JE:RPN/CGPA-25-0008
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 16, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY:
TO: Chair and Members of the Planning Commission
FROM: Jennie Eng, Assistant Planning Director
DATE: April 10, 2026
FILE: General Plan Amendment and Zone Change No. 25-0008 J.Eng STAFF PLANNER: Roque Nino, Principal Planner
REQUEST: (1) An amendment of the Land Use Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan land use designation from R-IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to LR (Low Density Residential); and (2) a pre- zoning from County A (Exclusive Agriculture) to City R-1 (Single-Unit Dwelling) Zone.
APPLICANT: Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. OWNER: Calloway North Investors LLC 5509 Young Street 5301 Office Park Drive, Suite 115
Bakersfield, CA 93311 Bakersfield, CA 93309
LOCATION: 7656 Calloway Drive; generally located on the east side of Calloway Drive between Tortuga Del Mar Drive and Snow Road
APN: 492-080-11, 12 and 37
PROJECT SIZE: Approximately 10.44 acres CEQA: Mitigated Negative Declaration
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
(1) Adopt Resolution ADOPTING Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act; (2) Adopt Resolution APPROVING the general plan amendment to change the land use designation from R -IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to LR (Low Density Residential); and (3) Adopt Resolution APPROVING change in zone classification from County A (Exclusive Agriculture) to City R-1 (Single-Unit Dwelling) Zone.
SITE CHARACTERISTICS: The general plan amendment and pre-zoning covers the area located within the City of Bakersfield’s Sphere of Influence bound ary. The project site consists of three large contiguous parcels totaling 10.44 acres previously utilized for farming operations. Surrounding properties are primarily developed as: north, east and south – single-family residential; and west – condominium complex. Property to the east and south are zoned E(1/4) (Estate- ¼ Acre) in unincorporated Kern County.
CGPA-25-0008
PROJECT ANALYSIS:
General Plan Amendment/Zone Change (GPA/ZC).
The General Plan Amendment (“GPA”) and Zone Change (“ZC”) request submitted by Cornerstone Engineering Inc. (applicant), on behalf of Calloway North Investors LLC (property owner) is (1) proposing a GPA to change the Land Use Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan land use designation from R -IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to LR (Low Density Residential) or a more restrictive designation; and (2) proposing a pre -zoning change in from County A (Exclusive Agriculture) to City R -1 (Single-Unit Dwelling) or a more restrictive zone on approximately 10.44 acres.
The project proposes an annexation (PP -ANX-25-0014) to the City of Bakersfield and Vesting Tentative Tract Map (VTTM 7522) to develop 39 single-family residential parcels to construct single-family dwellings which is consistent with the proposed LR designation and R-1 zone for the project site.
Prezoning.
A city must pre -zone unincorporated territory that the city expects to annex in the future, or present evidence satisfactory to LAFCo that the existing development entitlements on the territory are vested or are already at buildout and are consistent with the city’s general plan. The proposed zoning must be consistent with the city general plan and a public hearing must be held. LAFCo may not, however, dictate the specific zoning to be applied by the city. There are two advantages to pre -zoning. First, the city will have zoning in effect immediately upon annexation. Residents will thereby have prior knowledge of the land use regulations that would affect them should annexation occur. Second, pre-zoning serves as notice to the LAFCo of the city’s intentions regarding its adjacent areas.
As such, upon annexation of the territory, the city is restricted for a period of two years aft er the annexation’s effective date from amending the general plan designation and zoning for the territory that is a departure from the pre-zoning. This restriction may be waived if the city makes a finding at a public hearing that a substantial change ha s occurred in circumstances that necessitates a departure from the pre-zoning. To be effective, the pre -zoning must be consistent with the city general plan. It should be noted that none of the identified parcels are within a physical constraint or hazard area that would impede sustainable development.
CALIFORNIA STATE HOUSING BILLS:
Housing Accountability Act. The Housing Accountability Act, Government Code Section 65589.5, establishes limitations to a local government’s ability to deny, reduce the density of, or make infeasible housing development projects, emergency shelters, or farmworker housing that are c onsistent with objective local development standards and contribute to meeting housing need. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65589.5(3)(j), when a proposed housing development project complies with applicable, objective general plan, zoning, and subdivision standards and criteria, including design review standards, in effect at the time that the application was deemed complete, but the local agency proposes to disapprove the project or to impose a condition that the project be developed at a lower density, the local agency shall base its decision regarding the proposed housing development project upon written findings supported by a preponderance of the evidence on the record that both of the following conditions exist:
1. The housing development project would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety unless the project is disapproved or approved upon the condition that the project be developed at a lower density. As used in this paragraph, a “specific, adverse impact” means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the CGPA-25-0008
application was deemed complete.
2. There is no feasible method to sat isfactorily mitigate or avoid the adverse impact identified pursuant to paragraph (1), other than the disapproval of the housing development project or the approval of the project upon the condition that it be developed at a lower density.
Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (“RHNA”) is a process mandated by California state law that requires jurisdictions to plan for new housing to accommodate projected growth. The RHNA assigns the number of housing units that the Cal ifornia State Housing and Community Development Agency (HCD) determine is necessary to build in an eight -year cycle for each jurisdiction, organized by affordability level. The project would contribute additional R-1 residential units on 10.44 acres to the City of Bakersfield’s 6th Housing Element Cycle from 2023 through 2031.
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 2: Accommodate new development which provides a full mix of uses to support its population.
The project is consistent with this goal because the property owner determined the market is driving a need for single-family residential within the project area. Additionally, the State encourages the increase in density of residential uses within cities throughout California.
Goal 3: Accommodate new development which is compatible with and complements existing land uses.
The project is consistent with this goal by providing single -family residential housing density intensification to support the local population.
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 necessary infrastructure and public improvements are available to accommodate single -family residential developments or, if the project is approved, will be developed through the fair-share payment of impact fees by the property owner. Therefore, the project is consistent with this goal.
Policy 2: Allow for the development of a variety of residential types and densities.
The project provides single -family land use within an area that predominantly consists of single -family residential use. Allowing single-family residential at the site would allow for the increased development of a variety of residential types and densities beyond the current condition. Therefore, the project is consistent with this policy.
Policy 3: Ensure that residential uses are located in proximity to commercial services, employment centers, public services, transportation routes, and recreational and cultural resources.
The proposed project site is one (1) mile from commercial services. There are nearby employment centers as well as others throughout the city that can be easily accessed via the existing circulation system.
Policy 75: Provide adequate land area for the expansion of existing uses and develo pment of new uses consistent with the policies of the general plan.
CGPA-25-0008
The project site is located on existing residential land near residential land uses. Therefore, adequate land is available for the project, and the project expands existing residential la nd uses at a different density.
Therefore, the project is consistent with this policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND DETERMINATION:
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff has reviewed the potential environmental impacts of the project. The Initial Study was based on the following project-specific analysis and technical studies: Air Quality Impact Analysis; Phase I Cultural Resource Survey; Biological Resource Evaluation; Trip Generation and Vehicle Miles Travel Analysis.
The initial study determined that compliance with the recommended mitigation measures, local ordinances, state laws, and construction to the standards of the Uniform Building Codes will reduce impacts to a less- than-significant level. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared for this project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The MND was circulated for a 30-day public and agency review period starting January 21, 2026, through February 19, 2026 (SCH No. 2026010517).
Comments Received. As of this writing, no written comments have been received.
Environmental Conclusion. The State CEQA Guidelines and the City of Bakersfield’s CEQA Implementation Procedures have been followed in the evaluation of the environmental effects of this project. With mitigation, significant environmental impacts were not identified for the proposed project.
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 of Bakersfield 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 noti fication 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.
Comments Received. As of this writing, no comments have been received.
Tribal Consultation. In compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 18, staff mailed a letter on January 7, 2026, notifying the American Indian Tribes of the proposed project and location of the site. The notice starts the 90-day consultation period required under SB 18. As of this writing, no tribal consultation has been requested.
Community Outreach. The applicant hosted a community outreach meeting on March 12, 2026. Invitation letters were mailed by the applicant to property owners within 300 feet of the project site. According to the meeting sign-in sheet, four individuals attended.
CONCLUSIONS:
Consistency with Surrounding Development. The project would provide for an increase in residential density to complement the existing single-family residential development in the area.
CGPA-25-0008
Consistency with General Plan/Zoning Ordinance. The proposal is consistent with land use goals and policies as contained in the General Plan related to single -family development, as noted above. As conditioned, the site plan review is required to comply with requirements and regulations as set forth in the Bakersfield Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) and City Development Standards.
Recommendation. Staff finds that the ap plicable provisions of CEQA have been complied with, and the proposal is compatible with the surrounding area, land use designation, and zoning ordinance.
Therefore, staff recommends your Commission: (1) adopt Resolution ADOPTING Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act; (2) An amendment of the Land Use Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan land use designation from R -IA (Resource – Intensive Agriculture) to LR (Low Density Residential); and (3) a change in zone classification from County A (Agricultural) to City R-1 (Single-Unit Dwelling) Zone.
ATTACHMENTS:
Map Set
• GPA/ZC Aerial
• GPA/ZC General Plan Classification
• GPA/ZC Zone Designation
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Planning Commission Draft Resolutions
• MND with Attachments
• GPA with Attachments
• ZC with Attachments