City Council
Planning the Future of Barstow
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions La reunión comenzará a las
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City Council
Planning the Future of Barstow
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions TONIGHT’S MEETING
1. Translation
2. Staff Presentation
3. Public Comment
Speaking order
2 minutes per speaker
4. Council Discussion & Deliberation
5. Council Action
6. Adjournment
Si necesita ayuda con la
traducción, acérquese al
mostrador situado junto a
la taquilla.
Project Components
General Plan Update
Zoning Updates
2 BIG Specific Plan & Project
Development Agreement
Tentative Tract Map
Road Maintenance Agreement
Easements
3 LAFCO Actions
Reorganizations
Prezoning
Tax Sharing Agreement
4 1 Environmental Impact Report
City Council
General Plan & Zoning Update
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions BEFORE
1776
1880
1925
1980
2020
TRIBAL TRADE ROUTES
SILVER &
RAILROADS
RTE 66 &
MILITARY
PROPOSALS FOR
ECONOMIC GROWTH
FOCUSED
PLANNING
1830
OLD SPANISH TRAIL
BARSTOW’S ECONOMIC HISTORY
2015
PLANNING FOR NEW
OPPORTUNTIES
Development interest for around
4,000 new homes and 11,000 new
jobs created the need to take a
comprehensive look at all of
Barstow’s long-range plans.
BNSF BIG
CASINO
LOGISTICS
RESIDENTIAL
INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT INTEREST SINCE 2020
GENERAL PLAN
CITY CONSULTANTS
CEQA / EIR SPECIFIC PLAN MASTER PLANS
FEHR & PEERS MOBILITY TRAFFIC PEER REVIEW
PLACEWORKS GENERAL PLAN CEQA / EIR PEER REVIEW CONTRIBUTOR
BNSF CONTRIBUTOR APPLICANT
APPLICANT
TEAM EVALUATING
GROWTH
RCS CONTRIBUTOR IMPACT FEES
CAROLLO CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR SEWER
MERRELL JOHNSON ADVISOR ADVISOR ADVISOR ADVISOR
FUSCOE INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRIBUTOR PEER REVIEW
CITY STAFF
KIMLEY HORN &
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS CONTRIBUTOR SPECIFIC PLAN
UNIFIED PLANNING SYSTEMS
State law requires everything
to be consistent with the
General Plan, including the
BIG Specific Plan.
Cities use a variety of tools to
plan, regulate, and manage
growth.
The General Plan serves as
the hub for these planning
systems.
ZONING
GENERAL
PLAN
SPECIFIC PLAN
SUBDIVISION
FINANCING
PUBLIC
FACILITIES
The General Plan serves as a
long-term framework or
“blueprint" guiding future
development and positive
change in the community.
GENERAL PLAN
The General Plan is also used by
property owners, service providers, and
other community members to understand
and reinforce how local resources are
allocated and what decisions are made.
GENERAL PLAN
The General Plan provides long-term
guidance and direction for the City Council,
Planning Commission, and City staff when
evaluating decisions about new development,
public services and facilities, improvements,
and investments.
The General Plan reflects the community’s
vision and values, laying out goals and policies
to shape the physical, social, and economic
environment for the next 20+ years.
2038 2028
PLANNING FOR THE NEXT 20+ YEARS
2023
2025
2048
Starting in late 2022,
the City conducted an
extensive outreach
effort involving
thousands of Barstow
residents, businesses,
and organizations.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
O N D
GPU START
75th
CELEBRATION
2022
JAN FEB MAR APR
12 FOCUS
GROUPS
High Desert
Symposium
MWA
Committee
2023
JUL
TOWN HALL
Helendale CSD
Town Hall
Barstow
Chamber
Local Agencies &
Community Groups
SURVEY
NOV
Draft GP, SP, & EIR
Public Review
SPRING JAN PUBLIC HEARINGS
N O JUL MAR
OPEN HOUSE &
SCOPING MTG
High Desert Symposium
High Desert
Chamber TOWN HALL
Sylvan
Mtg
MAR
High Desert
Symposium
TOWN HALLS
AUG
Top Questions
When will it all happen?
How will all this growth affect me?
How many jobs? Job training?
Will there be a lot of truck traffic?
Can the infrastructure handle it?
Where will schools and parks go?
Top Priorities
Encourage investment in community
Livable wage jobs/careers
Expand housing options
Support local schools/college
Improve public services & safety
Increase recreation amenities
PUBLIC INPUT
PUBLIC AGENCIES CONSULTED
GENERAL PLAN
2048
Barstow, nestled at the crossroads of history and progress in the heart of the Mojave Desert, is poised to be at the center of regional growth and serves as the Hub of the West.
The City and its people honor its past while forging a dynamic future, creating a complete community where residents thrive, visitors discover, and businesses flourish.
Through collaboration between city leaders, residents, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders, Barstow will proactively address current challenges while seizing opportunities to create a prosperous and resilient future.
NEW GENERAL PLAN VISION
1. Residential and jobgenerating use spread
throughout / adjacent
2. High density diverseuse (mixed-use)
planned outside City
boundaries next to
industrial uses
3. Interim Open Space
placeholder for future
development, both in
and around the City
4. East-west connection
via Veterans Parkway
ADOPTED 2015
GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE PLAN
1. New residential within
Central Barstow
2. New job-generating
uses outside of Central
Barstow
3. BIG Specific Plan
4. New Business Park
designation
5. Reflect County land
use designations for
unincorporated areas
6. Realignment of
Veterans Parkway
PROPOSED
GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE PLAN
GENERAL PLAN
Note: Figures shown exclude unincorporated Barstow, which is not forecasted to change, but represents ~3K HH, 9K POP, 1K JOBS Households Residents Jobs
Existing (2023)
Growth (25 yrs)
Future (2048)
9K
6K
15K
25K
19K
14K
10K
44K 24K
Includes
BIG
The land use plan, along with improvements
identified for transportation and infrastructure
systems, establishes the City’s capacity for growth.
With the opportunities available to Barstow,
the City could potentially double in size over
the next 20+ years.
• Responsibly managed natural resources
• Quality parks & rec facilities
• Healthy air and water
OPEN SPACE &
CONSERVATION
• Minimized risk from and enhanced
resiliency in the face of emergencies,
natural disasters, and hazards
SAFETY
• Connectivity across the entire city,
while enhancing safety and
comfort for all modes of mobility
CIRCULATION &
MOBILITY
• New Vision / Objectives
• Streamlined format
• Documents incorporated by reference
• Environmental Justice in all policies
INTRODUCTION
• Compatible land use patterns that promote the health and prosperity of Barstow residents, businesses, and institutions
LAND USE
• Reliable and cost-effective infrastructure
• Quality public facilities and services
• Support public safety, community health,
and educational and financial success
PUBLIC FACILITIES &
SERVICES • More housing options
• Support for existing residents
• No change to State certified element
HOUSING
GENERAL PLAN
New district for employment-generating
uses and low-impact industrial
NEW: Business Park
New district to add more housing options
and address the Housing Element
NEW: High Density Residential
Applicable to few (if any parcels) and
redundant with Low Density Residential
REMOVE: Estate Residential
Other changes associated with the
Housing Element statutory compliance
Other Changes
Regulatory plan for the development
and implementation of the BIG Project
BIG Specific Plan
ZONING UPDATES
Based on the proposed General Plan (and to ensure consistency), the City will be considering several changes to the Zoning Ordinance.
PROPOSED
ZONING
CHANGES
City Council
BIG Specific Plan
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions JUNE 2026
Barstow International
Gateway Project
• Owned by Berkshire Hathaway
• ~37,000 employees
• Average of 1,200 trains/day,
approximately 10 million units
per year across the country
• 32,500+ route miles in 28
states and three Canadian
provinces
About BNSF Railway
BNSF in Barstow
• BNSF and its predecessor railroads have
operated in Barstow since 1886
• For more than 140 years, BNSF has
operated a railyard here, most recently
as a classification yard
• The City of Barstow is named for William
Barstow Strong, president of the Atchison,
Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad
• BNSF currently employs approximately 1,000
people in Barstow
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the largest in the nation, approximately 30% of goods entering the U.S.
CURRENT PROCESS
1. International cargo arrives in 40-foot containers that are then trucked from the Ports to warehouses in Los Angeles or Inland Empire
2. Containers are unloaded, classified, and re-loaded
onto 53-foot domestic containers
3. Domestic containers are either transported by truck
to a railyard and loaded onto trains headed for
destinations across the United States; or are
trucked across the country
Credit: Nick C Prior, Wikipedia
Goods Movement in Southern California
Barstow International Gateway will allow for fast, efficient and cost competitive rail service, moving goods on trains directly from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
through the underutilized Alameda Corridor to Barstow, CA. • $4B+ state-of-the-art master-planned intermodal facility • Fully integrated rail and transload for a streamlined supply chain
• On-site warehouse development
• Access to the fastest intermodal route and largest hub network • More sustainable supply chain solution
Barstow International Gateway (BIG)
BIG Conceptual Site Plan
BIG Close Loop System
• BNSF has signed Project Labor Agreements to ensure union labor for construction
• Dedicated Tier 4 locomotive fleet between the Ports and BIG’s Intermodal Facility
• Zero-emission electric cranes and cargo handling equipment • Clean Tier 4 switchers at BIG
• Commitment to increased use of renewable fuels for the entire Southern California locomotive fleet
(from 1% to 10% RD)
• 140-acre solar farm, rooftop solar on warehouses
beyond legal requirements, and solar on railyard
canopies
BNSF Commitments for BIG
• Voluntary replacement of existing switchers at existing Barstow yard with 99% cleaner Tier 4 switchers
• MDAQMD MOU for the testing of Tier 4 Hybrid
Linehaul Locomotives
• CARB MOU to explore the feasibility of additional
emissions reduction measures
These commitments will be implemented by the
Development Agreement, MMRP, Conditions, MOUs and
a MDAQMD Cooperative Agreement.
BNSF Commitments for BIG (cont'd)
Economic Benefits
• 62,000 direct, indirect and induced construction jobs, including union construction jobs and approximately
15,000 direct, indirect, and induced operation jobs.
• Estimated construction economic benefit is
approximately $11 billion and operational economic
benefit is approximately $7 billion.
• City of Barstow economic benefit of approximately
$7.85 billion
BIG Benefits
First of Its Kind Rail Facility in the U.S.
• Allows for more efficient transfer of cargo directly between ships and rail
• Maximizes rail and distribution efficiency regionally and across the U.S. supply chain
• Improves fluidity and reliability of rail corridor
• Reduces truck and freeway congestion by eliminating
approximately 800,000 truck trips each year
• Net decrease in GHG emissions
Barstow Community Benefits
• Tax revenue generated by BIG will support
local schools, including the Barstow Unified
School District
• BIG will supplement existing programs at
Barstow Community College by adding new
programs aligned with industry standards to
meet specific employer needs
• Additionally, tax revenue generated by BIG
will support improved public services,
purchase of a new ladder truck
and additional staffing for firefighters and
police beyond what is needed to service
BIG, providing a citywide benefit
• Upgrades of city infrastructure, including
flood management, bridges and roadways
and purchase of maintenance equipment
BIG’s Benefits between Port Communities and BIG
1. Maximizes use of existing on dock infrastructure at Ports and underutilized Alameda Corridor.
2. Dedicated Tier 4 locomotive fleet between Ports and BIG’s Intermodal Facility.
3. 900% increase in use of renewable diesel for ALL BNSF trains leaving the Port (not just those stopping at BIG), resulting in reduced GHG and other key emissions.
4. DECREASES in local and regional truck-related emissions and traffic impacts. Average annual 800,000 truck trips eliminated in the South Coast Air Basin.
5. Diesel Particulate Matter reductions along Corridor.
6. Comprehensive regional Health Impact Analysis shows NO regional or cumulative impacts in South Coast Air Basin.
BIG Supports a Fluid and Efficient Supply Chain
BIG will provide additional efficiency,
resiliency and reliability as recognized in the
2024 State Rail Plan by:
• Dramatically reducing the need for truck trips and
corresponding reduction in emissions and highway
congestion
• Distributing rail freight staging and processing
efficiency away from ports and into parts of California with more space and ability to accommodate freight
development
• Reducing or eliminating the need for drayage moves
by promoting on-dock rail and alleviating chassis
shortage issues
“The Barstow International Gateway is the first
facility of its kind to be developed by a Class I
railroad. The facility will provide the space to sort
the containers that arrive on ships within 130
miles of the port. Instead of requiring many truck
trips to move the containers to this location, the
containers will be expeditiously loaded onto trains
regardless of their final destination. Organization
of the containers and their contents will take place
at a new facility near the location of the long-time
classification yard in the Barstow-area desert.”
- California State Rail Plan, p. 41
• BIG is the first transportation-related infrastructure project certified by the Governor under SB 149, and one of only 10 transportation projects that will receive this designation.
• BIG helps accelerate critical infrastructure projects that advance the goals of the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI). • The Governor determined that:
o The Project represents a $4 billion private investment in California, will help reduce congestion in port adjacent communities, improve supply chain reliability, and support the transition to a zero-emission freight system. o BIG would result in mode shift from heavy duty truck to rail that would removes hundreds of thousands of truck miles from the national highway network o BNSF has provided information establishing that the Project will minimize impacts to disadvantaged communities
o BIG results in net reductions of GHG emissions
• BIG will serve Californians for decades by strengthening the state’s freight infrastructure, supporting climate and air quality goals, and delivering long-term economic opportunity.
Governor's Certification Under SB 149
Thank you
City Council
Making Sure
Everything Works
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions
KEEPING BARSTOW FLOWING SMOOTHLY
ROADWAY
NETWORK
Capacity & Maintenance
ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
Substation & Lines
WATER
SYSTEMS
Supply & Quality
SEWER
SYSTEMS
Citywide Study
STORMWATER
DRAINAGE
Channels & Basins
ROADWAY NETWORK
BIG ON-SITE CIRCULATION
IMPROVEMENTS
BIG ON-SITE SEWER
IMPROVEMENTS
BIG WATERLINE
IMPROVEMENTS
BIG ON-SITE STORMWATER
IMPROVEMENTS
MAIN ST. AT LENWOOD
BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION
BIG ELECTRICAL
IMPROVEMENTS
City Council
Environmental Impact Report
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions
CEQA PURPOSE
Allows the City to
weigh both the impacts
and the benefits of the
project before deciding.
INFORMED DECISION
identify feasible ways to avoid
or mitigate such impacts and
evaluate alternatives
REDUCE IMPACTS
Inform officials and the
community about potential
impacts of a decision that
could significantly affect the
environment.
INFORM
CEQA PROCESS & TIMELINE
NOP 2/16 to 3/26/24
Scoping Meeting 3/13/24
Notice of Preparation
& Scoping Meeting
Public Review Period
11/10/25 to 1/12/26
Draft EIR &
Public Review
Draft EIR and technical studies
prepared in 2024 & 2025
Revisions and
Response to Comments
Final EIR
Final EIR prepared in
winter/spring 2026 PC – 5/16/26
CC – 6/2/26
Public Hearings
WE ARE HERE
EIR SCOPING MEETING
• NOP published February 15, 2024 – March 26, 2024
• Scoping Meeting held March 13, 2024, Cora Harper Fitness Center • 200+ attendees | 55 comment letters/cards
Project Components
General Plan Update
Zoning Updates
2 BIG Specific Plan & Project
Development Agreement
Tentative Tract Map
Road Maintenance Agreement
Easements
3 LAFCO Actions
Reorganizations
Prezoning
Tax Sharing Agreement
4 1 Environmental Impact Report
ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS
Aesthetics Hazards, Hazardous Materials and Wildfire
Agricultural & Forestry Resources Hydrology and Water Quality Air Quality Land Use and Planning
Biological Resources Noise and Vibration
Cultural Resources Population and Housing
Energy Public Services and Recreation
Geology, Soils and Mineral Resources Transportation
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Utilities and Service Systems
Tribal Cultural Resources
TOPICS ANALYZED IN THE EIR
GENERAL PLAN & BIG PROJECT
What is a Mitigation Measure?
What Mitigation Can Do: What Mitigation Cannot Do:
If the EIR discloses a significant environmental impact, the City must apply and monitor the implementation of feasible mitigation measures (conditions on the project) to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the impact. CEQA does not expand the City’s legal authority.
The purpose of the mitigation measure is to reduce the environmental impact to a level that is less than the threshold disclosed in the EIR.
Reduce significant environmental harm
Require feasible mitigation measures
Mitigation must be proportional to project’s
impacts
Address non-environmental issues
Fix existing problems
Require more than the project’s fair share
Be applied outside of the City
In some instances, even with mitigation measures, some
impacts cannot be reduced to less than significant. These are called significant and unavoidable impacts.
AESTHETICS
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Visual changes, lighting, and glare from large-scale development cannot be fully screened or mitigated over time, especially at night.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
Construction Lighting & screening
plan that includes:
• Shielded and directional lighting
• Temporary privacy fencing
• Use of minimum lighting levels
approved by OSHA
Construction Lighting & screening
plan that includes:
• Shielded and directional lighting
• Temporary privacy fencing
• Use of minimum lighting levels
approved by OSHA
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG.
AGRICULTURAL & FORESTRY RESOURCES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Urban development under the General Plan would conflict with agricultural zoning and farmland preservation.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Avoid development on land
designated as Prime Farmland
• Prepare a Land Evaluation Site
Assessment (LESA)
• Provide Agricultural Easement
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan.
Less than significant
AIR QUALITY
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Development under the General Plan and construction and operation of BIG would generate emissions that exceed thresholds even after applying feasible mitigation.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Prepare technical assessment evaluating project
level construction related air quality impacts
• Prepare technical assessment evaluating project
level operational related air quality impacts
• For certain developments, prepare a Health Risk
Assessment (HRA)
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG. For BIG, the City will require 14 Air Quality Mitigation Measures such as those listed in the examples above. • Dust Control Plan during construction
• Low VOC Paint
• Reduced Exhaust Emissions from Off-Road
Construction Equipment
• Tier 4 construction Equipment
• Any trucks accessing BIG will reduce idling and
follow truck routes
CULTURAL RESOURCES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Development could permanently alter or destroy unknown or significant historic/archaeological resources despite surveys and documentation.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Conduct project level Historical
Resources Assessment
• Apply applicable preservation
standards for historic resources
• Conduct project level Archaeological
Resources Assessment
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG.
• Recovery of known resources prior to
construction
• Develop Monitoring plan in coordination
with Native American tribes
• Train construction workers on
procedures if they encounter resources
• Archaeological and tribal monitors
during construction
GEOLOGY, SOILS, & MINERAL RESOURCES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Development could prevent access to mineral resources, which cannot be replaced or mitigated.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
No feasible mitigation
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan.
Less than significant with mitigation
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Citywide growth increases emissions beyond targets; long-term reductions cannot fully offset increases.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Qualified Climate Action Plan
• Implementation of project specific measures,
including:
• Dust Control Plan during construction
• Low VOC Paint
• Reduced Exhaust Emissions from
Off-Road Construction Equipment
• Tier 4 construction Equipment
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan.
BIG results in a REDUCTION of GHG Emissions, with the implementation of several Air Quality and Energy mitigation measures, which have the added benefit of reducing GHG Emissions to less than significant.
Less than significant with mitigation
NOISE & VIBRATION
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Construction, traffic, and operational noise impacts cannot be fully reduced due to proximity to receptors.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Limit hours of construction and use
best available noise control techniques
on construction equipment and trucks
• Consider use of sound wall barriers
when feasible
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG.
• Construction Noise Plan
• Two Noise barriers will be
constructed based on Caltrans
standards
• Rubberized Asphalt will be used
for Main Street Improvements
TRANSPORTATION
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from projected growth exceeds CEQA thresholds.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
No feasible mitigation
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan.
Less than significant
TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Culturally significant tribal resources may be accidentally disturbed and cannot always be preserved even with mitigation.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
• Conduct project level Historical
Resources Assessment
• Apply applicable preservation standards
for historic resources
• Conduct project level Archaeological
Resources Assessment
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG.
• Recovery of known resources prior to
construction
• Develop Monitoring plan in coordination
with Native American tribes
• Train construction workers on
procedures if they encounter resources
• Archaeological and tribal monitors during
construction
UTILITIES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Growth under the General Plan and BIG would require the construction of additional infrastructure.
EXAMPLES OF REQUIRED MITIGATION
Various mitigation measures throughout the
EIR would reduce impacts on future
development related to construction of
additional infrastructure, including:
• Tier 4 construction Equipment
• A Construction Noise Plan
With implementation of feasible mitigation measures, impacts would be significant and unavoidable for the General Plan and BIG.
Various mitigation measures throughout the
EIR would reduce impacts on future
development related to construction of
additional infrastructure, including:
• Tier 4 construction Equipment
• A Construction Noise Plan
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
Project objectives are used to help develop and evaluate alternatives to the project.
JOB CREATION: Adding a substantial number of livable wage and head of household jobs to strengthen the City’s economic base, fiscal resiliency, and provide career pathways.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES: Providing a larger amount and wider range of housing to address the needs of the community, military installations, and various lifestyles and life stages.
COHESIVE LAND USE: Implementing a plan that transitions appropriately between residential, commercial, and industrial areas while leveraging and improving existing infrastructure.
ECONOMIC REINVESTMENT: Creating opportunities that allow residents and local businesses to reinvest in the community and build generational wealth.
SUPPLY CHAIN CAPITALIZATION: Using land use and circulation plans to capitalize on Barstow’s unique position in the national supply chain and its existing industrial and rail infrastructure.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY: Establishing goals and
policies that ensure Barstow remains a healthy and safe community for residents, businesses, and visitors.
EFFICIENT GOODS MOVEMENT: Increasing the speed and reliability, and lowering the cost, of moving goods from the Ports to their destinations, with the end effect of reducing traffic congestion and associated air emissions from trucking of goods to and from transload facilities, by constructing a facility comprising an IMF, an on-site transload warehouse center, and a block swap yard.
SYMBIOTIC DESIGN: Site design that allows the most efficient interplay between the operations of the block swap, IMF and transload warehouse center to ensure that the site will accommodate projected future demand.
PUBLIC POLICY ALIGNMENT: Construct and operate the facility in a manner that promotes the public policy goals in the State Rail Plan to reduce the disproportionate impacts of truck-borne goods movement in urbanized and densely populated areas adjacent to Port facilities.
ADVANCED TRACKING: Utilizing a single technology platform to track goods throughout their journey.
MAINLINE INTEGRITY: Designing the facility so construction and operations do not interfere with existing operations of mainline.
STRATEGIC SITING: Locating the facility at a large enough site near existing BNSF maintenance facilities, mainlines and a reasonable distance from heavily urbanized areas.
Alternative
No Project:
Continuation of 2015
General Plan
No BIG / Proposed
General Plan Reduced
Development
No BIG /
No Annexation
Reduced Intensity
West Transload
Warehouse Center
Alternative
Advantages
Generally results in fewer direct physical
environmental impacts due to less overall
development
Reduces the severity of significant impacts (air quality, noise, traffic) compared to the proposed project while
updating the GP for state law compliance
Generally results in fewer direct physical
environmental impacts due to less overall
development
Reduces the development footprint and intensity by
50%, leading to proportionally fewer impacts on noise,
energy, and population growth
Locates all warehouses west of the Lenwood Channel,
requiring 12% less earthwork and a smaller overall
transload warehouse footprint than BIG
Disadvantages
Fails to meet most project objectives, including job
creation, enhancing quality of life for residents, and
updating the GP for compliance with new state laws
Does not meet the economic growth or supply chain
capitalization objectives associated with BIG
Fails to meet most project objectives, including job
creation, state rail plan alignment, and updating the
GP for compliance with new state laws
Significantly less effective at reducing regional truck traffic, reducing GHG emissions, and meeting freight
movement goals
19% fewer containers processed; thus, more truck
miles traveled and GHG emissions. Vacant area west
of Lenwood Channel could be developed with
traditional truck-fed warehouses
PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL TOPIC
Aesthetics
Agricultural & Forestry Resources
Air Quality
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Energy
Geology, Soils and Mineral Resources
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Hazards, Hazardous Materials and Wildfire
Hydrology and Water Quality
Land Use and Planning
Noise and Vibration
Population and Housing
Public Services and Recreation
Transportation
Utilities and Service Systems
Tribal Cultural Resources
Significant and
Unavoidable
with Mitigation
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
No Impact or
Less Than
Significant
X
O
X
O
X
O
O
O
O
O
O
X
O
O
O
X
X
No Impact or
Less Than
Significant
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Significant and
Unavoidable
with Mitigation
X
X
X
O
X
O
X
X
O
O
O
X
O
O
X
X
X
EIR IMPACT DETERMINATIONS
GENERAL PLAN BIG PROJECT
STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
The City may determine that a
project’s potential benefits may
outweigh its potential impacts.
POTENTIAL
IMPACTS
POTENTIAL
BENEFITS
The City Council can adopt
statements of overriding
considerations for impacts that are
potentially significant and
unavoidable (even with mitigation).
All feasible mitigation for these
impacts must still be implemented.
Quality of life
Community health & safety
Hazards / evacuation
Land use compatibility
Accessibility & circulation
Lighting & noise
Biological resources
Water quality / supply
Frequent Concerns
TYPES OF EIR COMMENTS
1,500+ 500+
COMMENT LETTERS WITH
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
LETTERS
OF SUPPORT
2,052
TOTAL COMMENT LETTERS
The Final EIR contains
extensive and detailed
responses to all the
comments as well as
minor refinements and
corrections.
Local living wage jobs
Career opportunities
Workforce training
Support for the hospital
Demand for new homes
Funding for public services
Frequent Comments
City Council
Annexation, Financing,
and Next Steps
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions
ANNEXATION &
PREZONING
Area A to
reflect full
boundary of
the BIG SP
BIG SP
Area B to avoid creating
an unincorporated island
ANNEXATION
Action A to
annex area
into Barstow
Fire Protection
District
Action A & B
to annex area
into Odessa
Water District Action A
Action B
ANNEXATION FACTORS
Adjacent to City limits
Police Services
Fire Protection Services
Other government services,
streets, and infrastructure
Consistent with General Plan
Avoid unincorporated islands
City and LAFCO consider several factors when
evaluating an annexation, primarily implications
for city finances and public services.
Factors
WHAT DOES BIG MEAN FOR THE CITY?
NEW POLICE
OFFICERS
NEW FIRE
FIGHTERS
Strengthening public safety and
building stronger connections in
our community
9 12
GENERAL CITY
SERVICES
Enhancing services
that support a safe,
vibrant, and growing
community
ENHANCE
SURPLUS EVEN
AFTER NEW HIRES
Primarily from
property tax
$2.6M
BIG Project Timeline & Direct Jobs Onsite at BIG
2026
DURING
CONSTRUCTION
8,188
Construction
Jobs
2028
INITIAL
OPERATIONS
2048
HORIZON
YEAR
WHAT DOES BIG MEAN FOR THE CITY?
3,627
Direct On-site
Jobs
5,373
Direct On-site
Jobs
2033
INTERIM YEAR
OPERATIONS
4,670
Direct On-site
Jobs
The estimate the total number of direct, indirect, and induced jobs that would take place throughout the region: 34,100 construction jobs and 11,000 permanent jobs. Statewide, BIG is expected to support 62,100 construction and 15,700 operational jobs.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
• Development Impact Fees related to development of 9 MSF of warehouse totaling approximately $49M
• Broad range of environmental commitments
• Substantial contributions to offsite City infrastructure improvements • Purchase of a new fire ladder truck to enhance citywide fire services • Purchase of new equipment for maintenance of drainage facilities • Enhance City tax base
KEY COMMUNITY BENEFITS
NEXT STEPS
1. Open Public Hearing / Public Testimony
2. Close Public Hearing
3. City Council Discussion
4. Decide whether to:
• Certify the EIR
• Approve the General Plan and Zoning Updates
• Approve the BIG Specific Plan and Tentative Map
• Approve other actions needed to implement the project
5. Roll Call Vote
6. If approved tonight, City Council second reading of ordinances to be held on June 16, 2026
City Council
Planning the Future of Barstow
Public Hearing | June 2, 2026
General Plan & Zoning Update, EIR, BIG Specific Plan, and LAFCO Actions
PUBLIC COMMENTS
PARTICIPATION IS INVITED. If you wish to address the Council, please complete a speaker request card and submit it to the Box Office located in the lobby prior to the close of the Public Hearing. Please note that the Public Comment period is an opportunity for the Council to hear from the public. The Council will not engage in dialogue or respond to questions during the public comment period, to ensure that all speakers can be heard.
CODE OF CONDUCT. During this meeting, we will treat each other with patience, civility, and courtesy.
Please direct comments to the Council and not to the audience or City staff. Actions taken tonight will be for the benefit of the Barstow community and not for personal gain.
SPEAKING ORDER. Speakers will be called in numerical order. When your number and name appear on screen, please move to the speaker seating area and hand your ticket to City staff. Staff will call your number and name up to 3 times before moving to the next speaker. Once you start speaking, you have up to 2 minutes to make and complete your comment. If you need translation, you will be granted 4 minutes to accommodate translation services.
Si necesita ayuda con la traducción, acérquese al mostrador situado junto a la taquilla.