ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 7, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Hearings TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: September 30, 2026
SUBJECT: Public hearing to consider Planning Commission’s approval of Zone Change No. 24-0004 and its proposed mitigated negative declaration. (Ward 4) Provost and Pritchard, representing North of the River Recreation and Park District (NOR) is proposing a Zone Change on approximately 9.3 acres located northeast of Jenkins Road and Austin Creek Avenue. The request includes:
1. Resolution adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. First Reading of an ordinance amending Title 17 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code by changing the official pre-zone classification from OS (Open Space) and A (Agriculture) to RE (Recreation).
RECOMMENDATION:
Open and close the public hearing and refer back to staff in order to be correctly agendized at a later date.
BACKGROUND:
This item was scheduled to be considered on October 7, 2026 agenda however, was incorrectly advertised as a public hearing. Therefore, staff recommends that your Council open and close the public hearing and refer the item back to staff, in order for this item to be correctly re-agendized for consideration at a later date.
The project is a request for a pre-zone change on approximately 9.3 acres generally located within the metropolitan Bakersfield area. The applicant proposes to change the zoning classification from OS (Open Space) and A (Agriculture) to RE (Recreation), or a more restrictive zoning district, in anticipation of future annexation into the City of Bakersfield. The proposed use is a park developed and operated by NOR.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The action to open and close the public hearing has little to no fiscal impact.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Ordinance