of more than 500,000. Station 54 maintains a staff of three full-time firefighters equipped with two Type 1 engines and one Type 4 FWD Watershed Patrol. In the event that additional personnel are needed to address an emergency, Station 51 is located in Lamont approximately 6.2 miles to the northwest.

Fire Prevention
The fire prevention inspection program consists of Title 19 mandatory inspections, miscellaneous or permit inspections and the Company Fire inspections which are completed by fire station personnel.3 Arvin utilizes its Municipal Code to promote public safety and welfare and to prescribe regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosions by the adoption of minimum fire prevention standards.

Police Protection Services
The Arvin Police Department is a full-service department with a variety of specialties and community services. The Police Department strives to work as partners with the community to serve and protect. They provide law enforcement services that focus on building the quality of life of citizens and visitors in the City through proactive problem solving, fair and equitable police services, and utilizing resources effectively. The Police Department ensures public safety in the community by responding to all crimerelated matters, hazardous situation incidents, neighborhood disputes, and suspicious activities.

The City’s public safety services include Administration, Animal Control, Dispatch, Patrol, School Resources Officer. The Traffic Division is dedicated to keeping citizens safe in the City whether they are driving, biking, or walking by incorporating traffic education through enforcement, seminars at local schools to educate students on the rules of the roadway and to conduct traffic collision investigations. The Police Department School several community programs including the Police Explorer Program that allows community members to experience first-hand how the department functions and what it takes to get started in a law enforcement career and the Citizen Volunteer Program in which volunteers donate their time assisting patrol officers or attending special events.

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Emergency Medical Services
The Emergency Medical Services Department (EMS) is the lead agency for the emergency medical services system in Kern County. In Kern County, the Board of Supervisors designated the EMS Department as the Local EMS Agency. The Kern County Ambulance Ordinance, which governs the majority of the prehospital systems in the County, was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in November 1990, and became effective on February 28, 1991. As a result of this ordinance and the subsequent regulations, the EMS System in Kern County became more structured and included, for the first time, measurable standards for the response of paramedic level of care to the citizens of Kern County during an emergency. EMS is responsible for coordinating all system participants in the County. Participants include the public, fire departments, ambulance companies, other emergency service providers, hospitals, and EMT training programs. EMS also provides certification and re-certification for EMT's, paramedics, specialized nurses, and specialized dispatchers.

EMS includes a system of services organized to provide rapid response to serious medical emergencies, including immediate medical care and patient transport to definitive care in an appropriate hospital setting. While most EMS responses are day-to-day emergencies, EMS agencies also plan and prepare for disaster medical response. In addition, EMS is becoming more and more involved with preventative health care and managed care in the overall scope of its functions. EMS includes:4 ▪ Public safety dispatch;
▪ Fire services first response and treatment;
▪ Private ground and air ambulance response, treatment and transport; ▪ Law enforcement agencies;
▪ Hospitals and specialty care centers;
▪ Training institutions and programs for EMS personnel; ▪ Managed care organizations;
▪ Preventative health care; and
▪ Citizen and medical advisory groups.

Emergency Communications Center
The Emergency Communications Center (ECC) is responsible for receiving and dispatching all fire, medical and rescue calls. The ECC receives transfers calls from 21 different law enforcement agencies and gives calls to seven different private ambulance companies with an annual call volume at approximately 86,000 calls. All calls requiring medical aid or ambulance dispatch are put through the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols, insuring that all medically related calls will be processed the same way and the appropriate response is sent on every call. It also requires dispatchers to remain on the line for life threatening emergencies and give appropriate pre-arrival instructions to the caller such as CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and childbirth. During fire season, wildland fire dispatching is a large part of ECC operations, utilizing Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS) to ensure that responders receive the needed resources to fight wildland fires, from engines, bull dozers, hand crews, and aircraft.

Emergency Operations Center
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a centralized location to support multi-agency and/or multijurisdiction disaster response coordination and communication. Unique to the State of California is the definition of an Operational Area, which includes all political subdivisions within the County boundary.

On behalf of the Kern Operational Area, the Kern County EOC will serve as the designated point of contact between the jurisdictions within the County, as well as between the State and the Operational Area. During

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an emergency, staff in the EOC will facilitate effective emergency management. The EOC supports multiagency and multi-jurisdiction coordination and communication.

Emergency Operations Plan
The Kern County Emergency Operations Plan establishes an emergency management organization and assigns functions and tasks consistent with California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The County of Kern is the lead agency for the Kern Operational Area and is tasked to coordinate emergency activities between the county, cities, and special districts and to serve as a communications link focusing on the collection, processing, and dissemination of vital disaster information. The Plan provides for the integration and coordination of planning efforts of the County/Operational Area with those of its cities, special districts and the state. The content is based on guidance provided by the California Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and Department of Homeland Security. The intent of the Plan is to facilitate emergency response and shortterm recovery by providing a framework for response to all significant emergencies, regardless of the nature of the event. The Plan is comprised of four major parts as follows:5 ▪ Basic Plan – Overview of County/Operational Area's emergency management program, Emergency Management Organization, and concept of emergency operations. ▪ General Procedures – Emergency procedures to be implemented by employees at the time of a major emergency or disaster.
▪ Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Procedures and Annexes – EOC procedures, annex and checklists for each major EOC function, and resource and contact lists. ▪ Contingency Plans – Event-specific information and emergency instructions (e.g., Terrorism).

The Contingency Plans are separate documents that may be implemented independent of the Plan and are incorporated into the Plan by reference.

Further, Kern County’s Health and Medical Branch, comprised of EMS, Department of Public Health (DPH), Environmental Health Services (EHS) and Mental Health Services (MHS), oversees and coordinates disaster medical and mental health care and public and environmental health services on a countywide basis in the field, Department Operations Centers (DOC), and County/Operational Area (OA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Terrorism Response and Recovery Plan
The Terrorism Response and Recovery Plan describes the emergency procedures that will be used in the event of a terrorist threat or incident that occurs or impacts the Kern County Operational Area (OA), which includes Arvin. This Plan is designed to establish responsibilities, and to coordinate preparedness, response, and recovery from a terrorist-initiated incident, with emphasis placed upon incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). The contingency plan supplements the existing Kern County Emergency Operations Plan. It is intended to provide general guidance. Actual response will be dependent upon conditions existing at the time of the emergency, including the availability of local and mutual aid resources.

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Evacuation Routes
Currently, the City of Arvin has no defined emergency routes. SR 233 (Bear Mountain Boulevard) would serve as the primary emergency route since it bisects the City and provides an east west regional access to SR-99 and I-5 within Kern County and Sr-58 (Bakersfield-Tehachapi Hwy) to the east.

Emergency Incident Information and Notification
Kern County has implemented ReadyKern, an emergency notification system that alerts residents and businesses about natural disasters and other crises. The emergency notification system enables Kern County to provide essential information quickly in a variety of situations, such as earthquakes, severe weather, fires, floods, or evacuation of buildings or neighbourhoods. Residents and businesses with listed telephone numbers and those that register for notifications receive a message about a potential safety hazard or concern. Messages are sent to all standard voice and text communication devices, including land line phones, cell phones, and e-mail. If receipt of the message is not confirmed, the system will try to reach the second contact number or email. The system will continue trying to contact someone until it receives a confirmation.

When the EOC is activated during an emergency, the Joint Information Centre (JIC) is established to coordinate, develop, and disseminate emergency-related public information. The JIC is the central point of contact for all news media. Public information officials from all participating agencies/jurisdictions are collocated at the JIC. The news media receives regular briefings about the emergency in the Media Room adjacent to the JIC.

Drought Severity
The 2020 Kern MJMHP has identified drought as an area of concern that may impact the residents.

The following list the description of potential issues relating to drought:

1. Arvin relies entirely on groundwater, aquifer depletion resulting from drought reduces the amount of water available. This affects both public watersupplies and private wells.

2. Drought can cause significant property damage, as well as reductions in crop productivity and livestock, which results in increased cost of food production.

3. Existing City codes and regulations do not require or incentivize water conservation measures, including requiring low-flow toilets and showerheads.

The 2020 Kern MJHMP has identified several mitigation measures that may assist in the lessening of drought conditions:

1. Wind Breaks: In collaboration with Kern County, implement wind breaks to prevent wind erosion leading to soil instability and increasing risk of landslides that could shut down or reduce capacity on Highway 223. Wind break erosion mitigation examples include solid fences, porous fences, straw bales, soil surface modification, berms, and landscaping.

2. Implementation of Wind Breaks will have a long-term impact on the reduction of risk exposure for life and property, or projects will not provide an immediate reduction in the risk exposure for property.

The City of Arvin may establish drought reduction programs through the following:

1. Conduct wind erosion awareness outreach: outreach and educational programming to property owners and agricultural operators about wind erosion and mitigation techniques such as introducing cover crops, eliminating tillage, and avoiding over grazing. This could help avoid road closures associated with sheet flooding and landslides on roadways providing access to Arvin.

2. Develop and implement a public education campaign around water conservation

3. Adopt a new water conservation ordinance for commercial and residential land uses limiting outdoor watering
Figure 1-6: City of Arvin – Drought Severity Timeline – Middle Kern-Upper TehachapiGrapevine – Excerpt from 2020 Kern MJHMP

GOALS AND POLICIES
This section contains goals and policies that provide for the safety and protection of life and property from the occurrence of a natural or manmade hazard. Citywide safety goals and policies apply generally to any potential hazardous event, which may be addressed further in topic-specific goals and policies.

Citywide Safety
Goal SAF-1: A community protected from and prepared for natural and man-made hazards.

Policy SAF-1.1: Support projects, programs, policies, and regulations to mitigate potential impacts associated with natural and man-made hazards.

Policy SAF-1.2: Regularly participate in the maintain and update of the Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Maintenance Plan relevant to the Arvin Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Policy SAF-1.3: Support programs, policies, and regulations that discourage or limit development within areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly in areas with recurring damage.

Policy SAF-1.4: Support programs that promote greater public awareness of disaster risks, personal and business risk reduction, and personal and neighborhood emergency response.

Policy SAF-1.5: Investigate and pursue available funding sources to fund safety programs, provide services, upgrade/construct facilities, and purchase equipment.

Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Goal SAF-2: A community protected from loss of life or injury and damage to property due to geologic and seismic hazards.

Policy SAF-2.1: Continue to incorporate geotechnical hazard data in future land use decision-making, site design, and construction standards.

Policy SAF-2.2: Adopt the latest version of the building codes adopted by the State of California and ensure implementation in all new construction and renovations.

Policy SAF-2.3: Require site-specific soils and/or geologic reports for development in areas where potentially serious geologic risks exist.

Policy SAF-2.4: Monitor and enforce mitigation measures to reduce risks for projects where seismic and geologic hazards can be mitigated and prohibit development in areas where seismic and geologic hazards cannot be mitigated.

Policy SAF-2.5: Promote the upgrade, retrofitting, and/or relocation of all existing critical facilities (e.g., police and fire stations, hospitals, schools, community centers, water facilities, public works yard, emergency access routes) and other important public facilities that do not meet current building code standards and are within areas of seismic or geologic hazard risks.

Policy SAF-2.6: Continue to seek out opportunities to educate and encourage the community on ways to implement measures to mitigate potential injury and damage associated with earthquakes.

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Flood Hazards
Goal SAF-3: A community protected from loss of life or injury and damage to property due to flood hazards.

Policy SAF-3.1: Continue to work with the appropriate local, State, and Federal agencies to maintain the most current flood hazard and floodplain information and use it as a basis for project review and to guide development.

Policy SAF-3.2: Actively promote and participate in a regional drainage analysis and implementation of regional and local flood control measures to reduce regional flooding conditions within the City.

Policy SAF-3.3: Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and ensure that City regulations are in full compliance with the standards adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Policy SAF-3.4: Implement recommendations contained in the Arvin Storm Drain Master Plan that are within the City’s jurisdiction.

Policy SAF-3.5: Minimize whenever possible flood risks associated with existing development.

Policy SAF-3.6: Require evaluation of potential flood hazards prior to approval of grading permits and require floor elevation certification as required by Chapter 15.32 Flood Management.

Policy SAF-3.7: Identify construction or other methods to minimize damage if new development is located in flood hazard zones.

Policy SAF-3.8: Prohibit or require mitigation of new development within the 100-year flood zone unless it can be shown that the development will not:
▪ Create danger to life and property due to increased flood heights or velocities caused by excavation, fill, roads and intended use.
▪ Create difficult emergency vehicle access in times of flood. ▪ Create a safety hazard due to the unexpected heights velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the flood waters at the site. ▪ Create excessive costs in providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public facilities. ▪ Interfere with the existing waterflow capacity of the floodway. ▪ Substantially increase erosion and/or sedimentation.
▪ Change the water storage/volume capacity of the flood basin.

Policy SAF-3.9: Require that essential public facilities be located and designed to mitigate potential flood risk to ensure long term operation.

Policy SAF-3.10: Promote low impact development techniques and design features such as pervious paving, on-site groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, minimization of building footprints, and bioretention to improve defensive measures against storm events and stormwater pollution.

Policy SAF-3.11: Educate property owners and residents located in flood hazard areas about opportunities to mitigate flood hazards and damage, implementation of flood

Policy SAF-3.12: Continue to encourage and support efforts of Kern County and the Bureau of Reclamation in the proper maintenance and repairs of the Friant-Kern Canal are accomplished.

Hazardous Materials
Goal SAF-4: A community protected from the harmful effects of hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and environmental contamination.

Policy SAF-4.1: Ensure that land uses involved in the production, storage, transportation, handling, or disposal of hazardous materials are located and operated to reduce risk to other land uses.

Policy SAF-4.2: When approving new development, ensure that the site:
▪ Is sufficiently surveyed for contamination and remediation, particularly for sensitive uses near existing or former toxic or industrial sites. ▪ Is adequately remediated to meet all applicable laws and regulations, if necessary.
▪ Is suitable for human habitation.
▪ Is protected from known hazardous and toxic materials. ▪ Does not pose higher than average health risks from exposure to hazardous materials.

Policy SAF-4.3: Assist the Kern County Health Department in monitoring the operations of businesses and individuals that handle hazardous materials through the planning and business permit processes.

Policy SAF-4.4: Work with the appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local agencies to identify previously unidentified contaminated sites in the City, particularly on sites with a high likelihood of past contamination, such as old gas stations or industrial sites, and work with the property owners and applicable agencies to remediate them.

Policy SAF-4.5: Ensure the safe transport of hazardous materials through the City by:
▪ Restricting transport of hazardous materials within Arvin to designated routes. ▪ Prohibiting the parking of vehicles transporting hazardous materials on City streets.
▪ Requiring new pipelines or other channels carrying hazardous materials avoid residential areas to the greatest extent possible.

Policy SAF-4.6: Support Caltrans and California Highway Patrol efforts to ensure safe transportation of hazardous materials on SR-223 (Bear Mountain Blvd.)
Policy SAF-4.7: Assist Kern County Health Department in the education of residents and businesses on how to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials and products, and encourage the use of safer, nontoxic, environmentally friendly equivalents.

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Policy SAF-4.8: Assist Kern County Health Department and the Sanitation District in raising public awareness of appropriate disposal for household hazardous waste and publicize collection events and locations.

Policy SAF-4.9: Prior to the development of lands where abandoned or activity wells exist, the City will contact the Department of Conservation; Geologic Energy Management Division, CalGEM for assistance in the development review process. The Department of Conservation; Geologic Energy Management Division, CalGEM is charged with implementing Section 3208.1 of the Public Resources Code (PRC). As a result, the Division developed the Construction Site Well Review Program to assist local permitting agencies in identifying and reviewing the status of oil or gas wells located near or beneath proposed structures.

Before issuing building or grading permits, local permitting agencies review and implement the Division’s preconstruction of well requirements. Interaction between local permitting agencies and the Division helps resolve land-use issues and allows for responsible development in oil and gas fields.

Fire Hazards
Goal SAF-5: A community protected from loss of life or injury and damage to property due to fire hazards.

Policy SAF-5.1: Continue to coordinate fire protection services with Kern County Fire Department to ensure sufficient capacity, stations, personnel, and equipment are available to meet growth needs in Arvin for fire protection and related emergency services.

Policy SAF-5.2: Ensure adequate water supply and water pressure is provided throughout the City for firefighting purposes.

Policy SAF-5.3: Ensure all new development provides adequate access for emergency vehicles and evacuation.

Policy SAF-5.4: Regularly update building and fire codes to provide for fire safety design.

Policy SAF-5.5: Promote public safety education programs to reduce accidents, injuries, and fires, as well as to train members of the public to respond to emergencies.

Policy SAF-5.6 Investigate the development and adoption of Fire Impact Fees to off-set the increase cost of fire protection.

Policy SAF-5.7 Enforce and maintain weed abatement and brush clearance programs to reduce Fire hazards to developed property in the immediate vicinity of vacant undeveloped land.

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Emergency Services, Preparedness, and Response
Goal SAF-6: A community prepared to provide effective response and recovery efforts in the event of an emergency.

Policy SAF-6.1: Continue to implement emergency preparedness and response measures in coordination with Kern County’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Policy SAF-6.2: Participate in Kern County trainings on emergency operations procedures and response.

Policy SAF-6.3: Support policies and programs that ensure adequate resources are available to respond to health, fire, and police emergencies.

Policy SAF-6.4: Investigate and seek out opportunities to improve emergency access and circulation throughout the community.

Policy SAF-6.5: As in the development of and provide residents and businesses with information about local safety hazards and emergency plans, including evacuation plans and procedures to accommodate special needs populations and efficient post-disaster recovery.

Policy SAF-6.6: Support policies and programs to involve and educate the community in emergency preparedness.

Policy SAF-6.7: Collaborate with the school district, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community members/groups to maintain safety throughout the City.

Policy SAF-6.8: Involve the Police Department in the development review process to address safety concerns, access issues, and potential traffic conflicts, and identify opportunities to apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.

Drought Severity
Goal SAF-7: Create educational and drought reduction programs to assist in the avoiding drought.

Policy SAF-7.1: Continue the implementation of the Arvin Municipal Codes Chapter 15.38 Water Efficient Landscape Regulations: Chapter 15.36 Water Conservation, Section

15.36.030 Landscaping, and the State of California Chapter 2.7. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

Policy SAF-7.2: Require Certificate of Compliance from Licensed Landscape Architects or other qualified professionals for the preparation of Irrigation Plans, Landscape Plans, and Selections of plants and trees (Landscape Documentation Plans) Policy SAF-7.3: Required the Certification of Installation According to the Landscape Documentation Package and Irrigation Plan prior to the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for new construction.

Policy SAF-7.4: Cooperate with Kern County in the development of and implementation of wind breaks to prevent wind erosion leading to soil instability and increasing risk of landslides that could shut down or reduce capacity on Highway 223.

1. solid fences,

2. porous fences,

3. straw bales,

4. soil surface modification,

5. berms, and

6. landscaping.

Policy SAF-7-5: Develop and implement a public education campaign around water conservation Policy SAF-7.6: Adopt new water conservation ordinance for commercial and residential land uses limiting outdoor watering

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5.B.5
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5.B.5
Attachment: 4-Attachment 1 - 2021-55 Reso Adopting 2020 Kern JMHMP_081021_Redacted (Public Hearing: Resolution Amending General Plan Kern Multi-Jurisdiction 2020 MJHMP Update

COUNTY OF KERN
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CITY OF ARVIN

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Kern Multi-Jurisdiction 2020 MJHMP Update

COUNTY OF KERN
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INTENTIONAL BLANK PAGE

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Kern County
Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan
CITY OF ARVIN (AR.)
Municipal Participating Jurisdiction Annex
Adoption Record......................................................................................................................................................................................iv Section 1. City of Arvin..........................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 Planning Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................................1-1

1.3 What’s New........................................................................................................................................................................................1-2

1.4 Risk Assessment ............................................................................................................................................................................1-3

1.4.1 Hazard Screening Criteria .................................................................................................................................................1-3

1.4.2 Hazard Risk Ranking........................................................................................................................................................... 1-5

1.4.3 Vulnerability Assessment.................................................................................................................................................1-6

1.4.4 Identify Hazard Problem Statements......................................................................................................................... 1-15

1.5 Mitigation Strategy ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1-20

1.5.1 Capabilities Assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 1-20

1.5.2 Mitigation Actions..............................................................................................................................................................1-25 List of Figures
Figure 1-1 City of Arvin Location ....................................................................................................................................................1-2 Figure 1-2. New SSCSD Office.....................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 1-3: City of Arvin Risk Assessment..................................................................................................................................1-7 Figure 1-4: City of Arvin – FEMA Flood Zone Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot....................................................1-8 Figure 1-5: City of Arvin – EQ S. San Andreas Mojave N. Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot.............................1-9 Figure 1-6: City of Arvin – Subsidence Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot .............................................................. 1-10 Figure 1-7: City of Arvin – Drought Severity Timeline – Middle Kern-Upper Tehachapi-Grapevine ...............1-11 Figure 1-8. Guidance for Problem Statements ........................................................................................................................ 1-15 Figure 1-11. Mitigation Action Key................................................................................................................................................1-25

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List of Tables
Table 1-1: Planning Committee Members.................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Table 1-2. Hazard Prioritization ...................................................................................................................................................... 1-4 Table 1-3 Document Review Crosswalk .......................................................................................................................................1-5 Table 1-4: NFIP Status Table...........................................................................................................................................................1-14 Table 1-5 Problem Statements........................................................................................................................................................1-16 Table 1-6. Planning and Regulatory Capabilities Summary...............................................................................................1-21 Table 1-7. Administrative and technical capabilities summary ..................................................................................... 1-22 Table 1-8. Financial capabilities summary .............................................................................................................................. 1-23 Table 1-9. Education and outreach capabilities summary ................................................................................................1-24 Table 1-10. City of Arvin Mitigation Actions............................................................................................................................ 1-27 Adoption Record
To comply with DMA 2000, the County Board of Supervisors and participating jurisdictions have officially adopted this Kern County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1 and Volume 2. The adoption of the MJHMP in its entirety recognizes the jurisdictions’ commitment to reducing the impacts of natural hazards within the County and Cities. See below record of adoption.

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Section 1. City of Arvin

1.1 Purpose
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the City of Arvin. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the umbrella plan document. As such, all sections of the umbrella plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the City of Arvin. This Annex provides additional information specific to the City of Arvin, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this community.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Point of Contact
Primary Point of Contact Alternate Point of Contact
Christine Viterelli, Grant Writer
City of Arvin
200 Campus Dr,
Arvin, CA 93203
Telephone: (661) 854-3134
e-mail Address: [email protected]
Cecilia Vela, City Clerk
City of Arvin
200 Campus Dr,
Arvin, CA 93203
Telephone: (661) 854-3134
e-mail Address: [email protected]

1.2 Planning Methodology
The City of Arvin followed the planning process detailed in Volume 1, Section 3, including participating in the County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) and Steering Committee and formulating their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1: Planning Committee Members
Planning Committee Members Department
Christine Viterelli Grant Writer
Cecilia Vela City Clerk
Jerry Breckinridge City Manager
Olan Armstrong Lieutenant
Pawan Gill Director of HR and Administrative Services

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Figure 1-1 City of Arvin Location

1.3 What’s New
The City of Arvin has been making improvements toward reducing natural hazard risks to life and property since the existing MJHMP was adopted. The City reevaluated previous mitigation actions, including considerations of progress made on mitigation efforts, and retained them as pending or ongoing; no tables for completed or cancelled mitigation actions are included. Ongoing and pending mitigation actions are described in Table 1-9.

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1.4 Risk Assessment
The intent of this section is to profile the City of Arvin’s hazards and assess the City’s vulnerabilities, distinct from that of the County wide planning area. The hazard profiles in Volume 1 discuss overall impacts to the planning area and describes the hazard problem description, hazard extent, magnitude/severity, previous occurrences of hazard events and the likelihood of future occurrences. For more information on Risk Assessment Methodologies, see Vol. 1 and Appendix A.

1.4.1 Hazard Screening Criteria
Planning Team members from each participating jurisdiction collectively discussed which hazards should be profiled in the Plan and which should not. The results of that discussion can be found in Table 1-2.

Detailed hazard profiles of the most significant County wide hazards are described in Section 4 of Volume 1. The Planning Team reviewed previously-prepared hazard mitigation plans and other relevant documents to determine the realm of natural hazards that have the potential to affect the City of Arvin.

Table 1-3 provides a crosswalk of hazards identified in Vol. 1 of this plan, the City of Arvin General Plan, and 2018 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The crosswalk was used to develop a preliminary hazards list, providing a framework for the Planning Team members to evaluate which hazards were truly relevant to the City of Arvin and which ones were not. Section 1.4.2 below describes the hazard risk ranking process that was performed by the planning team which prioritized hazards that are specifically relevant to the City of Arvin.

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Table 1-2. Hazard Prioritization
Hazard Type Explanation
Climate Change High priority county wide, profiled as part of Flood, Wildfire, and Severe Weather hazard.

Dam failure High priority county wide, profiled hazard.

Drought High priority county wide, profiled hazard
Dust Storms High priority county wide; profiled as part of Severe Weather Earthquake/ Geologic Hazards High priority county wide, profiled hazard Extreme Heat Profiled as part of Severe Weather hazard
Extreme Cold Extreme cold is rare in Kern County and not profiled in this plan Flood High priority county wide, profiled hazard
Hail Hail events are rare in Kern County and not profiled in this plan Fog While fog events do occur within Kern County, they are rare and are not considered a priority
Hazardous Material While hazardous materials can release and impact the County, there are better avenues to address this hazard outside this Plan.

High Winds/ Straight Line Winds High priority county wide, profiled as part of Severe Weather Insect Hazards While insects including Africanized honey bee and pine bark beetle exist in Kern County, this was not considered a priority and pests are not profiled in this plan
Levee Failure High priority county wide, profiled as part of Dam Failure Lightning Lightning was not identified as a priority for this plan.

Pandemic Disease While pandemic disease can impact the County, there are better avenues to address this hazard outside this plan.

Radon This hazard was not identified as a priority
Severe Thunderstorm Severe thunderstorms are rare in Kern County and not profiled in this plan.

Slope Failure High priority county wide, profiled hazard Soil Hazards High priority county wide, profiled hazard Terrorism/Human Caused Threats While terrorism is certainly a threat to the County and participating jurisdictions, it is best addressed in other plans as this HMP does not address human caused threats.

Tornado Impacts to the County from tornados are extremely unlikely, if any.

Volcanic Activity Due to distance from volcanoes and the limited chance of an eruption, this hazard was not identified as a priority.

Wildfire High priority county wide, profiled hazard
Winter Storm / Freeze Events Profiled as part of Severe Weather hazard

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Table 1-3 Document Review Crosswalk
Hazards
2014 Kern County
MJHMP
2012 Arvin
General Plan
2009 Kern County
General Plan
2018 California State
HMP
Agricultural Pests ■ ■
Climate Change ■ ■ ■
Dam Failure ■ ■ ■
Drought ■ ■
Earthquake ■ ■ ■
Flood ■ ■ ■ ■
Insect Hazards ■
Landslide ■ ■ ■
Levee Failure ■ ■
Manmade Hazards ■ ■
Pandemic Disease ■ ■
Sea Level Rise ■
Severe Weather ■ ■
Soil Hazards ■ ■ ■
Terrorism & Tech Hazards ■
Tsunami ■
Volcano ■ ■
Wildfire ■ ■ ■

1.4.2 Hazard Risk Ranking
The City of Arvin’s Planning Team used the same hazard prioritization process as the Kern County Planning Committee. This process is described in detail in Section 4.3.1 of Vol. 1. Figure 1-2 displays the results of the hazard risk ranking exercise that was performed by the Planning Team. The Planning Team chose to assess the City of Arvin’s vulnerability to the following hazards:
▪ flood ▪ drought
▪ earthquake ▪ soil stablility
All of these hazards have been profiled in Vol. 1 of this document. The purpose of this annex to specifically address the City of Arvin’s vulnerability to these specifically-identified hazards.

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1.4.3 Vulnerability Assessment
Assessing vulnerabilities exposes the unique characteristics of individual hazards and begins the process of narrowing down which areas within the City of Arvin are vulnerable to specific hazard events. The vulnerability assessment considered unique local knowledge of hazards and impacts and a GIS overlaying method for examining such vulnerabilities more in depth. Using these methods, participating jurisdictions estimated vulnerable populations, infrastructure, and potential losses from hazards.

1.4.3.1 Risk Assessment
Each participating jurisdiction developed a risk matrix that assessed the probability and impact of various hazards within the jurisdiction. Figure 1-2 is the jurisdiction’s risk assessment, which was completed in part using the web based and interactive Risk Assessment Mapping Platform (RAMP), accessed via the project website at www.mitigatehazards.com. RAMP allows interactive discovery of robust risk, vulnerability, and exposure data developed especially for Kern County. RAMP is a mapping platform built specifically for mitigation planning. It displays County/jurisdiction facilities and buildings overlaid with natural hazards layers to bring interactivity and individual discovery to the GIS analysis performed for the MJHMP. See Vol. 1 for a detailed description of RAMP. The Planning Team used RAMP in meetings and as needed to understand vulnerabilities to the City of Arvin. Users interactively filter facilities and buildings by natural hazard zones and/or construction characteristics.

1.4.3.2 Snapshot Exposure Maps
The included snapshot maps, displayed below in Figure 1-3 through Figure 1-6 illustrates the City of Arvin’s vulnerability to specific hazards. Figures include:
▪ Figure 1-3: City of Arvin – FEMA Flood Zone Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot ▪ Figure 1-4: City of Arvin – EQ S. San Andreas Mojave N. Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot ▪ Figure 1-5: City of Arvin – Subsidence Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot ▪ Figure 1-6: City of Arvin – Drought Severity Timeline – Middle Kern-Upper Tehachapi-Grapevine Based on the above risk assessment, the snapshot maps focus on those hazards prioritized by the jurisdiction. These maps helped the Planning Team understand the exposure of population, parcels, and critical infrastructure to specific hazards. Each map contains an exposure summary that displays the percent of the population, the improvement and content value of parcels, and the amount of critical infrastructure that is exposed to each respective hazard.

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Figure 1-2: City of Arvin Risk Assessment

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Figure 1-3: City of Arvin– FEMA Flood Zone Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot

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Figure 1-4: City of Arvin – EQ S. San Andreas Mojave N. Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot

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Figure 1-5: City of Arvin– Subsidence Vulnerability & Exposure Snapshot

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Figure 1-6: City of Arvin – Drought Severity Timeline – Middle Kern-Upper Tehachapi-Grapevine

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1.4.3.3 Past and Future Development
The City of Arvin is a general law city that crafts its own development regulations and is subject to State law. Future development is subject to compliance with state and local planning, zoning, subdivision, and architecture laws.

The City of Arvin’s General Plan (GP) establishes long-range development policies. The GP is designed to help the City address issues related to land use, circulation (traffic), housing, open space, conservation, noise, and safety. The Land Use portion of the plan helps guide the City in determining the location of future development(s), including possible future annexation. In addition to the GP, the City has other plans that guide development in specific areas, including specific plans, policy plans, and master plans. These plans help to shape future development and dictate the City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI). One of the central functions in these planning documents is to decrease risk of impact from natural hazards.

Development since Previous HMP
While growth has occurred in hazard areas in the past, increasing hazard risks to some degree, those risks are also decreased by development standards and plan requirements that serve to mitigate or avoid those risks. Most recently, development since the last HMP has not increased hazard vulnerability for the City of Arvin. Problematic development generally occurred many decades ago; therefore, this HMP Annex has not been revised to reflect any substantial changes in past development and instead focuses on avenues to better mitigate impacts from problematic past development in the 1970’s and earlier.

Future Development
City of Arvin is required to update building codes to meet the minimum standards to those required in the California Building Code last updated in 2019. California Building Codes provide some of the safest construction standards in the world and are meant to reduce risk to occupants from high wind, seismic activity, landslides, flood, wildfire, and other natural hazards. In addition to California minimum develop standards, all jurisdictions belong to the NFIP, as such, all development must meet minimum flood protection standards set forth by FEMA. See Section 4.3.5 of Volume 1 for more information about past and future development in Kern County.

As the General Plan is updated and incorporates information from this HMP, City of Arvin staff are continually improving hazard information through these hazard mitigation plan updates. With this 2020 update, improved online mapping about natural hazards available on RAMP will inform those responsible for future development to make better decisions where and how future development occurs.

City of Arvin reviewed its general plans under the capability assessments undertaken for this hazard mitigation plan. See Section 1.5.1. Deficiencies revealed by these reviews are identified as mitigation actions to decrease risks to move beyond past trends.

The City’s municipal codes includes regulations to mitigate the impact of hazards on new and existing development, including:

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▪ Drainage and stormwater retention requirements,
▪ Steep slope restrictions for new development,
▪ Waterbody buffer requirements,
▪ Floodplain management regulations,
▪ Zoning that prevents development in hazardous areas of the community such as floodplains, landslide areas, the wildland-urban interface (WUI), or other known hazard areas, and ▪ Building codes that include the most up-to-date California Fire Code, seismic standards, and many other provisions crafted to protect new construction from hazard events.

Even in the event that limited development did occur within a hazard area, the municipal code should ensure impacts from a hazard event are mitigated and losses are minimal. If development does occur in hazard areas, evacuation and emergency planning should take into consideration the anticipated local impacts of the hazard event, including potential interrupted services or the elimination of access.

The anticipated growth in the City will not cause significant change in vulnerability to the City for identified priority hazards.

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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities. FEMA has prepared a detailed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Kern County and municipalities. The study presents water surface elevations for floods of various magnitudes, including the 1-percent annual chance flood and the 0.2-percent annual chance flood (the 500-YR flood).

Base flood elevations and the boundaries of the 100- and 500-YR floodplains are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which are the principle tool for identifying the extent and location of the flood hazard.

FIRMs are the most detailed and consistent data source available, and for many communities they represent the minimum area of oversight under their floodplain management program. See Section 4 of Volume 1 for general information on the NFIP.

The City of Arvin has participated in the NFIP since 1988. The City of Arvin is currently in good standing with the provisions of the NFIP. Compliance is monitored by FEMA regional staff and by the California Department of Water Resources under a contract with FEMA. Maintaining compliance under the NFIP is an important component of flood risk reduction. See Table 1-4 for more information on the City’s policies and historic flood insurance claims.

Table 1-4: NFIP Status Table
NFIP Status Participating since 1/13/1988
Policies in Force 1033
Policies in SFHA 1012
Policies in non-SFHA 21
Total Claims Paid 12
Paid Losses $ 546
Repetitive Loss Properties 0
Severe Repetitive Loss Properties 0
Repetitive Loss Payment by NFIP on Building N/D
Repetitive Loss Payment by NFIP on Contents N/D
Note: N/D signifies no data.

See Volume 1, Section 4.5 for more information on the NFIP.

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1.4.4 Identify Hazard Problem Statements
As part of the mitigation action identification process, the Planning Committee for each jurisdiction identified areas of concern (aka problem statements) for their respective facilities based on the risk assessment and vulnerability analysis, utilizing the RAMP mapping and static snapshot maps. Problem statements focused on the impact, victim, or threat that the hazard could create in the jurisdiction, as described in Figure 1-7. Identifying common issues and weaknesses through these problem statements assisted the Planning Committee in understanding the realm of resources needed for mitigation.

Jurisdiction problem statements are listed in Table 1-5.

The goal is to have at least one mitigation action for every problem statement. Projects or actions have been developed to mitigate each problem identified. See Table 1-10 for a full list of mitigation actions and corresponding problem statements that they address. Each problem statement is coded with a problem number for cross-referencing between Table 1-5 and Table 1-10.

Figure 1-7. Guidance for Problem Statements
IMPACT
Casualties
Property Damage
Business Interruption
Financial Loss
Environmental Contamination
VICTIM
School Children in Hazard High
Hazard Areas
Care Facilities in High Hazard
Area
Vulnerable Population Exposed to
hazards
THREAT
Increased Fuels due to drought
Hotter, drier climates
More Intense Storms
Impervious surfaces = greater
runoff
Increases of Invasive Species

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Table 1-5 Problem Statements
Problem
No.

Hazard Area of
Concern
Mitigation
Alternatives
Primary
Agency
Problem Description Related MA
ps-DR-AR510Drought Impact NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Because Arvin relies entirely on
groundwater, aquifer depletion
resulting from drought reduces amount
of water available. This affects both
public water supplies and private wells.
ma-DR-AR563
ps-DR-AR511Drought Impact NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Drought can cause significant property
damage, as well as reductions in crop
productivity and livestock, which
results in increased cost of food
production.
ma-DR-AR563
ps-DR-AR512Drought Victim NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Residents, businesses, and the
agricultural industry (which is
essential to the local economy).
ma-DR-AR563
ps-DR-AR513Drought Threat PRV -
Prevention
City of
Arvin
Existing City codes and regulations do
not require or incentivize water
conservation measures, including
requiring low-flow toilets and
showerheads.
ma-DR-AR564, ma-EQAR-565
ps-EQ-AR514Earthquake Impact SP - Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
Older construction and particularly
unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings
pose hazards during earthquakes.
ma-EQ-AR565, ma-EQAR-566, maEQ-DL-84
ps-EQ-AR515Earthquake Impact PPRO -
Property
Protection
City of
Arvin
Seismic shaking could damage
infrastructure such as roads, water
lines, sewer lines, and other critical
facilities.
ma-EQ-AR565, ma-EQAR-566
ps-EQ-AR516Earthquake Victim PRV -
Prevention , ES
- Emergency
Services , SP -
Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
Arvin’s entire population
(approximately 20,300) would be
subject to severe shaking resulting
from a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on
the White Wolf fault.
ma-EQ-AR565, ma-FLDL-117
ps-EQ-AR517Earthquake Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , ES
- Emergency
Services , SP -
Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
The entire city would be subject to
severe shaking resulting from a 7.2
magnitude earthquake on the White
Wolf fault. This includes 1 Essential
Facility (Fire Station) and 64 High
Potential Loss Facilities within 100-
year Flood Zone (including 32 Family
Child Care Homes, 11 Special Needs
Facilities, 7 Schools, 6 Child Care
Centers, and 3 Health Care Facilities)
ma-EQ-AR565, ma-EQAR-566

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Problem
No.

Hazard Area of
Concern
Mitigation
Alternatives
Primary
Agency
Problem Description Related MA
ps-EQ-AR518Earthquake Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , ES
- Emergency
Services , SP -
Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
3,600 residents would be subject to
strong shaking resulting from a 7.2
magnitude earthquake on the San
Andreas fault, while 16,730 residents
would be subject to very strong
shaking.
ma-EQ-AR565
ps-EQ-AR519Earthquake Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , ES
- Emergency
Services , SP -
Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
The entire city would be subject to
either very strong or strong shaking
resulting from a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake on the San Andreas fault.

This includes 1 Essential Facility (Fire
Station) and 64 High Potential Loss
Facilities within 100-year Flood Zone
(including 32 Family Child Care Homes,
11 Special Needs Facilities, 7 Schools, 6
Child Care Centers, and 3 Health Care
Facilities)
ma-EQ-AR565, ma-EQAR-566
ps-FL-AR520Flood Impact PPRO -
Property
Protection
City of
Arvin
Arvin is subject to sheet flow events,
which result in shallow flooding that
causes property damage, road
washouts, and transportation
disruptions.
ma-AH-AR569, ma-FLAR-71
ps-FL-AR521Flood Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness
City of
Arvin
All City residents exposed to flood risk.

Approximately 16,260 residents living
within or near the 100-year floodplain
and 4,060 within or near 500-year
floodplain.
ma-FL-AR-71
ps-FL-AR522Flood Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , SP
- Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
1 Essential Facility within 100-year
Flood Zone (Fire Station) and 62 High
Potential Loss Facilities within 100-
year Flood Zone (including 32 Family
Child Care Homes, 11 Special Needs
Facilities, 6 Schools, 5 Child Care
Centers, and 3 Health Care Facilities)
ma-FL-AR-71

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Problem
No.

Hazard Area of
Concern
Mitigation
Alternatives
Primary
Agency
Problem Description Related MA
ps-FL-AR523Flood Victim PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , SP
- Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
Transportation and Lifeline asset
within 100-year Flood Zone (power
substation)
ma-FL-AR-71
ps-FL-AR524Flood Impact PRV -
Prevention ,
PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness , SP
- Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
Residents, businesses, and agricultural
operations are vulnerable to
interruptions in transportation access
resulting from road washouts.
ma-FL-AR-71
ps-SS-AR525Soil Stability Impact PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Wind erosion causes soils to become
unstable, increasing risk of
landslides/rockslides and associated
mudflow on Highway 223, east of Arvin.

These conditions can lead to hazardous
driving conditions and road closures.

Highway 223 is the main road through
Arvin (Bear Mountain Boulevard), so
access interruptions due to road
closures are disruptive to the city.
ma-AH-AR569
ps-SS-AR526Soil Stability Impact PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection , SP
- Structural
Projects
City of
Arvin
Caving in of land around City sumps
and near stormwater runoff sites
resulting from groundwater pumping.
ma-SS-AR-567
ps-SS-AR527Soil Stability Victim PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Residents, businesses, and agricultural
operations are vulnerable to
interruptions in access resulting from
closures on Highway 223. This includes
commuters reliant on Highway 223 to
get to and from work.
ma-SS-AR-568

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Problem
No.

Hazard Area of
Concern
Mitigation
Alternatives
Primary
Agency
Problem Description Related MA
ps-SS-AR528Soil Stability Victim PPRO -
Property
Protection ,
PE&A - Public
Education &
Awareness ,
NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Residents living near sumps. ma-SS-AR-567
ps-SS-AR529Soil Stability Threat NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Fallow farms and agricultural fields
without crop cover increase
susceptibility to wind erosion.
ma-SS-AR-568
ps-SS-AR530Soil Stability Threat NRP - Natural
Resource
Protection
City of
Arvin
Drought-related drawdown in aquifers
and continued groundwater pumping.
ma-SS-AR-567

1.4.4.1 Mitigation Action Support Tool (MAST)
As a living document, hazard problem statements and mitigation activities will be updated through a web interface application developed specifically for participating jurisdictions. The Mitigation Action Support Tool (MAST) is accessible through http://mitigatehazards.com/county-of-kern/.

MAST is a web-based interactive tool that enables multiple users to search, view, enter, and update mitigation actions, ideas or projects, and other information. MAST provides participating jurisdictions and plan reviewers (Cal OES/FEMA) access to valuable mitigation information that can be leveraged by future planning or other risk reduction efforts within the County. Participating jurisdictions can update the status of their mitigation projects throughout the planning lifecycle, and this web-based tool will improve participating jurisdiction’s ability to apply for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs including initial grant application processes through Cal OES.

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1.5 Mitigation Strategy
The mitigation strategy is the guidebook to future hazard mitigation administration, capturing the key outcomes of the MJHMP planning process. The mitigation strategy is intended to reduce vulnerabilities outlined in the previous section (a.k.a. problem statements) with a prescription of policies and physical projects. These mitigation actions should be compatible with existing planning mechanisms and should outline specific roles and resources for implementation success.

1.5.1 Capabilities Assessment
This section examines the planning and regulatory, administrative, technical, financial, educational, and outreach capabilities to augment known issues and weaknesses from identified natural hazards.

The tables in this section explore various local planning mechanisms, administrative capacity, financial capabilities, and education and outreach initiatives. The columns in each table represent deeper dives into the following questions:
▪ Is the existing planning or regulatory mechanism used currently? (Column 1, Status) ▪ Has the HMP been integrated into the planning mechanism currently so that the named mechanism is currently used in HMP planning? (Column 2, Current Mitigation Use) ▪ Is there a future opportunity to expand, improve upon, and incorporate this 2020 HMP Update into the planning or regulatory mechanism? (Column 3, Future Opportunity) The capabilities assessment is easily-digestible and based on color coding to indicate which policies and plans are adequate, need improvement or in which the HMP could be integrated. Each table includes a legend that explain how each one of these questions are being answered according to the color indicated:
green, yellow, and orange.

For more information on the regulatory environment surrounding each hazard, see hazard-specific sections of Volume 1. Volume 1, Section 5.3.5 includes an extensive list of federal and state funding opportunities as well.

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1.5.1.1 Planning and Regulatory Capabilities
Table 1-6. Planning and Regulatory Capabilities Summary

CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT LEGEND
Status Current Mitigation Use Future Opportunity
Currently in use or present. Used widely for mitigation. Opportunity to expand and integrate. (Sort of) Seldomly used or limited
presence.

Limited use in mitigation planning. Limited opportunity to expand and integrate. (No) Not present or available. Not used in mitigation planning. No opportunity to expand or integrate.

HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Planning and Regulatory Capabilities
Construction and Future Development Regulations
Building Codes Green Yellow Yellow City has a building inspector only part time BCEGS Rating Orange Orange N/A Not familiar with this
Public Protection (ISO Class) N/A N/A N/A City relies on County FD Hazard Related Development
Standards N/A N/A N/A
Zoning Ordinance Green Yellow Yellow
Hazard-Specific Ordinance N/A N/A N/A
Growth Management Ordinance N/A Orange Orange
Hazard Reduction Programs (Annually Conducted)
Capital Improvements Program
(CIP) or Plan Green Green Yellow
Erosion/Sediment Control
Program Yellow Yellow Yellow Notes in standard specifications requiring contractors to comply with NPDES genera permit
Hazard-Related Public Outreach
Program Yellow Yellow Green See Education and Outreach Resource Capabilities.

Stormwater Management
Program (Annual Inspections) Green Green Yellow
Maintenance team routinely inspect storm basins
and other facilities; and respond to locally flooded
areas.

Seismic Safety Program (Nonstructural) Yellow Yellow Green Earthquake Modernization Plan
(Building Safety) Orange Orange Green
Hazard Plans
General Plan Safety Element Green Green Yellow
Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP) Yellow Green Green Countywide CWPP expected 2021.

COUNTY OF KERN
1-22
HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Planning and Regulatory Capabilities
Floodplain Management Plan Yellow Yellow Yellow
Stormwater Management Plan Green Green Green
Emergency Operations Plan Green Yellow Yellow
Climate Action Plan Green Green Yellow
Ground Water Management
Planning / Plans Green Yellow Yellow
National Flood Protection Program (NFIP)
Floodplain Management
Regulations Green Green Yellow
Flood Insurance Education and
Technical Assist. Yellow Yellow Green Actively working to improve educational resources for residents.

Flood Hazard Mapping / ReMapping Orange Orange Green No program to date, but could be extremely beneficial to city
Community Rating System
(CRS) N/A N/A N/A City not in CRS program

1.5.1.2 Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Table 1-7. Administrative and technical capabilities summary

Limited use in mitigation planning. Limited opportunity to expand and integrate. (No) Not present or available. Not used in mitigation planning. No opportunity to expand or integrate.

HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Administrative and Technical
Staff Capacity
Emergency Manager Green Yellow Yellow Provided by general manager.

Civil Engineer Orange Orange Yellow
Dedicated Public Outreach
Personnel Orange Orange Orange
GIS Specialist and Capability Orange Orange Green
Grant Manager, Writer, or
Specialist Orange Orange Orange

COUNTY OF KERN
1-23
HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Administrative and Technical
Other N/A N/A N/A
Warning Systems/Services
General N/A N/A N/A
Flood N/A N/A N/A
Wildfire N/A N/A N/A
Geological Hazards N/A N/A N/A

1.5.1.3 Financial Capabilities
Table 1-8. Financial capabilities summary

Limited use in mitigation planning. Limited opportunity to expand and integrate. (No) Not present or available. Not used in mitigation planning. No opportunity to expand or integrate.

HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Fiscal Capabilities
Financial Resources for Hazard Mitigation
Levy for Specific Purposes with
Voter Approval Green Green Green
Utilities Fees green Green Green
System Development Fee green yellow Green
General Obligation Bonds to
Incur Debt green yellow Yellow
Special Tax Bonds to Incur Debt orange Orange Orange
Withheld Spending in HazardProne Areas orange Orange Orange Stormwater Service Fees orange Orange Orange
Capital Improvement Project
Funding green yellow Green

COUNTY OF KERN
1-24

1.5.1.4 Education and Outreach
Table 1-9. Education and outreach capabilities summary

Limited use in mitigation planning. Limited opportunity to expand and integrate. (No) Not present or available. Not used in mitigation planning. No opportunity to expand or integrate.

HMP Integration
Resource Status Notes / Additional Detail
Current
Mitigation
Use
Future
Opportunity
Education / Outreach Capabilities
Education/Outreach Resources
Website Dedicated to Hazard
Topics orange Orange Orange
Dedicated Social Media orange Orange Orange
Hazard Info. Avail. at Library/
Planning Desk orange Orange Orange
Annual Public Safety Events orange Orange Orange
Ability to Field Public Tech.

Assistance Requests green yellow Green
Public Safety Newsletters or
Printed Outreach orange Orange Orange
Fire Safe Councils orange Orange Orange
Resource Conservation Districts orange Orange Orange
Other N/A N/A N/A

COUNTY OF KERN
1-25

1.5.2 Mitigation Actions
Mitigation actions were developed based upon the
jurisdiction’s priorities, risk assessment results, and mitigation alternatives. The mitigation action
prioritization method used by all participating
jurisdictions is described in Section 5.5.1 of Volume 1.

Table 1-10 lists each priority mitigation action,
responsible party, time frame, potential funding source, implementation steps, and resources need to
implement based upon the Planning Committee
consensus.

Each participating jurisdiction, including the City of
Arvin, considered ongoing relevancy of mitigation
actions from the existing MJHMP and retained or
removed such actions while adding new relevant
actions as well. Mitigation actions were examined for
relevancy and the potential for future implementation
and then evaluated for potential follow-up. Some
mitigation actions developed during the previous HMP
effort were not included because they were an inherent
part of the HMP update process or were not detailed
enough for implementation at a local Jurisdiction level. the City of Arvin has made significant changes to other mitigation actions because of the updated risk
assessment and implementation strategy, to include
more detail, or to update based on current mitigation
practices. Volume 1, Section 5.5.2 provides a record of County wide mitigation actions, the status, and additional notes for each action.

Table 1-10 lists each mitigation action for the City of Arvin. Each participating jurisdiction developed unique mitigation actions, targeted at their own unique priorities and vulnerabilities. Each mitigation action identifies the responsible party, time frame, potential funding source, implementation steps and resources needed to implement these priority mitigation actions. As a living document, hazard problem statements and mitigation activities will be updated through MAST. The detail in Table 1-10 meets the regulatory requirements of FEMA and DMA 2000.

Figure 1-8. Mitigation Action Key

COUNTY OF KERN
1-26

INTENTIONAL BLANK PAGE

COUNTY OF KERN
1-27
Table 1-10. City of Arvin Mitigation Actions
Mitigation No. Hazard
Type
Mitigation
Type
Status Year Primary
Agency
Title/Description Responsible
Party
Estimated Cost Estimated Benefit Time
Frame
HMA
Activity
Type
Potential Grant
Source
Priority Related
Problem
Statements
ma-AH-AR-569 All Hazard PE&A -
Public
Education &
Awareness
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Conduct wind erosion awareness outreach: outreach and educational
programming to property owners
and agricultural operators about
wind erosion and mitigation
techniques such as introducing
cover crops, eliminating tillage, and
avoiding over grazing. This could
help avoid road closures associated
with sheet flooding and landslides
on roadways providing access to
Arvin.

Administration Low - The project could be funded
under the existing budget. The
project is part of or can be part of an
ongoing existing program.

Medium - Project will have
a long-term impact on the
reduction of risk exposure
for life and property, or
project will not provide an
immediate reduction in the
risk exposure for property.
1-3 Years Planning HMGP / BRIC Medium ps-FL-AR-520,
ps-SS-AR-525
ma-DR-AR-563 Drought PE&A -
Public
Education &
Awareness
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Develop and implement a public education campaign around water
conservation
Administration Medium - The project could be
implemented with existing funding
but would require a reapportionment of the budget or a budget amendment, or the cost of
the project would have to be spread
over multiple years.

Medium - Project will have
a long-term impact on the
reduction of risk exposure
for life and property, or
project will not provide an
immediate reduction in the
risk exposure for property.
1-3 Years 5% HMGP / BRIC High ps-DR-AR-511,
ps-DR-AR-510,
ps-DR-AR-512
ma-DR-AR-564 Drought PRV -
Prevention
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Adopt a new water conservation ordinance for commercial and
residential land uses limiting
outdoor watering
Planning Low - The project could be funded
under the existing budget. The
project is part of or can be part of an
ongoing existing program.

Medium - Project will have
a long-term impact on the
reduction of risk exposure
for life and property, or
project will not provide an
immediate reduction in the
risk exposure for property.
1-3 Years Planning HMGP / BRIC High ps-DR-AR-513
ma-EQ-AR-565 Earthquake PRV -
Prevention
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Encourage owners of privately owned critical facilities to conduct
seismic evaluations.

Planning Low - The project could be funded
under the existing budget. The
project is part of or can be part of an
ongoing existing program.

High - Project will provide
an immediate reduction of
risk exposure for life and
property.
1-3 Years 5% HMGP / BRIC Medium ps-DR-AR-513,
ps-EQ-AR-515,
ps-EQ-AR-516,
ps-EQ-AR-517,
ps-EQ-AR-518,
ps-EQ-AR-519,
ps-EQ-AR-514
ma-EQ-AR-566 Earthquake SP -
Structural
Projects
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Seismic Retrofit: Retrofit / harden City-owned critical facilities and
buildings to increase their ability to
withstand seismic shaking.

Engineering
Division
High - Existing funding will not
cover the cost of the project;
implementation would require new
revenue through an alternative
source (for example, bonds, grants,
and fee increases).

High - Project will provide
an immediate reduction of
risk exposure for life and
property.
3-5 Years Project HMGP / BRIC Medium ps-EQ-AR-514,
ps-EQ-AR-515,
ps-EQ-AR-517,
ps-EQ-AR-519

COUNTY OF KERN
1-28
Mitigation No. Hazard
Type
Mitigation
Type
Status Year Primary
Agency
Title/Description Responsible
Party
Estimated Cost Estimated Benefit Time
Frame
HMA
Activity
Type
Potential Grant
Source
Priority Related
Problem
Statements
ma-FL-AR-71 Flood PRV -
Prevention
Pending 2014 City of Arvin Continue to Implement Sound
Floodplain Management Practices
through Participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program
City of Arvin
Building and
Planning
Department for
zoning
regulations
and building
permit
issuance,
Engineering
Department
and Public
Works for
floodplain
management
Low - The project could be funded
under the existing budget. The
project is part of or can be part of an
ongoing existing program.

High - Project will provide
an immediate reduction of
risk exposure for life and
property.

Ongoing Planning HMGP / BRIC ,
FMA
Medium ps-FL-AR-520,
ps-FL-AR-521,
ps-FL-AR-522,
ps-FL-AR-523,
ps-FL-AR-524
ma-SS-AR-567 Soil
Stability
SP -
Structural
Projects
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Soil Stability Evaluation: Evaluate potential effect of soil instability in
areas surrounding City sumps and
stormwater retention facilities. This
should include analysis of risk to
nearby residential structures.

Engineering
Division
Medium - The project could be
implemented with existing funding
but would require a re-
apportionment of the budget or a
budget amendment, or the cost of
the project would have to be spread
over multiple years.

Medium - Project will have
a long-term impact on the
reduction of risk exposure
for life and property, or
project will not provide an
immediate reduction in the
risk exposure for property.
1-3 Years Planning HMGP / BRIC Medium ps-SS-AR-526,
ps-SS-AR-528,
ps-SS-AR-530
ma-SS-AR-568 Soil
Stability
NRP -
Natural
Resource
Protection
Pending 2020 City of Arvin Wind Breaks: In collaboration with Kern County, implement wind
breaks to prevent wind erosion
leading to soil instability and
increasing risk of landslides that
could shut down or reduce capacity
on Highway 223. Wind break erosion
mitigation examples include solid
fences, porous fences, straw bales,
soil surface modification, berms,
and landscaping.

5.B.6
Attachment: 5-Attachment 2 - City of Arvin 2020 MJHMP (Public Hearing: Resolution Amending General Plan - 2024 Safety Element)

Page 1 of 1 ends

NOTICE OF EXEMPTION -Filing of Notice of Exemption
in Compliance with Section 15305-Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations - California Environmental Quality Act. – 2024 Safety Element Update
Place in project file until approved –
then file with Kern County Clerk

AFFIDAVIT OF FILING AND POSTING
Court Records Supervisor Office of the County Clerk
I declare that I received and posted this notice on the filing date as required by California Public Resources Code Section 21152(c). Said Notice will remain posted for 35 days for the filling date.

TO: COUNTY CLERK
County of Kern,
1115 Truxtun Ave. 1st Floor,
Bakersfield, CA 93301
FROM: City of Arvin
City Clerk, P.O. Box 548
200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203
661-854-3134 Office , 661-854-0817 Fax
TO: ceqasubmit.opr.ca.gov State Clearinghouse No.

Project title: 2024 Safety Element Update
Project location: City Wide Township/Range: T31S R29E Section 26 Latitude and Longitude: 35.21007° N /118.82603° W Nearest Railroad: Southern Pacific Railroad Nearest State Hwy: Hwy 223 Nearest School: Arvin High School Description of nature, purpose, and beneficiaries of project: Amend the General Plan by Adopting the 2024 Safety Element Incorporating 2020 Kern County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan - The purpose of the Safety Element is to reduce the potential risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from natural and human-induced hazards. The Safety Element establishes preventative and responsive policies and programs to mitigate the potential impacts associated with hazards that may affect the City of Arvin. This Element along with the 2020 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) addresses geologic and seismic hazards, flood hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materials, and emergency preparedness and response planning.

Name of public agency approving
project:
■ City Council City Council Resolution No. 2025 – XX January 28, 2024
Name and person or agency
carrying out the project
Jeffrey Jones, City Manager/Finance Director, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203. Email: [email protected] Phone: 661-854-3134
Exempt status: CEQA Guidelines, General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3) Reasons why project is exempt: The 2024 Safety Element update can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it will have a significant effect on the environment, The 2024 Safety Element establishes policies to reduce natural hazards that may occur within the City. The 2024 Safety Element update programs and policies are city wide. No scenic highway or resources; no hazardous waste site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code; no physical development; no structures are to be demolished due to the adoption of the Safety Element; nor would the adoption of the Safety Element have a significant adverse impact on a historic resource. The City Council finds that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the adoption of the Safety Element. For all the foregoing, including evidence in the administrative record, the City Council of the City of Arvin adopts General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3).

Contact person: Jake Raper, Project Coordinator, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203 Email: [email protected] Phone: 805-234-7908
Signature/Title/ Date:
_____________________________________ ________________
Jeffrey Jones, City Manager/Finance Director Date
Record available to General Public: This is to certify that the environmental document and record of project approval is available to the General Public at City of Arvin, City Clerk’s Office, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, California, 93203. This Notice of Exemption and its supporting documents may be reviewed/obtained during normal working hours at the above address. The filing of a Notice of Exemption and the posting on the list of notices start a 35-day statute of limitations period on legal challenges to the agency's decision that the project is exempt from CEQA. If a Notice of Exemption is not filed, a 180-day statute of limitations will apply. Refer to Section 15061(d) for filing instructions.

5.B.7
Attachment: 6-N of E 2024 Safety Element (Public Hearing: Resolution Amending General Plan - 2024 Safety Element)

CITY OF ARVIN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
General Plan Safety Element Update
Notice is hereby given that the City Council, City of Arvin, California, will conduct a public hearing, at which time you may be present and be heard, to consider the City of Arvin’s 2024 Safety Element update by Incorporating the 2020 Kern Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) Update and CEQA determination.

Applicant: City of Arvin, Community Development Department – City Planner Location: City Wide
Project Description: The City of Arvin’s Safety Element was last updated in 2019 with the inclusion of the 2014 Kern County Hazard Mitigation Plan. In 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-55 – Adopting the updated 2020 Kern Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan on August 10, 2021. The updated 2020 Kem MultiJurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 1 and its Annex, as approved by FEMA and Cal OES, is the official mitigation plan for The City of Arvin. Assembly Bill 2140 allows cities to be considered for additional state constshare on eligible Public Assistance project by adopting their current, FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plans (LHMPs) into the Safet Element of their General Plan. This adoption, along with other requirements, makes the city eligible to be considered for part or all of its local-share costs on eligible Public Assistance projects to be provided by the state through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA). The Safety Element is being updated to incorporate by reference the 2020 Kem Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan to conform with AB 2140.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND DETERMINATION: The proposed 2024 Safety Element update implements the 2020 Kern County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. It is determined that the update of the 2024 Safety Element meets the definition and criteria of the Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines to be exempt from CEQA. This determination and recommendation is based upon the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b) (3) and finds that there is no possibility that the activities in question may have a significant effect on the environment and are, therefore, exempt from CEQA, for the following reasons:
• The 2024 Safety Element incorporates the 2020 Arvin’s Kern County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and is in compliance with Government Code, Section 65032. • These amendments will not have a significant effect or physical change to the environment, because it relates to the mandated amendments as required by various Governmental Codes.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to give citizens an opportunity to make their comments known. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may direct written comments to City of Arvin, City Clerk’s Office, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203 or email to [email protected]. In the subject line, please provide “PUBLIC COMMENT – 2024 SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE”. All public comments will be provided to the City Staff and may be read into the record or compiled as part of the record. Additional information on the proposed site development permit, including copies in hard copy or electronic format, may be obtained from the City Clerk’s office at Arvin City Hall, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, California, 93203, or the City’s website at www.arvin.org.

Note: If you challenge the nature of the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing(s) described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the Public Hearing (Govt. Code Sec. 65009).

This public hearing notice was posted on January 16, 2025 at the following designated places for posting of public notices: (1) Arvin City Hall/City Council Chambers; (2) Arvin Police Department; and (3) Community Development Department; (4) City of Arvin’s website at www.arvin.org; providing a 10-day review, in accordance with Government Code Sections 36933, 65854, and 65090.
/s/
Cecilia Vela, City Clerk
City of Arvin, California
POSTED: January 16, 2025

CITY OF ARVIN

CITY COUNCIL
Date: January 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: City of Arvin, City Council Chambers, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203

5.B.8
Attachment: 7-PHN - General Plan Safety Element Update - CC Mtg of Jan 28, 2025_POSTED 011625 (Public Hearing: Resolution Amending General Plan - 2024 Safety Element)

CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Pertaining to the Conditions of Approval for
CUP 2024-Solar Array and SDP-Arvin CSD Solar Array

CITY OF ARVIN

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • The Arvin Community Services District (ACSD) has filed Conditional Use Permit Application 2024-Solar Array and Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array
Background
• Proposed Project is 6.84-
acre solar array located at
the southwest corner of
Meyer Street and Celestial
Way on land designated
and zoned for residential
ueses

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Arvin General Plan
Planned Land Use Designations
City of Arvin
Zoning Map

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • CUP 2024-Solar Array proposes to permit the proposed use of a solar array on land zoned R-1 Single Family Dwelling
• SDP 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array proposes to develop the site with a

6.84-acre rotating ground mounted solar array and underground utility easements for the provision of electrical service from the solar array to existing water well sites owned and operated by the ACSD Background

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • On December 17, 2024, Planning Commission conducted a public hearing for the Project
• Staff presented the item and recommended conditions of approval, including the requirements to pay a Fiscal Impact Fee and enter into an Improvement Agreement for immediate and future street and infrastructure improvements
• Representatives of the ACSD raised objections to these conditions Background

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • After a complete hearing and discussion with Staff, the Planning Commission conditionally approved CUP2024-Solar Array and SDP 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array with the understanding that the ACSD would appeal the decision to City Council
Background

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • On December 26, 2024, the Applicant’s representative filed two (2) appeals
• The first pertaining to the Condition Use Permit
• The second pertaining to the Site Development Permit
• Communication with the Applicant’s representative indicated that ALL conditions related to both applications were being appealed, however the City understands that the Applicant primary concerns are related to two (2) condition types: the Fiscal Impact Payment and the required Off-Site Public Improvements
Applicant’s Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Fiscal Impact Payment
• In the Conditions of Approval for the Site Development Permit, Staff included a Fiscal Impact Fee condition and provided an analysis that justified that payment
• In a meeting with the applicant following Planning Commission, they indicated they believed the City’s analysis and justification for imposing this fee was flawed
• As such, Staff has revised the analysis and rationale for requiring this fee
Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Revised Fiscal Analysis
• The Project proposes to develop a non-residential and non-taxgenerating use on land planned and zoned for residential • The loss of property tax revenue from up to 68 single-family homes over the project’s 30–40-year lifespan poses a significant fiscal impact on the City
Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Revised Fiscal Analysis
• The Project site can
support between 27-68
housing units based on
allowable density
• The Summary Table to
the right shows
potential losses of tax
revenue for the City
over the lifetime of the
Project
Analysis of the Appeal
Category Per Unit 27 Units Total 68 Units Total
Assessed Value $350,000 $9,450,000 $23,800,000
Annual Property
Tax (1.135%) $3,972.50 $107,257.50 $270,130.00
City’s Share of Tax
(5%) $198.62 $5,362.74 $13,506.16
Total Loss over 30
Years
$5,958.60 $160,882.20 $405,184.80
Total Loss over 40
Years $7,944.80 $214,509.60 $540,246.40
Loss of Tax Revenue Summary Table

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • Staff is asking for a determination from the Council on the amount of the Fiscal Impact Payment based on the range of potential loss of revenue ($160,882 to $540,246)
• As discussed in the staff report, the justification for the imposition of this fee is based on the City's Municipal Code, conditional use permit (CUP) findings, and broader city planning and fiscal policies.

Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Off-Site Public Improvements • The Project site is surrounded by unimproved streets, including
Celestial Way to the north, Meyer
Street to the east, an Un-named
Road to the south, and Rayo de la
Luna Drive to the west
• In the original Site Development
Permit Conditions of Approval,
Staff recommended requiring
immediate and future street and
infrastructure improvements as a
condition of approval
Analysis of the Appeal
Celestial Way
Rayo de la Luna Drive
Unnamed Road
Meyer Street

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Off-Site Public Improvements
• Celestial Way:
• Staff recommended the ACSD improve the street to City standards, matching the width of the existing street to the west, from Rayo de la Luna Drive to Meyer Street
• On the south side (adjacent to the project), decorative fencing, masonry walls with landscaping and irrigation, street lighting, and sidewalks were required • Due to the long lifetime of the Project and the proximity to the school, it is in the best interest of the City and the general public to require these improvements
Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Analysis of the Appeal
The Existing Conditions and the Project’s
proximity to the school and nearby
residential neighborhood mean these
improvements would benefit pedestrian
and student safety in the area
Celestial Way
Rayo de la Luna Drive
Unnamed Road
Meyer Street

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Grounds for Imposing Requirement
Completion of Street Development: Celestial Way is unlikely to be improved in the future without this project. As the Solar Array represents the final development along this street section, the project must complete the necessary improvements to bring the street up to city standards. This satisfies the requirements of Section 17.60.060 of the municipal code.

Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Off-Site Public Improvements
• Meyer Street, Rayo de la Luna, and Unnamed Road
• At time of development, the ACSD shall improve the streets to a standard approved by the City Engineer to provide interim emergency access to the site • The requirement to improve the streets to full City standards is tied to the development of the property on the opposite side of the street. These improvements are not required at this time.
• When such development occurs, the ACSD shall be responsible for improving ½ street width to City standards
Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Off-Site Public Improvements • The Figure to the right depicts the locations of the proposed
street improvements.
• Staff recommends keeping the
required Off-Site Public
Improvements Condition as-is
Analysis of the Appeal
Celestial Way
Rayo de la Luna Drive
Unnamed Road
Meyer Street

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Grounds for Imposing Requirement
• Interim Emergency Access: While full improvements are not required immediately, interim measures are necessary to provide adequate emergency vehicle access. This aligns with Section 17.60.030(L), which mandates vehicular access for safety and service purposes.
• Future Development Trigger: The requirement to improve Meyer Street to full city standards is tied to the development of the property on the east side of the street, ensuring equitable infrastructure contributions across developments.

This approach is consistent with Section 17.60.060, which permits reasonable conditions to ensure equitable infrastructure improvements.

Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit Other Conditions
• Section 17.60.060 of the Arvin Municipal Code authorizes the City of Arvin to attach “whatever conditions are reasonable and necessary” to fulfill the intent and purpose of the site development process. • The attached conditions are reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to the findings required under Chapter 17.60 of the Arvin Municipal Code
Analysis of the Appeal

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • Waiver of the conditions of approval, including the Fiscal Impact Payment and Off-Site Public Improvements, will have a direct fiscal impact on the City
• Removal of the Fiscal Impact Payment condition will result in a significant loss of property tax revenue as described previously • Removal of the Public Improvements condition will result in the City being directly responsible for costs associated with improving those roads
Fiscal Impact to the City

5.C.1
Attachment: PPT ACSD Appeal Hearing_012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit • Staff recommends the Council adopt a Resolution Approving the Project.

The Resolution includes the following actions:

1. Adopt the CEQA Finding, determining the project is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land, and 15329, Cogeneration Projects at Existing Facilities.

2. DENY the Appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning Commission in the conditional approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array with the added condition of requiring the Fiscal Impact Payment as a requirement due at the time of development and as shown in the revised conditions of approval.

3. DENY the Appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning Commission in the conditional approval of Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array permitting the development of a 6.84-acre solar array with a modified condition related to the Fiscal Impact Payment as shown in the revised Conditions of Approval.

Recommendation

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CITY OF ARVIN
Staff Report
Meeting Date: January 28, 2025
TO:Arvin City Council
FROM: Isaiah Medina, Consultant Planner
Jake Raper – Consultant Planner
Jeff Jones, City Manager/Finance Director
SUBJECT: A Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal Relating to Arvin Planning Commission Action of December 17, 2024, for Conditional Approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array and for Conditional Approval of Site Development Permit 2024- Arvin CSD Solar Array-Development of a 6.84-Acre Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array and Easements Serving Two Existing Water Wells STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff Recommends City Council Adopt the City Council Resolution Approving the Project. The Resolution includes the following actions:

1. ADOPT the CEQA Finding, determining the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines pursuant to Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land, and 15329, Cogeneration Facilities.

2. DENY the Appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning Commission in the conditional approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array permitting the solar array use in the Single-Family Zone district with the added condition of requiring the Fiscal Impact Payment as a requirement of the Conditional Use Permit due at the time of development and as shown in the revised conditions of approval (Exhibit A).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

SitelogIQ, on behalf of the Arvin Community Services District, has filed Conditional Use Permit Application 2024-Solar Array and Site Development Permit Application 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array pertaining to the development of a 6.84-acre solar array field located at the southwest corner of Meyer Street and Celestial Way, south of El Camino Real Elementary School.

Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array proposes to permit the proposed use of a ground mounted solar array on land zoned R-1 Single Family Dwelling.

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Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array proposes to develop a portion of APN 189- 353-07 (Project site) with a 6.84-acre rotating ground mounted solar array and underground utility easements for the extension of electrical service from the solar array to the existing water well sites on APNs 189-353-09 and -08 which are owned and operated by the ACSD.

Appeal of Arvin Planning Commission Action
On December 17th, 2024, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing for the Arvin Community Services District Solar Array project. At the Public Hearing, Staff presented the report and recommended conditions of approval, which included the requirements to pay a Fiscal Impact Fee based on the City’s established Residential Development Impact Fees and to enter into an Improvement Agreement for immediate and future street and infrastructure improvements. After Staff gave their report, a representative of the Applicant’s Project Management team, SitelogIQ, as well as the District’s Board President raised objections to the above-mentioned conditions of approval.

After a complete hearing, the Arvin Planning Commission conditionally approved Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array and Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array-Development of a 6.84-Acre Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array and Easements Serving Two Existing Water Wells with the understanding that the Arvin Community Services District would submit an appeal of the Planning Commission’s action to be heard by the City Council. The Planning Commission Staff Reports (Attachments 1 and 2) are attached for more information.

BACKGROUND:

The subject property is located at the southwest corner of Meyer Street and Celestial Way, south of El Camino Real Elementary School (Figure 1, below). The property has a planned land use of Low Density Residential (Figure 2, below) and is within the R-1 Single Family Dwelling zone district (Figure 3, below). The immediate surrounding area includes El Camino Real Elementary School to the north, single-family residential neighborhoods to the northwest, and vacant property to the east, south, and west.

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Figure 1 Project Aerial

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Figure2 General Plan Planned Land Use Designation
Figure 3 Zoning

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Conditional Use Permit
Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array requests to permit the proposed use of a ground mounted solar array within the R-1 Single Family Dwelling zone district. As described in Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.56 Conditional Use Permits, Section 17.56.020 “Prohibited Uses Permitted When”, certain uses may be permitted by the Planning Commission when such uses are deemed essential or desirable to the public convenience or welfare and are in harmony with the various elements or objectives of the comprehensive general plan.

Pursuant to Section 17.56.025 Required Findings, the following findings must be made in order to approve a conditional use permit:

A. The use proposed by conditional use permit is consistent with the general plan, any applicable specific plan, and zone district designation.

B. The use proposed by conditional use permit is consistent with this Code, including the zoning ordinance.

C. The use proposed is not detrimental to the health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, or general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood.

D. The proposed use is in compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances.

Site Development Permit
Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array requests the development of the 6.84-acre solar array as required by Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.60 Site Development Permits. If approved, the project must meet the minimum development improvements as required by Chapter 17.70 Site Development Standards.

Pursuant to Section 17.60.040(A), the following should be considered in reviewing a Site Development Permit:

1. Compliance with all applicable laws and ordinances;

2. Compliance with all applicable city policies duly adopted by the majority vote of the planning commission or the county council; and

3. Conformance to latest accepted planning and engineering standards covering the following area: site layout, building appearance and structural design, landscaping, water and sewer service and other utilities, surface drainage and erosion control, fire protection, access, traffic circulation and parking.

APPLICANT’S APPEAL:

On December 26, 2024, the Applicant’s authorized representative, Wall, Wall, & Peake, filed two (2) appeals for two separate applications. The first appeal pertained to the Planning Commission action on December 17, 2024, for conditional approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array. The second appeal was the Planning Commission action on December 17, 2024, for conditional approval of Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array. The Appeal Letter is provided as Attachment 3. Communication with the Applicant’s representative indicated that ALL conditions related to both project applications were being appealed.

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ANALYSIS OF THE APPEAL:

Based on conversation with the applicant’s representatives, the City understands that the applicant has concerns related to two (2) condition types that are tied more directly to the Site Development Permit. Thus, this analysis is broken down into three categories: Fiscal Impact Payment, Off-Site Public Improvement Requirements, and Other Conditions of Approval.

1. Fiscal Impact Payment
In the Conditions of Approval for the Site Development Permit attached to the December 17, 2024 Planning Commission staff report, City staff included a Fiscal Impact Payment condition and provided an analysis that justified the payment of a fee that would reimburse the City for a loss in revenue due to the site being developed as a non-residential and non-tax generating use. In a meeting with the applicant following Planning Commission, they indicated they believed the City’s analysis and justification for imposing this fee was flawed. As such, the City revised its rationale for requiring this fee as described below.

As previously discussed, the Arvin Community Services District (ACSD) solar project proposes the development of a solar array on a 6.84-acre site currently zoned R-1, removing the potential for residential development. The loss of potential property tax revenue from up to 68 single-family homes over the project's 30- to 40-year lifespan poses a significant fiscal impact on the City of Arvin. This justification provided below is based on the City's Municipal Code, conditional use permit (CUP) findings, and broader city planning and fiscal policies.

Relevant Municipal Code and CUP and Site Development Permit Findings to Support Condition The City of Arvin’s Municipal Code Chapter 17.56, which governs Conditional Use Permits, provides the authority to impose conditions necessary to ensure that proposed developments align with the public welfare and the objectives of the General Plan. Specifically, findings for CUP approval include:

Conformance with the General Plan
The General Plan emphasizes balanced growth, economic sustainability, and the provision of adequate public services. Allowing the site to be converted into a solar array without compensatory measures undermines these objectives by reducing the potential for residential development that would contribute to the city’s tax base and economic vitality.

Harmonious Land Use
Solar projects must not adversely impact surrounding properties or the community's ability to meet its housing goals. By removing the potential for up to 68 housing units, the project conflicts with the city’s housing and economic development goals. To harmonize this land use with the city’s objectives, a mitigation fee can be imposed to offset lost revenue and fund housing or other community benefits.

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Public Welfare
The CUP process requires that developments contribute positively to the community’s overall welfare. The imposition of a mitigation fee ensures that the City of Arvin can maintain fiscal stability, fund public services, and address the revenue shortfall caused by the conversion of residential land to a solar facility.

Economic Compensation to Ensure Public Welfare
A fee ensures that the solar project contributes to the community’s overall welfare by addressing the fiscal shortfall caused by the loss of residential development. In addition, the CUP findings allow conditions to balance the benefits of renewable energy projects with the financial needs of the city, ensuring equitable outcomes for all stakeholders.

The City proposes to modify the conditions of approval to attach this condition to the Conditional Use Permit in addition to the Site Development Permit.

In addition to the justification provided above, Section 17.60.040(A)(3)) includes considerations for infrastructure, traffic circulation, and utilities. The solar project benefits from existing and future city infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and public safety services, while contributing minimal property tax revenue to fund these services.

Fiscal Impact Analysis
Loss of Residential Tax Revenue:

Development of 68 single-family homes on the site would generate approximately $270,130 annually in property tax revenue. Based on standard allocations, the City of Arvin would receive $13,506.16 per year of this amount. Over 30 years, the city could lose $405,184.80. With two additional 5-year extensions, the total loss could reach $540,246.40 over 40 years. A detailed calculation is provided below:

Number of Housing Units

6.84 × 4 = 27
Maximum Density (10 units/acre):

6.84 × 10 = 68
Approximate Property Tax Revenue Per Unit
Average assessed value per home: $350,000
Property tax rate: 1.135% of assessed value
Annual property tax per home: $350,000 × 1.135% = $3,972.50 City of Arvin’s share: 5% of total property tax revenue Annual property tax to the City: $3,972.5 × 5% = $198.62 per home.

Approximate Total Annual Property Tax Revenue
Minimum Density (27 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 27 = $107,257.50 per year.

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 27 = $5,362.74 per year.

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Maximum Density (68 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 68 = $270,130 per year (all entities).

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 68 = $13,506.16 per year.

Summary Table
Category Per Unit 27 Units Total 68 Units Total
Assessed Value $350,000 $9,450,000 $23,800,000
Annual Property
Tax (1.135%) $3,972.50 $107,257.50 $270,130.00
City’s Share of
Tax (5%) $198.62 $5,362.74 $13,506.16
Total Loss over
30 Years $5,958.60 $160,882.20 $405,184.80
Total Loss over
40 Years $7,944.80 $214,509.60 $540,246.40
Reduced Contribution to Housing Needs:

Arvin faces challenges in meeting its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) targets.

The city is already overcrowded and is significantly short on housing units for its existing population. The removal of this site from potential housing development exacerbates this issue, leaving the city further behind in meeting its housing goals and potentially subject to state penalties. The subject site is currently listed as a residential opportunity site in the City’s draft Housing Element (although it is not a site designated by the City to meeting RHNA numbers).

It may be argued that adding residential uses are not typically revenue generators for a City and often are neutral or result in slight revenue losses to a City, however, due to the high need for housing in Arvin, that is not the case.
o Overcrowded Homes: According to the most recent data, over 23% of households in Arvin are overcrowded, compared to a statewide average of 8.2%. o Housing Need: Many of these units would be occupied by current residents of Arvin who are living in overcrowded conditions, reducing the need for additional city services while addressing a critical housing shortage.

Economic Ripple Effects:

Beyond direct property tax revenue, the absence of 27-68 homes eliminates associated economic benefits, including local spending, sales tax revenue, and the potential for school district funding generated by new families moving to the area.

Offsetting Costs for Public Services
Impact fees collected from residential developments typically offset the costs of additional demand on parks, police, sewer, and other services. Therefore, the development of housing units on this site would not necessarily create an unmanageable financial burden on the city, as the fees are designed to cover these service costs.

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The ACSD solar project offers environmental benefits but poses a long-term fiscal challenge for the City of Arvin by removing a prime residential development site. Through the authority granted by the CUP and Development Permit process and Arvin’s Municipal Code, the city can impose a fee to ensure that the project contributes to the community’s economic and housing goals. Given Arvin’s critical housing shortage, the removal of this site for residential use exacerbates existing overcrowding and deprives the city of essential property tax revenue.

The requirement for a Fiscal Impact Payment aligns with regional precedents, addresses fiscal shortfalls, and ensures that the city can maintain its commitment to balanced growth and public welfare over the 30- to 40-year life of the project. For the purposes of this requirement, Staff is requesting determination by the City Council on the Fiscal Impact Payment amount based on the range provided above ($160,882 to $540,246).

2. Off-Site Public Improvements
The ACSD Solar Project is situated on a site along Celestial Way, directly across from El Camino Real Elementary School. This unique location introduces specific challenges, including incomplete infrastructure and safety concerns for students and nearby residents. The required improvements to Celestial Way and adjacent streets are crucial to ensure the project complies with the City of Arvin’s Municipal Code, Chapter 17.60 (Site Development Permits), and to address the community's current and future needs. These conditions align with municipal goals to enhance safety, support cohesive development, and promote equitable infrastructure improvements.

The following are off-site public improvement requirements as listed in Condition ROWI-R-3 in the Site Development Permit Conditions of Approval (summary- full conditions provided in the Attached Planning Commission Staff Report) followed by the cited reason for the condition.

A. Celestial Way, a Local Street classification: Arvin Community Services District shall match the width of the existing improvements to the west, to be improved to city standards from Rayo De La Luna Drive to Meyer Street. On the south side of the street (adjacent to the project site) this includes decorative fencing, masonry walls with landscaping and irrigation, street lighting, and a prohibition on concertina wire or barbed wire. Sidewalks must also be installed to provide pedestrian access.

Justification For Condition:
• Proximity to School: As the project is directly across the street from El Camino Real Elementary School, improving Celestial Way is critical for student safety. Currently, there is no sidewalk connecting the adjacent residential neighborhood to the school, forcing students and pedestrians to walk along the street (see Figure 4 below). The installation of sidewalks ensures safe pedestrian access, aligning with Section 17.60.040(A)(3), which mandates compliance with planning and engineering standards, including traffic circulation and pedestrian safety.

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• Completion of Street Development: Celestial Way is unlikely to be improved in the future without this project. As the Solar Array represents the final development along this street section, the project must complete the necessary improvements to bring the street up to city standards. This satisfies the requirements of Section 17.60.060, which allows conditions to be attached to ensure the project fulfills the intent of the site development permit process.
• Decorative Fencing and Landscaping: The fencing and landscaping requirements are necessary to ensure the project aligns with the aesthetic and safety standards outlined in Section 17.60.030(I). The prohibition on hazardous materials such as concertina or barbed wire is particularly important due to the proximity to the school.

Figure 4 Celestial Way Existing Conditions
B. Meyer Street, a Collector: Arvin Community Services District shall be responsible for the improvement of one-half (½) street width to city standards. The street to be improved upon the development of the property on the east side of Meyer Street. At the time of development of the proposed project, improvements must ensure emergency vehicle access.

Justification:

Interim Emergency Access: While full improvements are not required immediately, interim measures are necessary to provide adequate emergency vehicle access. This aligns with Section 17.60.030(L), which mandates vehicular access for safety and service purposes.

Future Development Trigger: The requirement to improve Meyer Street to full city

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standards is tied to the development of the property on the east side of the street, ensuring equitable infrastructure contributions across developments. This approach is consistent with Section 17.60.060, which permits reasonable conditions to ensure equitable infrastructure improvements.

C. Rayo De La Luna Drive, a Local Street: Arvin Community Services District to improve onehalf (½) street width to city standards to be improved upon the development of the property on the west side of the Solar Array project site from Celestial Way to the UNNAMED ROAD to the south. The Rayo De La Luna Drive, if utilized, shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles.

Justification:

Same Justification as the Meyer Street requirements listed above.

D. UN-NAMED ROAD, a Local Street: Arvin Community Services District shall improve onehalf (½) street width to city standards. To be improved upon the development of the property on the south side of the Solar Array project site from Meyer Street to the westerly boundary of the Solar Array site. The UN-NAMED ROAD shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles.

Justification:

Same Justification as the Meyer Street requirements listed above.

Figure 5 below depicts the location of the improvements to the unimproved streets surrounding the Project site. Improvements will only be required adjacent to the Solar Array. No improvements shall be required to be completed along the utility easements to the south, along Meyer Street, or to the west along Millux Drive until such a time when the areas adjacent to the easements are developed, either by the ACSD or some other entity.

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Figure 5 Surrounding Area Circulation Diagram

3. Other Conditions
Pursuant to Section 17.60.060 of the Arvin Municipal Code, the City of Arvin is authorized to attach “whatever conditions are reasonable and necessary” to fulfill the intent and purpose of the site development permit process. The conditions of approval for the Arvin CSD Solar Project for both the Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Permit are reasonable, necessary, and directly tied to the findings required under Chapter 17.60 of the Arvin Municipal Code. These conditions address infrastructure gaps, mitigate fiscal impacts, and enhance public safety, ensuring the project aligns with the city’s standards and long-term goals. By imposing these conditions, the City of Arvin can support sustainable development while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its residents.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE:

As is required by Section 17.54.100 Hearing Notice and Section 17.54.130 Decisions – Granting or denial- Notice, the appeal hearing notice was published in the following places: (1) Arvin City Hall; (2) Arvin Police Department; (3) Community Development Building; and (4) Arvin City Website 10-days prior to the public hearing before City Council on January 16, 2025. The public hearing notice was mailed to the property owner, the property owner’s representative, public agencies that provide services to the project, and to property owners within 300 feet as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll. (Note: Public Notice included as Attachment 4; Proof of Publication and Mailing List for the Appeal is on file at the City Clerk’s Office).

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FISCAL IMPACT:

The applications of Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array and Site Development Permit 2024- Arvin CSD Solar Array are subject to the City Council policy of Full Cost Recovery for development projects. The applicant has deposited funds that will be used to offset the processing of the applications – therefore no fiscal impact is associated with the processing of the application.

Upon final action by the City Council, the applicant will be required to deposit funds to cover any additional costs associated with ongoing project compliance monitoring.

Additionally, minimal fiscal impact on the city is foreseen due to the appeal. The public hearing notice for an appeal is a fixed $500.00 fee per appeal based upon fees as established by City Council Resolution No. 2018-45. Wall, Wall, and Peake, acting as the Applicant’s representative, filed two appeals on December 26, 2024, and paid the total fee of $1,000.00.

However, waiver of the Conditions of Approval, including the requirement of a Fiscal Impact Payment and Condition ROWI-R-3, Off-Site Public Improvements, will result in a direct loss to the City. Waiver of the Fiscal Impact Payment will result in a loss as described above. Additionally, removal of the requirement for condition ROWI-R-3, Off-Site Public Improvements, will result in the City being directly responsible for the costs associated with improving the roads surrounding the Project when such a time comes that the improvements would be necessary to protect public safety and general welfare.

Exhibits:

Exhibit A: Notice of Exemption
Exhibit B: Conditional Use Permit Revised Conditions of Approval Exhibit C: Site Development Permit Revised Conditions of Approval Exhibit D: A Resolution of the City Council Adopting the Notice of Exemption and Denying the Appeals and Upholding the Actions of the Planning Commission, subject to the Revised Condition of Approval
Attachment:

Attachment 1: Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array PC Staff Report Attachment 2: Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array PC Staff Report Attachment 3: Appeal Letter submitted December 26, 2024, by Wall, Wall, & Peake Attachment 4: Public Hearing Notice

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CITY OF ARVIN

CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
CUP – ARVIN COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT – SOLAR ARRAY & SDP 2024 –

ARVINCSD SOLAR ARRAY

THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN IS DETERMINED TO BE CATEGORICALLY

EXEMPT FROM THE PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 19 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES.

PROJECT TITLE: Arvin Community Services District Solar Array (Conditional Use Permit – Arvin Community Services District – Solar Array and Site Development Permit 2024 – ArvinCSD Solar Array)
APPLICANT: Raul Barraza, Jr., General Manager
Arvin Community Services District
309 Campus Drive
Arvin, CA 93203
PROJECT LOCATION: Generally located at the southwest corner of Meyer Street and Celestial Way with easements south along Meyer Street to Millux Road and east along Millux Road (portions of APNs:
189-353-06, -07, -08, and -09).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: CUP – Arvin Community Service District – Solar Array and SDP 2024 – ACSD Solar Array were filed by Raul Barraza, Jr., on behalf of the Arvin Community Services District, and pertains to portions of APNs 189-353-06, -07, -08, and -09. The project proposes to construct a ground-mounted rotating solar array on a 6.84 acre portion of APN 189-353-07 (52.77 acres).

Additionally, underground easements for utility connections will run south along the west side of Meyer Street to Millux Road and west along the north side of Millux Road to provide electrical service to the existing water well sites on APNs 189-353-08 and -09, which are owned and operated by the Arvin Community Services District. The Project site is planned and zoned for single-family residential uses.

This project is exempt under Section 15304/Class 04 and Section 15329/Class 29 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines as follows:

Under Section 15304/ Class 04, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA requirements when the project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. Section 15304 of the CEQA Guidelines provides the following examples:

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Attachment: Exhibit A NoE ACSD Solar Array Jan 28 2025 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) (e) Minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environments, including carnivals, sales of Christmas trees, etc; (f) Minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored; The proposed project includes a solar array and easements for underground electrical service to provide power to existing water wells in the vicinity of the site. The solar array will be placed on land owned by the Successor Agency to the City of Arvin Redevelopment Agency. The Arvin Community Services District has entered into a 30- year lease agreement, with the option for two (2) additional 5-year extensions for a total term of 40 years. The solar array has been designed such that, at the end of the lease term, the array can be removed and the site may be redeveloped. As such, the proposed project can be determined to be a temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment. Additionally, the easements and underground electrical connections will require minor temporary trenching which will be backfilled, thereby restoring the surface close to its pre-disturbance state.

Under Section 15329/Class 29, the proposed project is exempt from CEQA requirements when the project consists of the installation of cogeneration equipment with a capacity of 50 megawatts or less at existing facilities meeting the conditions described in this section:
a) At existing industrial facilities, the installation of cogeneration facilities will be exempt where it will:
1) Result in no net increases in air emissions from the industrial facility, or will produce emissions lower than the amount that would require review under the new source review rules applicable in the county, and
2) Comply with all applicable state, federal, and local air quality laws.

The proposed project is not an existing industrial use. b) At commercial and institutional facilities, the installation of cogeneration facilities will be exempt if the installation will:
1) Meet all the criteria described in subdivision (a);
2) Result in no noticeable increase in noise to nearby residential structures; 3) Be contiguous to other commercial or institutional structures.

The proposed Project includes a solar array, with a capacity of approximately 1.5 MW, and easements to provide electrical service to existing water well sites owned and operated by the Arvin Community Services District. As such, the Project will provide cogeneration facilities with a capacity of less than 50 MW. Additionally, the project will not result in a net increase in air emissions, will comply with all applicable state, federal, and local air quality laws, will not result in a noticeable increase in noise to nearby residential structures, and will be contiguous to the existing structures.

None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to the project. Furthermore, the proposed project is not expected to have a significant effect on the environment. A categorical exemption, as noted above, has been prepared for the project and the area is not environmentally sensitive.

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Attachment: Exhibit A NoE ACSD Solar Array Jan 28 2025 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) Date: January 28, 2025
Prepared By: Isaiah Medina, Assistant Planner
Precision Civil Engineering, Inc.

Submitted by:

Jeffrey Jones
City Manager
City of Arvin
(661) 854-3134

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Attachment: Exhibit A NoE ACSD Solar Array Jan 28 2025 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) Conditions of Approval – CUP Arvin Community Services District Solar Arry and easements Page 1 of 3 Revised Conditions of Approval – Exhibit A
Conditional Use Permit 2024- Solar Array and Easements
Arvin Community Services District
Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array and Easements: The conditional use permit establishes the zoning clearance for the development of a 6.87 acre ground-mounted solar array and easements for underground electrical conduit to water wells NO. 11 and 16 on portions of APN’s 189-353-06 and -07.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

GENERAL (G)
G-1 The Conditional Use Permit for the establishment of a ground mounted solar array in the land zoned R-1 Single Family Residential and the Site Development Permit conditional approval that will provide alternative energy for the servicing two existing water wells owned and operated by Arvin Community Services District is Categorically Exempt per (CEQA) Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land and Section 5329 Cogeneration Projects at Existing Facilities. A Notice of Exemption is filed at the Community Development Department, 141 Plumtree Drive, Arvin, CA and may be viewed during normal business hours.

City Clerk to file the Notice of Exemption with the Kern County Clerk’s Office and Staff to file the Notice of Exemption with the State of California -CEQA submit. Applicant shall pay all fees for the processing and filing of the Notice of Exemption.

G-2 The applicant shall file an application and payment of fees for addressing. Addressing application may be obtained from the Planning Division upon development on the project site.

G-3 Prior to the development of the project, the applicant shall be required to obtain Site Development Permit approval as required by Tite 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.60 Site Development Permits.

G-4 The Site Development conditional approval, SDP 2024-ArvinCSD Solar Array, by the Planning Commission establishes requirements for development of project.

G-5 The owner(s)/applicant(s)/subdivider(s), (hereinafter referred to as applicant), at their sole cost and expenses, shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Arvin ), (hereinafter referred to as “City”), its agent, legislative body, officers, and employees in any legal or administrative action, claim or proceeding concerning approval of Conditiona Use Permit or, at its election and in the alternative, shall relinquish such approval. The applicant shall assume the defense of City in such legal or administrative action, claim or proceeding with legal counsel paid for in the entirety by applicant, but subject to the City’s reasonable approvals.

Applicant shall also reimburse the city, its agents, legislative body, officers and employees for any judgements, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and attorneys’ fees, which the City, its agents, legislative body, officers, and employees may be required to pay at court as result of such action, claim, or proceeding. The city may, at its sole discretion, participate at its own

5.C.4
Attachment: Exhibit B Revised CUP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) Conditions of Approval – CUP Arvin Community Services District Solar Arry and easements Page 2 of 3 expenses in the defense of any such action, claim or proceeding, but such participation shall not relieve Applicant, of their obligation under this condition.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Upon action by the City Council, the applicant will be required to deposit funds to offset the monitoring of and to ensure compliance with any conditions that are imposed on the project.

The project will have a fiscal impact upon the City by removing a prime residential development site. The project proposes the development of a solar array on a 6.84-acre site currently zoned R1, removing the potential for residential development. The loss of potential property tax revenue from up to 68 single-family homes over the project's 30- to 40-year lifespan poses a significant fiscal impact on the City of Arvin. This justification provided below is based on the City's Municipal Code, conditional use permit (CUP) findings, and broader city planning and fiscal policies.

Loss of Residential Tax Revenue:

Number of Housing Units

6.84 × 4 = 27
Maximum Density (10 units/acre):

Approximate Total Annual Property Tax Revenue
Minimum Density (27 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 27 = $107,257.50 per year.

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 27 = $5,362.74 per year.

Maximum Density (68 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 68 = $270,130 per year (all entities).

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 68 = $13,506.16 per year.

5.C.4
Attachment: Exhibit B Revised CUP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) Conditions of Approval – CUP Arvin Community Services District Solar Arry and easements Page 3 of 3 Summary Table
Category Per Unit 27 Units Total 68 Units Total
Assessed Value $350,000 $9,450,000 $23,800,000
Annual Property Tax
(1.135%) $3,972.50 $107,257.50 $270,130.00
City’s Share of Tax
(5%) $198.62 $5,362.74 $13,506.16
Total Loss over 30
Years $5,958.60 $160,882.20 $405,184.80
Total Loss over 40
Years $7,944.80 $214,509.60 $540,246.40
Fiscal Impact Payment:

Arvin Community Services District shall pay a Fiscal Impact Payment in the amount determined by the City Council. END

5.C.4
Attachment: Exhibit B Revised CUP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 1 of 12
Revised Conditions of Approval
Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin Community Services District (CSD) Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array
Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arvin Conditionally Approving Site Development Permit 2024-ArvinCSD Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array - Construction of a 6.84 Acre Ground Mounted Solar Array on a portion of APN 189-353-07 and underground utility connections on Portions of APN 189-353-06 and -07 to existing water wells located on APN 189-353-09, Water Well Site No. 11 (west side of Meyer Street) and APN 189-353-08, Water Well Site No. 16 (the north side of Millux Drive) owned by Arvin Community Services District and Adoption of an Exemption For The Conditional Use Permit and Site Development Permit Pursuant California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15304 Minor Alterations to Land and 15329 Cogeneration Projects at Existing Facilities.

NOTICE TO PROJECT APPLICANT
In accordance with the provisions of Government Code Section 66020(d)(1), the imposition of fees, dedication, reservations, or exactions for this project are subject to protest by the project applicant at the time of approval or conditional approval of the development or within ninety (90) calendar days after the date of imposition of fees, dedications, reservation, or exactions imposed on the development project.

This notice does not apply to those fees, dedications, reservations, or exactions which were previously imposed and duly noticed; or, where no notice was previously required under the provisions of Government Code Section 66020(d)(1) in effect before January 1, 1997.

PROJECT INFORMATION
Applicant: Raul Barraza, Jr., General Manager
Arvin Community Services District
309 Campus Drive
Arvin, CA 93203
Project Address: Addressed Not Assigned
Project Location: Southwest corner of Celestial Way and Meyer Street Assessor Parcel No. and Size: Construction of a 6.84 Acre Ground Mounted Solar Array on a portion of APN 189-353-07 and underground utility connections on Portions of APN 189-353-06 and -07
Zoning: R-1 Single Family Residential Zone
General Plan Land
Use Designation
Low Density Residential
CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

The Planning Commission approved the following conditions on December 17, 2024.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 2 of 12
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Arvin Community Service District received approval for zoning and development, Conditional Use Permit and Site Development, for the construction of Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array on a portion of APN 189-353-07 in a R-1 Single Family Residential Zone district. In addition, the Arvin CSD is requesting underground easements along the west side of Meyer Street, along the UNNAMED ROAD from the westerly side of the project to Meyer Street, and along the north side of Millux Road. The underground easement will allow the extension of electrical service from the solar array to existing water well sites, APN 189-353-09 which is developed with Well Site No. 11 (west side of Meyer Street) and APN 189-353-08 which is developed with Well Site No. 16 (the north side of Millux Drive) owned and operated by Arvin CSD. The rotating ground mounted solar array area is approximately 6.84 acres of the 52.77 Acres of APN 189-353-07 and is generally located at the southwest corner of Celestial Way and Meyer Street.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

GENERAL (G)
G-1 All exhibits and references identified in the following conditions and the resolution approving this project are conditions of approval unless otherwise waived. Therefore, all requirements, conditions, mitigation measures, standards, policies are to be implemented by the project applicant and successors in interest unless specifically waived by the City of Arvin.

Planning Commission Staff Report dated December 17, 2024 statements, drawings, and illustrations are adopted by reference and are conditions of approval.

G-2 There may also be conditions that are incorporated in the project approval that are not specific and are subject to interpretation, review and approval or conditional. approval by City staff that are not established by City ordinance, resolution, policy, etc. Those conditions give authority to City Staff to use their judgment in the final resolution of the issue identified. City Staff identified in the condition shall interpret the compliance of those condition(s) at their discretion. This may create costs to the project that are not otherwise clearly identified.

G-3 The projects are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.

A Notice of Exemption is filed at the Community Development Department, 141 Plumtree Drive, Arvin, CA and may be viewed during normal business hours.

G-4 Contractors and subcontractors shall obtain a business license from the City of Arvin prior to beginning any work.

G-5 On-site landscaping - The applicant shall submit a landscape and irrigation plan along Celestial Way prior to the issuance of the final inspection of the project by the Building Official.

Landscape plans are to be submitted to the Planning Division for review and for approval.

G-6 The applicant shall submit a Sign Permit, if signs are placed on the project site, to the Planning Division for review and approval. Where required the applicant shall apply for and receive a building permit for the installation of or replacement of signage.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 3 of 12
G-7 The applicant shall sign the Acceptance of Conditions OR Appeal the conditions as imposed by the Planning Commission. In the event you wish to appeal the Planning Commission's decision or discretionary conditions of approval, you may do so by filing a written appeal and payment of the established fees with the City Clerk. The appeal shall include a statement of interest in or relationship to the subject property, the decision or action appealed and specific reasons why you believe the decision or action appealed should not be upheld.

Discretionary conditions of approval may be appealed. All code requirements, however, are mandatory and may only be modified by variance, provided the findings can be made.

All discretionary conditions of approval will ultimately be deemed mandatory unless appealed to the City Council within 15 days after the decision by the Planning Commission or 10 days after the mailing required notices (if any), whichever date is later.

G-8 Conditions shall run with the land. All owners, present and future, of the property shall be subject to these conditions of approval. Failure to comply with any condition of approval is grounds for immediate suspension or revocation of this site development permit.

G-9. Community Development Director or designee is authorized to consider minor modifications to conditions of approval and timing of implementation of conditions where it is found that such modifications and adjustment in timing of implementation of conditions do not nullify the intent of the conditions established by the City Planning Commission.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The application is subject to the City Councils policy of Full Cost Recovery for development projects. The applicant has deposited funds that will be used to off-set the processing of the application(s) – therefore no fiscal impact is associated with the processing of the application. Upon action by the Planning Commission, the applicant will be required to deposit funds to offset the monitoring of and to ensure compliance with any conditions that are imposed on the project.

The project will have a fiscal impact upon the City’s ability to fund Parks and Recreational facilities, Traffic improvements, Police, and Sewer. The project will be removing 6.84 acres of residential land from the city’s land inventory for residential purposes. The City has established impact fees for Police, Parks, Sewer, and Traffic.

The project site has a land use designation of Low Density Residential which has the development potential of a Maximum Density: 4 units to 10 units per acre. The Low-Density Residential land use designation allows traditional single-family homes in the City of Arvin with four to ten dwelling units per acre. Typical parcel sizes may range from 4,356 to 10,890 square feet. This type of use is recognized as the backbone of the community and is the largest land use designation in the city. Residences in this category consist generally of single-family detached houses with private yards. Primary access must be from secondary school, collector and local streets. Access from major streets or major highways should be considered only when special design features are included. The typical zoning designation is R-1. In addition, state law now mandates that all single-family lands may be developed with two (2) single family units and may accessory dwelling and junior accessory dwelling unit may be developed by right.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 4 of 12
Based on the established land use density, the following table illustrates an estimated loss of revenue to the City of Arvin as a result of the proposed Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array on 6.84 Acres.

Impact Fee Estimates based on the 2018 Development Impact Fee Type of
Land Use
IMPACT 2018

6.84 Acre at 4 to 10 units per net acre = 27 to 68 Single Family Residential Units Police Parks Sewer Traffic
Water - Arvin
Community
Services District)
(661) 854-2127*
Schools (661)
854-6500*
2018 Impact Fees
Single
Family
Dwelling
$150.00
/unit
$3,565.00
Per unit
4,400/unit $3,942.84/unit Please contact the
ACSD for Clearance
and Current Fees
Please contact
the school
district
2018 Impact Fees – Loss due to utilization of lands for other use rather than residential development $4,050 up
to $10,200
$96,255
to
$242,420
$118,800
to
$299,200
$106,461
to
$268,124
$325,566
to
$818,994
The proposed project results in an estimated loss of revenue from $325,566 to $818,994.

Fiscal Impact Payment: Arvin Community Services District pay the estimate loss of revenue to the city in the amount of the average of the low and high income loss of $572,280.00.

Payment shall occur prior to the final inspection by the Building Official OR Arvin Community Services District may propose a schedule of payments subject to approval by the City Manager.

Fiscal Impact Payment Reimbursement: The payment to the City of Arvin by Arvin Community Services District due to the loss of revenue shall be reimbursed by the City should the 6.84 acre project site be developed, at the end of the 30 to 40 year lease agreement, with single family residential development and with the payment of equivalent development impact fees from the residential development. No interest shall be applied to the loss of revenue repayment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Upon action by the City Council, the applicant will be required to deposit funds to offset the monitoring of and to ensure compliance with any conditions that are imposed on the project.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 5 of 12
Municipal Code, conditional use permit (CUP) findings, and broader city planning and fiscal policies.

Loss of Residential Tax Revenue:

Number of Housing Units

6.84 × 4 = 27
Maximum Density (10 units/acre):

Approximate Total Annual Property Tax Revenue
Minimum Density (27 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 27 = $107,257.50 per year.

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 27 = $5,362.74 per year.

Maximum Density (68 units):

Total property tax revenue: $3,972.5 × 68 = $270,130 per year (all entities).

City of Arvin’s share: $198.62 × 68 = $13,506.16 per year.

Summary Table
Category Per Unit 27 Units Total 68 Units Total
Assessed Value $350,000 $9,450,000 $23,800,000
Annual Property Tax
(1.135%) $3,972.50 $107,257.50 $270,130.00
City’s Share of Tax (5%) $198.62 $5,362.74 $13,506.16
Total Loss over 30 Years $5,958.60 $160,882.20 $405,184.80 Total Loss over 40 Years $7,944.80 $214,509.60 $540,246.40 Fiscal Impact Payment:

Arvin Community Services District shall pay a Fiscal Impact Payment in the amount determined by the City Council.

PLANS BY LICENSED PROFESSIONAL:

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 6 of 12
PLP-1. All Civil Plans must be signed and stamped by a licensed Civil Engineer, Land Surveyor, or Landscape Architect. Required plans and studies are expected to include, but not limited to the following, if applicable:
a. Survey/site control
b. Demolition and Dust Control
c. Site improvements
d. Grading and drainage
e. Landscaping and irrigation
f. Utility plan
g. Electrical and lighting
h. Traffic study (limited to trip generation analysis)
i. Geotechnical investigation
PLP-2. All Civil Plans and improvements must be in substantial compliance with all applicable codes including, but not limited to Arvin Municipal Code (AMC) 13.08, 15.32, 17.30, 17.60, and

17.70. PLP-3. Final Site Plans: Final Site Plans, Grading plans, etc. shall be submitted to and approved by the City Engineering and Planning Divisions of the Community Development Department, prior to any on-site improvements.

UTILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDER(S):

U-1 Pacific Gas and Electric: PG&E is the provider of electric and gas services to the project site. All new electrical services shall be underground.

U-2 Sewer Services - Arvin Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility – Operations and Maintenance by Veolia West Operation Services, Inc.: The project design has not identified any need for sewer service. Should the project construct buildings requiring sewer service, the applicant shall apply for and receive approval for sewer service.

U-3. Water Service: Arvin Community Services District provides public water services within the City of Arvin. The applicant will be required to coordinate and obtain water service through that agency if utilized. The City Building Official will ensure that public water service commitment is received from that agency prior to the issuance of a final inspection.

U-4. Water Meter Connection: The applicant developer will be subject to connection and meter charges from the Arvin Community Services District.

EXTERIOR SITE AND BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS:

ES&BI-1 Exterior lighting: All exterior lighting shall be arranged or shielded in such a manner as to contain the direct illumination on the site and avoid glare in nearby residential areas and schools. Exterior lighting shall be powered by passive energy, for example, solar powered.

ES&BI-2 Trash Receptacles: No trash receptacles are proposed to be located on the project site.

However, if Trash Receptacles are constructed, it shall be screened with an overhead trellis and

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 7 of 12
located in such a manner not visually obtrusive from any off-site location. The location and method of screening for all trash receptacles shall be approved by the City Planner. The proposed trash enclosure is inside of the secured site. The applicant shall coordinate with solid waste provided for the waste containers at the curb side for trash pickup. The applicant shall provide confirmation from the solid waste provider prior to final design and location approval by the City Planner.

ES&BI-4. Fencing: The applicant’s construction plans, Fence Grounding Details, propose plans that appear to be a chain link fence with slats to obscure visibility into the site. The applicant shall obtain a building permit should the fence height exceed 6’-0”.

1. Celestial Way, a Local Street classification, shall match the width of the existing improvements to the west, to be improved to city standards from Rayo De La Luna Drive to Meyer Street. The south side of the Celestial Way improvements include decorative fencing, a masonry wall with landscaping and irrigation, and street lighting. No concertina wire or barb wire or wiring that could cause physical damage on top of the decorative wall.

The project is adjacent to and is on the south side of the El Camino Real Elementary School.

To be completed prior to final inspection by the Building Division OR security and timing of improvements as approved by the City Engineer. The Solar Array development shall not encroach into the 60’-0” road easement.

2. Meyer Street, a Collector, Arvin Community Services District shall be responsible for the improvement of one-half (½) street width to city standards. The street to be improved upon the development of the property on the east side of Meyer Street. Improvements include decorative fencing, a masonry wall with landscaping and irrigation, and street lighting. No concertina wire or barb wire or wiring that could cause physical damage on top of the decorative wall. The Solar Array development shall not encroach into the 110’-0” road easement. However, Meyer Street shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles.

3. Rayo De La Luna Drive, a Local Street, which is a north-south street, Arvin Community Services District to improve one-half (½) street width to city standards to be improved upon the development of the property on the west side of Solar Array project site from Celestial Way to the UN-NAMED ROAD to the south. The Rayo De La Luna Drive, if utilized, shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles. Fencing in this area may be chain link or other non-maintenance fencing material. The Solar Array development shall not encroach into the 60’-0” road easement.

4. UN-NAMED ROAD, a Local Street, which is an east-west street, on the south side of the Solar Array, Arvin Community Services District shall improve one-half (½) street width to city standards. To be improved upon the development of the property on the south side of Solar Array project site from Meyer Street to the westerly boundary of the Solar Array site.

The UN-NAMED ROAD shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles. Fencing in this area may be chain links or other non-maintenance fencing material. The Solar Array development shall not encroach into the 60’-0” road easement.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 8 of 12
ES&BI-5. Gated Access: Access is proposed for both vehicle and pedestrian access from the UnNamed Road, south side of the project site, west of Meyer Street. The vehicular access and pedestrian access will require a system which will permit access by the emergency service providers, Police Fire, and other First Responders. The applicant shall coordinate with the emergency providers and the building official in establishing and implementing the emergency access system. The final inspection and clearance shall not be issued until the system is active.

ES&BI-6. The use of razor wire, barbed wire, or similar materials is strictly prohibited. In cases of masonry walls, all public facing sides must be covered in approved anti-graffiti material or must have climbing vines attached to the walls which must be maintained over time to the satisfaction of the City Manager. Any graffiti must be immediately removed by the Applicant within 72 hours when notified by the City Manager or their designee regardless of when the graffiti first appeared.

Similarly, any damage to the perimeter fencing must be immediately repaired within 72 hours when notified by the City Manager or designee regardless of when the damage first appeared.

ES&BI-7. Fencing Storm Water Retention Basin: The applicant shall retain all storm water onsite unless an alternate design for stormwater discharge is approved by the City Engineer. The applicant shall provide fencing as required by the City Engineer for any storm water retention basins required for the project.

FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT, DRAINAGE and BEST MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES:

FPM-D&BMP-1 Floodplain Management – Chapter 15.32. The project is located within FEMA FLOOD HAZARD which has a 1 percent annual chance flood shallow flooding. The project shall be required to meet the requirements of Section 15.32.170(C) and (D). Prior to the issuance of the final inspection by the Building Official, a Flood Certification shall be provided as may be required by the City Engineer.

FPM-D&BMP--2- Water Drainage - Prior to the issuance of any grading or building permits, a plan for the disposal of drainage waters originating on site and from adjacent road rights of way shall be approved by the City Engineer. Easements or grant deed shall be given to the city for drainage purposes or access thereto, as necessary. Grading and Drainage plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval. Site drainage on to or into the public right-of-way is not permitted unless specifically approved by the City Engineer.

FPM-D&BMP-3 Dust Control plans must be provided, as required by the San Joaquin Air District.

Best Management Practices to be implemented during site construction. The applicant shall submit final BMP program for review and approval to the City Engineer prior to site disturbance.

FPM-D&BMP-4 Developer shall comply with applicable construction storm water requirements as required by the California Water Board. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) may be required. Developer should retain the services of a Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) to make such determinations. Developer must provide a Board-approved plan and a Water Discharger Identification (WDID) number (or approved erosivity waver) to the City prior to commencing construction, if applicable.

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 9 of 12
FPM-D&BMP- 5. Developer must apply for and obtain a grading permit from the City prior to any on-site or off- site grading.

FPM-D&BMP- 6. Developer shall comply with Arvin Municipal Code Chapter 15.32 regarding floodplain requirements and shall provide the floodplain administrator for the City all required plans, forms, and information. This may have implications on the building plans, and may require the elevation of existing structures or modifying the existing structure such that it is flood resistant (i.e. “flood proof” or “watertight”). The applicability of this will depend on the amount of work being proposed to existing structures. It is believed that thresholds which trigger such requirements will be passed, and the developer should be prepared to comply with the more stringent FEMA guidelines.

OFF-STREET PARKING, LOADING, AND ACCESS
PL&A-1. Off-street parking location and design is not applicable for this project, as normally required by Title 17 Zoning, Chapter 17.48. The internal circulation system for site maintenance and access by emergency vehicles shall be approved by the Police Department and Kern County Fire District.

SIGNAGE:

S-1. Prior to the installation of any on-premises sign, the applicant shall apply for and receive a Sign Permit from the Planning Division.

RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENTS – REQUIREMENTS:

ROWI-R-1. Obstructions within street rights-of-way shall be removed. Upon the review of grading plans, encroachment permits, etc., if applicable, should obstructions be identified, the applicant shall remove the identified obstruction.

ROWI-R-2. Curb, gutter, and sidewalk shall be constructed as required by the subdivision ordinance when required as part of street improvements. New construction and/or replacement of existing, when determined by the City Engineer, shall require an encroachment permit prior to any demolition and or construction. Plans prepared by a Civil Engineer or equivalent shall be submitted to the City for review and approval.

ROWI-R-3. The City Engineer shall coordinate the Arvin Community Services District Off-site Improvement Agreement and fiscal guarantee for the immediate and future street and infrastructure improvements as follows:

The project is adjacent to and is on the south side of the El Camino Real Elementary School.

To be completed prior to final inspection by the Building Division OR security and timing

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 10 of 12
of improvements as approved by the City Engineer.

2. Meyer Street, a Collector, Arvin Community Services District shall be responsible for the improvement of one-half (½) street width to city standards. The street is to be improved upon the development of the property on the west side of Meyer Street between the unnamed road and Millux Road, and/or the improvement of the property on the east side of Meyer between Celestial Way and the unnamed road. Improvements include decorative fencing, a masonry wall with landscaping and irrigation, and street lighting. No concertina wire or barb wire or wiring that could cause physical damage on top of the decorative wall.

The Solar Array development shall not encroach into the 110’-0” road easement. However, Meyer Street shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles.

3. Rayo De La Luna Drive, a Local Street, which is a north-south street, Arvin Community Services District to improve one-half (½) street width to city standards to be improved upon the development of the property on the west side of Solar Array project site from Celestial Way to the UN-NAMED ROAD to the south. The Ray De La Luna Drive, if utilized, shall be improved in the interim to a standard approved by the City Engineer to attain accessibility for emergency vehicles.

5. Landscaping and Irrigation Design: The Arvin Community Services District shall be required to maintain the landscaping and irrigation systems and lighting along the Celestial Way, Meyer Street, UN-NAMED ROAD for the length of the lease agreements between Successor Agency of the City of Arvin Redevelopment Agency and Arvin Community Services District.

ROWI-R-4. City Engineer to determine if APN 189-353-09 requires dedication of right-of-way along the west side of Meyer Street. If right-of-way is required, Arvin Community Services District shall dedicate the right-of-way width to ensure that the width of 110’-0” is achieved.

ROWI-5. The City Engineer shall require the applicant’s engineer to determine if the underground easements for the underground electrical along the Un-Named Road, Meyer Street, and Millux Drive are within the future right-of-way. If determined to exist, the applicant’s engineer shall design and locate the underground easements outside of the future rights-of-way.

PUBLIC WORKS – CITY ENGINEER:

PW-CE-1 All plans and specifications for future work required on the current and future public right of way shall be prepared by a Registered Civil Engineer licensed in the state of California (Engineer of Record) and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.

BUILDING DIVISION:

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 11 of 12
BD-1 The applicant shall apply for and obtain all building permits prior to the construction of the solar array.

KERN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTON:

KCFP – 1 The applicant shall obtain clearance from the Kern County Fire Department prior to final inspection by the Building Official. The applicant shall provide a copy of the approval by Kern County Fire District to the City Planner.

LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION TO BE INCOMPLIANCE WITH 23 CA ADC § 490 CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 23. WATERS, DIVISION 2.

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, CHAPTER 2.7. MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE AND TITLE 15 BUILDING
L&I – 1. The Arvin Community Services District shall be required to maintain the landscaping and irrigation systems and lighting along the Celestial Way, Meyer Street, UN-NAMED ROAD for the length of the lease agreements between Successor Agency of the City of Arvin Redevelopment Agency and Arvin Community Services District.

L&I – 2. Preliminary Irrigation and Landscape Plans are provided by the applicant. Water Conservation and Water Efficient Landscape Regulations (Section 15.36.030 and Chapter 15.38 Water Efficient Landscape Regulations-Attachment 4) must be implanted. The applicant shall retain a Licensed Landscape Architect to prepare irrigation and landscape plans in compliance with Chapter 15.36 Water Conservation, Section 15.36.030 Landscaping and Chapter 15.38 Water Efficient landscape Regulations. Said plans shall be submitted to the City for review and approval.

The Landscape Architect shall certify that the submitted plans and installation of irrigation systems and landscaping materials meet all the requirements of the City and State of California Chapter

2.7. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Upon implementation of the irrigation system and landscaping, the applicant shall be responsible for the continued maintenance of the irrigation and landscaping.

DISCLOSURES AND APPEALS - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Please note that this project may be subject to a variety of discretionary conditions of approval.

These include conditions based on adopted City plans and policies, those determined through site plan review and environmental assessment essential to mitigate adverse effects on the environment including the health, safety, and welfare of the community, and recommended conditions for development that are not essential to health, safety, and welfare, but would on the whole enhance the project and its relationship to the neighborhood and environment.

Approval of this site development permit shall be considered null and void in the event of failure by the applicant and/or the authorized representative, architect, engineer, or designer to disclose and delineate all facts and information relating to the subject property and the proposed development including, but not limited to, the following:
a. All existing and proposed improvements including but not limited to buildings and structures, signs and their uses, trees, walls, driveways, outdoor storage, and open land use

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array) SDP 2024 ArvinCSD Solar Array Page 12 of 12
areas on the subject property and all of the preceding which are located on adjoining property and may encroach on the subject property; and
b. All public and private easements, rights-of-way and any actual or potential prescriptive easements or uses of the subject property.

Approval of this site development permit may become null and void in the event that development is not completed in accordance with all the conditions and requirements, the Zoning Ordinance, and all City Standards and Specifications. This site development permit is granted, and the conditions imposed, based upon the application submittal provided by the applicant. The application is material to the issuance of this site development permit. Failure to operate in accordance with the conditions and requirements imposed may result in revocation of the site development permit or any other enforcement remedy available under the law. The City shall not assume responsibility for any deletions or omissions resulting from the site development permit review process or for additions or alterations to any construction or building plans not specifically submitted and reviewed and approved pursuant to this site development permit or subsequent amendments or revisions.

If the Site Development Permit is not implemented within one (1) year from the date of issuance of this site development permit, or within any extended period thereof, this site development permit shall expire, and the site development permit approval shall be null and void.

These conditions are applicable to any person or entity making use of this permit, whether identified as "permittee," "applicant," "operator," "developer," or is unnamed.

END

5.C.5
Attachment: Exhibit C Revised SDP Conditions of Approval (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

Page 1 of 3 ends

Reso to Deny Appeal and Uphold Actions of PC re CUP 2024-Solar Array – Arvin CSD.

RESOLUTION NO. _________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARVIN TO

DENY THE APPEAL AND UPHOLD THE ACTIONS OF THE PLANNING

COMMISSION RELATED TO THE APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT 2024-SOLAR ARRAY AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
2024-ARVIN CSD SOLAR ARRAY, SUBJECT TO THE REVISED

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
WHEREAS, The Planning Commission, during a regular meeting on December 17, 2024, reviewed and considered Conditional Use Permit 2024-Solar Array and Site Development Permit 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array; and
WHEREAS, The Planning Commission opened the public hearing at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence regarding the proposed project, CUP 2024-Solar Array and SDP 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array; and WHEREAS, A representative from SITELOGIQ, on behalf of the Arvin Community Services District (Applicant), spoke in opposition to certain proposed Conditions of Approval , notably the Fiscal Impact Payment and the Off-Site Public Improvements; and WHEREAS, The Planning Commission, at the conclusion of the public hearing, adopted Resolution No. 2024-XX relating to the conditional approval of CUP 2024-Solar Array and Resolution No. 2024-XX relating to the conditional approval of SDP 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array; and
WHEREAS, On December 26, 2024, Wall, Wall, & Peake, representatives of the Applicant, has paid the required appeal fee and has filed a timely appeal to Conditions of Approval relating to CUP 2024-Solar Array and SDP 2024-Arvin CSD Solar Array; and WHEREAS, The Applicant has appealed all conditions of approval related to the Conditional Use Permit and the Site Development Permit; and WHEREAS, The Applicant’s representative claims that the City’s analysis and justification for imposing the Fiscal Impact Payment was flawed; and WHEREAS, The Applicant’s representative claims that the required Off-Site Public Improvements were unnecessary and would present a hardship on the Applicant; and WHEREAS, Staff has reviewed the Applicant’s reason for the appeal of the Conditions of Approval; and
WHEREAS, Staff has revised the rationale for requiring the Fiscal Impact Payment and justified the requirement of Off-Site Public Improvements; and WHEREAS, Staff has revised the Conditions of Approval to include the new analysis for the Fiscal Impact Payment; and

5.C.6
Attachment: Exhibit D Reso 2025-XX ACSD Appeal (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

Page 2 of 3 ends

Reso to Deny Appeal and Uphold Actions of PC re CUP 2024-Solar Array – Arvin CSD.

WHEREAS, The City Council, on January 14, 2025, approved a resolution setting the appeal hearing date for January 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, The City Council conducted a public hearing on January 28, 2025, providing an opportunity for all interested parties to provide testimony, considered the staff recommendation, and considered the appellant’s objections.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Arvin, does hereby resolve as follows:

1. The recitals and findings set forth above are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.

2. The City Council has considered the Applicant’s reason for the appeal and request for removal of all conditions of approval, including the Fiscal Impact Payment and required Off-Site Public Improvements and has considered Staff’s review.

3. The City Council hereby adopts the CEQA Finding, determining the Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land, and 15329, Cogeneration Projects at Existing Facilities.

4. The City Council hereby denies the Applicant’s appeal and upholds the action of the Planning Commission in the conditional approval of Conditional Use Permit 2024- Solar Array permitting the solar array use in the Single-Family Zone district with the added condition of requiring the Fiscal Impact Payment as a requirement of the Conditional Use Permit due at the time of development and as shown in the revised conditions of approval

5. The City Council hereby denies the Applicant’s appeal and upholds the action of the Planning Commission in the conditional approval of Site Development Permit 2024- Arvin CSD Solar Array permitting the development of a 6.84-acre solar array with a modified condition related to the Fiscal Impact Payment as shown in the revised conditions of approval.

6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
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5.C.6
Attachment: Exhibit D Reso 2025-XX ACSD Appeal (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

Page 3 of 3 ends

Reso to Deny Appeal and Uphold Actions of PC re CUP 2024-Solar Array – Arvin CSD.

I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin at a regular meeting thereof held on the 28th day of January 2025 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

ATTEST
CECILIA VELA, City Clerk

CITY OF ARVIN
By:

OLIVIA CALDERON, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

By:

NATHAN HODGES, City Attorney
Hodges Law Group
I, ______________________________, City Clerk of the City of Arvin, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of the Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin on the date and by the vote indicated herein.

5.C.6
Attachment: Exhibit D Reso 2025-XX ACSD Appeal (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

5.C.7
Attachment: Attach 1 ACSD CUP PC Staff Report (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

5.C.8
Attachment: Attach 2 ACSD SDP PC Staff Report (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

6.I.2
Attachment: 2 - Att 1 Appeal dated Dec 26 2024 (Set Hearing Date - Arvin CSD Solar Array)

5.C.9
Attachment: Attach 3 Wall, Wall & Peake Appeal Letter (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

CITY OF ARVIN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Arvin Community Service District – Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array and Easements Hearing for the Applicant’s Appeal of Conditions of Approval Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Arvin, California, will conduct a public hearing, at which time you may be present and be heard, to consider the Arvin Community Service District’s Appeal of Conditions of Approval.

Applicant: Arvin Community Services District
Location: Southwest corner of Meyer Street and Celestial Way Project Description: Arvin Community Service District requested zoning and development, Conditional Use Permit and Site Development, approval for the construction of Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array on a portion of APN 189-353-07 in a R-1 Single Family Residential Zone district. The project site is located on the southwest corner of Meyer Street and Celestial Way. In addition, the Arvin CSD requested underground easements along the west side of Meyer Street, along the UN-NAMED ROAD, from the westerly side of the project to Meyer Street, and along the north side of Millux Road. The underground easement will allow the extension of electrical service to existing water well sites, APN 189-353-09 which is developed with Well Site No. 11 (west side of Meyer Street) and APN 189-353-08 which is developed with Well Site No. 16 (the north side of Millux Road) owned and operated by Arvin CSD. The rotating ground mounted solar array area is approximately 6.84 acres of the 52.77 Acres of APN 189-353-07 and is generally located at the southwest corner of Celestial Way and Meyer Street. The height of the solar panels is approximately 9’-0’ in height and are oriented in an east-west direction.

The project is surrounded by unimproved road systems as illustrated by the Aerial Street View photograph. The 6.84-acre Rotating Ground Mounted Solar Array, located at the southwest corner of Celestial Way and Meyer Street, and underground electrical conduit are highlighted in purple. The Solar Array site is surrounded by unimproved infrastructure and road improvements. Access to the site is proposed off the Un-Named Road west of Meyer Street. Primary Access to the Solar Array is from UN-NAMED ROAD west of Meyer Street.

PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW AND DETERMINATION:

At a properly noticed meeting of the City of Arvin Planning Commission on December 17, 2024, the Commission reviewed and Conditionally Approved the Project.

ARVIN COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT APPEAL:

On December 6, 2024, a representative of the Arvin Community Services District filed two appeals. The first appeal is related to the Planning Commission action on December 17, 2024 for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and the second appeal is for the Planning Commission action on December 17, 2024 for the conditional approval of the Site Development Permit (SDP).

At a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arvin on January 14, 2025, the City Council set a hearing date for January 28, 2025 to hear the appeal submitted on behalf of the Arvin Community Services District to the Planning Commission action described above.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to give citizens an opportunity to make their comments known. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may direct written comments to City of Arvin, City Clerk’s Office, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203 or email to [email protected]. In the subject line, please provide “PUBLIC COMMENT – APPEAL HEARING – ARVIN COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT SOLAR ARRAY”. All public comments will be provided to the City Staff and may be read into the record or compiled as part of the record. Additional information on the proposed site development permit, including copies in hard copy or electronic format, may be obtained from the City Clerk’s office at Arvin City Hall, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, California, 93203, or the City’s website at www.arvin.org.

All personsinterested in this topic who would like to provide feedback or ask questions are invited to attend. Written comments on this matter may be submitted to the City Clerk’s office by 4:00 P.M. on the date of this hearing. If you challenge the approval or denial of these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, at or prior to the public hearing. Address any communications or comments regarding the project to Cecilia Vela, City Clerk, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203, (661) 854-3134, [email protected]. Note: If you challenge the nature of the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing(s) described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to, the Public Hearing (Govt. Code Sec. 65009).

This public hearing notice was posted on January 16, 2025 at the following designated places for posting of public notices: (1) Arvin City Hall/City Council Chambers; (2) Arvin Police Department; and (3) Community Development Department; (4) City of Arvin’s website at www.arvin.org; providing a 10-day review, in accordance with Government Code Sections 36933, 65854, and 65090. /s/
Cecilia Vela, City Clerk
City of Arvin, California
POSTED: January 16, 2025

CITY OF ARVIN

CITY COUNCIL
Date: January 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: City of Arvin City Council Chambers, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203

5.C.10
Attachment: Attach 4 PHN ACSD Appeal of COA - Solar Array and Easements_CC Mtg of 012825 (Public Hearing: ACSD Appeal re Conditional Use Permit 2024 - Solar Array)

Page 1 of 2 ends

Staff Report re 2023-2031 Housing Element.

CITY OF ARVIN
Staff Report
Meeting Date: January 28, 2025
TO: Arvin City Council
FROM: Isaiah Medina, Consultant Planner
Jake Raper, Consultant Planner
Jeff Jones, City Manager/Finance Director
SUBJECT: A Public Hearing (General Plan Amendment -GPA 2025-01) to Consider A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arvin Adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element and the Fair Housing Analysis, Exhibit A, and Authorizing Staff to Forward the Housing Element to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for Final Review, and to Accept CEQA Determination of a Notice of Exemption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

BACKGROUND:

The City Council on May 14, 2024, adopted Resolution No. 2024-31, Attachment 1, adopted the 2023- 2031 Housing Element and authorized Staff to submit the Housing Element to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review as is required by state statutes.

On July 9, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-45. Attachment 2, authorizing the City Manager to accept and modify changes to the adopted housing element until certification by the State of California Department of Housing and Development.

The City’s Consultant, Realty Planners Group, and City Staff/Consultants worked diligently with HCD Staff from July to the end of November 2024 updating and refining the housing element that would meet the statutory requirements of state law. On December 24, 2024, the City Manager received correspondence from The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, Attachment 3, advising that the revised housing element meets the statutory requirements of State Housing Law. The letter also advised the city that the housing element cannot be found in substantial compliance until the city has completed necessary zoning amendments. (Note: Under separate zoning updates are being processed as expeditiously as possible to complete the needed zoning amendments to bring the housing element into statutory compliance with the housing law.)

REVIEW BY STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD): Upon adoption, the City will mail the adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element to HCD as is required by state law. Once transmitted to the HCD, the state has Ninety (90) days in which to either certify the Housing Element or recommend additional modifications and amendments.

Should additional modifications and/or amendments be required, Staff and Consultant will update as necessary. Should there be additional modifications and/or amendments, the city will be required to readvertise and conduct additional public hearings that will include any potential amendments to the January 2025 housing element.

CITY COUNCIL HEARING/PROJECT PRESENTATION:
• Open the public hearing.
• Staff/City Consultant to present the Staff Report.
• Provide opportunity to receive public comments.
• Close the public hearing.
• Act upon Staff’s Recommendation as noted below:

5.D.1
Attachment: 1-Staff Report 2023-2031 Housing Element_CC Mtg 012825 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element)

Page 2 of 2 ends

Staff Report re 2023-2031 Housing Element.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE:

Public hearing notice was posted on January 16, 2025 at the three (3) designated sites; City Hall, Community Development Department, and Arvin Police Department, as well as being posted on the city’s website, providing a 10-day review, in accordance with Government Code Sections 36933, 65854, and 65090. (Public Hearing Notice and Posting Certification are on file at the City Clerk’s Office). The public notice includes intent to adopt a Notice of Exemption as provided by CEQA Guidelines, General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3).

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:

The 2023-2031 Housing Element is a policy document. The project is exempt per Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because the project is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, Attachment 4. The 2023-2031 Housing Element is covered by the commonsense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The Housing Element, a policy document, and does not propose any physical development will not affect any scenic highway or resources, propose development on a hazardous waste site which is included on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code, does not affect any site that could qualify as historical resources and no structures are to be demolished, nor would the project have a significant adverse impact on a historic resource.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment - GPA 2025-01 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Arvin Adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element and the Fair Housing Analysis, Exhibit A, and Authorizing Staff to forward the adopted Housing Element to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for Final Review and Accept CEQA Determination of a Notice of Exemption of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

The adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element is a matter of high importance. The adoption of the Housing Element is prerequisite for the city to receive grant monies for various city applications pending award by the State of California. An adopted Housing Element is a critical document required for future grant applications. The city relies on various grant programs to further the implementation of the goals and policies of the General Plan and assists in meeting the adopted budget of the City.

Exhibits:

Exhibit A – January 2025 – 2023-2031 Housing Element.

Attachment:

1. Resolution No. 2024-31 adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element and authorized Staff to submit the Housing Element to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)

2. On July 9, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-45, adopted July 9, 2024, authorizing the City Manager to accept and modify changes to the adopted housing element until certification by the State of California Department of Housing and Development.

3. Letter dated December 24, 2024, from The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, advising that the revised housing element meets the statutory requirements of State Housing Law.

4. DRAFT Notice of Exemption 2023-2031 Housing Element (To be filed with Kern County Clerk and State of California after adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element).

5.D.1
Attachment: 1-Staff Report 2023-2031 Housing Element_CC Mtg 012825 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element)

Page 1 of 3 ends

CC Reso for GPA 2024-01- 2023-2031 Housing Element – January 28, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. ________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARVIN
ADOPTING THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 2025-01 - 2023-2031

HOUSING ELEMENT AND THE FAIR HOUSING ANALYSIS DATED
JANUARY 2025; AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO FORWARD THE

HOUSING ELEMENT TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT

OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR FINAL
REVIEW; AND TO ACCEPT THE NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PER THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).

WHEREAS, the City of Arvin (the “City”) has an adopted General Plan; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 2023-13 on June 20, 2023 which recommended the City Council schedule a public hearing for the 2023-2031 Housing Element update (GPA 2023-04); and
WHEREAS, the City of Arvin authorized the update for the period 2023-2031 (Sixth Cycle) AND replaces the 2013-2023 Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, the City submitted the 2023-2031 Housing Element to the State of California Housing and Community Development Department reviewed said element and determined that additional modification was required; and
WHEREAS, the City and the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development continued to coordinate required amendments to ensure compliance with the State of California Housing Laws; and
WHEREAS, the 2023-2031 Housing Element has been prepared by an outside consultant with assistance from City Staff in accordance with State Housing Element Law and Guidelines of the State Department of Housing and Community Development Department (HCD); and WHEREAS, the funding for the 2023-2031 Housing Element update is funded by the State of California grant funding and City of Arvin General Fund; and WHEREAS, the State of California, Housing and Community Development Department, letter dated December 24, 2024, advised that the housing element reviewed on November 2024 met the statutory requirement of the state Housing Law; and WHEREAS, upon adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element by the City Council, the City Council directs staff will send the adopted element to California HCD for review; and WHEREAS, the public hearing notice was posted at the three (3) designated sites; City Hall, Community Development Department, and Arvin Police Department and was posted on the city’s website on January 17, 2025, providing a ten (10) day review period, in accordance with Government Code Sections 36933, 65854, and 65090. The public notice includes intent

5.D.2
Attachment: 2-Reso GPA 2024- XX 2023-2031 HE and CEQA_CC Mtg 012825 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element)

Page 2 of 3 ends

CC Reso for GPA 2024-01- 2023-2031 Housing Element – January 28, 2025 to adopt a Notice of Exemption as provided by CEQA Guidelines, General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3); and
WHEREAS, proof of the posted public hearing notice is on file at the City Clerks’ office consists of the Public Hearing Notice and Posting Certification; and WHEREAS, copies of the GPA2025-01, 2023-2031 Housing Element and supporting documents were made available for public inspection during public review period at the City Clerk’s office and the City of Arvin Community Development Department, 141 Plumtree Drive, Arvin, California and on the City’s website; and,
WHEREAS, during the public review period the city received no inquiries requesting additional information; and
WHEREAS, the project, including General Plan Amendment 2025-01 - 2023-2031 Housing Element, is consistent with the underlying intent and purpose of the General Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Arvin (the “Council”) find, determine, resolve and order as follows:

1. The above recitals are true and correct.

2. Based on the foregoing, the City Council adopts the 2023-2031 Housing Element dated January 2025 and adopts the Notice of Exemption as provided by CEQA Guidelines, General Rule Exemption Section 15061(b)(3).

3. The City Clerk located at 200 Campus Dr, Arvin, CA 93203 serves as the custodian of all documents or other material which constitutes the record of proceedings upon which the adoption of the Notice of Exemption is based.

4. The City Manager or designee shall execute and file the Notice of Exemption with the Kern County Clerk and the State of California within five business days of the effective date of this resolution.

5. A copy of the adopted January 2025 - 2023-2031 Housing Element to be submitted to HCD for Certification within five business days.

6. The City Council finds that it is in the public interest to adopt the General Plan Amendment 2025-01 and the City Council adopts the 2023-2031 Housing Element dated January 2025, as reflected in Exhibit A.

7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately.
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5.D.2
Attachment: 2-Reso GPA 2024- XX 2023-2031 HE and CEQA_CC Mtg 012825 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element)

Page 3 of 3 ends

CC Reso for GPA 2024-01- 2023-2031 Housing Element – January 28, 2025 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin at a regular meeting thereof held on the 28th day of January 2025 by the following vote:

AYES:________________________________________________________________________ NOES:________________________________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: ____________________________________________________________________ ABSENT: _____________________________________________________________________ ATTEST
CITY OF ARVIN CECILIA VELA, City Clerk
By:

OLIVIA CALDERON, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:

By:

NATHAN HODGES, City Attorney
Hodges Law Group
Attachments: Exhibit A – 2023-2031 Housing Element Update dated January 2025.

I, ______________________________, City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Arvin, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of the resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arvin on the date and by the vote indicated herein.

5.D.2
Attachment: 2-Reso GPA 2024- XX 2023-2031 HE and CEQA_CC Mtg 012825 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element)

CITY OF ARVIN

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT AND FAIR HOUSING ANALYSIS
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Arvin, California, will conduct a public hearing, at which time the public may be present and heard, to consider the following:

Project Description:

The Housing Element Update is required to identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs in order to preserve, improve and develop housing for all economic segments of the community, including a fair housing analysis. In addition to prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, disability, and other protected personal and familial attributes, the city is required to affirmatively further fair housing. The City’s Housing Element is the primary policy document implementing the housing policies and affirmatively further fair housing for all economic segments of the community.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Council may adopt the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update and forward the document to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development Department for review and approval and accept a Notice of Exemption per CEQA (General Rule Exemption – Section 15061(b) (3). Pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061 (b)(3), that this project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it is not a project which has the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.

Applicant: City of Arvin, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203 The 2023-2031 Housing Element and proposed environmental finding may be obtained from the City of Arvin, City Hall, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, California, 93203, or the City’s web site at www.arvin.org. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call (661) 854-3134. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the city to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to give citizens an opportunity to make their comments known. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, you may direct written comments to City of Arvin, City Clerk’s Office, PO Box 548, Arvin, CA 93203 or emailed to [email protected]. All public comments will be provided to the City Council and may be read into the record or compiled as part of the record. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting and/or should you desire Spanish translation at the meeting, please call (661) 854-3134. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility and translation services.

Additional information on the proposed ordinance amendment, including copies in hard copy or electronic format, may be obtained from the City Clerk’s office at Arvin City Hall, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, California, 93203, or the City’s website at www.arvin.org.

All persons interested in this topic who would like to provide feedback or ask questions are invited to attend.

Written comments on this matter may be submitted to the City Clerk’s office by 4:00 P.M. on the date of this hearing. If you challenge the approval or denial of these matters in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, at or prior to the public hearing. Address any communications or comments regarding the project to the project to Cecilia Vela, City Clerk, at 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203, (661) 854-3134, [email protected].

This public hearing notice was posted on January 16, 2025 at the following designated places for posting of public notices: (1) Arvin City Hall/City Council Chambers; (2) Arvin Police Department; and (3) Community Development Department; (4) City of Arvin’s website at www.arvin.org; providing a 10-day review, in accordance with Government Code Sections 36933, 65854, and 65090. /s/
Cecilia Vela, City Clerk
City of Arvin, California
POSTED: January 16, 2025
Arvin City Council Public Hearing Information
Date: January 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: City of Arvin Council Chambers, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin, CA 93203

5.D.3
Attachment: 3-PHN 2023-2031 Housing Element and Fair Housing Analysis_CC Mtg of 012825_POSTED 011625 (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element) `
Prepared by: Realty Planners Group, Inc. 3258 Alta Vista Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028

5.D.4
Attachment: Exhibit A - Arvin_HE_Jan 2025 (1) (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element) `
City of Arvin
2023-2031 Housing Element
JANUARY 2025
Adopted City Council of the City of Arvin Resolution
No. 2025-

5.D.4
Attachment: Exhibit A - Arvin_HE_Jan 2025 (1) (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element) Arvin Housing Element
i
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................... 1 A. PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT ..................................................1 B. CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW...........................................................1 C. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS AND PLANS.................................1 D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH..............................................3 II. HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT.................................................. 6 A. CITY OVERVIEW....................................................................................6 B. POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS...........................................................8 C. HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS..........................................................13 D. EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS.......................................................17 E. HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................................18 F. SPECIAL NEEDS...................................................................................30 G. ASSISTED HOUSING INVENTORY.........................................................49 H. ASSISTED HOUSING AT-RISK OF CONVERSION ....................................50 I. REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT..........................................54 III. HOUSING CONSTRAINTS......................................................... 65 A. NON-GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS ................................................65 B. GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS.........................................................76 IV. HOUSING RESOURCES .......................................................... 110 A. HOUSING DENSITIES.........................................................................110 B. VACANT LAND..................................................................................113 C. RECYCLING.......................................................................................118 D. POTENTIAL HOUSING GROWTH........................................................118 E. MOBILE HOME PARKS ......................................................................118 F. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES ................................................................119 G. AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
IN EXISTING RESIDENTIAL ZONES......................................................120 H. FINANCIAL RESOURCES.....................................................................122 I. ENERGY CONSERVATION..................................................................126 J. KERN REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION 6th PLAN..................................128

5.D.4
Attachment: Exhibit A - Arvin_HE_Jan 2025 (1) (Public Hearing: 2023-2031 Housing Element) Arvin Housing Element
ii
V. REVIEW & EVALUATION OF EXISTING HOUSING PROGRAMS... 129 A. CURRENT HOUSING ELEMENT (2008-2013) ........................................129 B. EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF GOALS, POLICIES & RELATED ACTIONS IN MEETING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION ......156 VI. 2023–2031 HOUSING PLAN.................................................. 165 A. HOUSING ELEMENT PLAN.................................................................165 B. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS .................167 C. HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS.......................................................168 D. SUMMARY OF QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES...........................................201 APPENDIX A: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
APPENDIX B: ARVIN VACANT PARCELS
APPENDIX C: FAIR HOUSING ANALYSIS

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List of Tables
Table 1 Arvin Population Growth Trends .............................................................8 Table 2 Population by Age Groups (Total)..........................................................10 Table 3 Age Distribution and Dependent Population - Year 2020.......................10 Table 4 Population by Race - 2020.....................................................................11 Table 5 Population by Race by Hispanic Origin Over Time..................................12 Table 6 Household Growth 1990-2020...............................................................13 Table 7 Households by Size................................................................................14 Table 8 Average Household Size by Tenancy......................................................15 Table 9 Average Household Size Over Time .......................................................15 Table 10 Median Household Income....................................................................15 Table 11 Median Household Income by Race.......................................................16 Table 12 Income by Household Types .................................................................16 Table 13 Households in Poverty over Time ..........................................................17 Table 14 Industry by Civilian Employed Population - 16 Years and Over ..............17 Table 15 Employment by Occupation ..................................................................18 Table 16 Total Housing Units over Time...............................................................19 Table 17 Total Housing Units by Type ..................................................................20 Table 18 Total Occupied Housing Units by Year Built ...........................................21 Table 19 Arvin Housing Survey 2008....................................................................22 Table 20 2012 Housing Conditions Analysis Overview..........................................25 Table 21A Housing Units by Tenure .......................................................................27 Table 21B Housing Units by Tenure over Time .......................................................27 Table 22 Households by Type ..............................................................................28 Table 23 Home Sales Prices .................................................................................28 Table 24 Gross and Median Rent ........................................................................29 Table 25 Special Needs Population ......................................................................30 Table 26A Disability by Type by Age for the Total Population.................................35 Table 26B Disability by Type for the Population with a Disability ...........................35 Table 27 Senior Households by Tenure……………...........……………………………………….37 Table 28 Kern County – Farm Labor 2017 ............................................................39 Table 29 Privately Owned Farm Worker Housing - Kern County...........................40 Table 30 Publicly Owned Farm Worker Housing - Kern County ............................41 Table 31 Households by Type ..............................................................................43 Table 32 Poverty Status of Families by Family Type and Marital Status................43 Table 33 Housing Authority Facilities...................................................................48 Table 34 Facilities for Special Needs ....................................................................48 Table 35 Low Income Public Housing – Housing Authority of the County of Kern.49

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Table 36 Arvin Public Housing..............................................................................50 Table 37 Non-Hack Affordable Housing Projects in Arvin .....................................51 Table 38 Estimated Construction Cost for Affordable Housing .............................53 Table 39 Arvin’s 5th Cycle RHNA 2013-2023 .........................................................55 Table 40 Housing Units Developed in Arvin 2013-2022 (5th Cycle)........................55 Table 41 Arvin’s RHNA 2023-2031 By Income Level .............................................56 Table 42 Arvin Households with Household Problems -2019 ...............................58 Table 43 Arvin Households Overpaying for Housing by Income Level -2018.........59 Table 44 Overcrowded Households in Arvin -2020...............................................60 Table 45 Overcrowded Households in Arvin by Tenure 2010-2020 ......................61 Table 46 National Annual Average Mortgage Interest Rates ................................67 Table 47 Residential Land Use Categories – Existing and Proposed......................77 Table 48 Current Development Standards ...........................................................88 Table 49 Right-of-Way Standards ........................................................................90 Table 50 Surplus Properties.................................................................................93 Table 51 Permitted and Conditionally Permitted Uses.........................................96 Table 52 Application and Infrastructure Fees.......................................................97 Table 53 Estimated Residential Development Fees..............................................99 Table 54 Permit and Processing Procedures ......................................................101 Table 55 Realistic Density (Units per Acre).........................................................111 Table 56 Vacant Developable Land ....................................................................112 Table 57 Mobile Home Parks.............................................................................116 Table 58 School Sites …………………………………………………………………………………… 118 Table 59 Affordable Housing Projects in Multi-Family Zones..............................119 Table 60 Housing Affordability by 2020 Income Level ………………………………………120 Table 61 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Affordable Housing Projects .............123 Table 62 Review of the 2013-2023 Housing Element Accomplishments.............144 Table 63 Quantified Objectives 2023-2031 ........................................................201

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List of Figures
Figure 1 Regional Map...…………………………………………………………………………………….…6 Figure 2 City of Arvin Boundary and Sphere of Influence.......................................7 Figure 3 Total Population and Percentage Change Over Time - 1980-2020...........9 Figure 4 Population by Race by Hispanic Origin 2000-2020 .................................12 Figure 5 CDBG Survey .........................................................................................23 Figure 6 Housing Conditions ...............................................................................24 Figure 7 Housing Conditions 2012.......................................................................26 Figure 8 City of Arvin Annexation & Sphere of Influence .....................................62 Figure 9 White Wolf Fault...................................................................................68 Figure 10 FEMA Flood Zone ..................................................................................71 Figure 11 General Plan Land Use...........................................................................86 Figure 11-A Infrastructure Maps..............................................................................91 Figure 11-B Aerial Map Showing Census Tracts........................................................91 Figure 12 Vacant Residential Opportunity Sites.....................................................115

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I. Introduction
A. Purpose of the Housing Element
The 2023-2031 City of Arvin Housing Element (Housing Element) focuses on the quality, quantity, condition, and occupancy of the city's dwelling units. It is evident that, by the adoption of this Housing Element into the Arvin General Plan, the City Council and the Planning Commission of the City of Arvin reflect the concern of the citizens that clean, fair and upgraded housing be of primary importance in the development of the community. The authority for producing this Housing Element is provided in Government Code Section 65580 et. seq. The Housing Element considers the current condition in affordable housing as a key issue that needs immediate attention. It is the intent of this Housing Element to assure that every attempt is being made to provide suitable housing for all members of the Arvin community regardless of income, age, race, color, religion, gender, ethnic background or disability. The City of Arvin seeks to promote free housing choices for all its citizens as well as to provide guidance for municipal decisions on the quality, inventory and conservation of its existing housing.

B. Consistency with State Law
This Housing Element must be consistent with the State Law (Government Code Section 65583) which requires all housing elements to identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs and establish goals, policies, quantified objectives, financial resources and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing in the city. The housing element is also required to identify adequate sites for housing, including rental housing, factory-built housing, and mobile-homes, and make adequate provision for the existing and projected needs of all Arvin residents, regardless of income, age, race, religion, gender or ethnic background.

C. Relationship to Other Elements and Plans
Government Code Section 65300.5 requires that the General Plan and elements and parts there of comprise an integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the adopting agency. This update of the Housing Element has been prepared in a manner making it consistent with other elements and areas of the General Plan. The Housing Element is implemented primarily by the Arvin Municipal Code (Municipal Code). The Municipal Code contains ordinances, including those that pertain to the subdivision regulations, zoning, and building code. Implementation of the Housing Element also benefits from special activities and programs authorized by the Arvin City Council, and the Successor Agency of the Arvin Community Redevelopment Agency.

General Plan Amendments and Related Resolutions
Since the adoption of the 2013-2023 Arvin Housing Element in March 27, 2018 (Resolution 2018-23), the city has updated and amended the Arvin General Plan as it relates to housing through the following resolutions:

Resolution No. 2018-23. The Resolution adopting the 5th Cycle Housing Element included a policy of providing priority infrastructure service to housing projects affordable to lower-income households.

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Concurrent with the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update, the city has passed a Resolution specifying sewer connection priority to low-income housing developments. The Arvin Community Services District will be requested to pass its own resolution to provide priority water service to low-income developments.

Resolution No. 2018-68. The Arvin City Council Approved Resolution No. 2018-68 introducing two Sphere of Influence (SOI) alternative expansion areas in 2018. In 2019, LAFCO approved the expansion of the city’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) to include 2,085 acres. The Edmonson Tract, a disadvantage community northeast of the city was added to the SOI. The city’s General Plan and Zoning Map were updated to reflect the expanded SOI.

Resolution 2019-03. Safety Element and Conservation Element were amended to address flood and high fire hazards.

Resolution 2019-09. Land Use element was amended to address unincorporated islands or fringe communities.

As part of the 6th Cycle Amendments, the City is currently amending the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Code to reflect increased densities, as discussed in Table 47.

Municipal Code Amendments
In addition to housing-related amendments to the General Plan, the Arvin Municipal Code was amended through the following ordinances.

Ordinance No. 2019-456. The city Council adopted Ordinance No. 2019-456 amending the Municipal Code, including the Density Bonus Ordinance to comply with State law. As part of the 6th Cycle amendments, the density bonus ordinance will be updated to reflect current density bonus laws, as explained in Chapter VI. C. Housing Element Programs.

Ordinance No. 2019-456. Adopted Ordinance No. 2019-456 amending the Municipal Code, including the Transitional and Supportive Housing.

Ordinance No. 2019-456. Adopted Ordinance No. 2019-456 adding a new definition of “Family” to comply with State law.

Ordinance No. 2019-456. Adopted ordinance regarding removal of minimum unit size (Minimum Units/Acre and Units/Site) in R-3 and R-4 zones to comply with State law.

Ordinance 2018-445. Adopted ordinance to rezone land to accommodate the shortfall of affordable housing from the 2008-2013 Housing Element period.

As part of the 6th Cycle updates, the city is concurrently amending the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Code to reflect increased densities, as discussed in Table 47.

Ordinance No. 2019-456. As part of the Housing No Net Loss Program, the City adopted Ordinance No. 2019-456 amending the Municipal Code Section 17.12.25: "Other uses may be permitted as authorized by the Municipal Code where equal to, or greater, land area is provided to replace and/or provide a residential development of at least 16 units per acre concurrent to or prior to development of the other use."

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D. Public Participation and Outreach
Section 65583(c)(9) of the Government Code explains that the local government shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all segments of the community in the development of the Housing Program, and the Program shall describe this effort. Meaningful community participation is also required in connection with the City’s Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). Residents, businesses, and interest groups were provided the opportunity to participate in the Housing Program Update process and were an important component of the overall program. Notice of Public Hearing and 30- Day Notice of Availability of Housing Element and Fair Housing Analysis for review and public involvement during the preparation and adoption of this Housing Program is provided in Appendix A – Public Participation. Besides, the city has published a hearing before the City Council, and a Notice of combined Workshop on the Environmental Justice Element and Housing Element. 7-day notices on initial and the revised drafts were also published.

As part of the 6th Cycle Housing Program Update, a public outreach plan was developed to inform the community of the intent to Update the Housing Program as well as the proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Analysis, Appendix A. The Public Outreach Plan included various forms of outreach and notification efforts including physical notification such as posting at businesses, pamphlets, brochures, newspapers articles, workshops and the City’s website. The electronic notification utilizes various automated platforms such as the City’s website, the City’s Planning Department phone line.

Several public outreach participation methods were used (i.e., public workshops, public comment periods) to discuss the Arvin Housing Program Update and solicit input from the community. Copies of the draft Housing Program were disseminated for review throughout the community at locations including City Hall, Arvin Public Library, and the City’s website.

Following the public workshops, the Planning Commission hearing, and City Council meeting, the draft Housing Program was submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review. The Housing Program was revised to address comments received by HCD. The Housing Program are to be scheduled at a public hearing held by the City Council. All public hearings will be duly noticed, posted in the local newspaper. For further information regarding the public participation program as well as to view pamphlets distributed, and tools used for engagement and obtaining feedback, please see Appendix A.

The City of Arvin remains committed to providing a diversity of housing options for all income levels, encouraging development throughout the community to help overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. The vast majority of the City’s Housing Programs designed to address fair housing will be implemented on an ongoing basis, with annual progress reports and programs evaluations to ensure they are achieving the City’s objectives.

Additional Discussion – Public Participation:
1) The attendees, except for one person, at the first workshop, July 28, 2022, did not speak to nor provided any comments or recommendations to be incorporated in the proposed housing element. The person that spoke at the workshop, in summary “appreciated the city moving forward with any programs that will make housing more accessible.” Therefore, no additional modifications or revisions were required.

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2) The City Staff prepared a workshop flyer and distributed the flyer to local merchants, churches, Arvin Library, and schools advertising the upcoming workshop. The workshop flyer was posted at the City Hall, Planning, Police Department, and City Council Chambers. No responses and recommendations were received by the city – See Revised Appendix A – Workshop Flyer English and Spanish and Distribution List by City Staff.

The city published the 30-day Notice of Availability of the Housing Element for public review and a public hearing before the Planning Commission at its meeting on June 20, 2023 prior to submitting the Draft for review and comments by HCD. The Draft Housing Element Amendment was available for public review on the city’s website starting in May 2023.

Notices for the community workshops/meetings/hearings were published in the Arvin Tiller. All workshop notices were posted at City Hall and the library. The city also notified local organizations of the community workshops. The community workshop notices (English and Spanish), presentation material, list of attendees.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any resident in need of special assistance to participate in these workshops could contact the Office of the city Clerk by phone or email. Additionally, to involve as many participants as possible at the community workshops, a Spanish interpreter was available for the presentation and public comments.

Known barriers to public participation can be impeded by language barriers, transportation, meeting times and childcare. Spanish interpreters were available at all meetings; transportation was not considered an issue since the entire city is walkable (4.8 square miles).

MOVING FOREWARD - Implementation– OUTREACH AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Expand the membership of the Arvin Housing Advisory Committee to include representatives of lower-income and special needs households in future public outreach efforts, Arvin Navigation Center. Arvin Navigation Center goals include programs to provide 24/7 access for persons experiencing homelessness in Arvin and Lamont.

ARVIN HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The City has made multiple attempts during the 5th cycle Housing Element to establish the Arvin Housing Element Advisory Committee. It has been difficult to get commitment from special needs groups and community-based organizations to join the committee. The City will continue to work towards having an Arvin Housing Element Advisory Committee that will include stakeholders and community-based organizations (i.e., California Coalition of Rural Housing, California Rural Legal Assistance, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Lideres Campesinas, Committee for a Better Arvin, and the Arvin Navigation Center (ANC) etc.) to advise the city on various Housing Element programs. The Housing Element Advisory Committee will actively participate in the city’s efforts to prioritize and implement various housing opportunities including those for special needs groups. The Arvin Planning Commission duties may be expanded to function as the AHEAC. The AHEAC make up may consist of the five (5) members of the Planning Commission and appoints of stakeholders including the Arvin Navigation Center that may wish to participate. A new program will be added to reflect this City commitment.

As part of the public outreach effort, the city has taken the following actions:

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CITY OF ARVIN WEBSITE
City of Arvin website (https://www.arvin.org/166/City-Planning) serves as the main conduit of information for individuals who can access material online. The website is regularly updated to reflect ongoing community input opportunities, advertise draft housing element, and answer commonly asked questions. The website includes the following information:
• Upcoming meeting information
• Housing Element Workshops (Spanish and English)
• Notices of Public Hearing
• Linksto Housing Element and other planning documents

GENERAL MULTI-LINGUAL ADVERTISEMENTS
The city utilized a variety of methods to advertise the project, engage the community, and solicit input on the Housing Element. These efforts are summarized herein to demonstrate the City’s meaningful commitment to community collaboration. The city has held public meetings with the City Council and Planning Commission and the public to provide an overview of the Housing Element Update, invite input on housing-related needs and priorities, and to give the community another opportunity to identify housing-related concerns.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
As part of the public outreach effort, the city has conducted two community workshops on the Housing Element. The first virtual stakeholder workshop was held on July 28, 2022, and the second public workshop was conducted on October 18, 2022, as part of the Planning Commission meeting at Arvin City Hall, 200 Campus Drive, Arvin. The community workshop discussed housing issues facing the city and received input for the development of the Housing Element.

Notices for the community workshops/meetings were published in the Bakersfield Californian. All workshop notices were posted at City Hall and the library. The city also notified local organizations of the community workshops. The community workshop notices were sent out (English and Spanish), and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), any resident in need of special assistance to participate in these workshops could contact the Office of the city Clerk by phone or email. Additionally, to involve as many participants as possible at the community workshops, a Spanish interpreter was available for the presentation and public comments.

STAKEHOLDER INPUT
City staff sought input from community stakeholders on housing issues in Arvin and to discuss the proposed housing programs. The stakeholders consulted included representatives from:
• Delores Huerta Foundation
• Committee for a Better Arvin
• Lideres Campesinas to discuss and clarify the proposed housing programs

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II. Housing Needs Assessment
A strategy to determine the existing and projected housing needs of a community must be based on an understanding of its socio-economic and housing characteristics. This entails a review of the city’s population and employment base, an analysis of housing conditions, and the special housing needs of groups within the population. This information provides a database upon which decisions concerning policies and programs for the provision of adequate housing can be based. It should be noted that U.S. Census 2020 population and American Community Survey demographic and economic indicators are used. The ACS data are five-year estimates and therefore, demographic numbers may vary. Pre-approved Housing Element data packet from the State Housing and Community Development (HCD) obtained through Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) was used in this document enabling faster review of this document by HCD.

A. City Overview
The city of Arvin is located in Kern County approximately 15 miles southeast of the city of Bakersfield.

Figure 1 shows the location of Arvin from a regional perspective. Arvin is situated in one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas of the San Joaquin Valley. Much of this agricultural land is protected by the Williamson Agricultural Preservation Act, which sets forth strong financial incentives for maintaining agricultural uses on the land. Incorporated in 1960, the City of Arvin’s growth, like many of the surrounding cities in Kern County, is driven by its agricultural community.

Agricultural crops such as cotton, grain, carrots, potatoes, almonds, oranges, and grapes, surround the city as well as numerous private dairies and farmland. Figure 2 presents a map of the city, which totals 4.8 square miles in size.

Figure 1

REGIONAL MAP

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Figure 2
ARVIN HOUSING ELEMENT AREA 2023-2031 AND SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

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B. Population Characteristics
Population Growth Trends
All indicators point out that Arvin’s population has been in continual growth since the 1970s till 2010.

This trend was mostly a result of the increase in farm workers, and the availability of affordable housing in Arvin up until 2010. As presented in Table 1 and in Figure 3, between 1970 and 1980, the city’s population grew by 32 percent; 35.5 percent by 1990; 39.5 percent by 2000; and 49 percent by 2010. While the residential population in Arvin has continued to increase in recent years, the rate of growth dipped significantly after 2010. According to U.S. Census, the 2020 residential population of Arvin was 19,495 – a percentage change of 0.99 percent over the course of ten years from the 2010 population. Considered in terms of simple annual percentage change, Arvin’s population grew by an average of 4.9 percent per year during the 2000-2010 period; after 2010, the growth rate dropped to an average of 0.09 percent per year. This pattern of continued growth from 1970 to 2010, followed by a dramatic drop in growth rates in recent years, was also witnessed in Kern County as a whole.

Table 1

ARVIN POPULATION GROWTH TRENDS
Year Total Percent
Change
Annual
Percent
Change
1970 5,199 -- --
1980 6,863 32.0% 3.2%
1990 9,286 35.3% 3.5%
2000 12,956 39.5% 4.0%
2010 19,304 49.0% 4.9%
2020 19,495 0.99% 0.09%
Source: U.S. Census 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, ; Social Explorer tables for Census 2020.

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Figure 3
TOTAL POPULATION AND PERCENT CHANGE OVER TIME – 1980-2020 Age Composition
The age distribution of the population is an important determinant of housing demand in an area.

Young adults (18-34 years of age) tend to favor apartments, low to moderate cost condominiums, and smaller single-family units. The population of 35 to 64 years of age represents the major market for moderate to relatively high-cost condominiums and single-family homes. People over 65 years of age tend to generate demand for low to moderate cost apartments and condominiums, group quarters, and mobile homes.

Table 2 shows that Arvin has a relatively younger population compared to the County averages. It has a higher proportion of population up to 24 years of age and lower proportion from 24 years and up compared to the County averages for these age groups. This indicates a shift in population trend with more younger families moving into Arvin compared to the rest of the County. A reason would be the lower property prices in the area. In 2020, residents 5 to 17 years represented the largest age group in Arvin, followed by the 25-34 -year age group. The prime working age groups (18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55 to 64 combined) account for 56.22 percent of the city’s total population, lower than the Kern County total of 60.6 percent for these two age groups. As shown in Table 2, whilst the 5-24 age groups are higher than the County percentages for these groups, the 35-64 age group is lower than the County proportion. Arvin comprises a significantly higher proportion of minors under the age of 18 years as compared to the County’s proportion of the same age group. Kern County is significantly higher than Arvin in the 65 years and older age group. Overall, Arvin has a younger population than the County with a median age of 23.7 years as compared to 30.7 years countywide, and two out of three Arvin residents are younger than the age of 35, and 38.5 percent are minors under the age of 18.

Total Population and Percent Change Over Time (1980 to 2020) Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010; Social Explorer tables for Census 2020. 6,863
9,286
12,956
19,304 19,495

35.31%

39.52%

49.00%

0.99%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Total Population
Percent Change
Total Population Percent Change

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Table 2
Population by Age Groups (Total).

City of Arvin City of Arvin Kern County Kern County
Total: 21,220 892,458
Under 5 Years 2,500 11.8% 69,067 7.7%
5 to 17 Years 5,733 27.0% 189,092 21.2%
18 to 24 Years 2,459 11.6% 90,462 10.1%
25 to 34 Years 3,074 14.5% 139,092 15.6%
35 to 44 Years 2,771 13.1% 113,896 12.8%
45 to 54 Years 2,147 10.1% 99,726 11.2%
55 to 64 Years 1,485 7.0% 93,259 10.4%
65 to 74 Years 653 3.1% 59,261 6.6%
75 to 84 Years 212 1.0% 27,691 3.1%
85 Years and Over 186 0.9% 10,912 1.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B01001.

Table 3
AGE DISTRIBUTION AND DEPENDENT POPULATION YEAR 2020
Age Group Arvin Kern County
Under 5 11.8% 7.7%
5-17 27.0% 21.2%
18-34 26.1% 25.7%
35-64 30.2% 34.4%
65+ 5.0% 10.9%
Median Age 24.7 31.9
Age Dependency Ratio 77.8 66.4
Child Dependency Ratio 69.0 48.1
Old-Age Dependency Ratio 8.8 18.2
Source: 2020 ACS 5-Yr Est. Table S0101
The dependency ratio, which is the ratio of the population under 18 and over 65 years of age to the population 18 to 64, is an indicator of the reliance of children and senior citizens on the working age population. The lower the dependency ratio, the lesser the “burden” is on a community’s working age residents. Table 3 shows that on average, a working age individual in the City of Arvin must support more dependents (0.77) than a working age resident in Kern County (0.66), which again indicates the need for dependent care and support systems for young children and youth. Within the composite age dependency ratio, the proportion of minor-age dependents versus dependent

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populations over the age of 65 differ between the city and County averages, reflecting the relatively younger population in Arvin and the greater proportion of seniors in the countywide total population. In addition to Arvin having a higher dependency ratio than the County average, the data indicates that the types of services needed would skew more towards childcare and other youthtargeted amenities, with relatively less demand for seniorservices.

Race and Ethnicity
The racial and ethnic composition of a community determines the household characteristics and influences housing needs. The City of Arvin is a predominantly Hispanic/Latino community, of which nearly 9 out of 10 city residents are Hispanic. Table 4 presents estimates of the 2020 race/ethnic composition of Arvin's population. Compared to the County, the Arvin comprised a smaller proportion in all ethnic and racial categories except with the Hispanic/Latino population.

Table 4:

Population by Race - 2020
City of
Arvin
Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
Total: 21,220 892,458 39,346,023
White Alone 15,501 73.0% 603,368 67.6% 22,053,721 56.1% Black or African American Alone 144 0.7% 48,530 5.4% 2,250,962 5.7% American Indian And Alaska Native
Alone 90 0.4% 8,462 0.9% 311,629 0.8%
Asian Alone 329 1.6% 43,381 4.9% 5,834,312 14.8%
Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific
Islander Alone 0 0.0% 1,380 0.2% 149,636 0.4%
Some Other Race Alone 3,897 18.4% 112,122 12.6% 5,623,747 14.3% Two Or More Races: 1,259 5.9% 75,215 8.4% 3,122,016 7.9% Two Races Including Some Other
Race 1,226 5.8% 48,130 5.4% 1,472,235 3.7%
Two Races Excluding Some Other
Race, And Three Or More Races 33 0.2% 27,085 3.0% 1,649,781 4.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B02001.

Table 5 and Figure 4 depicts the growth rates of different racial/ethnic categories within Arvin and Kern County between 2000 and 2020. During this period, the total population of Arvin grew by 50.47 percent, however, growth in the last decade between 2010 and 2020 was a mere 0.99 percent.

Arvin’s Hispanic population was 87.5 percent of the total population in the year 2000. By 2020, the Hispanic population comprise of 94 percent of the population.

The changing ethnic characteristics of a community, coupled with shifting in age composition, lead to changes in household composition and ensuing housing needs.

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Table 5:

Population by Race by Hispanic Origin Over Time
2000 Percent 2010 Percent 2020 Percent
Total: 12,956 19,304 21,220
Hispanic or Latino 11,341 87.5% 17,892 92.7% 19,952 94.0% Not Hispanic Or Latino: 1,615 12.5% 1,412 7.3% 1,268 6.0% White Alone 1,276 9.8% 985 5.1% 803 3.8%
Black Or African American Alone 68 0.5% 102 0.5% 126 0.6% American Indian And Alaska Native
Alone 33 0.3% 41 0.2% 9 0.0%
Asian Alone 132 1.0% 135 0.7% 305 1.4%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific
Islander Alone 2 0.0% 2 0.0% 0 0.0%
Some Other Race Alone 16 0.1% 30 0.2% 0 0.0%
Two Or More Races: 88 0.7% 117 0.6% 25 0.1%
Two Races Including Some Other
Race 0 0.0%
Two Races Excluding Some Other
Race, And Three Or More Races 25 0.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 & 2010, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B03002.

Figure 4: Population by Race by Hispanic Origin 2010-2020 Providing a range of affordable housing can help foster more inclusive communities and increase access to opportunities for persons of color, persons with disabilities, and other protected classes.

The programs included in the housing element show that the City intends to complete the necessary actions to meet the State AFFH requirements. These actions are intended to alleviate themain issues identified in the Assessment of Fair Housing and the City intends to implement 0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
2000 2010 2020
Two or More Races
Non-Hispanic
Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific
Islander Alone NonHispanic
Asian Alone NonHispanic
American Indian and
Alaska Native Alone
Non-Hispanic
Black or African
American Alone
Non-Hispanic

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these and all the programs outlined in this Housing Plan during the 2023-2031 planning period. In addition, the city intends to monitor the AFFH actions on an annual basis in conjunction with the preparation of the Annual Progress Report (APR) to ensure the goals are being met. If any action items are not being achieved, the city will adjust its metrics, timeframes, and commitments as necessary to ensure it meets its AFFH goals.

C. Household Characteristics
The census defines a “household” as all persons who occupy a housing unit. This includes persons living alone, families related through marriage or blood, or unrelated persons sharing a housing unit.

Persons living in retirement or convalescent homes, school dormitories, or other group living situations are not considered households, but are considered part of the group quarter category.

Household characteristics are an important indicator of the type of housing needed in a community.

Household Growth
According to California DOF estimates presented in Table 6, household growth in Arvin was consistently higher than that of the County in the period 1990 to 2010. During the 1990s, the number of households in Arvin grew by over 26 percent as compared to 15 percent growth experienced countywide. During the following decade Arvin and Kern County populations increased to 40.5 percent and 22 percent, respectively. After 2010, household growth in both jurisdictions dropped significantly, with the County growth rate exceeding than that of the city.

Arvin households total 4884 in 2020 DOF estimates, an increase of 15.5 percent from 2010 levels.

Considered in terms of simple annual percentage change, households in Arvin increased by an average of 1.55 percent per year during these 10 years; this is a significant drop from the simple annual percentage change of 4.1 percent between 2000 and 2010, and 2.6 percent between 1990 and 2000.

Kern County households total 301,009 in 2020 DOF estimates, an increase of 18.2 percent from 2010 levels.

Table 6
HOUSEHOLD GROWTH 1990-2020
Jurisdiction 1990 2000 2010 2020 %
Change
1990-
2000
%
Change
2000-
2010
% Change
2010-2020
Arvin 2385 3010 4228 4884 26.2% 40.5% 15.5%
Kern County 181,480 208,655 254,610 301,009 15.0% 22.0% 18.2% Source: DOF Series E-8 1990 and Series E-5 estimates, 2000, 2010, 2020

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Household Type
The household characteristics of a community, to an extent, determine the existing and future type and size of housing needs. According to Table 7, family household population (related persons and/or married couples living together) represented 92.9 percent of Arvin’s total households. This compares to 73.8 percent countywide. In addition, the proportion of the non- family households (group quarter population, which includes many senior residents, accounted for 7.1 percent of the total households in Arvin, which is lower than the countywide total of

26.2 percent.

Household Size
Household size is the number of persons per occupied dwelling unit. Over the decades, the County and the State have experienced a continued increase in household size. This trend is the result of factors such as larger families, which reflect the changing demographics and the shift in the ethnic composition of the region, as well as a consolidation of families necessitated by the increase cost of living.

Table 7

HOUSEHOLDS BY SIZE
City of
Arvin
Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
Total: 4,711 273,556 13,103,114
Family Households: 4,377 92.9% 201,939 73.8% 8,986,666 68.6% 2-Person Household 613 13.0% 63,848 23.3% 3,209,170 24.5% 3-Person Household 849 18.0% 42,009 15.4% 2,054,635 15.7% 4-Person Household 1,145 24.3% 46,904 17.1% 1,945,127 14.8% 5-Person Household 731 15.5% 27,461 10.0% 1,006,126 7.7% 6-Person Household 596 12.7% 12,948 4.7% 433,324 3.3%
7-Or-More Person
Household 443 9.4% 8,769 3.2% 338,284 2.6%
Nonfamily Households: 334 7.1% 71,617 26.2% 4,116,448 31.4% 1-Person Household 258 5.5% 57,077 20.9% 3,114,819 23.8% 2-Person Household 76 1.6% 12,251 4.5% 774,224 5.9%
3-Person Household 0 0.0% 1,137 0.4% 135,683 1.0%
4-Person Household 0 0.0% 674 0.2% 59,938 0.5%
5-Person Household 0 0.0% 341 0.1% 19,730 0.2%
6-Person Household 0 0.0% 24 0.0% 6,805 0.1%
7-Or-More Person
Household 0 0.0% 113 0.0% 5,249 0.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B11016

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Table 7 shows that 15.5 percent of family households and zero percent of the non-family households in Arvin were composed of five or more persons, which by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) definition is considered “large households”. This is more than the countywide proportion of large household, 10 percent of total family households and 0.1 percent of the non-family households in the County. This indicates a need for larger housing units for large households in the city.

Average household size over time in Arvin (Table 9) remained more or less the same between 2010 and 2020 at 4.57 and 4.48, respectively, in line with the household size for Kern County during the same periods measuring at 2.89 percent and 2.94 percent, respectively.

Household size of owner occupied and renter occupied households in Arvin were 4.51 and 4.45, respectively, while that for the County was 3.13 and 3.18, as shown in Table 8.

Table 8

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY TENANCY
City of Arvin Kern County California
Total: 4.48 3.15 2.94
Owner Occupied 4.51 3.13 3.01
Renter Occupied 4.45 3.18 2.85
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25010 Table 9

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE OVER TIME
2010 2015 2020
City of Arvin 4.57 4.45 4.48
Kern County 3.14 3.21 3.15
California 2.89 2.96 2.94
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 06-10, 11-15, 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25010 Household Income and Poverty
Table 10 shows that the median household income of the city is $39,750, which is only 72.5% of the median income made by a household in Kern County. Household Income by race of people are provided in Table 11.

Table 10

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
City of
Arvin
Kern
County
City % of
County
Median Household Income
in The Past 12 Months $39,750 $54,851 72.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B19013.

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Table: 11

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY RACE
City of Arvin Kern County
White Alone Non-Hispanic $37,969 $66,163
Black or African American Alone Non-Hispanic $47,059 $39,422 American Indian and Alaska Native Alone Non-Hispanic $49,412 Asian Alone Non-Hispanic $74,021
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander Alone Non-Hispanic $73,750 Some Other Race Alone Non-Hispanic $43,442 $49,168
Two Or More Races Non-Hispanic $31,588 $49,484
Hispanic Or Latino of Any Race $39,469 $47,095
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B19013.

Notes: Data for all racial groups, except White, are not available by Hispanic origin for this metric; therefore, only Black or African American Alone, American Indian And Alaska Native Alone, Asian Alone, Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific Islander Alone, Some Other Race Alone, and Two or More Races are not shown by Hispanic or Not Hispanic ethnicity.

Table 12

INCOME BY HOUSEHOLD TYPES
Type Median ($) Mean ($)
Households 39,750 49,056
Families 40,459 48,841
Married
Families
45,413 -
Non-Families 20,208 27,272
Source: US Census 2020 ACS 5-Year Survey (Table S1901)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated poverty threshold for a four-person household was approximately $26,496 in 2020. For two-person households, the threshold was $15,659 if the householder was age 65 or older, and $17,413 for householders under 65 years. Approximately onethird (29.6%) of the 2020 households in Arvin were below the poverty level, while 16.7 percent of the County’s households were below the poverty level (Table 13). For senior citizen households (ages 65 years and over) the percentage of those below the poverty rate was 22 percent and for children under 18 the poverty rate is 40% in Arvin.

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Table 13

HOUSEHOLDS IN POVERTY OVER TIME
2010 2020
Households with Income in the Past 12 Months below
Poverty Level 1,045 1,294
Total Households 3,497 4,377
Percent of Households in Poverty 29.9% 29.6%
Percent Change of Households in Poverty 0.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B17019. HCD Data Packet D. Employment Characteristics
As shown in Table 14, 54.5 percent of Arvin’s population ages 16 and over were employed in 2012, with no residents employed in the armed forces. In Kern County, 51.2 percent of the working age population were employed in the civilian sector and one-half percentage point were in the armed forces. The unemployment rate within the civilian labor force was higher in Arvin than within the County, 9.3 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively. In total, Arvin had a higher work force participation rate than Kern County; 36.2 percent of the working age population of Arvin was not in the labor force compared to the countywide rate of 40.6percent.

Table 14
INDUSTRY BY CIVILIAN EMPLOYED POPULATION - 16 YEARS AND OVER 2010 Percent 2015 Percent 2020 Percent
Total: 6,457 100.0% 7,689 100.0% 7,511 100.0%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting,
and Mining 3,027 46.9% 4,210 54.8% 3,565 47.5%
Construction 451 7.0% 310 4.0% 393 5.2%
Manufacturing 184 2.8% 251 3.3% 363 4.8%
Wholesale Trade 205 3.2% 287 3.7% 262 3.5%
Retail Trade 591 9.2% 519 6.7% 726 9.7%
Transportation and Warehousing, And
Utilities 417 6.5% 212 2.8% 459 6.1%
Information 36 0.6% 15 0.2% 7 0.1%
Finance and Insurance, And Real Estate,
and Rental and Leasing 71 1.1% 77 1.0% 26 0.3%
Professional, Scientific, And Management,
and Administrative, And Waste Management
Services 148 2.3% 287 3.7% 195 2.6%
Educational Services, And Health Care and
Social Assistance 912 14.1% 825 10.7% 924 12.3%
Arts, Entertainment, And Recreation, And
Accommodation and Food Services 241 3.7% 417 5.4% 155 2.1% Other Services, Except Public
Administration 117 1.8% 147 1.9% 309 4.1%
Public Administration 57 0.9% 132 1.7% 127 1.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table C24050.

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Agriculture plays a major role in the lives of Arvin’s residents. Classified in terms of industry, 3,565 individuals were employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining positions, representing 47.5 percent of the total civilian employed population ages 16 and older of 7,511. In comparison, the Kern County average for these economic sectors was 14.7 percent. Table 15 shows the occupational distribution of the residents of Arvin in 2020. Almost half (47.7%) of the employed individuals were occupied in the Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance Sector, compared to less than twenty percent for Kern County as a whole. At the same time, the proportions of Arvin workers in the Management, Business, Science, and Arts categories were less than a third of the Countywide average.

Table 15:

Employment by Occupation

Percent Percent Percent
City of Arvin
City of
Arvin
Kern
County
Kern
County
California California
Total: 7,511 346,787 18,646,894
Management, Business,
Science, And Arts Occupations: 723 9.6% 97,672 28.2% 7,517,770 40.3% Service Occupations: 794 10.6% 65,082 18.8% 3,376,613 18.1% Sales And Office Occupations: 762 10.1% 66,376 19.1% 3,903,884 20.9% Natural Resources,
Construction, And Maintenance
Occupations: 3,762 50.1% 67,998 19.6% 1,638,447 8.8%
Production, Transportation, And
Material Moving Occupations: 1,470 19.6% 49,659 14.3% 2,210,180 11.9% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table 24050.

E. Housing Characteristics
Housing Growth Trends
Kern County experienced a prolonged housing boom between 2000 and 2006; however, the U.S. economy went into one of the greatest recessions in history in 2007. Through 2007 and 2008, the U.S. housing bubble burst as housing prices dropped dramatically. Nationally, the median price for resale homes declined more than 12 percent in 2008. It was the largest year-over-year drop for records going back to 1979.

In Kern County, the median housing price plummeted by approximately 14 percent. Though the number of units sold in 2008 was 1,011 more than in 2007, there was a decrease in housing value.

Along with these staggering sales and drop in housing prices, the number of permits issued for construction of new privately-owned dwelling units fell in 2008.

This housing crisis could be attributed to the soaring rate of unemployment and large number of

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foreclosures. Of the Kern homeowners receiving default notices, 1,512 lost their homes. Similarly, 6,960 more workers were unemployed in 2008 than in 2007—raising the unemployment rate by 1.5 percent. The level of unemployment had a direct effect on housing values. The unprecedented housing crisis at the local and national level, which continued through about 2012, was a multifaceted problem of falling housing prices, loss of equity, high foreclosure activity, and lack of refinancing opportunity. Despite the housing slump during this period, the County continues to experience a growth in population.

Regardless of the setback the housing industry experienced in the 2007-2008 period, as evidenced in Table 23, the median value of owner-occupied homes has been on the rise. There was a 121% increase from 2000 to 2010 (from the median value of 76,500 in 2000 to 169,000 in 2010), although the prices increase was significantly less at about 4% between 2010 and 2020. In 2020, the median value of an owner-occupied home was 176,400 as per ACS 2016-2020 data.

Although prices have been on the rise, making it less affordable to residents in Arvin, across the board, the silver lining in the cloud in Arvin was that housing production was also on the rise, as explained in Table 16 below.

Current market listings in Arvin offers an approx. 1400 sq. ft., four-bed, two-bath, house at $350,000 and a 1350 sq. ft., four-bed, two-bath house at $319,000 (Source: Zillow 2023). The current market rate rent for a 936 sq. ft., three-bedroom, one-bath, house is 1,375.00 (Source: Home Owner).

Table 16 presents the continual housing growth trends in Arvin since 1980s. Arvin has experienced approximately 42 percent growth between 2000 and 2010 and about 12 percent since then. During the 2000-2010 decade, the population grew by 49 percent (Table 1), and the housing production lagged behind the percentage of growth in population. This suggested that there was an overcrowding or shortage of housing in the City of Arvin. However, the imbalance has normalized as a result of the low population growth of 0.99 percent between 2010 and 2020.

Table 16

TOTAL HOUSING UNITS OVER TIME
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Total Units 1,946 2,450 3,145 4,476 4,992
Percent Change 25.90% 28.37% 42.32% 11.53%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980(STF1:T65), 1990(STF1:H1), 2000(SF1:H1); ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B2001

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Type and Size of Units
As presented in Table 17, there were 4,992 total housing units in the City of Arvin in 2020, threequarters were single-family dwelling units – both detached and attached units, which is similar to the countywide proportion of single-family units (72.3%). A clear difference between Arvin and the County occurs when comparing mobile homes and multiple dwelling units with five or more units.

According to the estimates, there were 219 mobile homes in Arvin and 22,085 in the whole of Kern County. These numbers represent approximately 4.4 percent of Arvin’s total housing stock, and 7.4 percent countywide. About 7.3 percent of Arvin’s housing stock were multi-family dwelling units with over five units; In Kern County, this category represented 9.1 percent of the total housing stock compared to 23.6% in California. Overall, both City of Arvin and Kern County have significantly less number of multi-family dwelling units compared to the State. The City of Arvin has more detached dwellings (78.7%) compared to the County (72.3% or the State (57.7%).

Vacant land is available to accommodate multi-family dwelling unit developments; however, the City has not received much interest from developers.

TABLE 17
Table 17

TOTAL HOUSING UNITS BY TYPE
City of
Arvin
Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
Total 4,992 299,179 14,210,945
1, Detached 3,928 78.7% 216,329 72.3% 8,206,621 57.7%
1, Attached 82 1.6% 7,605 2.5% 1,009,488 7.1%
2 98 2.0% 8,083 2.7% 339,846 2.4%
3 or 4 288 5.8% 17,214 5.8% 773,994 5.4%
5 to 9 125 2.5% 10,498 3.5% 840,296 5.9%
10 to 19 35 0.7% 5,853 2.0% 721,132 5.1%
20 to 49 69 1.4% 3,363 1.1% 705,450 5.0%
50 or More 136 2.7% 7,628 2.5% 1,083,247 7.6%
Mobile Home 219 4.4% 22,085 7.4% 515,666 3.6%
Boat, Rv, Van, Etc. 12 0.2% 521 0.2% 15,205 0.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25024 Housing Conditions
The condition of any city’s housing stock is a function of its age and how well the units have been maintained over the years. Arvin’s housing stock can generally be characterized as “aging” and in poor condition. Building age is a significant factor in the deterioration and health and safety risks of structures. In general, homes built over 30 years ago are likely to require structural renovation and maintenance. According to Census data presented in Table 18, approximately one-quarter (24.3%) of the homes in Arvin were built prior to 1970. Homes built after 1970, which account for threequarters (75.7%) of the city’s housing stock, should meet most of the existing building code standards. 1971 was a landmark year because significant changes were made to standard building codes, particularly for those requirements related to seismic safety as a result of the building failures experienced from the Sylmarearthquake.

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TABLE 18

TOTAL OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR BUILT
City of Arvin Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
Total: 4,711 273,556 13,103,114
2014 Or Later 159 3.4% 8,679 3.4% 294,667 2.2%
2010 To 2013 199 4.2% 6,244 4.2% 234,646 1.8%
2000 To 2009 1,048 22.2% 50,348 22.2% 1,432,955 11.0%
1990 To 1999 899 19.1% 40,394 19.1% 1,448,367 11.1%
1980 To 1989 518 11.0% 45,689 11.0% 1,967,306 15.1%
1970 To 1979 748 15.9% 43,060 15.9% 2,290,081 17.5%
1960 To 1969 460 9.8% 27,662 9.8% 1,740,922 13.3%
1950 To 1959 352 7.5% 28,089 7.5% 1,767,353 13.5%
1940 To 1949 211 4.5% 12,071 4.5% 763,029 5.8%
1939 Or Earlier 117 2.5% 11,320 2.5% 1,163,788 8.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25036 In fall of 2008, a parcel-by-parcel survey was conducted to assess the exterior condition of the existing housing stock. For the purpose of identifying areas of potential rehabilitation and recycling within the city, the city used the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) survey form to determine the condition of the buildings. This survey, which is presented in Figure 5, included a scoring system for the foundation, roofing, siding, windows and electrical condition of residential units. Based on the calculated total sum of each score, the structure received a “Sound”, “Minor”, “Moderate”, “Substantial” or “Dilapidated” condition ranking. An example of evaluated residential structure using the CDBG criteria is presented below:

Needed Improvements
Needs partial foundation
Shingles missing on roof
Siding needs patching and repainting
Windows need replacement
Minor Electrical repair

TOTAL SCORE
Score
15 5
5 10
5 40
Example of Arvin Housing in Sound Condition

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Housing Condition
Sound:

Minor:

Moderate:

Substantial
Dilapidated:

Scoring
9 or less
10 – 15
16 – 39
40 – 55
56 and over
Example of Arvin Housing in Dilapidated
Condition
In the example shown above, a structure scoring a total of 40 indicates that the structure needs substantial improvements. For the purposes of this study, structures scoring 40-55 points (Substantial) or 56 points and over (Dilapidated) were considered as physical blight and requiring significant rehabilitation or demolition. The result of the survey is illustrated in Figure 6, showing the various conditions of building structures throughout the city.

The results of the survey are presented in Table 19. It shows that 3,400 parcels zoned are residential.

Of these surveyed parcels, 2,158 parcels (63.5%) had housing that was in good condition, 195 parcels (16.8%) exhibit minor to moderate conditions and 308 parcels (9.1%) are in substantially deteriorated conditions. There are also 360 (10.6%) vacant parcels. Over 1300 dwelling units have been constructed since the survey.

Table 19
ARVIN HOUSING SURVEY 2008
No. Units Percent
Sound: 9 or less 2,158 63.5%
Minor: 10 to 15 195 5.7%
Moderate: 16 to 39 379 11.1%
Substantial: 40 to 55 139 4.1%
Dilapidated: 56 and over 169 5.0%
Vacant* 360 10.6%
Total 3,400 100.0%
Source: GRC Associates Inc. Survey
*Vacant land in all zoning designation

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Figure 5

CDBG SURVEY

ARVIN REDEVELOPMENT PARCELSHEET -- HOUSING CONDITIONS
APN#: Map Page
Address: Added Area
Mixed-Use Existing Project Areas
No. Units:

GarageAttached: Detached: None: Photo Numbers:

BuildingAge
Construction Type: Wood
Masonry
Mobile
Frontage Improvements: Curbs
Paved Street
Gutters
Modular Sidewalk
Driveway
Adequate Site Drainage
DILAPIDATED UNIT: Aunit suffering from excessive neglect, where the building appears structurally unsound and maintenance is nonexistent, not fit for human habitation, may be considered for demolition or at a minimum, major rehabilitation required
YES NO

FOUNDATION ROOFING
Existing foundation in good condition Good condition
Repair needed Shingles missing
Needs partial foundation Chimney needs repair
No foundation or needs complete foundation Needs re-roofing Roof structure needs replacement or re-roof

SIDING/STUCCO WINDOWS
Good condition Good condition
Needs re-painting Broken window panes
Needs to patching and re-painting Needs repair
Needs replacement and painting Needs replacement
Asbestos/Lead-Based

ELECTRICAL SCORE
Good condition Sound: 9 or less
Minor repair Minor: 10-15
Repair main panel Moderate: 16-39
Substanital: 40-55
Dilapidated: 56 and over

ECONOMIC BLIGHT
Vacancy Security Bars/Doors/Barbed Wire
High Crime* Graffiti
Evidence of Homeless
Comments
For Sale/RentPhone No.: Rent
Source: HCD: Building Blocks

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ARVIN HOUSING ELEMENT 2023-203
Figure 6 HOUSING CONDITIONS

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In 2012, a Housing Conditions Analysis was conducted by Kern Council of Governments for inclusion in the Kern Regional Housing Data Report. Rather than a windshield survey of individual parcels, the 2012 Analysis utilized sampling data, GIS modeling, and existing data sets3to determine generalized housing conditions within the cities and unincorporated areas of Kern County. This sampling method creates assumptions about generalized housing conditions on a per-parcel basis based upon the improved value (value of the residential structure only without the land value) of single-family residential units within the County. Table 20 summarizes the five categories of housing conditions designated by the 2012 Analysis, including the range of assessed improved value and the general assumptions made for residential structures within each category.

Table 20
2012 HOUSING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS OVERVIEW
Category Improved
Value/SF Generalized Housing Conditions Assumptions
Standard
Condition $0-$11 Residential unit has conforming roof, windows, paint/siding, structure, foundation, and yard.

Minor
Rehabilitation $11.01-$28
Residential unit could require repairs to small roof section; broken windows or doors; repairs to mechanical equipment; peeling and chipping paint/siding.

Moderate
Rehabilitation $28.01-$45 Replacement of roof, doors, outdated windows, and/or mechanical equipment required; cracked, faulted, or missing exterior surfaces.

Major
Rehabilitation $45.01-$55
Residential unit could have sagged roof; missing fascia; broken, missing, or severely damaged windows and doors; faulted, cracked, or missing exterior structures; cracked or sagging foundation.

Demolition
Needed $55.01+
Roof is missing, severely sagging, or structurally unsound; windows and doors are missing or boarded up; missing or faulted foundation; residential structure is partially missing, tilted, or dilapidated.

Source: Kern COG, Kern County Regional Housing Data Report 2012 Figure 7 displays the results of the 2012 Analysis by Split Block Group. Housing conditions within the southern half of Arvin were noticeably better, with over three-fourths of residential units deemed standard conditions and the remainder deemed mostly in need of minor rehabilitation. The majority of the homes in the northwest portion of the city also had housing conditions that were standard or in need of minor rehabilitation. Housing condition issues were most prevalent in central and northeast parts of Arvin.

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ARVIN HOUSING ELEMENT 2023-2031 Figure 7 HOUSING CONDITIONS 2012

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Housing Tenure
An examination of household tenure in Arvin in recent decades shows the city’s homeownership rate fluctuated over time. Table 21 shows that the share of owner occupied, and renter occupied households are nearly equal at about 50 percent. Table 22 presents Arvin’s household tenure between 2010 and 2020. The approximately 53.5 percent homeownership rate in 2010 decreased to

50.3 percent by 2020. In the same period, renter-occupied households increased, accounting for 46.5 percent and 49.7 percent, respectively, reflecting an inverse relationship between housing production and renting. There is a need for quality rental housing that is affordable to all economic segments of the community.

Looking at trends and patterns of housing tenure over time, the current percentage of owneroccupied units (50.3%) is greater than in 1980 (45.6%) but has been trending down since 2000 (55.7%). The percentage of owner-occupied units is also less than in Kern County (58.9%) and California (55.3%). This trend can be mainly attributed to the significant increase in house prices since 2000, as the median house value increased from $76,500 in 2000 to $176,400 in 2020. The most significant was a 121% increase in median home values between 2000 and 2010, a significant increase compared to the other decades since 1980.

Table 21A

HOUSING UNITS BY TENURE

City of
Arvin
Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
Total Units 4,711 273,556 13,103,114
Owner
Occupied: 2,370 50.3% 161,113 58.9% 7,241,318 55.3%
Renter
Occupied: 2,341 49.7% 112,443 41.1% 5,861,796 44.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25042 Table 21B

HOUSING UNITS BY TENURE OVER TIME
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Total Units 3,735 2,385 3,010 4,228 4,711
Owner
Occupied: 1,702 1,167 1,676 2,261 2,370
Owner-Occupied 45.6% 48.9% 55.7% 53.5% 50.3%
Renter
Occupied: 2,033 1,218 1,334 1,967 2,341
Renter-Occupied 54.4% 51.1% 44.3% 46.5% 49.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980(SF1), 1990(SF1), 2000(SF1); ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25042

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Table 22

HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
Home Prices and Rents
As demonstrated in Table 23, the 2000-2010 period saw the highest increase in decades resulting in increase of approximately 121 percent. In absolute terms, the increase was from $76,500 to 169,000.

However, the market cooled down resulting in an increase of only 4.38 percent by the year 2020.

Although the absolute home prices having been increasing in Arvin, Median Housing Value of $176,400 in Arvin is cheaper compared to those in Kern County ($226,600) and the State ($538,400), according to ACS 2016-2020 five-year estimates.

Table 23

HOME SALES PRICES
(Median Housing Value Over Time of OwnerOccupied Units) 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Median Value (Dollars) of OwnerOccupied Homes $ 35,800 $ 56,700 $ 76,500 $ 169,000 $ 176,400 Percent Change 58.38% 34.92% 120.92% 4.38%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980(ORG STF1), 1990(STF3), 2000(SF3); ACS 06-10, 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25077 The median monthly rents in Arvin were $963 in 2021. This compares with a countywide median of $1,103, which was approximately 115 percent of Arvin’s rent or 15 percent higher. Table 24 summarizes the monthly rents in Arvin. 53.9% of occupied rental units pay less than $1,000 a month in rent and another 37.5% pay less than $1,500 a month. However, the overall median income in the City of Arvin is so low that 54.9% of households pay more than 35% of their gross household income in rent. The city will work with the County and the State to improve economic development opportunities for its residents.

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Table 24

GROSS AND MEDIAN RENT
GROSS RENT Estimate Percent
Occupied units paying rent 2,136 2,136
Less than $500 152 7.1%
$500 to $999 999 46.8%
$1,000 to $1,499 800 37.5%
$1,500 to $1,999 167 7.8%
$2,000 to $2,499 18 0.8%
$2,500 to $2,999 0 0.0%
$3,000 or more 0 0.0%
Median (dollars) 963 (X)
No rent paid 18 (X)

GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME (GRAPI)
Occupied units paying rent
(excluding units where GRAPI
cannot be computed) 2,116 2,116
Less than 15.0 percent 233 11.0%

15.0 to 19.9 percent 66 3.1%

20.0 to 24.9 percent 200 9.5%

25.0 to 29.9 percent 294 13.9%

30.0 to 34.9 percent 161 7.6%

35.0 percent or more 1,162 54.9%
Not computed 38 (X)
Source: US Census, 2021- ACS 5-Year Estimates Data Profile, Table DP04

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F. Special Needs
There are certain categories of households that, because of their physical or economic condition, need for particular space or support services requirements, or other factors, are “special needs households”, which may have some difficulties in finding affordable housing. The State of California Government Code, Section 65583(a)(7) defines ‘special needs population’ as the elderly, persons with disabilities, large families, farmworkers, single parent headed households, and persons needing emergency shelter. The City of Arvin has entrusted Kern County and the Housing Authority of Kern County (HACK) to administer most housing programs for the city. Many of these services and facilities may not be located in the City of Arvin but are nearby.

This chapter provides information and data to better understand the needs of these demographic groups. Table 25 provides an overall summary of the special needs’ population in the city.

Table 25:

SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION
Special Needs Group Persons Households
Percent of Total
Households or
Population
ELI Households 820 17.41%
Renters 695 14.75%
Owners 125 2.65%
Elderly Households 536 11.38%
Renters 176 3.74%
Owners 360 7.64%
Persons with Disabilities 1067 5.06%
Under 18 Years 87 0.41%
65 Years and Older 322 1.53%
Large Households 1770 37.57%
Renters 870 18.47%
Owners 900 19.10%
Female Headed Households 848 18.00%
Below Poverty Line 594 12.60%
Owners
Farmworkers
20,469 (Kern
County)
Homeless
1,603 (Kern
County)
Sheltered 875
Unsheltered 728
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980(ORG STF3), 1990(STF3), 2000(SF3); ACS 06-10, 16-20 (5-year Estimates), U.S. HUD 2020 Reports

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Poverty, Homelessness and Extremely Low-Income Households As per the 2016-2020 ACS, approximately 29.6 percent of City of Arvin households have income below the poverty level. This percentage has not changed since 2010. 16.7% of households in Kern County and 9% of households in California have incomes below the poverty level. The median household income in Arvin City is $39,750, compared to $54,851 in Kern County and $78,672 in California. The median monthly housing cost in 2020 was $1,048 in Arvin, compared to $1,096 in Kern County and $1,688 in California. Residents in City of Arvin are under more housing stress compared to Kern County given the difference in median income levels between the two.

The 2024 Point in Time Count Report identified 2,669 individuals experiencing homelessness in Kern County. 1,006 (38%) of individuals had shelter, while 1,663 (62%) were unsheltered. The City’s Zoning Ordinance permits emergency shelters by right in the M-2 (light industrial) zone. See Program 13 r) to amend the zoning code permitting emergency shelters in residential zones to be compliant with AB 2339.

Some 17.4% (820 households) of the households in City of Arvin are Extremely Low Income (ELI) households. With the high median monthly housing cost in the City, ELI households experience substantial financial challenges to afford market rate rental units. 85% of ELI households (695 households) are renters. 66% of ELI households experience housing cost burden >50% of income and 86% of ELI households face at least one housing problem.

The City of Arvin has recognized the need for ELI households to have access to affordable housing.

Land inventory identified that under the existing zoning, the city can accommodate an additional 257 lower income units. Given only a marginal increase in population in Arvin between 2010 and 2020, and based on local knowledge, the city is confident that land availability is not a constraint to accommodate construction of ELI housing. The challenge the city has is in the actual development of ELI and low-income housing dependent on applications to build from non-profits such as the Kern County Housing Authority, other non-profits and private developers.

Programs have been amended to provide clear cut timelines to accomplish specific objectives:

1. Assist and cooperate with nonprofit, private, and public entities to maximize opportunities to develop and preserve affordable housing.

2. Annually explore public and private financial funding sources available to:

3. Purchase affordability covenants on at-risk projects,

4. Transfer ownership of at-risk projects to public or non-profit agencies,

5. Purchase existing buildings to replace at-risk units,

6. Construct replacement units, or

7. Construct new units.

8. Apply for the following grants for potential financial assistance:

9. Project to assist in the provision of housing accessible for disabled residents (either new housing or retrofit of existing low-income housing),

10. Grants to assist in the provision of housing for farm workers,

11. Grants to assist the rehabilitation of existing low-income housing,

12. Grants to assist the provision of housing for large families and reduce overcrowding.

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13. All available federal, state, local, and private affordable housing programs for new housing and for the conservation and/or rehabilitation of existing housing will be pursued, including, but not limited to, the following:

14. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Affordable Housing Program (assistance for rehabilitation costs and closing costs for lower income households);

15. Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) (for rehabilitation of lower income and senior housing);

16. HUD Single-Family Property Disposition Program (for rehabilitation of owner- occupied housing);

17. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (for development of rental housing and preservation of existing affordable housing for large family units);

18. Mercy Loan Fund (for new housing or for rehabilitation of housing for the disabled and lowerincome households);

19. Multi-family Housing Program (MHP) (for new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of lower income housing through deferred loan payments);

20. Neighborhood Housing Services (for rehabilitation of housing for lower income households);

21. Proposition 84 (for development or conversion and rehabilitation of existing facilities for migrant farm worker housing);

22. Rural Community Assistance Corporation (for new rental housing or rehabilitation of apartments for farm workers and lower-income households);

23. Section 8 Housing Assistance (rent subsidies for very low-income households);

24. Section 223(f) Mortgage Insurance for Purchase/Refinance (for acquisition and development of new rental housing);

25. Section 241(a) Rehabilitation Loans for Multi-Family Projects (for energy conservation and rehabilitation of apartments); and

26. World/BRIDGE Initiative (lower interest construction financing for lower income and farm worker housing).

Place-based programs that will benefit the whole city, in general, and in Census Tracts 63.01, 63.03 and 63.04 (all with poverty over 30%), in particular, has been added. For instance, see Programs 13 e), 17, 24, 29, 30, 31, 33, and 34.

City has the following programs and initiatives to support ELI households:

1. Grant funding, for e.g., CDBG.

2. Work with County on rent subsidies, emergency shelters and other low-income housing programs.

3. Establish the Housing Element Advisory Committee and partner with Arvin Navigation Center.

4. Work with State of California and ensure zoning ordinances support Single Room Occupancy, ADUs.

Chapter III Housing Constraints analyzed environmental constraints which include Flood Hazard,

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Seismic Hazard, Water Supply and Quality, Sewer System, Hazardous Material, Oil and Gas Wells.

The General Findings concluded that:

Land availability is not a constraint in the City of Arvin. Sufficient land is available to develop extremely low income and low-income residential units. Construction costs and availability of financing are major impediments for low income and extremely low-income households in the city.

The city does have a few environmental constraints; however, these are not considered a major impediment in comparison to the challenges with regard to construction costs and financing for lowincome households.

Substandard housing analysis should discuss tenure (renter vs owner), location of SH units, and evaluate disparities in areas of the City, including programs targeted to these areas to address factors.

The updated results indicated that eight of those parcels in two areas of the city that were zoned for multi-family units (R-2 and R-3) continued to exhibit condition of blight. Many of the existing structures on these sites exhibited signs of deterioration and substandard construction and/or were in violation of existing building code standards.

Local Knowledge
Housing conditions within the southern half of Arvin were noticeably better, with over three-fourths of residential units deemed standard conditions and the remainder deemed mostly in need of minor rehabilitation. The majority of the homes in the northwest portion of the city also had housing conditions that were standard or in need of minor rehabilitation. Housing condition issues were most prevalent in central and northeast parts of Arvin. Figure 6: Housing Condition Survey in the Housing Element shows that Census Tracts 63.03 and 63.04 in the central portion of the city exhibits substantial dilapidated houses., also with higher levels of poverty.

Disabled Persons
A disabled individual is defined as a person who has been determined to have some kind of impairment to their ability to function in a manner consistent with the general population. The 1990 Census defines three types of disabilities: work, mobility, and self-care limitations.

Disabilities are defined as mental, physical or health conditions that last over six months. The Census tracks the following disabilities.
▪ Work disability - Refers to a condition lasting more than six months that restricts a person’s choice of work and prevents that person from working full-time. ▪ Mobility limitation - Refers to a physical or mental condition lasting more than six months that makes it difficult for a person to go outside the home alone. ▪ Self-care limitation - Refers to a physical or mental condition lasting more than six months that makes it difficult to take care of one’s personal needs. This impairment is expected to be of definite duration and is of such a nature that the person’s ability to live independently could be improved by more suitable housing conditions.

Approximately 1067 persons (5.06%) have one or more disabilities in the City of Arvin compared

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98,426 (11.4%) in the County as a whole (U.S. Census Bureau 2020). 10.7% of California’s population have disabilities. Arvin has a significantly lower proportion of the population with disabilities compared to the county.

As per the 2020 American Community Survey (Table 26A), among Arvin’s population between the ages of 18 and 64, 5.6 percent were classified as having a disability. About 4.7 percent of the total population were aged 65 and older, of which about 33 percent were found to have one or more forms of disability. Table 26B shows that five percent of the total population are reported to be disabled, among whom the most prevalent disability was ambulatory difficulties (53.8%). The mobility limitation does not necessarily indicate a need for special need/supportive housing and statistics on the total number of disabled persons needing supportive housing in the city is not available. Using the national standard of one to three percent of the total disabled population needing supportive housing, it can be estimated that the city has approximately 15 to 45 disabled individuals in need of supportive housing.

36.7% of the 1067 of persons with disabilities in Arvin have cognitive difficulties, 33.8% have selfcare difficulties and 27.4% have independent living difficulties. 195 persons live in the home of a parent/family/guardian (Source: DDS Quarterly Consumer Report, December 2021). The special needs of disabled persons result from limited and often fixed incomes; shortage of accessible housing; and higher health care costs.

To assist disabled individuals in providing adequate housing to meet their needs, the State of California, in 1984, mandated Title 24, of the Uniform Building Code. Title 24 provides regulations for adaptability and accessibility of apartment units to provide for the safety and welfare of physically disabled inhabitants and visitors. An adaptable apartment is one that is accessible for entry and circulation and that can at any future point, be adapted to meet the specific needs of a person with disabilities. These improvements would include the installation of wider doors, grab bars, lower cabinets, lower light switches and sidewalk-to-front door ramps.

The living arrangement of disabled persons depends on the severity of the disability. Many live at home independently or with other family members. To maintain independent living, disabled persons may need assistance. This can include special housing design features for the disabled, income support for those who are unable to work, and in-home supportive services for persons with medical conditions among others. Services are typically provided by both public and private agencies.

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Table 26A

DISABILITY BY TYPE BY AGE FOR THE TOTAL POPULATION
City of
Arvin
City of
Arvin
Kern
County
Kern
County
California California
Total: 21,096 864,023 38,838,726
Under 18 Years - Total
Population 8,233 39.0% 257,756 29.8% 8,942,907 23.0%
Under 18 Years - One Type 35 0.4% 5,792 2.2% 207,793 2.3% Under 18 Years - Two or More
Types 52 0.6% 3,272 1.3% 99,013 1.1%
Under 18 Years - No Disability 8,146 98.9% 248,692 96.5% 8,636,101 96.6% 18 to 64 Years - Total
Population 11,881 56.3% 510,141 59.0% 24,347,395 62.7%
18 to 64 Years - One Type 388 3.3% 29,490 5.8% 1,077,809 4.4% 18 to 64 Years - Two or More
Types 270 2.3% 23,435 4.6% 866,771 3.6%
18 to 64 Years, No Disability 11,223 94.5% 457,216 89.6% 22,402,815 92.0% 65 Years and Older - Total
Population 982 4.7% 96,126 11.1% 5,548,424 14.3%
65 Years and Older - One Type 178 18.1% 16,593 17.3% 803,463 14.5% 65 Years and Older - Two or
More Types 144 14.7% 19,844 20.6% 1,092,102 19.7%
65 Years and Older - No
Disability 660 67.2% 59,689 62.1% 3,652,859 65.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table C18108 Table 26B:

DISABILITY BY TYPE FOR THE POPULATION WITH A DISABILITY (Detailed) City of
Arvin
Percent
Kern
County
Percent California Percent
With One or More Types of
Disability 1,067 98,426 4,146,951
Hearing Difficulty 211 19.8% 23,470 23.8% 1,147,500 27.7% Vision Difficulty 115 10.8% 19,029 19.3% 778,145 18.8%
Cognitive Difficulty 392 36.7% 36,914 37.5% 1,585,969 38.2% Ambulatory Difficulty 574 53.8% 51,480 52.3% 2,118,765 51.1% Self-Care Difficulty 361 33.8% 21,131 21.5% 964,579 23.3% Independent Living Difficulty 292 27.4% 35,762 36.3% 1,654,210 39.9% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B18102 - B18107.

For persons with mental illness, the Mental Health Services Department provides a full range of services throughout the County. Services include initial assessment, crisis services, ongoing case coordination, case management, and counseling services, among others. Hospitalization and inpatient treatment and placement programs may be contracted for the Department with private providers.

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Several County programs assist persons with physical disabilities. The Community Development Program Department operates the Home Access Program, providing grants for home accessibility improvements. In addition, HACK has made five percent of the affordable public housing stock accessible to persons with physical disabilities (45 units), and two percent of units adaptable to the sensory impaired (18 units).

Chapter 507, Statutes of 2010 (SB 812), which took effect January 2011, requires that housing elements analyze the special housing needs of persons with developmental disabilities. A "developmental disability" is defined as a disability that originates before an individual becomes 18 years old, continues, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely, and constitutes a substantial disability for that individual. This includes mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.

According to the California Department of Developmental Services’ consumer count in zip code 93203 (Arvin) in June 2016, there were 142 residents with developmental disabilities. Of this total, 56 percent were ages 17 or under and approximately 90 percent lived in the home of their parents, family, or guardian. Additional information from the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, indicate that there is a licensed Adult Residential Facility (ARF) that is located at 14150 Sunset Boulevard, which is in the unincorporated area adjacent to the Arvin city limits. As defined by the Department of Social Services, an ARF provides 24-hour non-medical care for adults ages 18 years through 59 years old who are unable to provide for their own daily needs. ARFs include board and care homes for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses.

In addition, for persons with developmental disabilities, the Kern Regional Center located at 3200 North Sillect Avenue, Bakersfield, provides diagnostic, assessment, placement, and case management services. In addition, the Kern Regional Center contracts with various service providers for structured day programming, employment help, residential facilities, placement, evaluation, equipment, and other necessities. Several service providers throughout the County also aid people with disabilities. The National Association for People with Disabilities (NAPD) operates activity centers in Bakersfield with day programs and special services. Haven Counseling Center located at 730 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, provides a group home for people who are severely handicapped and need 24-hour supervision and care. They also have nine apartment units for persons with developmental disability who are able live independently.

Elderly Persons
Another population segment that requires special consideration is the elderly -- the population over 65 years of age. Their concerns are related to housing, health care, their fixed-income and transportation. In 2012, 796 residents in Arvin were reported as 65 years or older, comprising 4.4 percent of the total population. As shown in Table 27, there were 563 elderly households in the city in 2020 and about two-thirds (67.2%) lived in owner-occupied units. This compares to 50.3 percent of the total household in the city residing in owner occupied units. It is also important to note that about 33 percent of the elderly in Arvin are identified as disabled.

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Table 27

SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS BY TENURE
The percentage of senior households in Arvin is 11.4% and is significantly lower than 21.2% in the County and 24.4% in California. The owner-occupied senior households in Arvin is 67.2% and is lower than in Kern County (76.4%) and California (73.2%). The renter occupied senior households in Arvin is 32.8%, which is greater than 23.6% in Kern County and 26.8% in California.

There are many programs to accommodate the special needs of seniors, including but not limited to congregate care, supportive services, rental subsidies, shared housing, and housing rehabilitation assistance. For the elderly, or those with disabilities, housing with functional design features that accommodate disabilities can help ensure continued independent living. Elderly with mobility/selfcare limitations also benefit from transportation alternatives. Senior housing with supportive services can be provided for those who require assistance with daily living.

The Senior Citizens Information and Referral Service provides seniors with information on available services in the County, including Social Security, Medicare, Medi-Cal, nutrition sites, discount cards, and transportation information, among other things. The Office on Aging also operates 27 senior nutrition sites at senior and community centers throughout the County. Home delivered meals are also available upon request. In Arvin, the senior nutrition site is located at the Arvin Senior Center located at 800 Walnut Drive.

Large Families
Large families are defined as households with five or more members. Many large families are forced to occupy inadequately sized units because housing units that meet their needs are either unavailable or beyond their ability to pay. Table 7 shows that 37.6% percent of family households and zero percent of the non-family households in Arvin were composed of five or more persons, which by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) definition is considered “large households”. This is significantly more than the countywide proportion of large households of 17.9%, and State of California’s proportion of 13.6% large households. Also, 61.9% of households in Arvin have 4 or more persons compared to 35% in Kern County and 28.4% in the State of California. This indicates a need for larger units for large households in the city. To address overcrowding, communities can provide incentives to facilitate the development of affordable apartments with three or more bedrooms to meet the needs of large households.

City of Arvin City of Arvin Kern County Kern County California California Total: 536 11.4% 58,117 21.2% 3,198,850 24.4%
Owner Occupied: 360 67.2% 44,406 76.4% 2,340,689 73.2%
Householder 65 To 74 Years 273 75.8% 26,393 59.4% 1,350,393 57.7% Householder 75 To 84 Years 21 5.8% 13,340 30.0% 688,443 29.4% Householder 85 Years And Over 66 18.3% 4,673 10.5% 301,853 12.9% Renter Occupied: 176 32.8% 13,711 23.6% 858,161 26.8%
Householder 65 To 74 Years 135 76.7% 8,690 63.4% 484,266 56.4% Householder 75 To 84 Years 41 23.3% 3,505 25.6% 234,067 27.3% Householder 85 Years And Over 0 0.0% 1,516 11.1% 139,828 16.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25007

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The shortage of large rental units can be alleviated through the provision of affordable ownership housing opportunities, such as homeownership assistance and self-help housing (through Habitat for Humanity and other organizations). In addition, Section 8 rental assistance provided by HACK can enable large families to rent units they otherwise cannot afford. HACK currently operates 941 public housing units, of which 123 are single-family units that can accommodate larger families. The County has also contributed CDBG and HOME funds to assist in the development of housing for large families.

Farmworkers
Agriculture is a key economic industry in Kern County, and particularly in Arvin. Agriculture plays a major role in the lives of Arvin’s residents. Classified in terms of industry, 3,565 individuals were employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining positions, representing 47.5 percent of the total civilian employed population ages 16 and older of 7,511. In comparison, the Kern County average for these economic sectors was 14.7 percent. Almost all of those Arvin residents employed in this sector were in agriculture.

According to a study conducted by ruralhome.org, ethnically, almost all farmworkers in Kern County are Hispanic, although not all Hispanics are farmworkers. Farmworkers and those in the food processing industry almost entirely live in Arvin, and Lamont in Kern County. Some farm laborers migrate into the food processing industry due to higher wages and availability of transportation to work and home.

Farmworkers are defined as persons whose primary source of income is derived from seasonal agricultural labor. Farmworkers are typically categorized into three groups: 1) permanent, 2) seasonal and 3) migrant. Permanent farmworkers are typically employed year-round by the same employer. A seasonal farmworker works on average less than 150 days per year and earns at least half of their earned income from farm work. Migrant farm workers are seasonal farm workers who have to travel to do the farm work. They are unable to return to their permanent residence within the same day.

There were 1,731 farms located in Kern County according to the USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Some 22 percent of the farms employed only a single farm worker; some 46 percent employed between two and nine workers, and some 32 percent were larger farms employing ten or more workers. Table 28 also indicates that migrant workers totaled 6,062, representing approximately 30 percent of total farm workers.

Farmworkers are generally considered to have special housing needs because of their limited income and their seasonal and migratory nature of their work.

According to a 2022 study conducted by the Community and Labor Center at the University of California Merced, California farm workers generally experience substandard housing (e.g., older homes, apartments, mobile homes, motels, garages, or other similar spaces), often requiring repairs such as new roofs, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and termite clean-up. Poor ventilation and crowded spaces put farm workers at increased risk for respiratory illnesses such as asthma and infectious diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19. Farm workers tend to live in large, overcrowded households with low incomes and several household problems, arrangements associated with decreased mental health. Farm workers’ households were larger than the California average (3.0 persons per household), with a median household size of four persons per household. Farm workers

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in the University of California Merced study were differentiated based on employment status which consisted of an H2-A visa. For example, H2-A workers are required to live on premises paid for by an employer, farm workers without an H2-A visa in their study were most likely to be renters (92 percent), to live in single-family homes (55 percent), and very few renters relied on employers to pay any or all their rent (2 percent).

Farmworker Housing Resources: Housing options that are currently available to farmworkers include privately- and publicly- owned farm worker housing, which are described below.

Table 28
KERN COUNTY – FARM LABOR (2017).

Category Farms Percent Workers Percent
Farms with 1 worker 186 22.01 186 0.91
Farms with 2 workers 130 15.38 260 1.27
Farms with 3-4 workers 125 14.79 429 2.10
Farms with 5-9 workers 135 15.98 860 4.20
Farms with 10 or more 269 31.84 18734 91.52
Total farms and workers 845 100 20469 100
Migrant workers/ hired 84 85.71 5779 95.33
Migrant
workers/contract
14 14.29 283 4.67
Total migrant workers 98 100 6062 100
Source: USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture
zhttps://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/California/ Privately-Owned Farm Workers Housing. Table 29 identifies 18 camps, 12 of which are year-round camps and six of which are seasonal, and provide housing for 474 farm workers. The County of Environmental Health Services Department indicates that the demand for lettuce, and that most agricultural workers in the County are full-time residents or seasonal workers.

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Table 29

PRIVATELY OWNED FARM WORKER HOUSING - KERN COUNTY
Name Number of Farm
Workers
Months of
Occupation/Year
Bonanza Farms 16 12
Wheeler Highway 99 9 12
Wheeler Adobe 7 12
Paramount 27 5 12
Paramount Belridge 28 12
Opal Frye 15 12
Westfarmers 8 12
Cauzza 7 12
Jimmie Icardo 7 12
Spring Farms 6 12
Belridge Drilling 8 12
San Emigdio 5 12
GVC 37 72 7-10
GVC 23B 120 7-10
GVC 10A 11 7-10
GVC 10B 90 7-10
Kovacevich Clark 15 6-8
Kovacevich Hildebrand 45 6-8
Total 474
Source: Kern County Regional Housing Allocation Plan, May 2001 Publicly-Owned Year-Round Farmworker Housing. Public housing for farmworkers has been subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) and was developed to provide housing for persons with a minimum annual income of $5,753 from farm labor. As shown in Table 30, HACK owns and/or manages eight year-round developments of this type, located in Delano, Shafter, Arvin, Bakersfield, Wasco and Lamont/Weedpatch. The 48-unit Sun Garden located at 701 Meyer Street is the only farmworker housing currently in Arvin. Others in the vicinity of Arvin include Lamont H.R. Olson Homes and Ruben J. Blunt Village in the communities of Lamont and Weedpatch, which are located approximately six miles to the northwest of Arvin.

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Sun Garden Village
As presented in Table 30 there are 10 (ten) year-round farmworker housing developments with 729 units and two seasonal housing developments with 172 units.

Table 30

PUBLICLY OWNED FARM WORKER HOUSING - KERN COUNTY
Name Location Number of Units
Year-Round Housing
Almond Village Lost Hills 81
Sun Garden Village Arvin 48
International Village Delano 50
Shafter Shafter 99
Beckes Street Apartments Wasco 57
Lamont H.R. Olson Homes Lamont 50
Ruben J. Blunt Village Lamont/Weedpatch 50
Casa del Valle Delano 35
Greenfield Homes Bakersfield 35
Rosaleda Wasco 224
Migrant Seasonal Housing
North Shafter Farm Labor Center #5 Shafter 84
Arvin Farm Labor Center #26 Lamont/Weedpatch 88
Source: https://kernha.org/farm-worker-housing-locations/ Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker Housing (Labor Centers). Under contract with HCD, HACK operates

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a total of 172 seasonal farm labor units in two migrant housing centers. The centers are open for approximately six months each year, from April to October. Residents must be seasonal farm laborers whose permanent residence is at least 50 miles away from the centers. The North Shafter Farm Labor Center #5 is located in the City of Shafter and includes 84 units. The Arvin Farm Labor Center #26 is located approximately five miles west of Arvin and has 88 units available for migrant farm workers.

In response to the need for farmworker housing and to comply with State Housing law, the City of Arvin adopted Ordinance No. 241 in July 2015, which amended the Zoning Ordinance to permit byright housing reserved for person employed in various industries – though agriculture is the industry most often used in this category. Since agriculture is a key industry in Arvin, this ordinance is especially important for farmworker housing. This ordinance permits by right up to six unrelated individuals to legally live in the same residential unit.

Housing options that are currently available to farm workers include privately- and publicly- owned farm worker housing. As explained earlier, the 48-unit Sun Garden Village located at 701 Meyer Street is the only farmworker housing currently in Arvin. The Arvin Farm Labor Center #26 is located approximately five miles west of Arvin and has 88 units available for migrant farm workers.

Employee Housing
The Employee Housing Act (California Health & Safety Code, commencing with Section 17000) specifies that any employee housing providing accommodations for six or fewer employees should be deemed a single-family structure with a residential land use designation. The Housing Plan includes a program to address employee housing as part of the Zoning Code update.

Female Heads-of-Household
As shown in Table 7, of the 4,711 total households in Arvin, 4,377 or 92.9 percent were classified as family households, which consisted of two or more individuals who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption, although they also may include other unrelated people. Nonfamily households consist of people who live alone or who share their residence with unrelated individuals.

Table 31 includes details of the general household composition in the city totaling 4,711 households.

According to the 2020 ACS data, 3,043 households in Arvin were married-couple households of which

42.2 percent were households with one or more children under the age of 18. Cohabiting couple households accounted for 467 or 9.9 percent. Female householders with no spouse or partner present accounted for 848 households or 18 percent. Male householders with no spouse or partner present comprised of 353 households or 7.5 percent. Families with female heads of household typically display a need for housing assistance due to the demand for day care services and lower wages earned, and is therefore identified as a special needs group. While 18% of total households in Arvin are Female Headed Households, this is significantly lower than 24.5% in Kern County and 26.2% in the State of California.

Table 32 shows that among married couple households, only 20.08 percent were below the poverty line, whereas among households with no spouse present, 60.8 percent were below the poverty line.

Single individuals with dependent children face a variety of housing problems. Single parent renters often have difficulty finding suitable housing due to the high cost of rent compared to income, as well as discriminatory housing practices. These problems are of particular concern for family

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households with a single female householder. Though the majority of female households were in the labor force, this segment of the community generally represents one of the lowest categories of wage earners as compared to other householders.

Table 31

HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE
Table 32

POVERTY STATUS OF FAMILIES BY FAMILY TYPE AND MARITAL STATUS Poverty Married-couple With no spouse present
Below Poverty Line 611 20.08% 594 60.8%
Above Poverty Line 2432 79.92% 383 39.2%
Total 3043 100% 977 100%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B17010 Note: The Census Bureau uses a federally defined poverty threshold that remains constant throughout the country and does not correspond to Area Median Income.

Homeless
Over the last several decades, the homeless population and its attendant social problems have become issues of national significance. Lack of affordable housing can exacerbate homelessness and its negative impacts and hinders a community’s ability to effectively address these challenges. A homeless family or individual as defined by federal regulations is a person or family that lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence. The homeless population can be divided into two major groups, the sheltered and the unsheltered homeless. Sheltered homeless are those families or individuals whose primary residence is an emergency shelter, transitional housing, a domestic violence shelter, a shelter for runaway children, or people living in a motel/hotel under a voucher arrangement. Unsheltered homeless are those individuals whose primary residence is a place not designated for sleeping. Unsheltered homeless are typically chronically transient homeless persons,

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usually de-institutionalized mental health patients. They are often alcohol/substance abusers, although mental illness, respiratory infections and malnutrition are common contributors to the general poor health of these individuals. They are predominantly male and usually know how to utilize available charitable and government services.

Families become homeless for different reasons than transient persons do. A certain percentage of homeless families come from other areas seeking employment. Their efforts are hampered, in part, by outdated skills. They are usually able to find employment in minimum wage jobs; however, they rarely make enough money to support their families. In other situations, medical illness has depleted a family’s savings and other assets. Commonly, these families are living on the “economic edge.” Rent payments for shelter in some of these cases are two thirds of a family’s monthly income, leaving insufficient amounts for food and other necessities, such as medical care. If a wage earner in this type of situation loses his/her job, the family cannot pay their rent and are evicted. They resort to living in their cars and depend upon community service programs and churches for food and shelter.

Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative conducted the 2024 Point in Time Count of homeless population in Bakersfield identifying 2,669 individuals experiencing homelessness.

Countywide. Some 1006 persons (38%) experiencing homelessness had shelter, while 1,663 were unsheltered, sleeping in parks, empty buildings, cars and other places not meant for human habitation.

The 2024 study identified 26 unsheltered homeless individuals within the city of Arvin. The density mapping seven locations dispersed throughout the city covering all three census tracts and is not concentrated in any one area of the city.

The following chart provides a summary of trends from 2022 to 2024, including breakdown of data for protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity etc. Among the homeless, majority of the homeless population (51.5%) were identified as White, followed by Hispanic or Latino consisting of

25.6%.

In 2022 there were 1603 homeless individuals while in 2024, the number was 2669. In other words, homelessness increased by 66.5% in the 3-year period, which is indicative of the urgent need to find solutions to provide shelter and services to the homeless and find ways to reduce homelessness.

In response to the needs of the homeless in Arvin and to comply with State law, the city will amend the Zoning Code to allow emergency shelters in R-3 and MOU Zones as a permitted use, by right, as explained in housing program 13 r). The City is less than 5-square miles in size, easily walkable for incity travel, and transit stops are easily available for inter-city travel. The MUO zone is in the downtown area and will provide adequate, light, transportation, shopping, and other facilities.

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The current ordinances appear to be restrictive, but will be changed to remove the restrictive language:

Emergency Housing is intended for homeless persons, for a stay of up to six months in any given year. This type of housing is currently permitted in the L-2 zone, subject to certain development standards, that may seem restrictive, including:

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• Number of beds: It is recommended that the maximum number of beds in an emergency housing facility be set at 20 beds.
• Parking: It is recommended that a parking standard be established that an emergency housing facility provides one on-site parking space per employee on the maximum shift, plus one space per six beds. This standard recognizes that many homeless people do not own a vehicle.
• An On-site Manager must be present at all times.
• On-site security must be provided at all times.
• Outdoor security lighting must be provided.
• Occupancy is limited to a maximum of six months during any one-yearperiod. • Storage space for resident’s belongings shall be provided at a rate of 10 square feet per bed.
• An operational plan must be provided for City review and approval. • The facility must be licensed by the State of California Program 13 r) addresses zoning code amendments related to Emergency Shelters.

The City of Arvin, in cooperation with the Arvin Navigation Center (ANC) of Flood Ministries was established in 2022 and is funded through grants from HCD of $422,720. This center is a significant step towards addressing homelessness in the city, offering a range of services and support to those without shelter. The Arvin Navigation Center services Arvin and Lamont communities and is dedicated to the work of reducing homelessness and transforming lives through the building and strengthening of relationships. Through the targeting of services, they are achieving success in overcoming certain barriers to housing, providing continued support systems that contribute to retention to housing.

The County also provides aid for the homeless. Formed in 1999, the Kern County Homeless Collaborative was formed to combat the problem of homelessness. Under the Collaborative, eight committees contribute to alleviating homelessness. The committees include needs assessment, resource assessment, evaluation, service integration, sustainability and development, advocacy/public relations, rural issues, and continuum of care. The chairs of each committee meet as a steering committee to exchange information and set direction for the collaborative, while the collaborative meets quarterly.

Three types of facilities provide shelter for homeless individuals and families: emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing. These facilities are defined below and presented in Table 33. Facilities for persons with special needs are shown in Table 34. • Emergency Shelter – A facility that provides overnight shelter and fulfills a client’s basic needs (i.e. food, clothing, medical care) either on-site or through off-site services. The permitted length of stay can vary from one day at a time to three months. The major providers of emergency shelter in the County are the Bakersfield Homeless Center and the

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Bakersfield Rescue Mission. The Bakersfield Homeless Center has capacity for 110 beds for men, 9 beds for women, 27 beds for families, and an additional 25 beds for men or women depending on the need. The Bakersfield Rescue Mission has space for approximately 40 women and children, and 80 men. The Mission has capacity for 138 persons per meal, and serves two meals per day.
• Transitional Housing – A residence that provides housing for up to two years. Residents of transitional housing usually include supportive services designed to assist the homeless in achieving greater economic independence and a permanent, stable living situation. Services may include mental and physical health care interventions, substance abuse treatment, job training and employment services, individual and group counseling and life skills training.

Currently, HACK operates the only transitional housing facility in Kern County. The program includes seven units in the unincorporated area near Bakersfield. Other services exist throughout the County to assist individuals and families with making the transition from emergency shelter to permanent housing. Bethany Services’ Transitional Services Center provides support services for residents of supportive housing and homeless persons not in supportive housing. Recreation Community Project, Inc. (RCPI) provides transitional housing and support services targeted toward adult men and women with dependent children in inner-city neighborhoods. Also, some substance abuse programs offer limited transitional housing services in addition to treatment.
• Permanent Housing – Service enriched permanent housing that is linked with on-going supportive services (on-site or off-site) and designed to allow formerly homeless clients to live at the facility on an indefinite basis. Units operated by HACK, as well as the Section 8 program provide some housing. However, the large demand may prevent many residents from gaining access to permanent housing. Other facilities in the County are geared toward homeless populations with special needs. Living Connections, Inc. operates two board and care homes for persons with mental illness, as well as 21-unit and 25-unit apartment complexes.

The Housing Authority of the County of Kern provides quality housing with supportive services to homeless individuals and emancipated foster youth who are at immediate risk of becoming homeless, partnering with local community organizations to provide housing, rental assistance, and supportive services to qualifying individuals. The agency operates a number of residential sites as well as rental assistance programs specially-designed to serve the needs of local residents who are homeless, mentally ill, or disabled.

The Shelter Plus Care (S+C) program provides rental assistance to homeless disabled individuals and families who receive ongoing supportive services and case management from community organizations to help them remain in housing and increase their income. The Bakersfield Homeless Center, Flood Bakersfield Ministries, Independent Living Center, Clinica Sierra Vista and the California Veteran Assistance Foundation refer homeless persons to the Housing Authority to receive the S+C assistance.

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Table 33

HOUSING AUTHORITY FACILITIES
Facilities Address Service Provided
Green Gardens 2300 South Union
Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
93307
104-unit single room occupancy facility
that houses formerly homeless persons
with disabilities referred to the site by the
Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery
Services.

Plymouth Rock 100 Plymoth Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Eight (8) units providing temporary housing
for homeless families returning from the
Bakersfield Homeless Center.

Haven Cottages 68 E. White Lane,
Bakersfield, CA 93307 24 one-bedroom affordable rental homes for homeless individuals with mental
illness.

Building Blocks
Transitional
Program
1807 Belle Terrace,
Bakersfield, CA 93307
12-unit Transitional Housing Program for
emancipated foster youth (ages 18-21) who
are homeless or at immediate risk of
becoming homeless.

Source: https://kernha.org/housing-for-homeless/
Table 34

FACILITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
Facilities Address Service Provided
Bakersfield Homeless
Center
1600 E. Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93305
Healthcare, Counseling, Food, Shelter, Job
placement, emergency services, child care,
Home Assistance
Bakersfield Rescue Mission 724 E. 21st Street
Bakersfield, CA 93305
Case management and referrals to
community resources such as Human
Services, Mental Health, Disabled Services,
and Medical Services
Alliance Against Family
Violence and Sexual
Assault
1921 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Shelter Service, Counseling, Education
Services, Meal Services, Substance Abuse
Counseling
Bethany Services’
Transitional Services
Center
1600 East Truxtun
Bakersfield, CA 93305
Rent, Utilities, Referrals, Food, & Shelter for
Women, Children & Families
Source: Kern County Housing Element

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G. Assisted Housing Inventory
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern currently provides several housing programs in the city.

These programs include Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH), senior housing and farm worker housing.

There are also affordable housing projects that are not affiliated with Kern County and HACK.

Low-Income Public Housing
This federally-funded program is administered at 15 low-income public housing complexes, owned and operated by HACK. Table 35 presents the names, addresses, and the number of units that are available. Rents are based on 30 percent of the tenant’s monthly net adjusted income or ceiling rents, based on the size of the unit – whichever is less. Families must pay a minimum of $50 for rent each month. There is a total of 941 LIPH units in Kern County. Three of the facilities are located in Arvin and total 114 units. All three are located at 701 Meyer Street. Table 35 lists the three housing facilities in the City ofArvin.

Table 35

LOW INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING -- HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF KERN Name Location Number of Units
Adelante Vista 1104 South Robinson St. Bakersfield 142 Units Baker Street Village 1015 Baker Street, Bakersfield 37 Units Valle Vista 327 Dover Place, Delano 62 Units
Monte Vista 701 Meyer Street, Arvin 50 Units
Little Village (2 complexes) 714 Smith Street, Bakersfield 155 Units Terra Vista 300 Terra Vista, Shafter 35 Units
Plaza Towers and Annex 3015 Wilson Road, Bakersfield 200 Units Parkview 701 Meyer Street, Arvin 28 Units
Homer Harrison 1910 Garces Highway, Delano 50 Units
Haciendas del Sol 701 Meyer Street, Arvin 36 Single-family Homes Milagro del Valle 106 11th Street, McFarland 46 Single-family Homes Maganda Park 312 S. Austin, Delano 20 Single-family Homes Greenfield 403 Boomerang Drive, Bakersfield 4 Units
Park 20th 20th Street, Downtown Bakersfield 55 Units
Almond Village Lost Hills 21 Single-family Homes
Source: http://kernha.org/wp/affordable-housing/find-housing/low-income-public-housing-liph

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Table 36

ARVIN PUBLIC HOUSING
Name Date Built Total Units 1/BR 2/BR 3/BR 4/BR
Monte Vista 1951 50 10 24 12 4
Parkview 1986 28 28 0 0 0
Haciendas del Sol 1999 36 0 12 14 10
Total 114 38 36 26 14
Source: Housing Authority of Kern County, http://kernha.org/wp/affordable-housing/ Housing for Seniors and the Disabled
There are four housing complexes totaling 299 units available to senior that are operated by HACK countywide. Of the four senior apartments, Village Congregational Community located at 112 Richard Street is located within Arvin. The apartments are owned by HACK and consist of 60 units for seniors and the disabled. There are 25 studios and 35 one-bedroom apartment units.

Other Housing
The 12-unit Grove Apartments is located at 332 Grove Street, Arvin, is also owned by HACK. It is for very low to moderate-income farm labor families or non-farm labor families. As previously mentioned in Section F (Special Needs), there are also publicly-owned farm worker housing for yearround and seasonal workers.

Non-HACK Affiliated Affordable Housing
There are 12 affordable (income-restricted) rental housing projects in the city that are not affiliated with HACK. These housing projects are listed in Table 37. In addition, in 2007 Habitat for Humanity constructed four low-income units located on Arvin Avenue between C Street and Tejon Highway in the city. These projects are not affiliated with HACK.

H. Assisted Housing At-Risk of Conversion
State law requires an analysis of existing assisted rental units that are at risk of conversion to market rate. This includes conversion through termination of a subsidy contract, mortgage prepayment, or expiring use restrictions. The following at-risk analysis covers the period of 2023-2031.

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Table 37

NON-HACK AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN ARVIN
Projects Address
Arvin Apartments 1410 Hood Street
Bear Mountain Apartments 128 Monroe Street
Caliente Creek 909 Meyer Street
Casa de Paloma (Arvin Family Apts.) 1301 Haven Drive
4-Units Habitat for Humanity Arvin Avenue
Hood Street Family Apartments 1400 Hood Street
La Amistad 1001 Walnut Drive
Summer View Apartments 225 Meyer Street
Summerset Apartments 668 Comanche Road
Sycamore Family Apartments I and II 740 Sycamore Road
Walnut Apartments 293 Walnut Street
Villa Del Comanche 1507 Bear Mountain Boulevard
Source: http://kernha.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AffordableHousingDevelopmentsList-10-28-151.pdf According to the California Housing Partnership (CHP), there are four possible affordable housing projects in Arvin (two funded through HUD and two funded through USDA) that may be at-risk of conversion to market rate within the next ten years. The first HUD project is the 60- unit Village Congregational Community (112 Richard Street) senior housing complex owned by HACK. This project was funded by HUD’s Section 202 Program. In communication with HACK, the HUD Section 202 fund agreement was extended in 2008 and is not considered at-risk at this time. The second HUD assisted-housing project identified as a possible at-risk candidate is the 57-unit Villa Del Comanche (1501 Bear Mountain Boulevard). The property management company for Villa Del Comanche indicated that the HUD use agreement restricts the units at affordable levels until October 2031.

Therefore, Villa Del Comanche is not considered at-risk at this time. The Bear Mountain Apartments (128 Monroe Street) were awarded tax credits in 2012, and therefore, the possible conversion to market rate is far beyond the next ten years. The CHP list indicates that the Walnut Apartment (293 Walnut Street) expired in 2010, however, the 32-unit apartments are being subsidized and the program is still being used.

The city contacted property managers of the different affordable housing projects within the city. All housing project managers indicated that none of the units were at-risk of converting to market-rate housing.

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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK) administers the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, whereby eligible participants including very low income families, the elderly, and the disabled are awarded vouchers enabling them to find housing in the private sector.

The Housing Authority contracts with landlords to subsidize the participants’ rents. Housing must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards for the Agency to enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the property owner. The subsidy is the difference between 30% of tenant income and the Section 8 Payment Standard amount for Kern County or the gross rent, whichever is lower.

HUD establishes income limits annually, based on family size for the area in which the Housing Authority is located. Currently, 75% of eligible applicants must have income that does not exceed 30% of the median area income. The remaining 25% may have income limit up to 80% of the area median. Agency staff processes applications, determines eligibility, completes criminal background checks, and works with tenants and landlords.

According to HACK, as of January 2023, there are 13 tenant-based voucher holders and 59 HUD project-based voucher holders in the City of Arvin. Countywide, there are approximately 11,456 residents on the HACK waiting list to enter the program.

With regards to Housing Mobility, the new Housing Advisory Committee will hear complaints regarding administration of Section 8 vouchers, and potential discrimination preventing people from renting in certain neighborhoods.

Preservation and Replacement Options
Preservation or replacement of at-risk projects can be achieved in several ways: 1) transfer of ownership to non-profit organizations; 2) provision of rental assistance to tenants using other funding sources; 3) replacement or development of new assisted multi-family housing units; 4) purchase of affordability covenants; and/or 5) refinance of mortgage revenue bonds on bond funded units. These options are described below, along with a general cost estimate for each.

Transfer of Ownership
Cities can make efforts to transfer ownership to other organizations, such as non-profit corporations, in order to help manage and keep from units being at risk.

Rental Assistance
The future availability of Section 8 funding is uncertain. In the event that Section 8 funding is no longer available, rent subsidies can be used to maintain affordability, by using local, state, or other funding sources. The subsidies can be structured to mirror the Section 8 program, whereby tenants receive the difference between the Fair Market Rent (determined by HUD and the local housing authority) and the maximum affordable rent of the tenant (30% of household income). The feasibility of this alternative depends on the property owners’ willingness to accept rental vouchers. In this case, the owners are likely to accept vouchers given that non-profit corporations own all three projects, and the projects currently maintain renal subsidies.

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Construction of Replacement Units
The construction of new low-income housing units is a means of replacing at-risk units that are converted to market rate. The cost of developing housing depends upon a variety of factors, including density, the size of the units, location, land costs, and the type of construction.

Table 38 shows the housing cost of replacing and constructing affordable units in the city. If the parcels meet the minimum lot size for its zone, the development standards generally do not constrain a project from achieving the maximum number of units. The R-4 zone is the most accommodating of housing for lower income households. The cost of developing an affordable unit in the R-4 zone averages about $137,500 per unit or a monthly rental cost of $850.

Table 38

ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Items Cost
Hard Cost* $70,000
Soft Costs* $17,500
Financing Cost $17,500
Other Cost $17,500
Total $122,500
Land $15,000
Total Cost per Units $137,500
Monthly Rental Cost
Monthly Payment $664
Insurance $83
Monthly taxes $103
Total $850
Source: GRC Associates,
* Estimates taken from sample survey for construction cost Purchase of Affordability Covenants
There are various methods that may be used to calculate affordability covenants. One method of preserving at-risk units is to purchase the affordability covenants. The cost of purchasing the covenants is calculated by determining the difference between the market rate rent and the current rent for a comparable unit at Arvin Apartments, and extending the rent differential for 55 years.

Currently, the market rent for a two-bedroom apartment unit in Arvin is approximately $664 per month and the current rental rate for a two-bedroom unit at the Arvin Apartments is $565 per month, which calculates to a difference of $99 per month. Assuming rents increase by two percent annually, the total rent differential over a 55-year period is approximately $117,100. With an assumed net present value at a discount rate of seven percent, the estimated value of covenant per

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unit is $22,050.

Another option that will preserve the affordability of at-risk projects is providing an incentive package to owners to maintain the units as low-income housing. Incentives could include an interest rate write-down on the remaining loan balance, or supplementing the Section 8 subsidy to achieve market rents. The feasibility of this option depends on both the physical and financial condition of the complex. If the complex requires rehabilitation or is too highly leveraged, the cost of affordability covenants goes up. However, by providing lump sum financial incentives, on-going subsidies of rents, or reduced mortgage interest rates, the city can ensure that at-risk units remain affordable.

Potential Preservation Finance Sources
The city is limited in its economic ability to provide funding for the acquisition, preservation and/or rehabilitation of at-risk projects. The city’s current General Fund is balanced to the extent that it provides for mandated and necessary services to the community. However, since redevelopment set-aside funds are no longer available and the city no longer participates in the County CDBG funding, future funding is anticipated through the State CDBG program to help provide for affordable housing and provide alternative rental subsidies for at-risk units if Section 8 contracts are not renewed in the future.

I. Regional Housing Needs Assessment
State law requires that the community provide an adequate number of sites to allow for and facilitate production of the city’s regional share of housing. To determine where the city has sufficient land to accommodate its share of regional housing needs for all income groups, the city must identify “adequate sites.” Under the State law (California Government Code section 65583[c][1], adequate sites are those with appropriate zoning in and development standards, with service and facilities, needed to facilitate and encourage the development of housing for all income levels.

The State Department of Housing and Community Development makes a periodic evaluation of statewide housing needs based on population trends, demographic changes, migration patterns, etc., and the Kern Council of Governments Regional Housing Needs Assessment (Kern COG RHNA) quantifies the housing needs for each jurisdiction between 2023 and 2031. The RHNA does not necessarily encourage or promote growth, but rather allows communities to anticipate growth. The RHNA produces information on number of households and housing units, households paying over 30 percent of income for housing, and projections of future needs. All RHNA estimates are broken down into five income categories, with the County median as a baseline, and according to owner and renter occupancy.
2013-2022 RHNA Housing Requirement (5th Cycle)
The City of Arvin’s previous 2013-2023 Housing Element (5th Cycle), that was adopted by the city in 2012, complied with State housing element law. It identified adequate sites available to accommodate the city’s share of the regional housing need during the 2008-2013 planning period.

The city’s 5th Cycle RHNA obligations were as follows:

Table 39
ARVIN’S 5th CYCLE RHNA 2013-2023
Extremely
Low* Very Low Low Moderate
Above
Moderate Total

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According to the Arvin Building Department’s Building Permit System and presented in Table 40 between January 2013 and August 2023, final building permits (units constructed) were issued on 74 residential units available to Low-Income households; 450 units in the Moderate and Above Moderate category accounting for a total of 524 units
Table 40
HOUSING UNITS DEVELOPED IN ARVIN 013-2023 (5th Cycle).

Income Levels
Year
Extremely
Low Very
Low
Low
Moderate and
Above
Total
Units
2015 26 60 86
2016 24 29 53
2017 6 79 85
2018 0 102 102
2019 0 0 0 52 52
2020 0 0 0 3 3
2021 0 0 0 47 47
2022 0 0 8 27 35
2023 (till August 2023) 10 51
Total 2013-2023 0 0 74 450 524
Source: City of Arvin
Units 199 199 239 183 349 1,169
Percent 17.0% 17.0% 20.5% 15.6% 29.9% 100.0%
Source: Kern COG RHNA, 2013-2023 Assessment
* Extremely Low Income represents 50% of the RHNA Very Low- Income allocation

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2023-2031 RHNA Requirement (6th Cycle).

Arvin’s future housing needs as projected in the Kern COG RHNA for the 2023-2031 planning period indicates a need for 1,174 units. As presented in Table 41, the total housing needs include 62 units for Extremely Low-Income (50% of the RHNA Very Low-Income allocation), 124 units for very low-income, 79 units for low- income, 268 units for moderate-income, and 703 units for above moderate-income.

Housing for lower-income households represent 37.5% of the above housing needs.

Table 41
ARVIN’S RHNA 2023-2031 BY INCOME LEVEL
Extremely
Low* Very Low Low Moderate
Above
Moderate Total
Units 621 124 79 268 703 1,174
Percent * 17.0% 20.5% 15.6% 29.9% 100.0%
Source: Kern COG RHNA, 2013-2023 Assessment
1 Extremely Low Income represents 50% (approx. 62 units) of the Very Low- Income RHNA allocation of 124 units’
The City of Arvin has prepared an analysis of vacant land available for residential development for the 2023-2031 Planning Cycle, Section B. Vacant Land; prepared map entitled Figure 12- City of Arvin Residential Opportunity Sites, and an inventory of specific parcels that are currently vacant and are available for residential development (Appendix B – Vacant Residential Parcels Over 6,000 Square Feet).

Appendix B, “Vacant Residential Opportunity Parcels Over 6,000 Square Feet” identifies several sites that are identified in previous planning periods that are being utilized toward the lower- income RHNA. If utilizing prior identified sites (two planning periods for vacant sites) toward the lower-income RHNA, the element must include a program committing to permit housing developments with 20 percent affordability for lower-income households by-right (without discretionary action) at appropriate densities (e.g., at least 20 units per acre).

Assessor Parcel 189-350-03 (currently identified to meet the lower-income RHNA requirement) or any other parcel listed in the prior two cycles that is utilized to meet the 6th cycle obligations, the city shall permit housing developments with 20 percent affordability for lower-income households by-right (without discretionary action) at appropriate densities (e.g., at least 20 units per acre). This rule shall take effect, upon adoption of the Housing Element by City.

To be consistent with this General Plan policy, a new housing program 13 v) has been added to Amend the Zoning Code.

The city’s zoning code already permits all multi-family housing that qualifies under SB 35 ministerially.

Zoning Code Section 17.055.010 states that “the purpose of this chapter is to regulate the ministerial review and approval of Senate Bill 35 (SB35) eligible projects and multiple family residential development in compliance with Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review.” The 2023-2031 RHNA Allocation to the City of Arvin, Table 41- Arvin’s RHNA 2023-2031 By Income Level identifies the number of housing units needed for the planning cycle.

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Appendix B - Vacant Residential Parcels Over 6,000 Square Feet – Table identifies number of units, and Income Level. The table identifies that 457.53 Acres of land is readily available for residential development, of which, 36.29 acres are zoned R-4. The potential number of units possible is 257 Units that could serve the Extremely Low, Very Low- and Low-Income level residents.

The total unit estimate, based in Appendix B, is 2,764 units.

The vacant residential lands available for development meets the anticipated need of the 2023-2031 RHNA requirements for all income groups. Publicly owned properties are not included in Appendix B, Vacant Residential Opportunity Parcels Over 6000 SF.

Housing Problems
Through the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) database, HUD provides estimates of households with one or more of four types of housing problem. The four housing problems are incomplete kitchen facilities, incomplete plumbing facilities, overcrowding (more than 1 person per room), and overpayment (housing cost burden in excess of 30 percent of household income).

Table 42 depicts housing problems among Arvin households in 2019, detailed by tenure and income level. Of an estimated total of 4865 households, 2900 households (59.6%) had housing problems. On the basis of tenure, 71.8 percent of renter households experienced housing problems, compared to

46.8 percent of owner households. On the basis of tenure, among the extremely low-income households, 84.1 percent of the renter households experienced housing problems, compared to 94.1 percent of the owner households.

According to ACS 2016-2020 estimates, 1.1 percent of total Arvin households lacked complete plumbing facilities and 1.4 percent lacked complete kitchen facilities.

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Table 42
ARVIN HOUSEHOLDS WITH HOUSING PROBLEMS - 2019
Tenure
Extremely
Low
<30% of MIF
Very Low
30-50% of
MIF
Low
50-80% of
MIF
Moderate
80-100% of
MIF
Above
Moderate
>100% of MIF Total
Owner Households 170 440 805 270 695 2380
w/ Hsg. Problem 160 325 415 130 80 1115
Percent 94.1% 73.9% 40.4% 48.1% 11.5% 46.8%
Renter Households 725 835 605 110 210 2485
w/ Hsg. Problem 610 670 375 70 65 1785
Percent 84.1% 80.2% 62.0% 63.6% 31.0% 71.8%
Total Households 895 1275 1410 380 905 4865
w/ Hsg. Problem 770 995 790 200 145 2900
Percent 86.0% 78.0% 56.0% 52.6% 16.0% 59.6%
Source: HUDuser website, CHAS Data Query Tool (2015-2019).

Housing Overpayment. Overpayment and Overcrowding conditions are examined in detail below.

To determine existing housing needs, it is necessary to examine the relationship between the cost of home ownership or renting to a household’s ability to pay for housing. The distinction between housing affordability for renters and owner households is important, because while homeowners may overextend themselves financially to purchase a home, they retain the option of selling. Renters, however, are limited to the rental market and are generally required to pay the rent established in that market.

According to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), housing affordability is the expenditure of no more than 30 percent of gross household income on housing costs. For owner households, this includes mortgage payments, utilities, association fees, insurance, and real estate taxes. For renter households, housing cost is gross rent (contract rent plus utilities). Overpayment occurs when the housing cost burden exceeds 30 percent of gross household income, and a cost burden in excess of 50 percent of gross household income is considered severe overpayment.

Table 43 depicts overpayment conditions among Arvin households in 2018, detailed by tenure and income level. Out of the estimated 4,865 households, 2170 households (44.6%) were overpaying for housing at a cost burden over 30 percent, while 950 households (19.5 percent) had cost burdens greater than 50 percent MFI (Median Family Income). Median family income is calculated based on the income of the householder and all other individuals 15 years old and over in the household who are related. A household could just have the householder, while a family household will have more than one person (the householder and all other individuals 15 years old and over in the household who are related).

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Table 43
ARVIN HOUSEHOLDS OVERPAYING FOR HOUSING BY INCOME LEVEL - 2018 Household Income
Owner Renter Total
Number % Number % Number %
Less than 30% MFI 170 725 895
Cost Burden >30% 150 88.2% 610 84.1% 760 84.9%
Cost Burden >50% 130 76.5% 435 60.0% 565 63.1%
30-50% MFI 440 835 1275
Cost Burden >30% 325 73.9% 555 66.5% 790 62.0%
Cost Burden >50% 155 35.2% 185 22.2% 340 27.0%
50-80% MFI 805 605 1410
Cost Burden >30% 355 44.0% 230 38.0% 585 41.5%
Cost Burden >50% 30 3.7% 15 2.5% 45 3.2%
80-100% MFI 270 110 380
Cost Burden >30% 35 13.0% 0 0.0% 35 9.2%
Cost Burden >50% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
More than 100% MFI 695 210 905
Cost Burden >30% 10 1.4% 0 0.0% 10 1.1%
Cost Burden >50% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Total 2380 2485 4865
Cost Burden >30% 875 36.8% 1395 56.1% 2170 44.6%
Cost Burden >50% 315 13.2% 635 25.6% 950 19.5%
Source: HUDuser website, CHAS Data Query Tool (2015-2019).

Among the 2170 overpaying households, 875 were owner-occupied and 1395 were renter-occupied; therefore, the ratio of overpaying households by tenure was approximately 36.8 percent owners to

51.6 percent renters. Table 43 shows that the extremely low income (less than 30% MFI) and low income (30 - 50% MFI) households pay the highest overpayments among all households by tenure and income levels.

Localized Knowledge.

A household is considered to be overpaying for housing (or cost burdened) if it spends more than 30 percent of its gross income on housing. Overpayment is due to inadequate income to meet housing costs. Severe housing cost burden occurs when a household pays more than 50 percent of its income on housing. The reasons for overpayment vary significantly due to inadequate income, tenure, household type, and household size. The overall poverty rate in excess of 30 percent in the city is the major reason for this cost burden. Census Tract Census Tract 63.04 registered a poverty rate above 40 percent and it can be safely interpolated that Tract 63.04 has higher overpayment issues. The housing programs to facilitate additional affordable housing will ameliorate this condition.

Housing Overcrowding. The Census defines an overcrowded unit as one occupied by 1.01 persons

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or more per room (excluding bathrooms and kitchens). Units with more than 1.5 persons per room are considered severely overcrowded. Overcrowding can take a variety of forms. Many overcrowded households may include three generations or extended families. More than two families may share the same units, or a family may be renting living space to non-family members. Overcrowding results directly from lack of affordability, as large households find that they are unable to afford units of sufficient size to meet their needs and are forced to economize beyond modern acceptable standard.

Table 44 shows that in 2020, 1218 households in Arvin were living in overcrowded and severely overcrowded conditions. These households represented 26.4 percent of the total 4711 households in the city. Table 45 shows that renters comprised 35.9 percent of the overcrowded and severely overcrowded households within the city’s total occupied housing stock. With the high percentage of overcrowding and severe overcrowding and the high number of households in low and extremely low-income household, there is a need to provide assistance in to develop programs to address affordability and overcrowding.

Table 44
OVERCROWDED HOUSEHOLDS IN ARVIN - 2020
Persons per Room
City of Arvin
City of
Arvin
Kern
County
Kern
County
California California
Total 4,711 273,556 13,103,114

0.50 or Less 1,025 21.8% 146,558 53.6% 7,507,254 57.3%

0.51 to 1.00 2,410 51.2% 101,834 37.2% 4,520,122 34.5%

1.01 to 1.50 971 20.6% 17,723 6.5% 680,753 5.2%

1.51 to 2.00 247 5.2% 5,432 2.0% 287,225 2.2%

2.01 or More 58 1.2% 2,009 0.7% 107,760 0.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25014

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Table 45
OVERCROWDED HOUSEHOLDS IN ARVIN BY TENURE – 2010-2020
Persons per Room 2010 2010 2015 2015 2020 2020
Total 3,991 4,533 4,711
Owner Occupied 2,069 51.8% 2,085 46.0% 2,370 50.3%
Owner - 0.50 or Less 566 27.4% 513 24.6% 661 27.9%
Owner - 0.51 to 1.00 1,207 58.3% 1,259 60.4% 1,273 53.7% Owner - 1.01 to 1.50 261 12.6% 260 12.5% 346 14.6%
Owner - 1.51 to 2.00 35 1.7% 47 2.3% 51 2.2%
Owner - 2.01 or More 0 0.0% 6 0.3% 39 1.6%
Renter Occupied 1,922 48.2% 2,448 54.0% 2,341 49.7%
Renter - 0.50 or Less 394 19.0% 412 16.8% 364 15.5%
Renter - 0.51 to 1.00 732 35.4% 1,286 52.5% 1,137 48.6% Renter - 1.01 to 1.50 651 31.5% 632 25.8% 625 26.7%
Renter - 1.51 to 2.00 103 5.0% 118 4.8% 196 8.4%
Renter - 2.01 or More 42 2.0% 0 0.0% 19 0.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 06-10, 11-15, 16-20 (5-year Estimates), Table B25014 Localized Knowledge
Overcrowding in Arvin appears as a result of many factors such as historic population increase, inadequate income, poverty, multi child families, limited construction of housing, in general, and affordable housing, in particular, poorer schools, under-education, low paying jobs (Approximately, 47% or of the working-age population works in the agriculture and related sectors). With regards to tenure, there are no major differences in the overcrowding rate between owner-occupied (50.3%) and renter households (49.7%). Government intervention plays a large part in ameliorating the above situations, for example, providing financial and other incentives for affordable housing could alleviate overcrowding.

Local Knowledge and Overall Summary of Trends and Patterns.

Appendix C – City of Arvin-Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Analysis is prepared to comply with California State Law AB 686 which created new requirements for all housing elements revised on or after January 1, 2021, to contain an Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) analysis consistent with the core elements of the analysis required by the federal Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Final Rule of July 16, 2015. These requirements have been prepared to ensure that the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing is a part of City of Arvin’s planning process and guiding documents for community development. The Housing Element analysis of AFH provides an analysis of Racially Concentrated Areas of Affluence, and patterns and trends at both a local and regional scale.

No fair housing complaints were submitted from the City of Arvin during the previous housing cycle.

While this can be considered a positive sign, it is also equally likely residents do not have adequate information or know their rights regarding fair housing to submit complaints. The Kern County Fair Housing Coordinator has information and a hotline for residents to access at any time.

The majority of subsidized and supported housing (Subsidized housing, LIHTC assisted housing developments, assisted multifamily development, rural housing developments and public housing) are

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located in the central-west area of the city, mostly south of West Bear Mountain Boulevard and West of South Derby Street.

Arvin’s Hispanic population was 87.5 percent of the total population in the year 2000. By 2020, the Hispanic population comprised of 94 percent of the population. The changing ethnic characteristics of a community, coupled with shifting in age composition, lead to changes in household composition and ensuing housing needs. The percentage of population that are White residents decreased from 9.8% in 2000 to 3.8% in 2020. The overall non-Hispanic population decreased from 12.5% in 2000 to 6% in 2020.

The areas include housing that was present when the city was originally incorporated in 1960 all the way to the present day is older housing stock and may need repair and maintenance. Areas within the two subject areas were annexed in every decade from 1960 and the last annexation in the area occurred in 1990.

Figure 8
City of Arvin Annexation & Sphere of influence
The condition of housing in the area varies from excellent to poor, generally based on the age of the housing. Some 24% of the housing is built before 1970. Overall, the condition of the neighborhoods is fair with all neighborhoods connected to water and sewer and with much of the city developed with curb, gutter, and sidewalks. The city has applied for and received grant from Cal Trans which developed a Safe Routes to School. The city is being proactive in seeking grants to create safe routes to schools. Where new development is approved, the city requires the installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

The Arvin Transit provides express service to the Tejon Ranch for Arvin’s residents. The City of Arvin Transportation Department is known for providing safe and reliable transportation for residents and

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visitors alike. With convenient schedules that run from 4 am to 4:30 pm, the Transportation Department also provides round trip bus service to Lamont, Tejon Ranch, and Bakersfield. As the City of Arvin grows, the Transportation Department is keeping pace, researching key areas and studying possible new bus routes as riders' needs expand. Their modern fleet is equipped with lifts and bike racks and provides comfortable transport for a wide range of patrons. As is the case throughout the City, the residents of these areas have access to Arvin Transit and Dial-A-Ride programs for public transportation. The city currently has 18 local stops. There are a number of Arvin’s residents employed at the Kern County’s Tejon Ranch commercial center.

The City has considered trends and patterns related to integration and segregation based on racial and ethnic factors, disability, family status, seniors, and median household income. City of Arvin faces some unique challenges compared to Kern County as a whole, as a significantly higher proportion of Arvin’s households are under the poverty line (29.6%). 94% of the city’s population are Hispanic/Latino compared to 54% in Kern County and 39% in California. As a result, there is very high linguistic isolation that needs to be addressed.

Arvin has a very low percentage of people with disabilities <5%), compared to 11% in Kern County and California. 92.9% of the households in Arvin are Family Households, which is much greater than 73.8% in Kern County and 68.6% in the State. Arvin also has a very high proportion of married couple households (64.6%) compared to 50.5% in the County and 49.6% Statewide. 18% of the households in Arvin are female headed households which is much lower than the 24.5% Countywide and 26.2% Statewide. However, 60.8% of female headed households in Arvin are below the poverty line. There are some patterns of isolation or segregation apparent especially with female headed households.

Segregated areas with higher poverty levels are to the south of East Bear Mountain Boulevard and north of Sycamore Road.

Due to the small size of the city, and with 94% Hispanic population, the fair housing analysis did not find a concentration of minorities in a geographic area, or a racially concentrated area of affluence (RCAA). However, with regards to R/ECAP, all three Census Tracts show high levels of poverty above 30%, with the exception of Census Tract 63.04 registering poverty above 40 percent (See Figs. 2 and Fig. 3 in FHA). Census Tract 63.04 lies in the downtown area containing older housing stocks, seniors and children accounting from lower income households and likely contributing to the higher levels of poverty in Census Tracts 63.03 and 63.04. Most housing vouchers are issued for households within this Census Tract (Fig. 3 of FHA) and is indicative of higher levels of poverty compared to the rest of the city.

The newer housing stocks are in the northern and southern census tracts accounting for a lower level of poverty than Census Tract 63.04. The city-wide poverty is approximately 30%.

To mitigate the effects of overall poverty in the city, the Housing Element Program includes the continuation of several programs from the 5th Cycle and the addition of newer programs. A list of programs expected to mitigate the effects of overall poverty is listed under the Title, “Poverty, Homelessness and Extremely Low-Income Households.

The infrastructure in Census Tracts 63.03 and 63.04 is similar. The streets are generally older in these Tracts which were annexed in 1960’s. Existing unimproved infrastructure in these tracts are associated with the existing undeveloped lots, which when developed, will install the required street upgrades as part of the development activity. With regards to recreational infrastructure and educational facilities, Census Tract No. 63.03 have the Smothermon community park and the Bear Mountain elementary

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school. Census Tract No. 63.04 have the DiGiorgio neighborhood park, Haven Middle School, and Sierra Vista Elementary School.

The City has been awarded a street improvement grant for Haven Drive and is in the process of finalizing NEPA clearances.

The City is currently pursuing other grant opportunities for all four (4) Census Tracks including one for the renovation and improvement of Smothermon Park for adding a Resilience HUB; solar roofs, Solar EV Charging Station; installation of a 6-foot walkway, updated of irrigation, tree planting, sump renovation, bioswale renovation etc.

Program 29, Place-based Neighborhood Revitalization, has been added to the Housing Element.

Some 37.6% of the households in Arvin are large family households with 5 or more persons compared to 17.9% Countywide and 13.6% Statewide. 61.9% of the households have 4 persons or more compared to 35% in the County and 28.4% in the State. This demonstrates the need for large housing units in the City. The city also has a significant need for dependent care and support systems for young children and youth, as 11.8% of the population are under 5 years old and 27% of the population are between the ages of 5 and 17. This is significantly higher than 7.7% and 21.2% of the population respectively in the County.

Only 11.4% of the households in Arvin are senior households compared to 21.2% in the County and

24.4% in the State. Arvin will continue to participate in the implementation of Kern County housing programs
and the Housing Plan. The city will continue to consider these findings in relation to program funding and resources to further reduce poverty levels, any patterns of isolation and segregation and work collaboratively with the County and State to increase access to housing, particularly for female headed households and large family units.

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III. Housing Constraints
As a requirement of the Government Code, the Housing Element must address constraints that are likely to impede the city from reaching its quantified housing goals. There are two sets of constraints that must be addressed. The first set is non-governmental constraints that is largely outside the influence of City officials, but nonetheless contribute to the challenges and obstacles the city faces in meeting the housing needs of its residents. Governmental constraints are generally those which community leaders have a measure of involvement and control.

A. Non-Governmental Constraints
Land Availability
The amount of available land to be developed directly affects a City’s ability to meet housing demand.

Regardless of how land is zoned or how the General Plan designates it, many cities face a decreasing supply of both vacant and underutilized sites, which makes it difficult to meet the communities’ housing needs. However, analyzed further in the Housing Resource section, Arvin still has a vast amount of vacant land that is designated for residential use. The majority of new dwelling units in Arvin will be added on land designated for LDR development in the southern portion of the city, while HDR development is anticipated to take place in the northwest portion. These vacant sites have potential to exceed the Kern COG RHNAprojections.

Construction Costs
Construction costs can be a major impediment to the ability of a community to augment its housing stock, and influence rents and sale prices when new units are placed on the market. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average single-family home sales price in the 2019 NAHB Construction Cost Survey was $485,128, the highest average sales price (not adjusted for inflation) in the survey’s history. The Census Bureau’s series shows the average price for new single-family homes sold increasing steadily after the Great Recession, going from $267,900 in 2011 to $384,900 in 2017, and leveling off at $385,000 in 2018. The average single-family home size in the 2019 NAHB Construction Cost Survey is 2,594 square feet of finished floor space, the smallest square footage since 2011. Historically, average square footage in the NAHB survey has tended to move in the same direction as in the Census Bureau’s series with a lag, and with wider fluctuations, as you would expect from the smaller sample size. The average home size dropped from 2,716 square feet in 2009 to 2,311 square feet in 2011, as demand eroded after the Great Recession. As the economy recovered, it rose steadily and peaked at 2,802 square feet in 2015. Since then, the average square footage has trended downward, dropping to 2,776 in 2017 and to 2,594 in 2019. 5 National Association of Home Builders, Cost of Constructing a Home, Special Studies, January 2, 2020, https://www.nahb.org/-/media/8F04D7F6EAA34DBF8867D7C3385D2977.ashx

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Availability of Financing
Financial constraints affect the decisions of consumers and developers alike. Nearly all homebuyers must obtain a loan to purchase property, and loan variables such as interest rates and insurance costs play an important role in the decisions of homebuyers. Homeowners also consider the initial costs of improvements following the purchase of a home. These costs could be related to making necessary repairs or tailoring a home to meet individual tastes. While the city does not control these costs directly, City activities, such as code enforcement, are related to the maintenance of housing stock.

Mortgage rates also have a strong influence over the affordability of housing. The availability of financing affects a person’s ability to purchase or make improvements on a home. Increases in interest rates decrease the number of persons able to afford a home purchase, while decreases result in more potential homebuyers being introduced into the market.

Interest rates are determined by economic conditions and policies developed at the national level.

Since local jurisdictions cannot affect interest rates, they can offer interest rate write- downs to extend home purchase opportunities to targeted resident segments, such as lower income households. Local governments may also insure mortgages, which would reduce down payment requirements.

Recent mortgage interest rates for new home purchases are in the four percent range for a 30- year loan. According to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation’s (Freddie Mac) survey of 30-year fixed-rate mortgage presented in Table 46, the national annual average interest rate remained stable between 3 to 4 percent; however, later part of 2022 has seen volatile rates increasing to almost seven percent towards the end of 2022 as a result of the federal reserve to tame increasing inflation recorded at 7.7% for the 12 months ending October 2022, compared to 0.7% in 2015 and 1.4% in 2020 Changes in the national housing and financial markets and economic policies could cause rates to differ significantly in the future.

According to the Federal Reserve, “prime” mortgages are offered to persons with excellent credit and employment history and income adequate to support the loan amount. “Subprime” loans are loans to borrowers who have less-than-perfect credit history, poor employment history or other factors such as limited income. By providing loans to those who do not meet the credit standards for borrowers in the prime market, subprime lending can and does serve a critical role in increasing levels of homeownership. Households that are interested in buying a home but have blemishes in their credit record, insufficient credit history or nontraditional credit sources might otherwise be unable to purchase a home. The subprime loan market offers these borrowers opportunities to obtain loans that they would be unable to realize in the prime loan market.

Subprime lenders generally have interest rates that are higher than those in the prime market and often lack the regulatory oversight required for prime lenders because they are not owned by regulated financial institutions. In the past decade, however, many large and well-known banks became involved in the subprime market either through acquisitions of other firms or by initiating loans that were subprime directly.

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Table 46

NATIONAL ANNUAL AVERAGE MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES
Yeara Average Interest Rates
2016 3.65%
2017 3.99%
2018 4.54%
2019 3.94%
2020 3.11%
2021 2.96%
2022 5.08%
Source: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
a
30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage, not incl. discount points; https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/pmms30 Most subprime loans provide families with payments for the first few years at a low “teaser” rate.

After that, the loans reset every six months or year to a higher, fully indexed rate, which can cost borrowers hundreds of extra dollars each month.6 This extra expense has increased the housing cost burden of many families and for many has ultimately resulted in foreclosure.

Environmental Constraints
Environmental constraints can make an entire site unsuitable for residential development.

Consideration was given to such constraints during site selection. The site inventory includes those parcels that are 6000 sq. ft. or greater. In some instances, environmental constraints affect sites or only affect a portion of a site. The City has taken this into consideration in the Municipal Code to minimize and mitigate environmental risks staff included such sites provided the site is readily accessible and otherwise suitable for development. The City also considered other regulations that could limit or preclude residential development, such as the Williamson Act contracts. There are no parcels subject to Williamson Act programs. County of Kern maintains a GIS database that includes environmental constraint layers. The City of Arvin checks the environmental constraints before planned rezoning or development of a particular parcel of land.

Flood Hazard
FEMA has defined flood zones according to varying levels of flood risk. According to Figure 9, which shows designated FEMA flood zones, the majority of the developed area of the city falls within the AO flood zone, which is considered to be high-risk areas. The AO zone is defined as “a river or stream flood hazard area, and areas with a one percent or greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from one to three feet. These areas have a 26 percent chance of flooding over 30 years. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones. The city is also under the A zone and X zone. The A zone also represents areas of 1 percent annual change of flooding, but detailed analyses are not performed, and no depths or base flood elevations are available. The X zone represents areas of moderate flood

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hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100- year and 500-year floods.

In order to minimize any potential flooding impacts and pursuant to FEMA requirements, the Arvin Municipal Code, Chapter 15.32 (Floodplain Management) has established flood-resistant standards for building anchoring, construction materials and methods, storage of materials, utilities and land subdivisions. In addition, the ground floor must be raised at least 24 inches above the highest adjacent grade. With these development standards, any potential flooding risks would be mitigated. According to Arvin’s Building Engineer, grading fill material costs approximately $5 per square yard. Though grading cost will depend on a site-by-site basis, in a typical single-family home, the cost for grading would be approximately $5,000 to $10,000 and less for new housing projects on vacant land.

Seismic Hazard
Earthquake safety is important to all California residents, especially to the residents and workers of the Arvin, which is in a region of active faults. In 1952, an earthquake along the White Wolf Fault, which is located less than three miles east of the city, caused immense and widespread damage to the city and the region. This 7.5 magnitude earthquake resulted in many deaths and damaged buildings beyond repair. The location of the White Wolf Fault is illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 9

WHITE WOLF FAULT
Source: Kern County GIS
6Christie, L. (2007, March 22). Subprime risk: Most vulnerable markets: 2.2 million homeowners are endangered by the subprime crisis. Which markets may be hardest hit? CNN Money.

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Arvin Housing Element
71 ARVIN HOUSING ELEMENT 2023-2031
Figure 10

FEMA FLOOD ZONE

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The age of a building is an important risk consideration when it is in a seismically active area. Older buildings generally require greater maintenance, which results in higher costs to the owner. These older structures often violate building code standards and lack safety features such as fire suppression, home security devices and seismic safety retrofits. In fact, stringent seismic safety codes were not developed until after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. After that event, many building codes were revised to ensure that structures could withstand seismic activity of similar magnitude.

New construction would not be affected because seismic safety is a requirement under the State Building Code.

Water Supply and Quality
The city’s water service is provided by the Arvin Community Service District (ACSD), a publiclyowned utility company created November 26, 1956. The ACSD service area encompasses approximately five square miles and includes all of the City of Arvin and a few small residential tracts and individual services that are located in the surrounding unincorporated area of the County. In September 2021, the ACSD Board of Directors adopted the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), which is required by the State Water Resources Board to address the following key requirements:
a. Identify the existing and planned water resources of the ACSD b. Describe the reliability of the groundwater supply and its vulnerability to seasonal or climactic shortage
c. Address the consistency of the ACSD’s water supply
d. Discuss the ACSD’s demand management measures
e. Describe the ACSD’s anticipated water supply projects f. Project the ACSD’s water use
g. Project the water use/demand for lower income families h. Prepare the ACSD’s water shortage contingency plan
i. Assess the water supply reliability
j. Present the District’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan The 2020 UWMP is available for review at the District Office at 309 Campus Drive, Arvin, California.

According to the 2020 UWMP, the ACSD’s depends on groundwater for its water supply through seven active water wells. The eighth well is scheduled to go online mid-year 2023. Seven of these wells are less than 10 years old, one is 30 years old. Well water is also supplemented with aboveground water storage, with two water storage / booster pumping facilities totaling 1.5 mg of aboveground storage. The total combined capacity of the wells is approximately 7,000 gallons per minute (gpm), which can produce at total of approximately 11,000 acre-feet per year. Actual water demand is about 3,000 acre-feet per year. The groundwater supply is stabilized by the groundwater recharge program operated by Arvin Edison Water Storage District (AEWSD).

In 2020, water production totaled 837 million gallons with 763 mg of water delivered to 4,163 water connection throughout the service area (95% of service area is within the City of Arvin). By 2025, total water demand is projected to increase to 1,057 mg. Included in this water demand is the demand from Arvin's low-income residents. It is estimated that 37% of Arvin’s families with children under 18 years of age earn less than Federal Poverty Level income. Arvin is a Severely Disadvantaged, Low-Income Community. The UWMP estimates the 2020 water demand for Arvin's

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low-income residents at 282 mg and the year 2025 water demand at 391 mg.

According to ACSD, Arvin's water demand in 2025 can be adequately accommodated by the projected water supply from its existing water sources. At this time none of the ACSD’s wells are in danger of going dry. A single dry year usually has a minimal effect on groundwater levels in Kern County. However, as stated in the UWMP, multiple dry years do have an effect and this is due to several reasons: 1) Increased pumping of groundwater by those who have temporarily lost their surface water supplies; 2) Lower groundwater levels resulting from the reduction in / absence of surface water for direct recharge; 3) Reduced groundwater recharge from excess surface water application to crops and landscaping; and 4) Reduced groundwater recharge due to the absence of rainfall, resulting in reduction or absence of stream and river flows. Therefore, it is necessary that municipal water purveyors that depend on groundwater to assure that adequate groundwater recharge occurs and that wells are sufficiently deep in order to provide water during times of extended drought (occasionally pumps must be lowered in the wells due to changes in groundwater levels.)
The ACSD has not experienced a severe water supply shortfall due to drought conditions in its 63 years of existence because the groundwater resource underlying the ACSD has remained stable as a result of importation of surface water by Arvin Edison Water Storage District (AEWSD). Therefore, the ACSD has been able to pump 100 percent of its water demand in years of drought. An extended drought increases the possibility that the ACSD will have to lower its pumps to even deeper depths to maintain a stable supply of water.

The cost of water is a factor that governs water use, and this is particularly applicable in a disadvantaged community. The ACSD is 100 percent metered. Each residence is billed monthly according to its water use. The residents are more aware of their water costs than in more affluent communities, where the monthly water bill is a smaller part of the monthly budget. Therefore, the community is involved in policing itself and residents frequently report to the Board about water waste in the community.

Water from the City of Arvin’s sewer treatment facility is also recycled for irrigation of forage crops on lands west of ACSD. This use of the recycled water generated from ACSD’s groundwater is used to replace water that would otherwise be pumped from the groundwater basin. Therefore, ACSD benefits from the City of Arvin’s recycled water, resulting in reduced depletion of the groundwater resource that would otherwise be used by irrigators, and therefore, the benefit is shared by both agriculture and domestic water users. The wastewater has not been considered a candidate for tertiary treatment and reapplication on lands within ACSD’s service area or for human consumption.

The District’s Arsenic Mitigation Project, in which six new wells were drilled to achieve Title 22 Drinking Water Compliance, is nearly complete. A seventh well is schedule to go on-line in September 2023. The District had been under an Administrative Order set by US EPA Region 9 in 2015 due to its arsenic levels being above the maximum contaminant level set by State. All six old wells with high concentrations of arsenic were abandoned. The District then had to achieve a full year of compliance from July 2020 – July 2021 to complete the Administrative Order. On October 12, 2021 US EPA Region 9 granted ACSD with completion of its project and released its Administrative Order. A press conference was held on October 12, 2021 in which the USEPA congratulated the District for its achievement in mitigating the arsenic problem in Arvin.

The City of Arvin and surrounding County properties, now has a plentiful water supply of safe drinking water provided by the Arvin Community Services District.

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Sewer System
Arvin’s wastewater system is serviced by the city, and according to the city, the existing system is adequate to meet the needs of its residents and businesses. Most of the city has sewer lines that connect to the municipal sewer system; however, a few parcels are still dependent on septic tanks for sewer disposal. The majority of the parcels on septic tanks are located in the industrial areas along Derby Street. The city is currently examining the adequacy of the municipal sewer system for all Arvin residents and the cost of connecting the few remaining units to the system.

Located in the southwest portion of the city, the Arvin wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a 2- MGD rated facility that currently treats approximately 1.1 MGD of wastewater. The water conservation efforts across the city has reduced per capita wastewater flow by about 47% resulting in increased organics loading to the WWTP. The Arvin WWTP provides secondary treatment using oxidation ditches with the treated water being used for irrigating farmland. The solids generated from the WWTP are thickened and hauled away to a compost facility that is approximately 29 miles away. The WWTP is contract-operated by the Veolia West Operating Services (VWOS).

The City did a study in 2019 to review its wastewater management processes and finalized a master plan - Arvin Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan. This study conducted by Stantec found that ‘based on projected population growth rate of 2% and per capita water consumption rate of 51 gal/person/day, the wastewater flow to the Arvin WWTP is expected to reach 1.7 MGD in next 20 years. This shows that the existing treatment plant has more than sufficient capacity to accommodate future growth.

All future housing developments will be adequately connected to the existing wastewater system using funds collected through development fees currently established by the city.

Hazardous Material
Superfund Site. United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priorities List (NPL) identifies properties with the highest priority for cleanup and hazardous waste site identified under this list receives priority remediation under the Superfund Program.

In the City of Arvin, the Brown and Bryant site (APN 193-130-11) located on Derby Street is identified on the NPL. This site, which covers approximately five acres, contains formulated liquid agricultural chemicals. As a result of poor handling practices by the company and the contamination of the soil and groundwater with numerous pesticides such as dinoseb, ethylene dibromide and other fumigants, EPA listed the site in the NPL in 1989. This contaminated site is 1,500 feet from the City of Arvin Well #1 and within three miles of other public and private wells, which provide drinking water to 7,200 people and irrigate 19,600 acres of cropland. This site is also identified on the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Calsites or Site Mitigation and Brownfields Reuse Programs Database (SMBRPD), and the Hazardous Waste and Substances Site List (Cortese List AB 3750).

The most recent inspection of the remedial systems at the site was performed by URS on behalf of the California Environmental Protection Agency Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in June 2015 and maintenance activities were completed in September 2015. Maintenance included fence and cap repairs, and animal burrow mitigations. Inspection of the site is performed annually.

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Because remediation measures are in place for the Superfund site and its location in the industrial area, this would not constrain housing development in the rest of the city.

Oil and Gas Wells. The City of Arvin has numerous active, capped, and abandoned oil and gas wells within its jurisdiction and Sphere of Influence. As required by State law, the abandonment of oil wells falls within the jurisdiction of the California Department, Division of Conservation, Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR). Oil wells are subject to regulations and oversight by DOGGR.

Additionally, DOGGR provides regulations regarding the placement of structures on abandoned oil well sites. Abandoned wells must be vented to the atmosphere and plugged. A well is plugged by placing cement in the well-bore or casing at certain intervals as specified in California laws or regulations (Abandonment/Re-abandonment Guidelines) published by and regulated by the DOGGR.

Prior to the development of lands where abandoned or activity wells exist, the city will contact the DOGGR for assistance in the development review process. The Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources is charged with implementing Section 3208.1 of the Public Resources Code (PRC). As a result, DOGGR developed the Construction Site Well Review Program to assist local permitting agencies in identifying and reviewing the status of oil or gas wells located near or beneath proposed structures.

Before issuing building or grading permits, local permitting agencies review and implement the DOGGR’s preconstruction well requirements. Interaction between local permitting agencies and DOGGR helps resolve land-use issues and allows for responsible development in oil and gas fields.

In 2018, the City of Arvin adopted Zoning Code amendments to Chapter 17.46, Oil and Gas Code expanding development criteria and limitations for future oil and gas well occurring within the community as planned for in the 5th Cycle Housing Element.

The Housing Element has identified several properties as residential opportunity sites (Appendix B) including one property that currently has an active, capped, or abandoned oil well. To ensure that these potential housing sites within the city were safe from hazardous waste and toxic substances, two hazardous sites data sources were reviewed. These sources included the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) GeoTracker that tracks regulatory data on sites that require cleanup, such as Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) sites, and the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) EnviroStor that tracks cleanup, permitting, enforcement and investigation efforts at hazardous waste facilities and sites with known contamination or sites where there may be reasons for further investigation. None of the identified sites have been identified as hazardous sites. It should also be noted that properties with existing oil wells within the city have been developed with residential uses in the past. For example, the Sycamore Family Apartments, a 119-unit lowerincome apartment complex located at the northeast corner of Sycamore Road and Meyer Street (APN 192-170-07) was developed on a property with a capped well.

General Findings

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Land availability is not a constraint in the City of Arvin. Sufficient land is available to develop extremely low income and low-income residential units. Construction costs and availability of financing are major impediments for low income and extremely low-income households in the City.

The City does have a few environmental constraints; however, these are not considered a major impediment in comparison to the challenges with regard to construction costs and financing for low-income households.

The location of vacant opportunity parcels shown in Appendix B of the Housing Element shows all parcels with environmental constraints such as flooding or oil wells. Only one parcel is impacted by an oil field. The development of this site will have to follow review and mitigation measures imposed by the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. All other parcels identified are in the AO flood zone, which can be developed based on FEMA and California Building Codes, as explained in Chapter 15.32, Flood Plain Management. The usual requirement is to elevate the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of one (1) foot above the adjacent natural grade upstream if the structure, or as required by the Receive and Discharge Study, unless otherwise determined by the City Engineer who is the flood plains administrator.

All parcels are analyzed and found to have required infrastructure capacity to facilitate new housing development (See Figure 11 A, Infrastructure Maps).

B. Governmental Constraints
Housing affordability is affected by factors in both the public and private sectors. Actions by the city can have an impact on the price and availability of housing in the city. Land use controls, building codes, fees, and other local programs intended to improve the overall quality of housing may also serve as a constraint to housing development.

Land Use Controls
The Land Use Element of the Arvin General Plan sets forth the policies for guiding local development. These policies, together with existing zoning regulations, establish the amount and distribution of land to be allocated for different uses within the city. Housing supply and costs are affected by the amount of land designated for residential use and the density at which development is permitted. The General Plan land use map and zoning ordinance identify those areas of the city that are to be developed with residential uses, and what standards apply to the different types of residential uses. Such standards are a necessary tool in an effort to promote and ensure a healthy, compatible, and high-quality living environment. Over 50 percent of the acreage in Arvin is designated for residential use. The Zoning Ordinance allows for a wide range of residential uses, with densities ranging from a maximum of 6 units per acre in lower density residential areas, up to 24 units per acre in the higher density multi-family and mixed-use overlay zones (see changes proposed in Table 47. Existing density bonus ordinance allows a developer to request a density bonus of up to 35 percent over the maximum density that is allowed by the zone in which the project is located if the developer agrees to reserve a certain percentage of the units as available to lower income households and/or senior citizens. A Program has been added to amend the Density Bonus Ordinance to be compatible with new changes in law, as applicable, as shown in Chapter VI.

C. Table 47 summarizes the existing general plan designations, existing zoning categories, existing densities, and residential types allowed. The city has updated the General Plan Land Use Element

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and the Zoning Code providing for the land use categories and densities. The Land Use Element states that all densities are to be calculated based on net acreage.

Table 47
RESIDENTIAL LAND USE CATEGORIES – EXISTING AND PROPOSED General
Plan Land
Use
Category
Zoning
Designation
Minimum and
Maximum Density
(du/ac) 1
Realistic Capacity
(du/ac)
Existing Residential
Types
Estate
Residential
E1, E-2, E-3, E4 and E-5E-1: 1 du/12000 sf
E-2: 1du/18,000 sf
E-3: 1 due/24,000
sf
E-4: 1 due/1 ac
E-5: 1du/2.25 ac2

0.8 Single Family plus ADUs4
Residential
Reserve
RS-1, A-1 and
A-2
1 du/ac 0.8 Single Family plus ADUs
Low
Density
Residential
R-1 Min. 4-10 du/ac 4. Single Family plus ADUs
MediumLow
Density
Residential
R-2 Min. 10-16 du/ac 10 Single Family and Two
Family
Medium
Density
Residential
R-3 Min. 16-24 du/ac 16. Higher Density Multifamily
High
Density
Residential
R-4 Min. 24-30 du/ac 24. High Density MultipleFamily. Also allows Medium Density
Residential on MUO
(Mixed-Use Overlay
Zones)
Source: City of Arvin General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, adopted on July 11, 2023.

1. General Plan Land Use requires that density be calculated based on net acres.

2. Discrepancy exists in General Plan Land Use with regards to maximum lot area allowed in the E zone. A program has been added to rectify the discrepancy.

3. Single family calculated at 80% to account for infrastructure and Multi-Family Zones at the Minimum density since the General Plan Land Use stipulates the Minimum Density requirement.

4. ADUs allowed by operation of State housing laws, including SB 9 requirements.

Each existing residential land use designation is illustrated in Figure 11 and is defined as follows:

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Estate Residential (Maximum Density: 1 unit per 12,000 Square Feet to 1 unit per 2.5 Acres.

The Estate Residential land use designation provides for a development pattern characterized by a single-family residential unit on a lot size as large as 2.25 acres. All residential development in this designation shall be served by City sewer and water services and shall have full urban improvements. This land use is appropriately used when developments are desired to promote larger-lot homes and where the overall density of an area should be limited because of public facilities, safety or aesthetic concerns. Typical Zoning Designations are: E-1 permitting 1 Dwelling per 12,000 square feet; E-2 permitting 1 Dwelling per 18,000 square feet; E-3 permitting 1 Dwelling per 24,000 square feet; E-4 permitting 1 Dwelling per 1.0 Acres; and E-5 permitting 1 Dwelling per

2.5 Acres.

Residential Reserve (Maximum Density: 1 dwelling unit per acre). The Residential Reserve land use designation is applied to lands that are being actively farmed, or have the capacity to be, but are within the planning area and proposed to be eventually developed. This designation could also be applied to lands that contain agriculturally-related uses, such as packing houses, cold storage operations or agriculturally- related businesses. The purpose of this designation is to protect agriculture from urban encroachment, maintain land in agriculture until the time is appropriate for conversion to urban uses, and to ensure that conflicts do not arise between agriculture and urban uses. Typical Zoning Designation is RS-1 with the limitation of a maximum density of 1 unit per acre.

Low Density Residential (Maximum Density: 6 units to 10 units per acre) The Low-Density Residential land use designation allows traditional single-family and two-family homes in the City of Arvin with one to ten dwelling units per acre. . Typical parcel sizes may range from 4,356 to 10,890 square feet. This type of use is recognized as the backbone of the community and is the largest land use designation in the city. Residences in this category consist generally of single-family detached houses with private yards. Primary access must be from secondary, collector and local streets. Access from major streets or major highways should be considered only when special design features are included. The typical zoning designation is R-1.

Medium Density Residential (Density Range: 16 to 24 units per acre).

The Medium Density Residential land use designation is established to allow for quality multifamily living environment. This category typically includes higher density multi-family units, such as apartments, or condominium units. The minimum residential density development shall be 16 units per acre. Should development be proposed at a lower minimum density, it shall be the responsibility of the developer to add additional lands to the Medium Density Residential Land Use Designation and rezone alternative sites to offset the loss of housing opportunities for affordable housing. The replacement of the site(s) for housing opportunity shall occur prior to or concurrent with the development of lower density residential or alternative land use development. The typical zoning designation is R-3. The Mixed-Use Overlay Zone permits mixed use development combing the base zone district with residential. The MUO zone district will permit Medium Density Residential development in conjunction with the primary zone district.

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Medium Low Density Residential (Maximum Density: 10 to 16 units per acre).

The Medium Low-Density Residential land use designation allows higher density single-family residential developments, two-family residential development, or lower density multi-family units, such as duplexes. The two- family homes are typically a duplex with shared front yard and either common drive approach or two separate drive approach to the off-street parking. The typical zoning designation is R-2.

High Density Residential. (Density Range: 24 to 30 units per acre) High Density Residential developments typically consist of multi-family housing projects such as apartments and condominiums. Areas designated High Density Residential are to be integrated throughout the community adjacent to transportation, community services, and commercial developments. A minimum residential density development shall be 21 units per acre. Should development be proposed at a lower than minimum density, it shall be the responsibility of the developer to add additional lands to the High-Density Residential Land Use Designation and alternative sites to offset the loss of housing opportunities for affordable housing. The replacement of the site(s) for housing opportunity shall occur prior to or concurrent with the development of lower density residential or alternative land use development. The typical zoning designation is R4. The Mixed-Use Overlay Zone permits mixed use development combing the base zone district with residential. The MUO zone district will permit Medium Density Residential development in conjunction with the primary zone district. A program has been added to amend the zoning code to allow ADUs in the MOU zone.

Analysis of Land Use Controls
The City of Arvin exercises several land use controls that directly affect housing development. Some controls place certain restrictions on housing development; others encourage housing production.

These land restrictions and incentives are discussed below.

Development Standards
The five basic residential zoning districts in the City of Arvin are: Estate; Residential Reserve; Low; Medium; and Medium High. Table 47- Residential Land use Categories – Existing and Proposed lists the City’s General Plan Land Use Categories, Zoning, Minimum and Maximum Density. The City of Arvin (Zoning Ordinance) establishes various standards for structures in each residential zoning district. Table 48 – Current Development Standards - presents development standards for residential zoning districts. Parking requirements for each residential zoning district are under Residential Development Standards.

The proposed updated zoning codes for the R-1 allow lot sizes of 4,000 square feet (General Plan Land Use Element), reduction from the existing 6,000 square foot minimum, will accommodate compact single-family residences, garden court homes, and duplexes. Development standards in the commercial zones [General Commercial (GC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Restricted Commercial (C-1), and Professional Office (C-O) are generally larger and less restrictive than residential development standards. These include height limits ranging up to 50 to 75 feet, zero setback for side yards, zero setback for rear yards when not adjacent to a street or residential zoned property, and minimum site area is 6,000 square feet. There is a minimum and maximum residential density per acre, and there is no floor area ratio for all residential development in residential zones in accordance with the General Plan.

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Residential Zones: The Zoning Code Development Code does not specify minimum dwelling unit sizes for residential zones.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): According to California state ADU law, all single-family homes in zones that allow a residential primary use can construct at least one ADU on their property. In addition, single-family parcels that are owner-occupied may construct one ADU and one Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) on their property. Furthermore, multi-family parcels may add up to two ADUs or one ADU per every four existing legal residential units. ADUs may be new construction or converted from existing space. JADUs must be converted from existing enclosed space. All zones that allow residential primary use can build ADUs.

In October 2023, the City of Arvin passed Ordinance 2023-486 amending Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) to be compliant with the changes in state law pertaining to ADUs and JADUs that have occurred since 2019. The changes to State law include those from 2019 (Assembly Bill 68, Assembly Bill 881, Senate Bill 13), 2020 (Assembly Bill 3182), 2021 (Assembly Bill 345), and 2022 (Senate Bill 897, Assembly Bill 2221). The ordinance was transmitted to HCD for review in October 2023. Chapter VI 2023-2031 Housing Programs include a work program to update the ADU as may be needed upon response from HCD.

Growth Controls - Arvin does not have growth controls, including none of the following:
• Systematic (area-wide) residential down-zoning
• Urban limit line, growth boundaries, or perimeter greenbelt • Annexation restrictions
• Building permit or other residential development caps • Voter approval for rezoning, general plan changes, or development projects • Legislative super-majority for up-zoning, rezoning or general plan changes • Systematic changes to local height and floor area ratio regulations • Adequate public facilities ordinances
• Growth control
• Inclusionary ordinance
• Short-term rental ordinances
State Density Bonus Law
California State Assembly Bill 1763 (AB 1763) increased the maximum bonus that could be achieved by certain 100% affordable unit projects (discussed below). In addition, effective January 1, 2021, California State Assembly Bill 2345 (AB 2345) increased the maximum density bonus for certain affordable unit projects from 35% to 50%.

In accordance with AB 1763, if a developer proposes a housing project with 100% affordable units with at least 80% of the units reserved for lower income households and 20% of the total units reserved for moderate income households, the project would therefore be entitled to a density bonus of 80%. Furthermore, if the 100% affordable residential development is located within 0.5 miles of a major transit (e.g., bus, light rail, train) stop [as defined in Public Resources Code §21155(b)], the project is entitled to an unlimited percentage density bonus subject to some

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limitations.

AB 682 expands density bonus law to include shared housing or co-housing buildings that include qualifying affordable housing units. Shared housing or co-housing means residential or mixed-use structures that contain 5 or more shared housing units and one or more common kitchens and dining areas designed for permanent residence of more than 30 days. AB 682 was effective on January 1, 2023.

AB 1551 allows commercial developers a development bonus [e.g., increase in intensity, floor area ratio (FAR], or building height) when the applicant enters into an agreement to provide affordable housing. The affordable housing must be within the same jurisdiction, near amenities, and within one half mile of a major transit stop. Codified in Gov. Code §65915.7, AB 1551 was effective on January 1, 2023, and sunsets January 1, 2028.

Incentives and Concessions:

The Density Bonus Law requires local agencies to grant incentives and concessions to projects eligible for a density bonus. In addition, a developer may request specific incentives or concessions that result in “identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing costs.” (Gov.

Code §65915(k)(1)). Incentives and concessions can be requested in addition to waivers and reductions noted below.

The number of incentives and/or concessions that must be granted by an agency is as follows:
• One incentive or concession - where a project reserves at least 10% of the housing units for low-income households; 5% of the housing units for very low- income households; or, 10% of the housing units for persons and families of moderate income; • Two incentives or concessions - for projects reserving at least 17% of the total units for low-income households, at least 10% for very low-income households, or at least 20% for persons and families of moderate income in a common interest development; • Three incentives or concessions - for projects reserving at least 24% of the total units for low-income households, at least 15% for very low-income households, or at least 30% for persons and families of moderate income in a common interest development; • In accordance with AB 1763, effective January 2020, four incentives or concessions for 100% affordable projects are described above.

In addition, an agency may offer additional incentives and concessions beyond those mandated by State law. A residential developer may qualify a project for a density bonus for the purpose of obtaining incentives or concessions but is not required to construct any additional dwelling units allowed under California density bonus law.

An agency can decline to grant an incentive or concession upon demonstrating that approving a given concession and/or incentive will result in a specific, adverse impact upon public health, safety, or the environment and for which there is no feasible method to mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact or the incentive or concession does not result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to affordable housing or rents for the targeted units, or the incentive or concession would be contrary to state or federal law.

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Waivers and Reductions:

The DBL requires local agencies to grant waivers or reductions of any development standard that will have the effect of physically precluding the construction of a development meeting State density bonus law. Waivers or reductions can be requested in addition to concessions and incentives identified above, except in the limited circumstances explained below.

In accordance with AB 1763, 100% affordable projects that are located within 0.5 miles of a major transit stop are eligible to receive a height increase of up to three additional stories, or 33 feet.

However, where a residential developer proposes such a project, the project is not eligible for a waiver or reduction other than the additional height increase previously discussed in this chapter.

An agency can decline to grant a waiver or reduction where it can demonstrate that approving a given waiver or reduction will result in a specific, adverse impact upon public health, safety, or the environment and for which there was no feasible method to mitigate or avoid the specific adverse impact.

A residential developer may request a density bonus for the purpose of obtaining waivers and reductions but is not required to construct any additional dwelling units allowed under California Density Bonus Law.

The existing City of Arvin Density Bonus program was adopted in 2019, 2013 -2023 Housing Programs. The density bonus program is applicable to all zone districts permitting residential development. The process for the implementation of a density bonus requires the applicant to submit the request for incentives in writing and provide reasoning for the density bonus request.

The Density Bonus Ordinance was last updated in 2019 and does not reflect the most recent changes in California Density Bonus Law. To address this inconsistency, Program 13- Update and Amend the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; h). Density Bonus is included in the 2023-2031 Housing Plan.

Other Locally Adopted Ordinances
Arvin does not have any other locally adopted ordinances that would impact on the cost and supply of housing. Arvin does not have an inclusionary housing ordinance. Arvin does not have a shortterm rental ordinance. Any potential for short-term rentals would not remove housing units that would otherwise be available for housing.

Website Publication of Development Standards
Gov. Code §65940.1(a) requires a city with a website to publish “All zoning ordinances and development standards adopted by the city or county…” and update this information within 30 days of any changes. The Development Code (Zoning Ordinance) are published on the City’s web page www.arvin.org.

Land Use Controls Potential Impacts on the Cost and Supply of Housing In general, City of Arvin development standards are comparable to development standards in surrounding cities such as Shafter and Wasco and are not a constraint to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing. The following is a discussion of Arvin’s development standards:

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• City parking standards may affect the cost of multi-family housing in that it establishes minimum parking requirements and requires one of the required spaces to be covered in a carport. However, the City does not require enclosed garages and specifies reduced parking requirements if senior housing is proposed or a density bonus is requested. In general, parking requirements are consistent with or less stringent than other cities in the San Joaquin Valley and therefore should not be considered a constraint to residential development in the City of Arvin. • The maximum building height is 40 feet in all residential zones which will allow 3- story multifamily residential development and is not a constraint to residential development in the City of Arvin.
• Maximum lot coverage by structures ranges from 50% in the single-family residential zones, and up to 70% in the multifamily residential zones. These are comparable to other nearby cities and are not a constraint to residential development in Arvin. • Minimum residential unit size requirements are modest, typical of other cities in the San Joaquin Valley, and do not unreasonably add to housing cost or constrain supply in Arvin. • Minimum setback standards are typical of other cities in the San Joaquin Valley, and do not unreasonably add to housing cost or constrain supply in Arvin. • With the passage of Ordinance 2023-486, City of Arvin Accessory Dwelling Unit standards will be consistent with state law and are not a constraint on the development of ADUs.
• With the 2023-2031 Housing Program, the preparation of an Ordinance to implement SB 9 will be consistent with state law and will not be a constraint on the development of single-family dwellings for single family residential lots and the implementation of up to 4 units and an administrative land division of a single-family zoned parcel.

Implementation Actions to Address Constraints
Programs are included in Chapter VI to address potential constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing arising from land use controls:
• Update the Density Bonus Ordinance provisions to be consistent with the changes in state Density Bonus Law from 2019, perhaps by incorporating direct references to state statutes.
• Maintain an updated Zoning Code on the City’s website, and post on the City’s website City ordinances that affect land use within 30 days of passage. • Implementation of ADU ordinance and pre-approved plans • Adoption and Implementations SB 9 Urban Lot Splits and two-dwelling units Approval Time and Requests for Lesser Densities
Ifrequests are received to develop housing at densities below those identified in the sites inventory, and the length of time between receiving approval for a housing development and submittal of an application for building permits that may potentially hinder the construction of a locality’s share of the regional housing needs. The City has analyzed this scenario and undertook a review of its zoning ordinance.

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Title 17 Zoning, Chapters 17.10, 17.12, and 17.14 require a minimum high residential density to be developed within the R-2, R-3, and R-4 Zoned properties. The high-density residential developments are permitted by right with minimum density as established by the zone district. If an applicant wishes to develop high density residential designated lands at a lesser density or alternative land use, the applicant is required to provide or replace equivalent land area to off-set the alternative use. The municipal code states “Other uses may be permitted as authorized by the Municipal Code where equal to, or greater, land area is provided to replace and/or provide a residential development of at least (minimum) units per acre concurrent to or prior to development of the other use.” The replacement areas may be a result of annexation along with general plan land use amendment and rezoning or by the utilization of existing lands within the incorporated area via general plan land use amendment and rezoning of lands that are designated as Low Density Residential, Commercial, Industrial or Agriculture lands.

Therefore, it is concluded with the provision of offset land, City’s overall ability to meet regional housing needs are not diminished. Arvin’s approval timeframes are comparable to regional timelines and the City doesn’t believe that approval requests for lesser densities impact this.

Below is a sample project approval, demonstrating various land use controls.

Project Approval: On July 26, 2023, the City Planner approved Permit No. 2023-4th Street Chavez Multi Family Development.

Project description: The development will be a total of 51 units, 50 affordable and 1 manager’s unit comprised of 20% one-bedroom units, 55% two-bedroom units, and 25% three-bedroom units. The project will be 2- story massing, multi-story buildings, meeting the State of California’s energy codes, to include energy-efficient appliances, charging stations, and solar carports with room for additional EV Charging stations, Dog Park, Sports Court, Tot Lot, BBQ/Lounge/Community Garden, Laundry Facilities, External Rest Rooms. Circulation is off 4th Street and provides for future extension to the west to accommodate future development. Off-street parking is provided through a combination of open-air parking and carports on the easterly and northly portions of the project site.

Application Review: The application was reviewed as established by Chapter 17.055 Multiple Family Residential Design Review Ministerial Permit for a multiple family residential development project.

The proposed project application is consistent with the adopted objective multiple family residential development standards contained in Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review. “Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review, Section 17.72.030 Multiple Family review Objective Development and Design Standards, Subsection C Vehicular Circulation and Parking

1. Vehicular circulation shall comply with any applicable adopted standards.

2. Pedestrian circulation shall comply with any applicable adopted standards.

3. Parking shall be provided pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance for multiple family uses (Section 17.48.020 – Minimum number of parking spaces) unless reduced or otherwise exempted by State law.

4. Driveways and Site Access shall comply with any applicable adopted standards.

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Off-Street Parking Imposed per Chapter 17.48 Automobile Parking Requirements 17.48.020 Minimum number of parking spaces:

The following minimum number of parking spaces shall be required of the nonresidential uses specified below. The minimum size of each parking stall shall be nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet, exclusive of aisle width:

N. Residential uses:

1. Multiple-family uses (duplex, apartments, condominiums, housing projects):
one and one-half (1.5) spaces per dwelling unit. In the case of fractional figure, the number shall be rounded up to the next whole integer.

2. Single-family uses (standard patio homes, village and zero lot line): two (2) spaces per dwelling unit.

The project, Permit No. 2023-4th Street Chavez Multi Family Development, was found compliant with all the following and is approved:

1. Proposed use is permitted in the underlying zone district and density is permitted within the underlying planned land use. The project is zoned R-3 and has a density of 22.6 units per acre. Permitted density is 16 to 24 units per acre.

2. Proposed use will be in compliance with all adopted objective multiple family residential development standards contained in Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review.

3. Proposed use will comply with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

4. Proposed use will comply with all policies and standards identified in the General Plan and any specific plan, as applicable; and

5. Approval of the project will not violate any existing policy, regulation, mandate, or law.

The project review, based upon the project application, supporting documents, and consultation, is found to meet the requirements of Chapter 17.055 Multiple Family Residential Design Review Ministerial Permit and Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review and was Approved. “Per Section 17.055.070 Building permits—Clearances Prior to Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, that the proposed structures and/or building location is in conformity with the requirements of the Multiple Family Design Review application as established under Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review,” building permits may be submitted for processing. Prior to final inspection or issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Building Official, the City Planner shall certify that the site has been developed in accordance with the Multiple Family Residential Design Review criteria.”

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ARVIN HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE 2023-2031 Figure 11
General plan Land Use – 2023

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Residential Development Standards
The city regulates the type, location, density, and scale of residential development primarily through the Zoning Ordinance. Zoning regulations are designed to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of local residents, as well as implement the policies of the General Plan. The Zoning Ordinance also serves to preserve the character and integrity of existing neighborhoods through development standards that include density, lot area, lot coverage, and parking requirements.

The existing standards are presented in Table 48, described in detail below; however, the city is currently updating the standards allowing smaller lot sizes, increased densities, etc., when adopted, will be submitted to HCD.
▪ Site Requirements. Minimum lot size and maximum density limit the number of units constructed on a given lot. Lot varies for all residential zones, however all residential zones have at least a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. With the exception of the R-3 zone, front yard and side yard requirements for residential zones are identical. In most residential zones, front yard has a minimum requirement of 25 feet, except R-3 zone, which has a front yard minimum of 15 feet.

All residential zones have a side yard minimum of 5 feet and 10 feet for corner lots. ▪ Parking Requirements. In multiple-family residential zones, one and one-half (1.5) spaces per dwelling units are required. For single–family uses two (2) spaces per dwelling units are required.

Front lawns cannot be used as parking spaces. The City has updated the land-use zoning ordinance and illustrative designs for high density residential development and parking standards and criteria in accordance with state law.
▪ Unit Sizes. The Zoning Ordinance requires a single-family unit, such as R-1 and Estate zones, to have a size of at least 775 square feet. In the R-2-7.5 zone a unit must have at least 1,200 square feet, and in all others residential zones there are no minimum of unit size. This Housing Element includes Housing Program 13(f) to eliminate the R-2-7.5 zone’s minimum unit size.

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Though the development standards for the R-3 and R-4 zones place limitations on the level of development that can take place on any given site, it is in accordance with the goals and objectives of the General Plan’s Land Use Element. They do not, however, prohibitively constrain projects from including the zone’s maximum density, as the development standards and densities are designed concurrently. An example of a typical multiple-family development in the R-3 zone is the 61-unit Summer View apartment complex. This complex is located on a three-acre lot on Meyers Street and Tucker Street. Even with the required setbacks requirements (15 ft. front yard, 5 ft. side yard, and 35 ft. height) and 1.5 parking spaces per unit parking requirement, a maximum density of 20 units per acre was achieved without a variance.

Minimum unit size may be considered a housing development constraint due to the added cost per unit (adds more cost to smaller homes), and therefore, increasing the overall cost of housing and limits lower price housing. As mentioned above, Arvin's zoning code excludes any minimum unit size for all residential zones other than the R-1 and R-2-7.5. Since affordable housing is generally available in multi-family developments, housing in the R-2, R-3, and R-4 zones are not considered a constraint to affordable housing.

In 2014, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), and the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) prepared the Affordable Housing Cost Study, Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Cost of Building Multi-Family Affordable Housing in California. A few of the key findings from the study indicated:
▪ Affordable housing is characterized by economies of scale, with larger projects costing less per unit than smaller projects. For each 10 percent increase in the number of units, the cost per unit declines by 1.7 percent.
▪ Different types of units have different development costs. Larger units, such as those with 3 or more bedrooms, clearly cost more per unit to develop.

Single Room Occupancy
In general, the development standards are basic to providing quality of life for the residents and compatibility with the neighborhood. There are no restrictive development processes or zoning standards in the Arvin Municipal Code that will deny an SRO project. It should be noted that subjective guidelines within the zoning code or SRO development standards cannot be used to deny a project per the Housing Accountability Act.

The Affordable Housing Cost Study cited above shows that smaller units, such as single room occupancy (SRO) units, cost less per unit but more per square foot to develop. The report suggests that SROs were approximately 31 percent less expensive per unit to construct relative to large family units, while units for seniors were about 18 percent less expensive per unit relative to large family units.

The recent adoption of Ordinance No.421 now permits SROs in the multi-family residential zones (R-2, R-3, and R-4).

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On and Off-Site Improvements
According to service providers and utility companies, the city’s present infrastructure is adequate to accommodate planned growth. If the city determines that a street dedication or improvement is required, the city shall be in accordance with the width, standards and right of way lines of the city’s General Plan Circulation Element, which are presented in Table 49. Costs for dedication are not directly imposed on the housing developed in the neighborhood where the street is located. However, the city’s engineer recently estimated improvement costs for a 10.4-acre, 40-lot single-family subdivision, at approximately $688,000 for street improvements, $101,000 for sewer improvements, $161,000 for water improvements, and miscellaneous cost such as block wall, landscaping, oil well re-abandonment, and totaled $181,000. The total cost of all improvements for this project was approximately $1.13 million or $28,250 per unit.

Table 49

RIGHT-OF-WAY STANDARDS
Street Classifications Right-of-Way Width (feet)
Major Street 110
Secondary Street 90
Collector Street 60
Local Street 60
Alley 20
Source: Arvin General Plan Circulation Element
The City of Arvin’s development requirements for off-site improvements are standard for small communities within Kern County. Required off-site improvements within and adjacent to residential developments include the following:

Standard street widths shall be designed and built-in accordance with specified standards identified in the City of Arvin General Plan Circulation Element. Street widths are the minimum needed.

Curbs, gutters, and sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with Title 24 of the Uniform Building Code and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The requirements are the minimum needed to provide drainage of the public right-of-way and pedestrian safety.

Water and sewer lines are required to be connected to the nearest Arvin Community Services District water and City of Arvin’s sewer main lines and designed and constructed in accordance with applicable Municipal Code and Water District standards.

Landscaping ranging from 10 to 14 feet in width (including sidewalk) is required for arterial and major and minor collector streets. Generally, the largest subdivisions (which more easily absorb the cost) will require these types of streets (and homebuyers generally expect these improvements in a desirable

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neighborhood), thus the public parkway landscaping requirement is not a constraint to the development of housing.

Figure 11 A

INFRASTRUCTURE MAPS
Figure 11 B

AERIAL MAP SHOWING CENSUS TRACTS

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The Circulation Element of the General Plan has the goal to maintain the roadway and highway system to operate at a Level of Service C on a daily and peak hour basis. As Arvin is a small city with low traffic volumes physically separated from other nearby cities, the construction of housing units equivalent to the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation is not expected to exceed these Level of Service thresholds.

However, as Level of Service is generally considered to be an obsolete metric, Program 26 is included in Chapter VI 2023-2031 Housing Plan, Section C Housing Element Program to review the impact of City Level of Service standards on housing development prior to the next comprehensive General Plan update, which is expected to occur within the next five years. Existing infrastructure and facilities within the City of Arvin would not hinder future residential development capacities to accommodate the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation. The city has reviewed and verifies that easements, shape, access to public rights-of-way and any property conditions do not preclude residential development and the sites identified are not impaired or restricted by easements, shape, access to public right of way.

Provisions for a Variety of Housing Types
Housing Element law specifies that jurisdictions must identify adequate sites through appropriate zoning and development standards, to encourage the development of various types of housing. This includes single-family housing, multi-family housing, mobile homes, emergency shelters, and transitional housing, among others. The various housing types permitted under residential zones in Arvin are summarized in Table 51. In compliance with State Housing Law, the city will permit ADUs and JADUs within the City. The city has amended the Zoning Code to permit accessory dwelling units, ministerially, as stated in Housing element Program 13 (e).

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Since the 2018-2013 Housing Element, the city has adopted amendments to the Municipal Code to include residential care facilities, emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, single-room occupancy (SRO), and employee/farmworker housing as a permitted use under various zones.

Since the 2013-2023 Housing Element, in compliance with the Surplus Lands Act, the city published in 2021 surplus lands available for possible low to moderate housing development.

The city website is up to date with the most recent General Plan, Municipal Code, application and impact fee schedules.

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Table 50

SURPLUS PROPERTIES
APN Location/Land Use
Designation
Existing
Use
Potential
Units
Parcel
Size
(acres)
Resolution
Number
190-270-01 Bear Mountain Blvd.
(Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 0.135 Reso. No. 2021-54
190-270-03 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 0.205 Reso. No. 2021-54 190-270-05 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 0.766 Reso. No. 2021-54 190-270-06 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 4.04 Reso. No. 2021-54
190-250-03 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 1.8 Reso. No. 2021-54
190-250-04 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 1.89 Reso. No. 2021-54
190-250-05 Bear Mountain
Blvd. (Commercial/PUD) Vacant 0 2.07 Reso. No. 2021-54
191-010-01
Bear Mountain
Blvd./Commanche-
(Commercial)
Vacant 0 0.38 Reso. No. 2021-54
192-110-16 816 Sycamore St.- (Zoned
R-1 Adjacent to R-3)
Vacant 2 0.164 Reso. No. 2021-54
190-260-06
Walnut St./Grapevine
Dr. - GPA-ZC 2023-01
4 th Street and Campus
Drive
Vacant 212 5.27 Reso. No. 2021-54
Notes: (1) The parcel 190-260-06 is part of the GPA and ZC 2023-01 (4th Street and Campus). Portion of the site is developed as parks and approximately 4 acres is proposed to be changed to R-3 (Medium Density); (2). The parcel 192- 110-16 is zoned R-1, adjacent to a mobile home park that is zoned R-3. The lot is approx. 7,184 square feet and could be zone changed to R-2 (Medium Density) to get two unit on the site.

Fees and Improvements
The city assesses various development fees in order to cover the costs of permit processing, as well as the costs of providing public services to the developments shown in Table 42. Most of the fees charged by the city are flat fees based on the cost of services, with a few fees dependent on the value of the project. Many of the planning and entitlement fees for both single- and multiple-family developments are the same and are calculated for the entire project.

Building permit fees are calculated on a valuation of type of construction and on a case-bycase basis depending on the building square foot valuation. According to the city's calculation for housing valuation, a single-family unit is valued at $98.99 per square foot, a garage at $36.91 per square foot and a covered porch at $15.00 per square foot. For a multiple-family homes, the value is based on $88.82 per square foot for the unit, with the garage and porch value factors the same as single-family units. Therefore, a typical 2,000-square foot singlefamily home with a 400 square foot garage and 120-square foot porch would be valued at $214,464.

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The city applies a fee factor of 1.9 percent to the total value of the home to determine the building permit fee. Thus, the building permit fee for a typical square foot single-family home is approximately $4,075 that is paid to the city.

As shown in Table 52, total development fees for a typical 2,000-square foot single-family unit would be $33,452.61. From this total fee, $13,080 of school fees would go to the Arvin Union and Kern High School Districts. For a typical 1,200- square foot multiple-family unit, the total fee would be $24,041.46, with school fees totaling $7,848 (There has been a reduction of $1.70 per square-foot in school fees which reduces the total development fees required. The reduction was a result of Kern High School District using a lower Level-1 fee of 1.68 per squarefoot.

On March 3, 2015 the Arvin City Council adopted Resolution No. 2015-12, amending the city’s traffic impact fee program to reduce the traffic impact fees for new residential development projects. This amendment was intended to encourage residential development within the city.

Any negative economic and fiscal effects of reducing development impact fees would be of offset by increased sales tax and property tax revenues to the city’s General fund and the creation of new jobs for City residents. New traffic impact fees are $3,942.84 for a single-family residential unit and $2,739.80 for a new multi-family unit. These are significant reductions from the previous traffic impact fees of $7,646 per single-family unit and $5,313 per multifamilyunit.

Effective December 14, 2018, the Park fee has increased from $2500 to $3,565 per City Council Resolution No. 2018-45 for single family and multi-family units based on a park impact fee study.

Fees also are paid to outside agencies include the Indirect Source Rule (ISR) and Dust Control Fees that are charged by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. The purpose of the Air District's ISR Program is to reduce emissions of NOx and PM10 from new development projects for projects 50 units or more. Indirect Source Review fees are not set, but are based on the calculation of the amount of NOx and PM10 emissions. Fees will vary depending on the amount of emissions. Dust Control Plan fees (Rule 3135 and Rule 8021) are for project size of over 50 units or 10 or more acres. In order to mitigate harmful dust because of construction and vehicle movement on unpaved surfaces, the Air District requires a $367 flat fee. Other agency fees include:
▪ Arvin Community Service District (water connection fee): $4,160 unit for single-family and $4,160 for multi-family units (depending on the scale of the landscaping plan). ▪ Arvin Union and Kern County High School Districts (school impact fee): $6.54 per square foot.

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Evaluation of Fee Impacts
Arvin city assesses various development fees in order to cover the costs of permit processing, as well as the costs of providing public services to the developments. The building permit fee for a typical square foot single-family home is approximately $4,075 that is paid to the city. Table 52-Application and Infrastructure Fees - identifies total development fees for a typical 2,000-square foot single-family unit would be $33,452.61. From this total fee, $13,080 of school fees would go to the Arvin Union and Kern High School Districts. For a typical 1,200- square foot multiple-family unit, the total fee would be $24,041.46, with school fees totaling $7,848 (There has been a reduction of $1.70 per square-foot in school fees which reduces the total development fees required. The reduction was a result of Kern High School District using a lower Level-1 fee of 1.68 per square-foot. On March 3, 2015 the Arvin City Council adopted Resolution No. 2015-12, amending the city’s traffic impact fee program to reduce the traffic impact fees for new residential development projects.

Table 53, Estimated Residential Development Fees, documents the total estimated fee for a SingleFamily Unit (2000 Sq. Ft.) is $33,500.00 and for a Multiple-Family Unit (1200 Sq. Ft.) is $25,000.00.

Although local governments have little influence on market factors such as interest rates and availability of funding for development, local governmental policies and regulations placed upon land and housing ownership and development can affect price and availability of housing and the provision of affordable housing. Land use controls, site improvement requirements, development impact fees, permit processing costs and timing, and other factors may constrain maintenance, development, and improvement of housing. Since governmental actions can constrain housing development and affordability, California State law requires the Housing Element to “address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing.” In addition to City governmental constraints to the development of affordable housing, State and Federal regulations (over which the City of Arvin has no control) can be constraints to housing development. For example, State and Federal environmental regulations and building codes also can adversely impact housing costs and availability.

The typical estimated overall cost of development of a Single-Family Dwelling unit is estimated at $315,000.00. The City of Arvin estimated fee, building permit fees, impact fees, etc. is estimated at 33,500.00. The Estimated portion of fee cost to overall development cost is 9.5%. A 5-Unit Apartment Building estimated fee is $142,000.00 per unit. The City of Arvin estimated fee, building permit fees, impact fees, etc. is estimated at $25,000.00. The estimated portion of the fee to the overall development cost is 17%. As these fees are at or below 10-20% of overall development costs, development fees are not currently a constraint to the development of new housing.

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Table 51

PERMITTED AND CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USES
Housing Type
Zone
Category
R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 E
(1,2,3,4,5)
C-O N-C C-1 C-2 M-1 M-2 M-3 A-1 A-2 PUD PD MOU
Single-Family P P P P P
Multi-Family P P P P P
Mobile Homes P P P P P
Second Units P P P P P
Emergency Hospitals (6 or
more beds)

C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C
Hospitals, Conval.

Homes and
Sanitariums (all
sizes)

C C C P C C C C C C C C C C C C
Boarding Schools/Homes C C C P C C C C C C C C C C C C
Family Day Care Homes C C C P C C C C C C C C C C C C
Adult Care Facilities/Assisted
Living

C C C P C C C C C C C C C C C C
Residential Care Facility P C C C P
Storage Facility Caretaker
Quarters

P P P P P
Emergency Shelters P
Transitional Housing P
Supportive Housing P
Single Room Occupancy P P P
Employee/Farmworker
Housing
P
P=Permitted and C=Conditional Use Permit.

All permitted uses and regulations in the R-S zone are the same as those in R-1 Source: Arvin Municipal Code

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Table 52

APPLICATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FEES
Service Arvin SingleFamilyArvin
MultipleFamily
Bakersfield
Service Arvin SingleFamilyBakersfield Single
Family
Bakersfield Multi Family
Site Plan Review (Staff
Level)
$1,500 $1,500 $737-$10,341 Maximum of
$0.001726*valuation
Site Plan Review
(Commission/Council)
$2,500 $2,500 $0.001726*valuation $0.001726*valuation
Tentative Parcel Map $2,000 $2,000 $7,856 $7,856
Tentative Tract Map $5,000 $5,000 $9,285 $9,285
Final Parcel Map $2,500 $2.500 $1600+$55/lot $1600+$55/lot Final Tract Map $2,500 $2,500 $1600+$55/lot $1600+$55/lot Lot-Line Adjustment/Parcel
Map Merger
$1,500 $1,500 $2,893 $2,515 each
Conditional Use Permits $3,000 $3,000 $2,730 or $7,123 $2,730 or $7,123 Zone Variance $1,500 $1,500 $1,739 each/$73 per
hour
$1,739 each/$73 per
hour
Zone Change $5,000 $5,000 $$8,880-$9,532 $8,880-$9,532 plus 73/hour
Specific Plan and General
Plan Amendment
$5,000 $5,000 $10,741-$14,294 10,741-$14,294
Building Permit Fee1 Building
valuation 1.9%
Building
valuation 1.9%
$226+$0.0048 per
valuation>$40,000
$226+$0.0048 per
valuation>$40,000
Parks impact Fee $3,565/unit $3,565/unit $2,095 per unit $2,095 per unit Police Service Fee $150/unit $100/unit
Traffic Impact Fee $3,942.84/unit $2,739.80/unit $7,747 per unit (Core) - $12,870 per
unit (Non-Core)
$3,740 per unit (Core) -
$6,213 per unit (NonCore)
Building Standard Fee $1.00/$25,000
building
valuation
$1.00/$25,000
building
valuation
Strong Motion
Instrumentation Fee
Building
valuation

0.01%
Building valuation

0.01%
Environmental Impact
Report
$10,000
minimum
$10,000
minimum
Actual Cost
+administration
Actual Cost
+administration
Negative Declaration $2,000
minimum
$2,000
minimum
$1,614 each $1,614 each

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School Fees (Arvin Union
and Kern High School
Districts)
$6.54/SF $6.54/SF $3.18-$6.85/SF $3.18-$6.85/SF
Indirect Source Review and
Dust Control Fees (Air
District)
Based on
Emissions
valuation and
50 units or
more. Dust
Control Plan
fee
$367
Based on
Emissions
valuation and
50 units or
more. Dust
Control Plan
fee $367
Water Connection Fee
(Arvin Community Services
District)
$4,160 $4,1602
Sewer Connection Fee $4,400 $3,960 $5,000 per unit 14 or less fixtures- $3,181 per unit
2 or more bathrooms -
$3,600 per unit
Source: City of Arvin
1 Building Valuation Calculations
2 May vary depending on the
scale of the landscaping plan
Single-family unit
$98.99/SF; garage
$36.91/SF; patio/porch
$15.00/SF Multi-family
unit $88.82/SF; garage
$36.91/SF; patio/porch
$15.00/SF
Single-family unit $98.99/SF; garage
$36.91/SF; patio/porch $15.00/SF
Multi-family unit $88.82/SF; garage
$36.91/SF; patio/porch $15.00/SF

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Table 53

ESTIMATED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FEES
Fees Single Family Unit
(2,000 SF)
Multiple Family Unit1
(1,200 SF)
Building Plan Permits $4,074.82 $1,597.55
Strong Motion Instrumentation $21.45 $12.61
Permit Issuance Fee $23.50 $23.50
Sewer Permit Fee $35.00 $35.00
Traffic Impact Fee $3,942.84 $2,739.80
Park Fee $3,565.00 $3,565.00
Public Services (Police) Fee $150.00 $100.00
School Fee2 $13,080.00 $7,848.00
Water Connection Fee (Arvin
Community Services District)
$4,160.00 $4,160.003
Sewer Connection Fee $4,400.00 $3,960.00
Total $33,452.61 $24,041.46
1 Multiple-Family represents 4 units or more
2 School Fee $6.54/square foot
3 May vary depending on the scale of the landscaping plan Table 52 – Application and Infrastructure Fees and Table 53 – Estimated Residential Development Fees list fees associated to development costs for single-family and multi-family units. Table 53 compiles the pertinent development fees and exactions required of a development for public facilities associated with a residential development. The City of Arvin charges two types of fees: development impact fees and planning processing fees. Planning-related fees are collected at time of project application submittal; development impact fees are collected at the time of building permit issuance and are primarily assessed based upon a per unit/lot basis.

Permit and Processing Procedures
The City of Arvin complies with the requirements of providing transparency in development regulations. City regulations and City’s permit applications are available on the city’s website at https://www.arvin.org/166/City-Planning. Typically, undue delays in processing a development application, such as subjective design review guidelines, could increase the developer’s cost, and could be considered a potential constraint on development. The city's development review procedures are relatively uncomplicated. Depending upon the permits requested, approvals may be required by City staff, the Planning Commission, and the city Council. There are no Architectural or Design Review Boards involved in the development review process.

Housing projects that do not require entitlements and are consistent with the zoning code, follow a standard procedure for approval, which includes:

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1. Preliminary construction drawings, including site, floor and design plans, and exterior elevations, submitted to Planning Department;

2. Planning staff conducts field review; notes, comments and corrections are transmitted to project applicant;

3. Construction drawings, revised as directed by Planning Staff, re-submitted to Planning Division;

4. Planning Staff reviews revised construction drawings for accuracy and completeness;

5. Approved construction drawings are submitted to Building Division for plan check.

These procedures do not require a public hearing or a planning commission approval.

The city requires site plan review for all housing projects requiring entitlements (tract or parcel map approval, general plan amendments, zone change, variance or conditional use permit), as well as all multi-family developments of four units or more. For projects that require entitlements the standard procedure for approval includes:

1. Formal application and fees submitted by project applicant to the city's Planning and Building Department;

2. Preliminary construction drawings, including site, floor and design plans, and exterior elevations, submitted to Planning and Building Department;

3. Planning staff conducts field review, and notes, comments and corrections are transmitted to project applicant;

4. Construction drawings, revised as directed by Planning staff

5. Planning staff reviews revised construction drawings for accuracy and completeness;

6. Planning staff completes environmental review pursuant to applicable CEQA timeline; if project qualifies for categorical exemption. Following review by agencies such as Fire, Sheriff, utility providers, Planning Staff will review agency comments and schedules the matter for the Planning Commission public hearing; and

7. Public hearing is held; resolution for approval is considered by the Planning Commission.

All proposed multi-family developments costing more than $25,000 in multi-family zones (R-3, R-4 and PUD) require the review and approval of a site development permit by the Planning and Building Director and the Arvin Planning Commission. Information for the site development permit must include the proposed use, dimensions of the lot; the size, placement and materials of the structures; pedestrian and vehicular access and parking; and exterior elements such as landscaping, lighting, signage and fencing. The information enables the city to determine if the proposed development project complies with the city's General Plan policies, the Municipal Code, and the CEQA requirements. The full application requirements are outlined in Municipal Code Section 17.60.020 and 17.60.030. Decisions by staff and the Planning Commission are appealable to the City Council. Once the complete application and fees have been submitted to the Planning and Building Department, the application is reviewed by the Planning and Building Director and considered for approval by the Planning Commission based on the following:

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▪ Compliance with all General Plan policies and the permitted uses and development standards in the Zoning Ordinance;
▪ Compliance with all applicable City ordinances duly adopted by a majority vote of the planning commission or the City Council; and
▪ Conformance to latest accepted planning and engineering standards covering the following are: site layout, building appearance and structural design, landscaping, water and sewer service and other utilities, surface drainage and erosion control, fire protection, access, traffic circulation and parking.

The time schedule for single and multi-family permit and processing is presented in Table 54. The precise development plan approval follows the CEQA environmental clearance process. Approval of a precise development plan and accompanying Negative Declaration by the Planning Commission typically requires four months, and a plan with an Environmental Impact Report requires eight to 12 months.

Planning Commission meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Plans must be submitted ten days in advance of each meeting in order to be considered. Meetings are open to the public.

Table 54

PERMIT AND PROCESSING PROCEDURES
Process Required Time Period Review and Approval
Single-Family Multi-Family
Design Review 1-2 Weeks 1-2 Weeks Planning and Building Dept.

Plan Check and Building
Permit
3 Weeks 3 Weeks Planning and Building Dept.

Conditional Use Permit None required None required Planning Commission and City Council Variance 5-9 Weeks 5-9 Weeks Planning Commission and
City Council
Subdivision 4-6 Months 4-6 Months Planning Commission and City Council Zone Change w/
EIR and Public Hearing
6-9 Months 8-12 Months Planning Commission and
City Council
General Plan
Amendment w/ EIR and Public
Hearing
6-9 Months 8-12 Months Planning Commission and
City Council
CEQA Processing Planning staff completes environmental review pursuant to timelines of CEQA Guidelines; if project qualifies for categorical exemption the project will be approved administratively or by the Planning Commission depending on the type of application. Nonexempt projects are processed following CEQA Timelines.

Source: Arvin Planning Department

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Timeline Between Application Approval and Submittal of Building Permit Application - Example
Tract 5816 was submitted in 1995, a Master Plan – Vesting Tentative Map 5816. The project site was 319 Acres proposing 1275 single family residential lots. The vesting tentative map proposed twelve phases of development. Due to the downturn in the market, the then developer applied for a Development Agreement which was approved by the city which extended the life of the vesting tentative map to the year 2018. All phases, except Phase 12 were finalized in 2018 and approximately 1135 single family units were constructed at that time. Phase 12 was purchased by Westminster Capital and then sold to Auburn Oaks Development. Auburn Oaks Development applied for the Assumption Agreement and entered into a Development Agreement extending the life of the Vesting Tentative Map to July 3, 2026. The Development Agreement also limited the building permit fees to $2300.00 per single family unit.

Auburn Oaks Developer proposed the phasing of the Vesting Tentative Map 5816 Phase 11 into four phases: Phases A, B, C, and D totaling 140 single family units.

The approval of a final map for Phase A creating 47 single family lots, involving recordation of final map (Phase 11 A) was done on May 3, 2022, with building permit issuance in March 31, 2024, followed up by communication on June 21, 2022 from Planning to Developer advising of the application and process of Administrative Permits to the Developer. Developer submitted Administrative Permit Application on August 15, 2022 and the application was approved by the city on August 29, 2022. The Developer submitted construction plans for plan check on August 17, 2023; plan checks (after a series of corrections) were approved by on December 21, 2023, and the Developer submitted building permit applications, which were approved and the building permit was issued on March 12, 2024.

The above example is the typical timeline from project submittal to issuance of building permit by the city. This example illustrates the activity by the developer (applicant) which is outside of the control of the city in the review and processing of a development application.

Evaluation of Design Review and Site Development Permit Process The city has no Architectural or Design Review Boards involved in the development review process.

Housing projects that do not require entitlements and are consistent with the zoning code follow a standard set of procedures, and do not require a public hearing or a planning commission approval.

For housing projects that require entitlements (tract or parcel map approval, general plan amendments, zone change, variance or conditional use permit), as well as all multi-family developments of four units or more, the city requires site plan review. Following planning staff review, a public hearing is held; and resolution for approval is considered by the Planning Commission The City identified the constraints and undertook the following Municipal Code amendments to provide more clarity on the permit procedures for multi-family developments and design review processes:
(1) Code amendments in 2023 to Title 17 Zoning adopted Chapter 17.05 Uses Permitted Subject to Administrative Approval. The ordinance establishes a review procedure, and Findings required for approval of an Administrative Permit. The addition of Chapter 17.055 Multiple Family Residential Design Review Ministerial Permit establishes the review procedure,

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decision on the application is deemed ministerial should the following standards are complied with:

1. Proposed use is SB35 compliant and meets the eligibility criteria for streamlined review.

2. Proposed use is permitted in the underlying zone district and density is permitted within the underlying planned land use.

3. Proposed use will be in compliance with all adopted objective multiple family residential development standards contained in Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review.

4. Proposed use will comply with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

5. Proposed use will comply with all policies and standards identified in the General Plan and any specific plan, as applicable; and

6. Approval of the project will not violate any existing policy, regulation, mandate, or law.

7. The ministerial approval of multiple family projects complying with Chapter 17.055 do not require public hearing notices, but should the applicant disagree with the decision of staff, they may appeal to the Planning Commission. The ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA.
(2) Code amendments in 2023 to Title 17 Zoning adopted Chapter 17.72 Multiple-Family Residential Design - The regulations set forth in this chapter shall apply to multiple family residential development, the residential component of mixed-use residential development projects, and projects meeting Senate Bill 35 (SB35) eligibility requirements. Multiple family residential development is defined as a building or portion thereof used or design as a residence for two (2) or more families living independently of each other and doing their own cooking in the building, including apartment houses, duplexes, garden apartments, senior housing developments, condominiums, and may be multi-story buildings, but not including motels or boarding houses.

Appendix A – Outreach documents the effort the city pursued to solicit input into the preparation of the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Appendix C – Furthering Fair Housing. As noted, no public or organizations commented on the proposed housing update. The City Arvin attempted to solicit public input, unfortunately no comments were received. Therefore, no further documentation is required.

Chapter III Housing Constraints, Section B Governmental Constraints, Permit and Processing, details the permit and processing procedures that are currently adopted by the City of Arvin. The City of Arvin has two types of housing development application process:

The first is the Administrative Permit process where Staff has approval authority where it is found that the permit application meets the submittal requirements and meets the development standards. The Administrative Permit process is not subject to the CEQA process. In general, the Administrative Permit process upon the submittal of an Administrative Permit application is generally approved within 15 to 20 working days, upon determination that the application is complete. Title 17 Zoning adopted Chapter 17.05 Uses Permitted Subject to Administrative Approval. The ordinance establishes a review procedure, and Findings required for approval of an Administrative Permit. The addition of Chapter

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17.055 Multiple Family Residential Design Review Ministerial Permit establishes the review procedure, decision on the application is deemed ministerial.

The second is the Site Development Permit application where the residential project does not meet the Design Standards as established under Chapter 17.72 Multiple-Family Residential Design and Chapter 17.055 Multiple Family Residential Design Review Ministerial Permit. The Site Development Permit is a discretionary application and is normally subject to the CEQA process. Table 54 - Permit and Processing Procedures summarizes the processing time periods following the CEQA environmental clearance process. Approval of a Site Development Plan process and accompanying Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration by the Planning Commission typically requires four months, and a plan with an Environmental Impact Report requires eight to 12 months.

As noted above the typical time for processing a discretionary application is eight (8) to twelve (12) months. The City of Arvin’s review and processing of applications are within the timelines established by the Permit Streamlining Act and CEQA.

The City will continue to review and identify constraints to the development of housing. Section C Housing Element Programs has listed a number of programs to ensure that the City addresses any identified constraints to housing. Program 13- Update and Amend General Plan and Zoning Code, f).

Adopt Objective Design Standards with Ministerial Approval; i). Ministerial Approval of multiple-family developments without CEQA review. No additional housing programs have been identified.

APPROVAL FINDINGS NEEDED FOR THE DESIGN REVIEW:

The City Planner, in accordance with Section 17.-55.020-Application for approval – Review Procedures, shall accept and review the application submittal to determine completeness. Within 30 working days the City Planner shall make a determination regarding the completeness of the application. If complete, the City Planner, after consultation with public purveyors, shall within 45-days state in writing either approval or denial of the proposal based solely on compliance with the adopted objective standards identified in Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review. The City Planner shall sign and certify the applicant’s agreement to the findings and requirements as stated in Section

17.055.030 Grant of application—Findings required on a form provided by the City Planner. The City Planner’s decision, Section 17.055.040, shall be deemed ministerial provided the following standards are complied with:

1. Proposed use is SB35 compliant and meets the eligibility criteria for streamlined review.

2. Proposed use is permitted in the underlying zone district and density is permitted within the underlying planned land use.

3. Proposed use will be in compliance with all adopted objective multiple family residential development standards contained in Chapter 17.72 Multiple Family Residential Design Review.

4. Proposed use will comply with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

5. Proposed use will comply with all policies and standards identified in the General Plan and any specific plan, as applicable; and

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6. Approval of the project will not violate any existing policy, regulation, mandate, or law.

Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes
California Health & Safety Code §1566 et seq. governs local regulation of residential care facilities.

Residential care facilities are licensed facilities that serve children, adults, or the elderly with disabilities or ongoing care needs in a residential setting, including group homes. Among other provisions, 1) no conditional use permit, zoning variance, or other zoning clearance shall be required of a residential facility that serves six or fewer persons that is not required of a family dwelling of the same type in the same zone and 2) any development standards for building heights, setback, lot dimensions, or placement of signs of a residential facility that serves six or fewer persons are identical to those applied to other family dwellings of the same type in the same zone.

The City of Arvin Title 17-Zoning Code, Chapter 17.08 R-1 One-Family Dwelling Zone; Chapter 17.16 RS Suburban Residential Zone, and Chapter 17.18 Estate Zones permit by right Transitional housing; Supportive housing; Residential care facilities; and Employee housing. Chapter 17.17.05, Uses permitted Subject to Administrative Permit, permits Residential care facilities with seven (7) or more persons will be allowed with administrative approval in any zone district. Chapter 17.24 - C-1 Restricted Commercial Zone and Chapter 17.26 - C-2 General Commercial Zone permits by right rest home, convalescent home, adult care facility, residential care facility as defined in Section 15026 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California. Chapter 17.48 Automobile Parking Requirements, Subsection G identifies parking requirements for Institutional, indoor, recreational and special residential uses. Parking spaces for Group Homes, Transitional Housing, Supportive Housing are not listed in the city code. The lack of clear off-street parking requirements for various types of residential care facilities for seven or more persons may be a constraint as the community need for various types of residential care facilities. In addition, there are gaps in the existing use categories which inadvertently exclude care facilities serving more than six and fewer than twelve residents in residential zones. The City of Arvin Zoning Code is not consistent with these requirements and should be updated to be consistent with State law.

The City of Arvin defines a family as “ shall be defined by the maximum number of individuals permitted in a given residential space per the standards of the Uniform Housing Code and/or the California Building Code as applicable; generally defined as an individual or a group of individuals, related or unrelated, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, not including a fraternity, sorority, club, or other group of persons occupying a hotel, lodging house, or institution of any kind” As the City does not have a definition or use category for group homes, unlicensed group homes and group living arrangements, without regard to the number of persons, would fall under the definition of a “family,” able to live in any family dwelling unit in any zone permitted in the City.

A program is included in Chapter VI to amend the code to resolve irregularities in the existing code and parking requirements for such uses.

Building Codes and Enforcement
In addition to land use controls, the local building codes also affect the cost of housing. The city has adopted the Uniform Building Code (UBC), which establishes the minimum standards for new construction. While the city can impose more stringent standards, the minimum standards must be the

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standards of the UBC. The city also has adopted the California Green Buildings Standards Code, and Appendices A4 and A5 (California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 11). The city enforces a Property Nuisance Ordinance to maintain neighborhood upkeep. Eligible property owners are informed of assistance available to correct deficiencies under the city’s home repair programs. Though most building codes are enforced through inspection by the building inspector and the planning staff, nuisance issues are often enforced by the local law enforcement agency.

Constraints to Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Housing that accommodates individuals with disabilities can require the incorporation of special features, such as front door ramps, special bath facilities, grab bars, and lower cabinets and light switches. Generally speaking, the uncommon nature of these features makes them potentially expensive and difficult to implement, especially if they are retrofitted into an existing structure.

State law requires that residential care facilities that serve six or fewer residents be considered a residential property and be treated the same as a single-family home. This means that local government can impose on these facilities only those local use restrictions or fees which apply to other single-family residences. In July 2015, the city adopted Ordinance No. 421 amending the Arvin Municipal Code (MC 17.08.020) to comply with State law as it applies to residential care facilities.

The City of Arvin has adopted and currently enforces the 2016 California Building Code, and is planning to adopt the 2022 Building Code. Arvin has not added any standards or restrictions that substantially differ from those used throughout the State, meaning that all regulations specified in Title 24 regarding the accessibility and adaptability of housing units for person with disabilities currently are applied to all residential development in the city.

Request for Reasonable Accommodation
The City of Arvin Title 17 Zoning Chapter 17.02 Title and Definitions, Section 17.02.520 (a) "Reasonable accommodation" means providing disabled persons flexibility in the application of land use and zoning regulations and procedures, or even waiving certain requirements, when necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities. It may include such things as yard area modifications for ramps, handrails, or other such accessibility improvements; hardscape additions, such as widened driveways, parking area or walkways; building additions for accessibility; tree removal; or reduced off-street parking where the disability clearly limits the number of people operating vehicles. Reasonable accommodation does not include an accommodation which would (1) impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city or (2) require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the city's land use and zoning program. (Ord. No. 421, § 1, 7-7-2015) The City adopted Chapter 17.54 Variances, Modifications, and Zone Changes in 1965 and last updated in 2008 adding Section 17.54.160 Reasonable accommodations standards. A request for reasonable accommodation from any zoning provision, rule, practice, or policy may be made by any person with a disability, their representative, a developer of housing for individuals with disabilities, or a provider of residential care to individuals with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation may be approved only for the benefit of one or more individuals with a disability.” Reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Acts is permitted use for residential dwellings.

Section 17.54.160 designates the City Manager the authority to approve applications for reasonable accommodation. To apply for reasonable accommodation, the applicant would submit a request for reasonable accommodation in writing to the City Manager, and no specific fee has been set for the

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processing of an application for Reasonable Accommodation. However, the city’s adopted fee schedule provides that where a specific fee is not adopted, an application shall be processed on a full cost recovery for time expended by City Staff and or consultants in the processing of such application.

The ordinance requires the City Manager to make a decision for an application submitted for Reasonable Accommodation within 30 days of receipt. If a decision is not rendered within the 30-day time period, the application for the Request for Reasonable Accommodation is approved. Should the City Manager disapprove the request, the applicant has a 10-day period in which to appeal the decision of the City Manager.

The City of Arvin code is somewhat confusing and Chapter 17.54 Variances, Modifications, and Zone Changes lumps the procedures under one chapter. The text does is not clearly written to clearly separate application processes, findings, appeals.

To further remove barriers to reasonable accommodation, the code is proposed to be revised to streamline and clarify the procedure, and to make the reasonable accommodation procedure broadly applicable to all existing and proposed types of housing. A program has been included in Chapter VI to amend the code to make improvements to the reasonable accommodation provisions:

The City of Arvin adopted Ordinance No. 421 which amended its Municipal Code by adding procedures for requests for reasonable accommodation with respect to zoning, building code compliance or permit processing (MC 17.54.160). Furthermore, all visitors to the Planning and Building Department are informed that they are entitled to request a reasonable accommodation if they feel that they qualify for one under the provisions of the federal Fair Housing Act, and that such requests will be reviewed by City staff. The request will be approved or denied once staff has made determinations that the individual is qualified to make the request, that the accommodation is necessary, and that it will not place an undue financial or administrative burden on the city.

The procedures for acting upon applications for modifications require no notice of public hearing if such modification request is accompanied by the consent of owners of property abutting and directly across the street from subject property. Appeals of planning commission decision shall be made to the city council, in the same manner as the appeal for a variance.

Family is defined by ‘the maximum number of individuals permitted in a given residential space per the standards of the Uniform Housing Code and/or the California Building Code as applicable; generally defined as an individual or a group of individuals, related or unrelated, living together as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, not including fraternity, sorority, club or other group of persons occupying a hotel, lodging house, or institution of any kind’. Dwelling unit means ‘a building or portion thereof or a mobile home, designed for residential occupancy by one person or a group of two or more persons living together as a domestic unit. Under these definitions, a group home or 7 or more persons is not precluded, and will be treated as a dwelling unit. A program has been added to amend Ordinance No. 421 to reasonable accommodation requests and definition of family complies with State Law.

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IV. Housing Resources
In accordance with Government Code Section 65583, the Housing Element is to provide “an inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having potential for redevelopment, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites.” Opportunities for residential development in the city fall into one of two categories: vacant land and sites where there is a potential to recycle. In 2008, Arvin conducted an inventory of its dwelling units to determine the potential for residential growth; all properties were analyzed to determine the maximum number of dwelling units that could be constructed, in light of the development standards for each respective zone. In addition, as part of the Arvin Annually Housing Element Progress Report to HCD, the city updates its land use inventory to determine the availability of vacant land within the city.

A. Housing Densities
General Plan and Zoning
Arvin’s current General Plan includes six residential land use designations: Estate, Residential Reserve, Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, High Density Residential, and Planned Unit Development. However, the city is proposing to add a Medium Low-Density Residential Category (R-2) with a proposed density of 10-16 units allowing low-density multiple family residential units. Table 47 presents the existing and proposed General Plan land use designations and their corresponding zoning.

The General Plan land use allows a density range for the Low-Density Residential designation from 4 to 10 units per acre. The PUD designation accommodates mixed land uses, densities, and various specific zoning regulations.

To promote affordable housing in the city, the General Plan Land Use Element was updated (Resolution No. 2012-34), which established a new Medium Density Residential land use designation with a corresponding zoning of R-2 (10 to 16 units per acre), and medium-high density residential with a corresponding zoning of R-3 (16 to 24 units per acre). In addition, the permitted maximum densities of both the High Density Residential and Planned Unit Development land use designations were increased from 16 -24 units per acre to 24-30 units per acre. The maximum densities for the corresponding zones reflect the increases. Multiple-family housing projects on property designated High Density Residential and Plan Unit Development that adhere to specific plans or development standards of the underlying residential zone are permitted by-right without a CUP or any other discretionary action in accordance with Government Code Section 65583.2(h) and (i).

In addition, the recent the Zoning Ordinance was recently amended (Ordinance No. 411) to include a Pedestrian-Oriented Mixed-Use Overlay zone to permit densities up to 24 units per acre, and Ordinance No. 421 established a density bonus ordinance allowing the city to consider granting a bonus or increase in the number of units that a developer can build if a certain number of the units are available to lower-income households and/or senior citizens. Previous Figure 11 presents the General Plan Land Use map.

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The city has started the process of updating its General Plan Land Use Element to include the land use amendments mentioned above.

Realistic Capacity
Government Code Section 65583.2(c) requires, as part of the analysis of available sites, a local government to calculate the projected residential development capacity of the sites identified in the housing element that can realistically be achieved. The housing element must describe the methodology used to make this calculation. Jurisdictions have two options to make this calculation. • Utilize minimum densities (Step 1)
• Utilize adjustment factors (Step 2)
Step1: Utilizing minimum densities to calculate realistic capacity of sites Government Code section 65583.2(c)(1). If the jurisdiction has adopted a law, policy, procedure, or other regulation that requires the development of a site to contain at least a certain minimum residential density, the jurisdiction can utilize that minimum density to determine the capacity of a site.

For the purpose of this analysis, the use of either gross or net acreage is acceptable but should be consistent with the standard the jurisdiction typically uses for determining allowable units for a residential development project.

For example: Site Description Value Size of site (Gross acreage) 3 acres Zoning Residential Multifamily Allowable density 20 (required minimum) – 30 dwelling units per acre Realistic capacity utilizing minimum 3 X 20 = 60 units
Please note, to meet this standard on a zone that allows for multiple uses, the general plan or zoning must require the specified minimum number of residential units on the identified sites regardless of overlay zones, zoning allowing non-residential uses, or other factors potentially impacting the minimum density. Otherwise, the capacity of the site must be calculated using the factors outlined in Step 2.

Step 2: Utilizing factors to calculate realistic capacity of sites Government Code section 65583.2(c)(2).

The housing element must describe the methodology used to determine the number of units calculated based on the following factors:
• Land use controls and site improvements requirements, • *NEW* The realistic development capacity for the site, • *NEW* Typical densities of existing or approved residential developments at a similar affordability level in that jurisdiction,
• *NEW* The current or planned availability and accessibility of sufficient water, sewer, and dry utilities.

The realistic capacity of each zone was calculated based on the minimum lot area per dwelling unit specified by the city’s Zoning Ordinance or the densities of recent housing developments.

The city also examined multi-family development standards, on-site improvement requirements and recent development densities to calculate realistic densities in R-3 and R-4 zones. An example of a

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recent multi-family development in an R-3 zone is the 43-unit Summer View Apartments located on a three-acre lot at 225 Meyers Street. The imposition of 15 feet front yard, 5 feet side yard, 35 feet height requirement, and 1.5 parking spaces per unit parking requirement allowed for a development density of approximately 14 units per acre. The approval of this affordable housing project did not require a variance or exceptions to achieve the 14 units per acre density.

In 2006, the 60-unit Summer view Apartment Homes low-income housing project was completed on

3.2 acres of land zoned R-3, which calculates to an actual density was 18.8 units per acre. The current zoning ordinance permit maximum densities of 24 units per acre and 30 units per acre in the R-3 and R-4 zones, respectively. Additionally, the City has adopted Minimum Units Per Acre and Minimum Units Per Site, which requires a minimum density of 16 residential units per acre in the R-3 zone and 24 units per acre in the R-4 zone.

The Mixed-Use Overlay (MUO) Zone is a zone district established in 2013. The MUO zone was placed on the Jewett Square and the Sycamore and Meyer Area:

The Jewett Square area was owned by the redevelopment agency and the site was transferred to the Kern Community College District for the development of college campus. The site is no longer available for residential development.

The Sycamore and Meyer Area lands are privately owned and the lands have a 2003 Development Agreement that supersedes the establishment of the MUO zone.

1.8-acre Commercial site located at the northwest corner of West Sycamore Road and Meyer Street.

2.10-acre R-4 Zone located adjacent to the 8-acre commercial site.

The MUO zone provides an opportunity for mixed use development and permits the development of the lands with or without residential units.

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Table 55

REALISTIC CAPACITY
(Units per Acre)
Zoning Density Realistic Capacity
R-1 and R-S 4-10 units/acre, 1unit/6000
sq.ft
4 R-2 10-16 units/acre 10
R-3 16-24 units/acre 16
R-4 24-30 units/acre 24
MUO 24 -30 units/acre 24
Source: Realty Planners Group, Inc.

B. Vacant Land
Based on a recent survey of existing land uses within the city boundaries, there are over 75 parcels totaling over 456 acres of vacant land zoned for residential uses. Many of the parcels include land that are zoned for residential uses but are currently used for agricultural purposes. They also include land zoned for commercial uses, but have a Pedestrian-Oriented Mixed-Use Overlay (MOU) zone, which permits residential uses up to 24 units per acre. All the parcels are greater than the minimum lot size standard of 6,000 square feet required for residential development. It should be noted that the Kern Community College District (KCCD) has proposed a new community college center on the former Jewett Square site that includes 35.2 acres of vacant land zoned R-3 and 3.7 acres of vacant land zone C-O MUO. The city and KCCD are in the process of negotiating and approving a development agreement for the site, and therefore, the four vacant parcels (APNs 190-020-14, 190-020-46, 190-020-48, and onehalf of 190-240-04) are not included in the vacant opportunity sites list (Appendix B).

In addition, in 2003, a development agreement was executed between the city and Sycamore Development LLC on the four contiguous vacant parcels (APNs 189-351-36, 189-351-37, 189- 351-58, and 189-351-67) located at the southwest corner of Sycamore Road and Meyer Street. The development agreement restricted development of four parcels to the standards governing development of those outlined in the 1988 General Plan, which also allows for single-family home development within the R-3 and R-4 zones. As a result of this development agreement, this Housing Element has not included these four parcels in the vacant opportunity site list. Figure 12 illustrates the locations of vacant land in Arvin suitable for residential development and the parcels affected by the city/KCCD and the city/Sycamore Development LLC development agreements. Table 56 is a summary of the potential number of units that can be developed on vacant land designated for residential uses.

Appendix B is a list of all vacant opportunity sites that can accommodate new housing.

The city’s vacant opportunity sites could potentially accommodate 2,764 new units. Of the total potential units, 257 multi-family units (9.3%) could be available to lower-income households and 2,507

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single and multi-family units (90.1%) to moderate- and above moderate-income households. This assumes realistic residential densities of 10 units per acre for parcels zoned R-2, 16 units per acre for the R-3 zone, and 24 units per acre for R-4 and MUOzones. Publicly owned properties are not included in Appendix B, Vacant Residential Opportunity Parcels Over 6000 SF.

Table 56

VACANT DEVELOPABLE LAND
General Plan Zone Acres
Potential New Units by Income
Lower
Moderate and
Above Total
LDR R-1, R-S 394.58 0 1,589 1,589
MLDR R-2 17.12 0 172 172
MDR R-3 9.64 0 132 132
HDR R-4 36.29 257 614 871
Total 457.63 257 2,507 2764
* Parcels designated Public Facilities permit residential development if zoned MUO

SMALL AND LARGE LOTS
Government Code Section 65583.2(c) requires, as part of the analysis of available sites, a local government to demonstrate the projected residential development capacity of the sites identified in the housing element can realistically be achieved. Appendix B -Vacant Residential Opportunity Parcels Over 6,000 Square Feet has identified the following number of parcels in each zone. AB1397 identifies general size requirements for candidate housing sites of greater than one-half acre and less than 10 acres in size:

LDR (R-1 and RS Zone) - The parcels vary in size from 0.14 to 162.20 Acres, with 8 parcels larger than 10 acres. These lands are identified as providing housing opportunities for the moderate-income households.

MLDR (R-2 Zone) - The parcels vary in size from 0.08 to 0.39 Acres, with one (1) parcel larger than 10 acres (13.74 acres) with the potential of 137 units. The site was rezoned from agricultural to R-2 in 2021 and these lands are identified as providing housing opportunities for the moderate-income households.

MLDR properties are meant to be developed with 1 to 4 units or subdivided and developed to allow at least minimum density.

MDR (R-3 Zone) – 0 parcels are larger than 10 acres in size and these lands are identified as providing housing opportunities for moderate–income households. There are only two smaller lots varying in size from 0.26 to 0.27 Acres which allows at least 5 units on each lot.

HDR (R-4 Zone) – 2 parcels are larger than 10 acres. One parcel (APN 189-353-03) is 10.70 acres and

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has the potential of accommodating 257 units. The other parcel (APN 192-170-06) is 17.97 acres and has the potential of accommodating 431 units. See Programs 16, and 25, Facilitating Large Parcels and Consolidation of Small Parcels providing guidelines and incentives on lot mergers, lot splits, and promoting affordable housing on large lots. An additional program has been added (Program 25) specifically for lots > 10 acres with the proposed Arvin Housing Advisory Committee to have oversight.

There are two large sites (approx. 10.7 acres and 18 acres) with existing R-4, higher density, zoning which allows a minimum of 24 units and a maximum of 30 units/acre). Future subdivision of these two large sites into smaller properties to accommodate affordable rental housing is likely; the zoning code specifies a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and a maximum height of 4 stories or 45 feet, standards that will accommodate affordable rental housing. The City will work with the property owners of the above large sites and use tools such as split zoning (zoning a portion of the parcel) and site planning to facilitate the division of the large parcel into appropriately sized sites that can accommodate affordable housing. The ULI study mentioned below shows that a 200-unit affordable housing project requires 10 acres. A 5-Acre parcel could accommodate 100 units.

The Land Inventory in Appendix B proposed, previously, an 18-acre parcel (APN 192-170-06) for the construction of affordable housing units for Very Low- and Low-Income households. Discussions with HCD has indicated that the site was too large for a viable affordable housing project. Hence the City is proposing to use a smaller parcel (APN 189-353-03) of approximately 10-Acres, which after infrastructure development, and street improvements, if needed, would result in a net area less than 10 Acres. Since the City did not receive any applications for large lot developments on property greater than 10 Acres in the R-4 Zone, to demonstrate the feasibility of affordable housing developments on Large Lots, the smaller 10-Acre lot selection should be appropriate. The Chavez Project consisting of 50 affordable units is to be built on approximately 2 ½ acres, located on 4th Street (APN 190-260-02-00- 8) between Campus Drive and Walnut Street in Arvin. If so, it is likely that a 200-unit affordable housing project would need about 10 Acres. The possibility also exists to subdivide the 10-Acre “L” shaped parcel into two lots through a simple subdivision into two 5-Acre parcels facilitating two 100-unit affordable housing projects. The economics of affordable housing construction suggests that an affordable housing project should consist of at least 100 units, and should have tax credits, to be viable, as explained in an Urban Land Institute study (https://apps.urban.org/features/cost-of-affordablehousing).

Program 25, Large Sites > 10 Acres has been revised to consider deed restricted fee referrals to affordable housing projects and other incentives to promote affordable housing in the City.

Program 16, Lot Consolidation, is aimed at facilitating small lot consolidation.

Existing and Proposed Actions by the City:

The City has recently amended its zoning ordinance to increase the densities in multi-family zones that will promote additional units on small lots, making small lots viable for higher densities, as contained in Table 47. In addition, Housing Program 25 will provide incentives to lot splits and promote affordable housing.

The City will play an active role in facilitating division of larger parcels and lot consolidations,

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particularly as it relates to parcels listed in Appendix B – Arvin Vacant Parcels. For example, the City will work with non-profit developers and owners to identify and consolidate parcels. and divisions of larger parcels to facilitate the development of housing affordable to lower-income households. The lot consolidation procedure and land division procedures will also be posted on the City website and discussed with developers during the preliminary review team process. Lot consolidation and land divisions of larger sites will include allowing the potential for development of extremely low, very-low and low-income housing. See Programs 16 and 25.

Program 25 provides specific incentives for developing parcels that are greater than 10 acres for Low Income Developments, as follows:
i. Facilitate land divisions, lot line adjustments, voluntary mergers resulting in parcel sizes that facilitate multi-family developments affordable to lower income households in light of state, federal, and local financing programs (i.e., 2–10-acre sites). ii. Work with property owners, investors, and non-profit developers to target and market the availability of sites with the best potential for development. iii. Offer incentives for the development of affordable housing, including but not limited to:
• Streamlining and expediting the approval process for land division for projects that include affordable housing.
• Ministerial review of voluntary mergers and lot line adjustments. • Develop an incentive program such as deferral or waiver of fees related to the subdivision for projects affordable to lower income households:
• Providing technical assistance to acquire funding, and • Modification of development requirements, as needed.

Time Frame:

1. Develop informational flyers by June 2025;

2. Develop incentive program by December 2025.

3. Investigate the possibility of assisting deed restricted affordable housing projects with fee deferral loans, which could offer a term of up to 55 years accruing at a simple interest rate of 3 percent per year. The loan could be recorded against the property and can be notarized.

4. Provide incentives to two (2) affordable housing developments during the planning cycle.

5. Target the construction of 100 affordable housing units, especially for Low and Very -Low Income households (also see Program 24).

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FIGURE – 12

VACANT RESIDENTAL OPPORTINITY SITES

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C. Recycling
Recycling is the development of land occupied by deteriorated and/or dilapidated buildings in an effort to create a healthy, viable mix of housing for different income groups and household sizes. It can involve the construction of new dwelling units in addition to those that are replaced, since parcels with blighted structures, for a variety of reasons, frequently have not been developed to their maximum potential density. Recycling, then, can have the dual benefit of both augmenting the city’s housing supply and improving the quality of dwelling units and neighborhoods.

In 2009, a housing conditions survey was conducted in Arvin and the results from the survey identified those parcels exhibiting conditions of physical blight, which indicated that they were candidates for recycling. Those blight parcels identified in the 2009 survey were revisited in 2015. The updated results indicated that eight of those parcels in two areas of the city that were zoned for multi-family units (R2 and R-3) continued to exhibit condition of blight. Many of the existing structures on these sites exhibited signs of deterioration and substandard construction and/or were in violation of existing building code standards.

D. Potential Housing Growth
The city’s housing stock could increase as a result of new development on existing vacant land, and through the consolidation of property and recycling of blighted properties zoned for multi- family residential uses to higher densities. Population changes will also affect the growth in due course.

E. Mobile Home Parks
Table 57

MOBILE HOME PARKS
Name Address No. of Units
Shady Court 409 Wilson Street 10
Fallbrook Mobile Village 157 Fallbrook
Avenue
34 Arvin Mobile Home
Estates
200 5th Avenue 82
Sycamore Gardens 801 Schipper Street 83
Bear Mountain Trailer
Park
364 North A Street 15
Total 224

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Mobile homes provide housing for various household income level, especially those households in need of affordable housing. Below are the five mobile home parks in the city of Arvin:

All five of the mobile home parks are zoned either R-2 or R-3, and therefore, could be recycled to higher densities. However, it is important to conserve this type of affordable housing in the city’ housing stock.

In January 2016, HCD released a Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) for the Mobile home Park Rehabilitation and Resident Ownership Program (NPRROP). This program loans funds to facilitate converting mobile home park ownership to park residents or to a qualified nonprofit corporation, and assist with repairs or accessibility upgrades meeting specified criteria.

F. Schools and Churches
Schools and churches are an important part of the city. There are six schools (K through 12) sites that account for approximately 129 acres. Four school sites are zone R-1 and two sites are zoned School with a CUP (SCH-CUP). There are also ten churches zoned for residential uses within the city. The closure of church and school sites are not short-term options for future housing development. These sites could be utilized for housing development if demographic conditions change resulting in fewer students or churches decide to move to other locations.

As presented in Table 58, four of the school sites totaling 40.3 acres are zoned R-1. Assuming a realistic density of 5 units per acre, there is a long-term potential for an additional 201 units on existing school land within the city. The other two sites are zoned SCH-CUP, which allows for only educational institutions, but with a CUP could grant a large-scale neighborhood housing projects on a site with a minimum gross area of 20 acres. The Arvin High School site, which is 75.2 acres, could accommodate a housing development totaling a potential of 376 units. Therefore, if the student population significantly declines in the future or current schools are relocated to other locations and existing sites become available, there could be a potential for some conversion of school land for residential uses.

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Table 58

SCHOOL SITES
School Acres Zoning Potential Units
Bear Mountain Elementary School 13.9 ac. School CUP 0
El Camino Real Elementary School 11.0 ac. R-1 55
Sierra Vista Elementary School 14.0 ac. R-1 70
Grimmway Academy (Charter) 6.5 ac. R-1 32
Haven Drive Middle School 8.8 ac. R-1 44
Arvin High School 75.2 ac. School CUP 376
Total 129.4 ac. 577
Source: Arvin Planning Dept.

The Migrant Education Program assists states in supporting high-quality and comprehensive educational programs and services to children of migrant families during the school year and, as applicable, during summer or intersession periods, that address the unique educational needs of migratory children. The City of Arvin Union School District participates in the program. The program helps migratory children overcome educational disruption, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, various health-related problems, and other factors that inhibit the ability of such children to succeed in school. The programs ensure that migratory children receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.

G. Affordable Housing Opportunities in Existing Residential Zones Zoning for Lower-Income Households/
All residential zones in the city is capable of accommodating low-income housing units, provided that the structures containing the units meet all development standards specified under the zoning ordinance. Currently, the maximum density permitted under the R-3 and R4 zones is 21 to 24 units per acre, which is proposed to be increased to the 24 to 30 units per acre (See Zoning Code Amendments that are proposed in the Housing Element Programs Section). The adoption of the Pedestrian-oriented Mixed-Use Overlay (MUO) zone allows for mix of residential and non-residential uses, with the maximum density being the underlying residential. If the MUO's underlying zone is commercial, then the maximum density of the residential component will be 24 to 30 units per acre, a density that would potentially create more affordable housing.

Most of the lower-income households can only afford rental units. The 2023 rent for an income qualifying apartment unit in Arvin is approximately $592 for a two-bedroom unit and 657 for a threebedroom unit for a family of four who are at 40% AMI. A family could reasonably expect to pay this

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amount, plus a slight premium for a new-construction rental unit. Apparently, there are no market rate rental apartments in Arvin, having to rely on subsidized housing. The market rate single-family housing of two-bedroom, one bath, costs approximately $1300/month.

To illustrate the ability of the R-3 and R-4 zones to accommodate affordable units, Table 59 lists examples of affordable housing projects in these two zones. In addition to those presented in the table, the proposed 81-unit Jewett Place Apartments are located in the R-3 zone.

Table 59

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IN MULTI-FAMILY ZONES
Project Name Address Zoning
Arvin Square Apartments 1410 Hood Street R-3
Bear Mountain Apartments 128 Monroe Street R-4
Caliente Creek 909 Meyer Street R-3
Casa de Paloma 1301 Haven Dr R-3
Haciendas del Sol 701 Meyer Street R-4
Hood Street Family Apartments 1400 Hood Street R-3
La Amistad 1001 Walnut Drive R-3
Monte Vista 701 Meyer Street R-4
Parkview Senior Building 701 Meyer Street R-4
Summer View Apartments 225 Meyer Street R-3
Summerset Apartments 669 Comanche Road R-4
Sycamore Family Apartment (I and II) 740 Sycamore Road R-4 Walnut Apartments 293 Walnut Street R-3
Villa Del Comanche 1507 Bear Mountain Blvd R-3
Village Congregational 112 Richard Street R-3
Source: Housing Authority of County of Kern
According to Table 60, in 2020, a low-income household of four persons could afford a single-family home priced at approximately $137,700 and a moderate-income household could afford a home priced at approximately $275,500. Therefore, the average priced new home in Arvin could be purchased by lower and moderate-income households. This assumes that housing expenses are 30 percent of the income.

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Previous Table 38 showed the financial feasibility of constructing affordable housing in the R-3 and R4 zones. This table summarizes the various costs associated with construction of an average 1,000- square foot multi-family unit. For example, hard cost, which includes construction materials and labor, is approximately $70,000 per unit. Soft cost, which includes items such as architectural/engineering and administration averages approximately $17,500 per unit. Adding land and financing costs, the average cost is approximately $137,500 per unit. This translates to a monthly rental cost of approximately $850, which includes monthly payments, insurance costs and taxes.

H. Financial Resources
Most of the housing financial resources for the city of Arvin was administered through the Kern County Community Development Department, Housing Authority of the County of Kern, or the Arvin Community Redevelopment Agency (now dissolved). In June 2015, the city elected not to continue its participation with the Kern County Community Development Department on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. Thus, the city no longer receives its funding allocation through the County. However, it is the city’s intent to participate in receiving federal funds through the State CDBG, HOME and ESG programs. The city will continue to receive additional funds through USDA programs.

The following section describes the resources and programs that are available to the city in providing housing and supportive services for its residents.

Table 60
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY BY 2020 INCOME LEVEL
(Maximum Sales Price of Owner-Occupied Home by Income Level and Number of Bedrooms) Income Levels 2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms
Extremely Low $31,500 $38,100 $43,300
Very Low $70,900 $81,800 $90,500
Low $110,200 $125,500 $137,700
Moderate $225,000 $253,000 $275,500
Above Moderate >$225,000 >$253,000 >$275,500
Source: HCD Housing Affordability Calculator, Tools to Help for APR Completion, https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/annual-progress-reports

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Former Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside
Until the dissolution of Community Redevelopment Agencies under AB X1 26, Housing Set-Aside funds were one of the primary sources of financing used for preserving, improving and developing affordable housing. As of 2013, Housing Set-Aside funds are no longer available for Agency use, as all tax increment that previously went to the Agency is diverted to the underlying taxing entities under AB X1 26. A portion of this tax increment is deposited in the City of Arvin’s general fund. According to the city’s Recognized Obligation Payments Schedule (ROPS); no portion of the Housing Set-Aside funds remains dedicated to low- and moderate-income housing activities in the city of Arvin.

Community Development Block Grant
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable residents and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, housing programs, public facility improvements, single-family and multi-family home rehabilitation, public services, acquisitions, relocation, and homeownership programs for low- and moderate-income households.

HOME Investment Partnership Program
The HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) is a HUD program designed to expand the supply of affordable housing. HUD allocates the funds by formula to eligible cities and states. HOME funds are required to be matched with 25 percent of non- federal funds from participating cities. HOME funds allow for homebuyer assistance, rehabilitation, new construction, tenant based rental assistance and acquisition.

Emergency Solutions Grants
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program provides homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant. ESG also provides short-term homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoffs. ESG funds are available for the rehabilitation or remodeling of a building used as a new shelter, operations and maintenance of the facility, essential supportive services (e.g., case management, physical and mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, childcare, etc.), homeless prevention, and grant administration.

Section 8 Rental Assistance
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern administers the Section 8 Rental Assistance program throughout Kern County. The Section 8 program provides rental subsidies to low- income families that spend more than 30 percent of their gross income on housing costs. The program pays the difference between 30 percent of the recipients’ monthly income and the federally approved payment standard.

Section 8 participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and

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apartments. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. In 2015, Section 8 voucher were issued to 16 Arvin residents.

Farm Worker Housing Program
This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development and was developed to provide housing for persons who derive a minimum of $5,753 of their annual income from farm labor.

HACK owns and/or manages eight developments of this type located in Arvin, Bakersfield, Delano, Lamont, Shafter, and Wasco. Currently, the Farm Worker Program subsidizes Sun Garden Village, a 48- unit farm worker housing development in Arvin.

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
The Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) awards grant funds to eligible national and regional non-profit organizations and consortia to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer- based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families. SHOP funds must be used for eligible expenses to develop decent, safe and sanitary non-luxury housing for low- income persons and families who otherwise would not become homeowners. Homebuyers must be willing to contribute significant amounts of their own sweat equity toward the construction or rehabilitation of their homes. Currently, 20 households are participating in a self-help housing program administered through Self-Help Enterprises. Twenty singlefamily housing permits have been issued by the city under this program. These units were construction in 2016.

HOPE I Home Ownership Program
Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere (HOPE I) is a HUD program that is administered by HACK to assist low-income individuals buy public housing units. HOPE 1 provides funds that nonprofit organizations, resident groups, and other eligible grantees can use to develop and implement homeownership programs. This program funds a wide range of homeownership activities that help public housing residents develop the skills, resources, partnerships, and strategies needed to buy homes, including:

1. Economic development planning, including job training and other activities that promote economic self-sufficiency for potential homebuyers.

2. Financial assistance to homebuyers, including interest rate buy-downs and down payment assistance.

3. Rehabilitation of properties.

4. Relocation of residents who elect to move.

5. Administrative costs; legal fees, and architectural and engineering work.

6. Replacement housing and replacement reserves.

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7. Resident and homebuyer counseling and training.

The overall amount of an implementation grant is not capped, although there are specific cost caps on eligible activities. Implementation grants generally require a $1 for $4 match from nonfederal sources.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is a significant source of equity for rental housing development administered by California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. The credit serves as a valuable income tax benefit to corporate investors. Investors will contribute cash for the development cost of a low-income project in order to obtain these dollars for dollar tax benefits from the federal government.

Over the last two decades, the LIHTC program has funded ten housing projects in the City of Arvin. Those housing projects are listed in Table61.

Private Resources/Nonprofit Resources
Government resources cannot solve all the city’s affordable housing needs. The city believes that these limited government funds should be used to supplement and, wherever possible, leverage resources provided by the private sector.

Table 61

LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS Project Name Address
Construction
Type
Housing
Type
Low Income
Units
Arvin Square Apartments 1410 Hood Street Rehab. At-Risk 50 Bear Mountain 128 Monroe Street Rehab. At-Risk 70
Caliente Creek 909 Meyer Street New Const. Large Family 45 Casa de Paloma 1301 Haven Drive New Const. Large Family 42 Hood Street Family Apt. 1400 Hood Street New Const. Large Family 26 La Amistad 1001 Walnut Drive New Const. Large Family 79 Summer View Apartments 225 Meyer Street New Const. Large Family 60 Summerset Apartments 669 Comanche Road New Const. Large Family 60 Sycamore Family
Apartments 740 Sycamore Road New Const. Large Family 48 Sycamore Family
Apartments II Sycamore and Meyer New Const. Large Family 71 Source: California Tax Credit Allocation Committee http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/ctcac/projects.asp

Arvin City CouncilJanuary 28, 2025

Arvin City Council
January 28, 2025