ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 11, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Public Hearings TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: March 6, 2026
SUBJECT: Public hearing to consider Planning Commission’s approval of General Plan Amendment/Zone Change No. 24 - 0001 (Ward 5) and its proposed mitigated negative declaration.
KSI Engineering, representing APVJ, LLC is proposing a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change on approximately 3.67 gross acres located at 5525 and 5543 Buena Vista Road in southwest Bakersfield. (Ward 5) The request includes:
1. Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. Resolution adopting General Plan Amendment to change land use designation from R-IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to OS-P (Parks).
3. First Reading of an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code by changing the official zoning classification from A-20A (Agricultural – 20-acre minimum) to RE (Recreation) zone.
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff and the Planning Commission recommend adoption of the resolutions and first reading of the ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
The project is a request for an amendment to the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Land Use Element and the City of Bakersfield Zoning Ordinance on approximately 3.67 gross acres, located at 5525 and 5543 Buena Vista Road in southwest Bakersfield. The applicant proposes to change the land use designation from R-IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to OS-P (Parks); and to change the zone classification from A- 20A (Agricultural – 20-acre minimum) to RE (Recreation) zone.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The proposed project seeks the above approvals to facilitate the future development of a 31,500 square foot indoor recreational facility, a parking lot, and an on-site retention basin. Site development plans have been submitted for formal review.
SITE HISTORY:
August 11, 1992 - The project site was annexed into the City as part of the Buena Vista No. 5 annexation (Annexation No. 355).
January 13, 2010 – City Council approved the pre-zoning classification of A-20A (Agricultural – 20-acre minimum) for these parcels as part of a larger pre-zoning (Ordinance 3384).
June 17, 2025 – The applicant submitted an application for a Site Plan Review to construct an indoor recreational facility (PP-SPR-25-0200).
PROPOSED PROJECT:
A site development plan has been submitted for formal review pursuant to the Bakersfield Municipal Code to ensure compliance with all adopted City regulations and applicable development standards (PP- SPR-25-0200). The indoor recreational facility will be equipped with a lobby, check -in desk, restrooms, snack bar, storage rooms, sitting area for parents, lockers, and 6 indoor volleyball courts. These 6 indoor volleyball courts could be transformed into 3 basketball c ourts or other sport courts as desired. Private groups (e.g., local schools and recreational sports teams) will utilize the facilities for practice facilities, club play, traveling club play, and tournaments for volleyball, pickle ball, and basketball. Whe n not being utilized by private groups, the public can rent the facilities for open play. Staff will be on site during the proposed hours of operation from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM seven days a week. There will be 2 employees per 8-hour shift with a maximum of 4 employees during the busiest shift of the day.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND DETERMINATION:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), Staff prepared an Initial Study to review the potential environmental impacts of the project. The Initial Study determined that compliance with recommended mitigation measures, local ordinances, state laws, and construction to the standards of the Uniform Building Codes would reduce impacts to a less-than- significant level. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (“MND”) was prepared for this project in accordance with CEQA. The MND was circulated for a 30-day public and agency review period starting on December 5, 2025, through January 5, 2026 (SCH No. 2025120029).
CEQA Comments Received.
No comments have been received in response to the Initial Study.
Public Notification.
Public notice for the proposed project and environmental determination was advertised in The Bakersfield Californian and posted on the bulletin board in the City Hall North, 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California. All property owners within 300 feet of the project site were notified by United States Postal Service mail regarding this public hearing in accordance with city ordinance and state law.
Signs are required as part of the public notification process and must be posted between 20 to 60 days before the public hearing date. Photographs of the posted signage and the Declaration of Posting Public Hearing Notice signed by the applicant are on file at the Planning Division.
Tribal Consultation.
In accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 18, a letter was sent by staff on November 3, 2025, to inform the American Indian Tribes about the proposed project and its site location. This notification marks the initiation of the 9 0-day consultation period mandated by SB 18. At present, no request for tribal consultation has been received.
Compatibility with Land Use Element.
Staff has reviewed the proposal for compatibility with the applicable goals and policies contained within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Land Use Element and finds the following:
Goal 1: Accommodate new development which captures the economic demands generated by the marketplace and establishes Bakersfield’s role as the capital of the southern San Joaquin Valley.
The project is consistent with this goal because it responds to an identified market demand for indoor recreational and athletic facilities within the City of Bakersfield. The proposed indoor sports complex will support local recreational activities, thereby contributing to the City’s economic vitality.
Goal 2: Accommodate new development which provides a full mix of uses to support its population.
The project is consistent with this goal as it introduces a recreational use that complements existing residential and agricultural uses in the surrounding area. The proposed indoor recreational facility will provide opportunities for organized sports, youth activities, and public recreation, supporting the needs of the City’s growing population and enhancing the overall mix of land uses.
Goal 3: Accommodate new development which is compatible with and complements existing land uses.
The project is consistent with this goal because the proposed recreational use is compatible with surrounding land uses and is designed to minimize potential land use conflicts. The facility, on-site parking, and retention basins will be reviewed as part of the site plan review process to ensure that the project is consistent with all adopted City regulations and applicable development standards.
Goal 4: Accommodate new development which channels land uses in a phased, orderly manner and is coordinated with the provision of infrastructure and public improvements.
The project is consistent with this goal because it will be developed in coordination with existing City infrastructure and services. The project will utilize City water and sewer services, provide on-site stormwater retention, and comply with applicable development standards. Required public improvements and infrastructure needs will be addressed through the City’s review process and payment of applicable development impact fees.
Policy 80: Assure that General Plan Amendment proposals for the conversion of designated agricultural lands to urban development occur in an orderly and logical manner giving full consideration to the effect on existing agricultural areas.
The project is consistent with this policy because an agricultural conversion study was prepared for the project site to evaluate the proposed conversion of designated agricultural land and to inform consideration of potential effects on existing agricultural areas.
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION:
This project was considered by the Planning Commission on January 15, 2026. No individuals or agencies were present at the hearing that opposed the request. The project was considered as a consent public hearing and the Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor, with two Commissioners absent, of the project and recommended approval to the City Council. The Planning Commission's findings are contained in Resolution Nos. 03-26,04-26, and 05-26.
Consistency with General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
The proposal is consistent with land use goals and policies as contained in the General Plan related to recreational development, as described above. Any future development proposed on the project site will be required to undergo a Site Plan Review to ensure consistency with City development standards as put forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If this site develops to its full land use economic potential it will have a positive impact on generating revenue for the City General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution (Mitigated Negative Declaration)
2. Resolution (General Plan Amendment)
3. Ordinance (Zone Change)
4. Map Set
5. Mitigated Negative Declaration
6. Planning Commission Resolutions
a. Adopt MND with Attachments
b. Approve GPA with Attachments
c. Approve ZC with Attachments
7. Planning Commission Staff Report