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Bakersfield Planning Commission backs zoning changes to implement housing element over commissioners' objections
Summary
After a staff presentation, the Bakersfield Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend that City Council adopt zoning ordinance amendments that codify state housing laws (including provisions tied to SB9 and SB35), allow certain community care facilities by right and reduce parking for some affordable projects; commissioners split over local control and neighborhood impacts.
The Bakersfield Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt a package of zoning ordinance amendments intended to implement the city's certified housing element.
Staff members said the changes largely codify state law into the Bakersfield Municipal Code (Title 17) and are intended to make the city's ordinances consistent with requirements from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). "Of those 25, 13 have already been taken care of ... we have a net of 12 amendments that we're presenting to you today for a recommendation of approval to city council," said Mr. Burns, a city staff member, during the presentation.
The amendments that drew the most attention would: add inspection authority and procedures for alleged lead hazards and other substandard housing conditions; expand definitions to permit manufactured or mobile homes in single-family zones; allow emergency shelters and low-barrier navigation centers by right in some zones; implement state laws such as SB9 (ministerial lot…
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