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Kern LAFCO approves Ash Road annexation after resident raises well and septic concerns
Summary
Kern LAFCO approved Annexation 722 (Ash Road) by a 5–1 vote after resident Cammy Romero raised concerns about receiving an empty notice and whether existing wells or septic systems would be affected; city staff said septic permits and well repairs remain under county environmental health and offered payment options for future sewer connections.
The Kern Local Agency Formation Commission on an unspecified date approved Annexation 722 (Ash Road), a proposal to annex about 88.55 acres generally between Romero Road and Engel, by a 5–1 roll-call vote.
Resident Cammy Romero told the commission she received an empty envelope from the city’s planning department and said she had not been part of the original petition. Romero said she and three other families on the parcel rely on a shared well and septic system and worried that annexation could complicate permits or force costly connections. “I got an envelope in the mail, and it said it was from the city planning department. I didn't understand why. There was no letter in it,” Romero said.
Yazid Alugeri, a planner with the City of Bakersfield, said the parcel has a single assessor parcel number and that fixtures such as a mobile home are treated as running with the land. He told the commission the nearest city sewer and water lines are just over 1,000 feet away and that, under current rules, Romero would not be required to connect immediately. “Anything that gets annexed into the city is kind of grandfathered in,” Alugeri said. He added that septic permits could still be requested and issued by the city’s building department and that county environmental health would have oversight of well permits if needed.
Assistant City Manager Gary Hallen described a city policy allowing property owners to spread sewer connection fees over seven years on their property tax bill. “You can pay it on your property tax over a 7‑year period,” Hallen said, addressing affordability concerns raised by Romero.
Executive staff had recommended approval, noting the annexation conforms to applicable general-plan and commission policies and that CEQA review was provided by a notice of exemption filed by the applicant. Commissioner Flores moved to support the staff recommendation; Commissioner Arias seconded. The roll call recorded five ayes and one no and the motion passed.
What happens next: Conditions recommended by staff will be applied to the annexation approval and staff will proceed with implementation steps required under the resolution.
