Planning commission recommends general plan amendment and zone change for Bakersfield parcel

On May 8, 2025, the Kern County Planning Commission voted 4–0 (one member absent) to recommend that the Kern County Board of Supervisors approve a general plan amendment and a zone change for a 1.12-acre parcel on the north side of Roberts Lane at the terminus of Metzer Street in unincorporated Bakersfield.

Staff presented Case No. GPA 5 map 10213 and Zone Change No. 44 map 10213, filed by Michael Herrera through Inland Architects, describing two actions: an amendment to the Metropolitan Bakersfield general plan map code from HMR to HR (a more restrictive district) and a change in zoning classification from R-2 to R-3 (or a more restrictive district) for an approximately 1.12-acre property. The staff recommendation was that the commission advise the Board of Supervisors to adopt resolutions and findings and enact the zone change ordinance as set forth in the draft materials provided to commissioners.

No members of the public asked to remove the item from the consent calendar, and no commissioner requested discussion. A commissioner moved to approve the item “as read into the record,” a second was recorded, and the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote: 4 ayes, 1 absent. Staff stated that there is not a direct right of appeal of the commission action for this project because the commission is providing a recommendation; the matter will be noticed for consideration by the Kern County Board of Supervisors during the applicable general plan hearing window.

The commission record lists the application and associated draft resolution and ordinance as the documents forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.