Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Bakersfield planning commission forwards ordinance changes to implement certified housing element amid debate
Summary
Planning staff presented 12 remaining ordinance amendments that codify state housing laws (SB9, SB35, lead-inspection authority, community care facility rules and parking reductions). After a lengthy debate about local control and neighborhood impacts, the commission voted 4-2 to recommend the changes to city council.
Planning staff recommended and the Bakersfield Planning Commission voted 4-2 on April 2 to forward a package of ordinance amendments designed to implement the city's certified housing element.
The amendments, presented by Mr. Burns of planning staff and VD King of the city attorney's office, codify numerous state statutory requirements into the city's municipal code (Title 17). Burns summarized the work as identifying "25 amendments," of which "13 have already been taken care of" and a "net of 12 amendments" remain for the commission's recommendation. VD King told the commission the city's housing element had been found in substantial compliance by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and that staff considers the city "100% in compliance."
Why it matters: The ordinance amendments translate state laws into local zoning rules. They include implementing SB9 lot-split provisions (allowing certain splits and additional dwellings on single-family lots), SB35 streamlining for qualifying affordable infill projects, definitions and rules for vacant-site inventory, codification of lead-hazard inspection authority and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
