Kern County planning commission backs zone change on Jewettah Avenue, recommends county board approval

The Kern County Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended that the Kern County Board of Supervisors approve a zone change for a 9.04-acre parcel on the east side of Jewettah Avenue, about 240 feet south of the Hageman Road intersection, changing the northern portion to R2 (medium-density residential) and retaining estate quarter-acre zoning on the southern portion.

The recommendation matters because it would allow duplex and other medium-density housing types on the northern portion if and when the owner seeks permits, while the southern portion would remain limited to quarter-acre single-family lots. Commissioners voted 3–0 with one member absent and one member not voting to forward staff’s recommendation; an earlier motion to require a Planned Development overlay (R2-PD) for the R2 portion failed for lack of a second.

County planning staff described the proposal as a zone classification change for the 9.04-acre parcel that is currently split-zoned and has two map code designations. Staff said the parcel is vacant and surrounded by a mix of estate, single-family and multifamily development; the application was filed by Airstar Properties LLC and the owner is Aaron Rootin. The staff report noted an earlier Board of Supervisors approval of a related zone change in September 2007 that had a “held in suspense” condition; no tract or parcel map has been submitted with the current request.

Jeff Gutierrez, representing the applicant and identified as with DeWalt Corporation, told commissioners he agreed with staff’s findings and said the requested change is consistent with the Kern County Housing Element and the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan. “The current County housing element recommends that suitable infill locations like this one be designated for a variety of housing opportunities,” Gutierrez said, adding the proposal could accommodate single-family and multifamily types and would use design measures to promote compatibility with adjacent homes.

Opponents said the change would alter the character of the neighborhood and could increase traffic and noise. Maricella Tamez, who identified herself as a homeowner on Polson Way, said she opposed the change and described past traffic and quality-of-life impacts in the area after earlier development. “I moved out there in 1990 … I’m opposed,” Tamez said. Doug Clark, who said he has lived in the area 21 years, said the requested density was “a pretty big leap” from the current zoning and that nearby apartments do not justify additional higher-density units.

Brian Haupt, a realtor with ASU Associates representing owner Aaron Rootin, said the applicant proposes to limit the project to single-story duplexes and that the southern two acres would remain as quarter-acre lots to buffer neighbors. “We went to R2. R2 allowed us to build duplexes there. We’re gonna build all single story duplexes,” Haupt said, adding the plan could be adjusted to avoid a connection to Eden Street to address neighbors’ concerns.

Staff told commissioners the property’s LMR (low-medium residential) general plan designation limits density to about 10 dwelling units per net acre, which in staff’s view makes the effective density comparable to single-family zoning under the county’s consistency rules. County staff also said the applicant submitted a trip-generation analysis; City of Bakersfield traffic engineering reviewed it and concluded the project did not exceed 50 peak-hour trips, so no further traffic study was required. Staff noted estimated new peak-hour trips of about 38 in the morning and 43 in the evening.

Commissioners debated whether to recommend an R2-PD overlay that would require a subsequent PD/site plan and public hearing before construction. Planning Department staff explained the county is considering a program in its draft housing element to remove PD overlays on multifamily zoning to streamline housing approvals; staff therefore recommended plain R2 to be consistent with that direction. Commissioner Oliver moved to require an R2-PD overlay for the R2 portion, but the motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Skidmore then moved to recommend approval as written by staff; Commissioner Nance seconded, and the commission carried the motion.

The commission’s approval is a recommendation to the Kern County Board of Supervisors; staff said the Board will hold a separate noticed hearing on the item. If the Board approves the change and the owner later proposes multifamily buildings, staff said such development would require building-permit review by multiple departments (public works, fire, water/sewer) but would not automatically return to the planning commission unless a PD overlay or other discretionary step were required.

Item documentation and staff recommendations noted applicable authorities including the Kern County Housing Element, the county Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 19.80 referenced), the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) special situation provisions cited by staff.

The planning commission meeting was broadcast on KGOV due to temporary outages affecting Granicus and the county’s YouTube channel. The commission adjourned after the item; staff said a public notice will identify the date when the Board of Supervisors will consider the recommendation.