DRAFT METROPOLITAN BAKERSFIELD GENERAL PLAN UPDATE EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT APRIL 2009 TM Submitted to: County of Kern Planning Department 2700 'M' Street, Suite 100 Bakersfield CA 93301 (661) 862-8600 City of Bakersfield Planning Department 1715 Chester Avenue, 2nd Floor Bakersfield CA 93301 (661) 326-3733 Submitted by: PMC 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Suite 220 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Phone: (916) 361-8384 Fax: (916) 361-1574 TABLE OF CONTENTS DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Issues Discussed.......................................................................................1.0-1 1.2 Document Organization..............................................................................1.0-2 2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT 2.1 Land Use Element .................................................................................................2.1-1 2.1.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.1-1 2.1.2 Issues .........................................................................................................2.1-5 2.2 Circulation Element................................................................................................2.2-1 2.2.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.2-1 2.2.2 Issues .......................................................................................................2.2-10 2.3 Conservation Element ...........................................................................................2.3-1 2.3.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.3-1 2.3.2 Issues .........................................................................................................2.3-7 2.4 Parks and Open Space Element ...........................................................................2.4-1 2.4.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.4-1 2.4.2 issues .........................................................................................................2.4-3 2.5 Noise Element .......................................................................................................2.5-1 2.5.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.5-1 2.5.2 Issues .........................................................................................................2.5-3 2.6 Safety Element ......................................................................................................2.6-1 2.6.1 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................2.6-1 2.6.2 Issues .......................................................................................................2.9-10 2.7 Public Services and Facilities Element..................................................................2.7-1 I APRIL 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT 2.7.1 Existing Conditions .................................................................................... 2.7-1 2.7.2 Issues ...................................................................................................... 2.7-12 3.0 OTHER INFLUENCES ON METROPOLITAN BAKERSFIELD ............ 3.0-1 LIST OF TABLES Table 2.4.2-1 2002 Metropolitan Bakersfield Existing Park Standards Comparison ....... 2.4-4 Table 2.4.1-1 Existing Parks in Metropolitan Bakersfield................................................. 2.4-9 Table 2.7.1-1 Water Sources for Urban Water Purveyors in Metropolitan Bakersfield.... 2.7-7 Table 3.1-1 City of Bakersfield and Kern County Developer Impact Fees....................... 3.0-7 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1.1-1 Centers and Resources ............................................................................ 2.1-3 Figure 2.1.2-1a Examples of Mixed-Use Development.................................................. 2.1-13 Figure 2.1.2-1b Examples of Transit-Oriented Development......................................... 2.1-13 Figure 2.1.2-2 Specific Plans for Rescission.................................................................. 2.1-24 Figure 2.1.2-3 Existing and Proposed Metropolitan Bakersfield Planning Area ............ 2.1-29 Figure 2.1.2-4 Urban - Opportunities and Reserve Map................................................ 2.1-34 Figure 2.2.1-1 State Routes ............................................................................................. 2.2-3 Figure 2.2.1-2 Golden Empire Transit (GET) Bus Routes ............................................... 2.2-5 Figure 2.2.1-3 Kern Regional Transit Routes................................................................... 2.2-5 Figure 2.2.1-4 Amtrak Routes .......................................................................................... 2.2-6 Figure 2.2.1-5 Existing and Proposed Bikeways.............................................................. 2.2-7 Figure 2.2.1-6 Airports.................................................................................................... 2.2-10 Figure 2.2.2-1 Physical Constraints to the Circulation System ...................................... 2.2-12 Figure 2.2.2-2 Canals..................................................................................................... 2.2-12 Figure 2.2.2-3 Proposed High Speed Rail Line.............................................................. 2.2-25 Figure 2.3.1-1 Known Mineral Resources........................................................................ 2.3-3 Figure 2.3.1-2 Prime Agricultural Lands........................................................................... 2.3-5 Figure 2.3.1-3 Williamson Act Properties......................................................................... 2.3-5 Figure 2.3.2-1 Kern River and Foothills ......................................................................... 2.3-10 Figure 2.4.1-1 Existing Parks ........................................................................................... 2.4-2 Figure 2.5.1-1 Major Noise Sources ................................................................................ 2.5-3 APRIL 2009 II TABLE OF CONTENTS DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT Figure 2.6.1-1 Major Active Faults....................................................................................2.6-2 Figure 2.6.1-2 Isabella Dam Inundation Areas .................................................................2.6-5 Figure 2.6.1-3 Areas of Potential Flooding .......................................................................2.6-7 Figure 2.6.1-4 Police/Sherriff and Fire Stations for the City of Bakersfield and Kern County...2.6-9 Figure 2.7.1-1 Water Storage Entities...............................................................................2.7-3 Figure 2.7.1-2 Water Supplier and Purveyor Service Areas.............................................2.7-5 Figure 2.7.1-3 Wastewater Treatment Plants ...................................................................2.7-9 Figure 2.7.1-4 Waste Facilities .......................................................................................2.7-11 III APRIL 2009 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION DRAFT EXISTING CONDITIONS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES REPORT 1.0 INTRODUCTION It is the intent of this Existing Conditions, Constraints and Opportunities Report for the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Update to highlight issues, challenges, and recommended changes to the existing General Plan that will be considered during the update. Some of these issues pose challenges that may limit options for the accommodation of future growth and development in Metropolitan Bakersfield. However, in some cases, these challenges represent an opportunity to capitalize on existing or future conditions or trends. The recommended changes contained in this Report will be used to guide the creation of new or updated goals, policies, and implementing actions in the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Update. 1.1 ISSUES DISCUSSED The Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Update process began in May 2007 with a series of Phase 1 Town Hall Meetings and surveys to involve members of the community who live, work, and play in the Metropolitan Bakersfield area. Their input was important to help identify issues that need to be considered in the General Plan Update, and to identify potential solutions to issues facing the area. The results of the workshops and surveys were summarized in the Final Public Outreach Issues Report. Copies of this Report are available for viewing at: City of Bakersfield Planning Department 1715 Chester Avenue, 2nd Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 www.bakersfieldcity.us Kern County Planning Department 2700 ‘M’ Street, Suite 100 Bakersfield, CA 93301 www.co.kern.ca.us Many of the issues discussed in this Existing Conditions, Constraints and Opportunities Report were derived from the results of the workshops, as documented in the Final Public Outreach Issues Report. The issues discussed in this Report were also derived from discussions with the City of Bakersfield and Kern County staff and input from other agencies or entities that provide services within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan Update area. In addition to the issues identified in this Report, a series of