Board approves zone change request for northern parcel near Hageman Road and Jewetta Avenue

The Kern County Board of Supervisors on April 29 approved a request by Airstar Properties LLC (DeWalt Corporation) to change the zoning on the northern portion of an approximately 9‑acre parcel near the corner of Hageman Road and Jewetta Avenue from single‑family to R2 medium‑density residential.

Craig Murphy of the Planning and Natural Resources Department told the board the northern portion of the site had a Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan land‑use designation of low‑medium density residential and that the proposed zoning change does not alter the underlying general‑plan maximum density of 10 dwelling units per net acre. The southern portion of the parcel will retain its estate residential quarter‑acre designation.

Planning staff said the applicant indicated plans to pursue duplex units on the northern portion and quarter‑acre lots on the southern portion, but that no final site plan or subdivision map was before the board at this meeting. A trip‑generation analysis prepared for a hypothetical 52‑unit project showed the project would not exceed the County’s threshold requiring a formal traffic study, Planning staff said, and the City of Bakersfield told staff it concurred with that determination.

Three comment letters and two adjacent property owners opposed the project at the planning commission hearing, citing potential effects on neighborhood character, property values, traffic and density. Planning staff responded that the county’s development standards require compatibility measures — including a six‑foot block wall where multifamily abuts single‑family lots, limits on balconies and window treatments within buffer distances, adherence to dark‑sky lighting and minimum landscaping — and noted surrounding land uses include existing multi‑family and rural residential properties.

After staff and public comment, the board approved the ordinance and resolution to enact the zone change by an all‑ayes vote. No development plan or subdivision map was approved at the meeting; future building or grading permits for multi‑unit development would require site‑plan review and utility “will‑serve” letters from water and sewer providers.

Supervisor Peters and county staff answered questions about a drainage easement (referred to repeatedly as a “sump”) behind an adjacent property; the county public‑works director said staff will re‑engage the private property owner and could open a code enforcement case if required to secure maintenance access.

The Planning Commission had recommended approval by a 3–1 vote with one commissioner opposed and one absent.