Planners describe land‑use shift and public outreach as Barstow updates general plan

Colin, a PlaceWorks consultant, told attendees that the city’s comprehensive general plan update is intended to guide Barstow’s growth over a 15–20 year horizon and align land use, infrastructure and finance with anticipated changes, including the proposed BIG project.

“We think Barstow might double in the next 25 years,” Colin said, describing the scale planners are studying and the need to vet roadway, water and public‑service capacity. He emphasized that the general plan provides long‑range policy direction and maps that tell stakeholders where to invest.

PlaceWorks summarized outreach and early input from surveys, town halls and stakeholder meetings: residents asked for safe neighborhoods, more housing options, career and training opportunities, support for schools, enhanced public safety and better recreation amenities. Common technical questions included truck versus train operations, anticipated job numbers, traffic impacts, and water and sewer capacity.

On land use, PlaceWorks presented a working draft that concentrates industrial and employment zones on Barstow’s west side and directs new residential growth to the east to limit conflicts between heavy industrial uses and homes. Colin said technical studies are assessing roadway function, sewer and water capacity, air quality implications and cultural/tribal resources.

Colin said the city is preparing a draft general plan and a draft EIR that will be released for public review. He said the draft plan and the EIR’s mandated public review period are expected early next year, and that public hearings before the city’s decisionmakers are anticipated by the end of the year after comments are considered.

Next steps: PlaceWorks and city staff will be available in the lobby for questions and will post materials on the city website; residents were encouraged to review the draft documents during the public review period and submit comments.