California High-Speed Rail Authority 

Fresno to Bakersfield 

Section 

Draft Supplemental 

Environmental Impact 

Report/Environmental 

Impact Statement 

Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

November 2017
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank 
Table of Contents 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.13-A-i 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................3.13-A-iii 

APPENDIX 3.13-A: LAND USE PLANS, GOALS, AND POLICIES .................................... 3.13-A-1

3.13-A-1 Introduction ....................................................................................... 3.13-A-1

3.13-A-2 State Land Use Plans ...................................................................... 3.13-A-1

3.13-A-3 Summaries of Local Land Use Plans ............................................... 3.13-A-1

3.13-A-4 Regional Transportation Plans ......................................................... 3.13-A-1

3.13-A-5 County and City General Plans ........................................................ 3.13-A-2

Tables 

Table 3.13-A-1 Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative Consistency with 

Local Plan Goals, Objectives, and Policies ................................................................... 3.13-A-3
Table of Contents 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.13-A-ii | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank 
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.13-A-1 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

APPENDIX 3.13-A: LAND USE PLANS, GOALS, AND POLICIES 

3.13-A-1 Introduction 

A review of state, regional, and local land use plans identified goals, objectives, and/or policies 

pertinent to the Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative (F-B LGA) of the High-Speed 

Rail (HSR) Project. The HSR Project is a state project and is not subject to mandatory 

consistency with local land use plans or zoning ordinances. While potential inconsistencies with 

local or regional land use plans are not considered environmental impacts under CEQA, NEPA 

requires identification of potential inconsistencies and reconciliation of those inconsistencies. If 

inconsistencies cannot be reconciled, a rationale for why the project should proceed is provided. 

This evaluation includes a consideration of the consistency of the F-B LGA with regional and local 

goals and policies related to the F-B LGA. The following sections summarize the related plans. 

Table 3.13-A-1 (at the end of this section) lists the specific goals, objectives, and policies in the 

plans, and discusses their consistency with the F-B LGA. The table includes only those policies 

that are relevant to the alternative that were not previously discussed in the Fresno to Bakersfield 

Section Final EIR/EIS. 

3.13-A-2 State Land Use Plans 

State law requires that local governments (cities and counties) adopt general plans to guide local 

growth and development. Please refer to pages 3.13-A-1 through 3.13-A-7 of Appendix 3.13-A of 

the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS for a discussion of relevant general plans and the 

local regulatory setting. 

3.13-A-3 Summaries of Local Land Use Plans 

Please refer to Table 3.13-A-1 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final 

EIR/EIS for a discussion of relevant regional and local plans and policies that were identified and 

considered in the preparation of this analysis. Table 3.13-A-1 summarizes additional goals and 

policies relevant to the F-B LGA that were not discussed in the Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Final EIR/EIS, and provides an analysis of the alternative’s (including the HSR station and the 

MOIF site) consistency with the land use plans. 

3.13-A-4 Regional Transportation Plans 

San Joaquin Valley Blueprint (Draft) 

Please refer to pages 3.13-A-6 and 3.13-A-7 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield 

Section Final EIR/EIS for a discussion of the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint (San Joaquin Valley 

Regional Policy Council 2010). 

Kern Council of Governments (KCOG) 2014 Final Regional Transportation 

Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) (Adopted) 

The 2014 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) is a 26-

year blueprint that establishes a set of regional transportation goals, policies, and actions 

intended to guide development of the planned multimodal transportation systems in Kern County 

(Kern Council of Governments 2014). The RTP/SCS identifies the HSR project as a whole as a 

future transit option in the region, and supports state and federal actions that would increase 

accessibility to passenger rail service. Specific goals and policies related to the HSR System and

F-B LGA specifically are listed in Table 3.13-A.1.

Kern Council of Governments Metropolitan Bakersfield Transit Center Study (Adopted) 

The KCOG Metropolitan Bakersfield Transit Center Study (Kern Council of Governments 2015) 

identifies locations for transit centers in Bakersfield due to anticipated growth and higher demand 

for transit service. It also identifies the need for connectivity of various existing and future transit 

service connections. The Bakersfield F Street Station was one of the 13 suitable transit center 

locations studied. The study describes the F Street Station location as follows: 
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.13-A-2 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

The surrounding area contains a high amount of retail/service land use within 

walking distance from the site, providing support for a transit center. Access is 

provided with Golden Empire Transit (GET) and Kern Transit and existing and 

planned future bicycle routes proposed in the City’s Bicycle Transportation Plan. 

While there is not a not a high concentration of existing transit dependent 

populations, employment projections are anticipated to triple by long-term year 

2040. This transit center can assist with the anticipated employment growth by 

providing multi-modal access to nearby future employment centers. 

Kern County Regional Bicycle Plan (Adopted) 

The 2012 Kern County Bicycle Master Plan and Complete Streets Recommendations (Kern 

Council of Governments 2012) provides a broad vision for encouraging increased bicycle travel, 

as well as strategies and actions, to improve conditions for bicycling throughout the 

unincorporated communities throughout the county. This Plan provides direction for expanding 

the existing bikeway network and connecting gaps within the unincorporated communities and 

throughout the county as a means of bettering the bicycling environment. 

3.13-A-5 County and City General Plans, Specific Plans and Area Plans 

California law requires that counties and cities adopt general plans, and each general plan must 

include seven elements: 

 Circulation

 Conservation

 Housing

 Land Use

 Noise

 Open Space

 Safety and Seismic Safety

Optional elements include: 

 Air Quality

 Economic Development

 Hazardous Waste

 Parks and Recreation

The general plans must describe goals, objectives, and policies for the county or city to guide 

long-range growth, development, and redevelopment. In addition, the City of Shafter has specific 

plans that guide long-range growth in specified areas of the city. In addition to these plans, the 

City of Bakersfield is currently preparing a HSR Station Area Plan that will include an urban 

design strategy for downtown Bakersfield. The following sections summarize local plans that are 

relevant to or specifically consider the F-B LGA that were not discussed in the Fresno to 

Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS. The Kern County General Plan, City of Shafter General Plan, 

and City of Bakersfield and Kern County Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan were each 

discussed in pages 3.13-A-5 and 3.13-A-6 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield 

Section Final EIR/EIS. Please refer to that document for a discussion of those plans.

City of Shafter Gossamer Grove Specific Plan (previously named Coberly West) (Adopted) 

The Gossamer Grove Specific Plan (City of Shafter 2014) area is located in the southeast 

quadrant of the City of Shafter in an area traversed by an approximate 1.2-mile segment of the FB LGA. The Gossamer Grove Specific Plan proposes development with a mix of residential, 

commercial, industrial, parks, schools and community facility uses, along with oil drilling islands, 

on 954 acres. The original Specific Plan, adopted in 2005, was named Coberly West. The name 

was changed to Gossamer Grove as part of a 2014 amendment. 
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.13-A-3 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

City of Shafter Heritage Ranch Specific Plan (Adopted) 

The 263-acre Heritage Ranch Specific Plan (City of Shafter 2006) site is located approximately 

0.5 mile from the F-B LGA, on the southeastern quadrant of the city of Shafter (City of Shafter 

2014). The Heritage Ranch Specific Plan proposes single-family residential, commercial and 

recreational uses. The site is not yet developed. The property is designated as Heritage Ranch 

Specific Plan in the City of Shafter General Plan. 

City of Shafter Mission Lakes Specific Plan (Adopted) 

The Mission Lakes Specific Plan (City of Shafter 2005) area is located in the southeast of the city 

of Shafter, approximately 0.5 miles south and southwest of the F-B LGA (City of Shafter 2014). 

The Plan proposes up to 5,334 residential units, a commercial center, schools, and recreation 

facilities. The area is designated as Mission Lakes Specific Plan in the City of Shafter General 

Plan. 

City of Bakersfield HSR Station Area Plan (Draft) 

The City of Bakersfield is developing a HSR Station Area Plan for downtown Bakersfield. The 

study area includes the approximate boundaries of the Kern River and 38th Street to the North, 

California Avenue to the South, Union Avenue to the East, and F Street to the West. When 

complete, the Plan will serve as a vision document that will guide the future development of the 

HSR station area and greater downtown Bakersfield. The vision plan will be used to pursue and 

leverage public and private sector funding for implementation actions, as well as create a 

baseline document for future planning efforts. The plan is scheduled for completion in February 

2017. The eight goals of the HSR Station Area Plan are: 

1. Increase population and economic density in the urban core

2. Support residential and commercial activity

3. Develop underutilized or vacant properties

4. Connect existing activity and cultural centers

5. Create an efficient, reliable and effective multimodal transportation system

6. Enhance sustainability, livability and a unique sense of place

7. Secure funding for identified implementation actions

Table 3.13-A-1 Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative Consistency with Local 

Plan Goals, Objectives, and Policies 

Goals and Policies Discussion

San Joaquin Valley Blueprint (Draft)

Please refer to pages 3.13-A-6 and 3.13-A7 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS

for a discussion of the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint.

Kern County Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Plan

Goal 1: Mobility - Improve the mobility of people and freight. The HSR would improve mobility by 

providing an additional mode of 

transportation for people to travel through 

the district.

Goal 2: Accessibility - Improve accessibility to, and the economic 

wellbeing of, major employment and other regional activity centers.

The HSR would improve accessibility and 

the economic wellbeing by providing 

direct access to downtown Bakersfield 

from metropolitan regions throughout 

California.

Policy 1.3

Assist Meadows Field with planning related to high-speed rail 

connections.

This policy indicates Kern County’s 

willingness to consider ground access 

improvements and connectivity to HSR.
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.13-A-4 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Goals and Policies Discussion

Policy 12.1

Monitor advancement of the California High-Speed Rail project.

This policy indicates Kern County’s intent 

to monitor the HSR project.

Policy 29

Promote land use patterns that support current and future investments 

in public transit and that might support future commuter- and highspeed rail alternatives.

This policy indicates Kern County’s 

willingness to align land use policies with 

public transit opportunities.

Kern County Bicycle Master Plan and Complete Streets Recommendations

Recommendation 5.2.2 Multimodal Connections

Support facilities and connections to other modes of transportation are 

essential components of a bicycle system because they enhance 

safety and convenience for cyclists at the end of every trip. Multimodal 

connections can be encouraged by installing secure bicycle lockers at 

transit centers.

This policy indicates Kern COG’s intent 

to support bicycle infrastructure at transit 

centers. The HSR would incorporate this 

recommendation as the station is 

proposed to incorporate bicycle 

infrastructure, including connections to 

the existing bicycle network and bicycle 

parking.

Kern County General Plan

Please refer to pages 3.13-A-27 and 3.13-A-28 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final 

EIR/EIS for a discussion of the relevant goals and policies contained in the Kern County General Plan.

City of Shafter General Plan

Land Use

Please refer to page 3.13-A-28 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS for a 

discussion of additional goals and policies in the City of Shafter General Plan.

Agricultural/Open Space Uses Policy 3.

Maintain the viability of commercial agricultural operations within areas 

designated for agricultural use by requiring appropriate minimum 

parcel sizes and limiting the intensity of permitted land uses.

The F-B LGA would convert land 

designated for agricultural use to 

transportation-related uses (alignment 

and MOIF). The reduction of agricultural 

land would be potentially inconsistent 

with this policy. The proposed project 

should proceed although complete 

reconciliation is not possible because the 

overall goals of the General Plan support 

HSR development.

Figure 2-1 City of Shafter General Plan Land Use Map The F-B LGA would displace 

approximately 5 acres of single-family 

residential land, 48 acres of commercial 

land, 48 acres of industrial land, 31 acres 

of community facility land, and 65 acres 

of agricultural land. The conversions

would be potentially inconsistent with the 

land use designations in the City of 

Shafter General Plan. The proposed 

project should proceed although 

complete reconciliation is not possible 

because the overall goals of the General 

Plan support HSR development.
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.13-A-5 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Goals and Policies Discussion

City of Shafter Gossamer Grove Specific Plan

Land Use Plan Figure 3-1 The F-B LGA would traverse the site and 

displace 33 acres of land designated for 

low density residential use. The F-B LGA

was not considered in the specific plan 

and is inconsistent with the single-family 

residential use proposed on the area that 

would be displaced. The site is currently 

used for agricultural cultivation. The 

proposed project should proceed 

because the overall goals of the General 

Plan support HSR development. In 

addition, displacement of existing 

residential uses would occur.

Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan

Please refer to pages 3.13-A-29 and 3.13-A-30 of Appendix 3.13-A of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final 

EIR/EIS for a discussion of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan.

Sources: Kern Council of Governments (KCOG) 2014, City of Bakersfield and County of Kern 1985, City of Shafter 2005, City of Shafter 2014, City 

of Bakersfield 2016a, City of Bakersfield 2016b, City of Bakersfield 2016c. 
Appendix 3.13-A 

Land Use Plans, Goals, and Policies 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.13-A-6 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank