ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: February 25, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent Calendar - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: February 4, 2026
SUBJECT: Common Use Agreement with North Kern Water Storage District to allow the construction of a road over an existing canal (Ward 4).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Common Use Agreement.
BACKGROUND:
Palmetto Estates, LLC., is seeking to record the final map for Tract 7186 Phase 4 and will enter into an improvement agreement with the City of Bakersfield for the construction of required public improvements. A key component of these improvements is the construction of Snow Road, which will cross over the existing North Kern Water Storage District “R-1 Canal-Parcel 1” canal. Upon completion, the public improvements will be maintained by the City of Bakersfield.
The improvement plans have been reviewed and approved by both the City and the North Kern Water Storage District. In order to proceed with construction, authorization from the District is required. To facilitate this, the City has prepared a Common Use Agreement to be executed between the City of Bakersfield and the North Kern Water Storage District, allowing the roadway to be constructed and the canal to be relocated using coverts and pipes.
The Development Services Department – Land Development has reviewed the common use agreement and recommends that the City Council approve the Common Use Agreement. Approval represents a necessary step to satisfy project requirements and will allow the developer to move forward with construction of the improvement
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no financial impact to the City. The proposed sewer line will be bonded for by the developer and they will pay all required fees to Union Pacific Railroad for processing this common use agreement.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Common Use Agreement