General Plan Amendment/Zone Change No. 25-0003

Bolthouse Properties has submitted a request to the City of Bakersfield for General Plan Amendment and Zone Change No. 25-0003, involving approximately 44 acres located on the south side of Stockdale Highway between South Nord Avenue and South Wegis Avenue. The project seeks to amend the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan land use from Office Commercial to Low Medium Density Residential and change the zoning from Commercial Office/Planned Commercial Development to Small Lot Single-Unit Dwelling. This development aims to provide 2,185 residential housing units to advance the buildout of the Stockdale River Ranch Master Plan. The City of Bakersfield's Development Services department is the lead agency for this action, which is currently undergoing an environmental review process. A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been issued, concluding that the project will not have significant environmental effects provided that specific mitigation measures are implemented. These measures address impacts on air quality, biological resources, geology, cultural and tribal resources, and traffic. Key regulatory requirements include compliance with San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District rules for emissions, adherence to state and federal endangered species acts, and strict protocols for the discovery of human remains. Additionally, the Department of Toxic Substances Control has recommended soil testing and analysis of imported fill material to manage potential contaminants such as pesticides and arsenic resulting from prior agricultural use. A public review period for the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration is scheduled from October 31, 2025, through December 1, 2025.