Kern County General Plan - Chapter 1, Land Use - County of Kern

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ASSUMPTIONS: RESOURCE 1.9 RESOURCE Agriculture has been, and will continue to be, vital to the economy of Kern County. The development of major water projects has greatly increased the amount of land in agricultural production during the last two decades. Similarly, mineral and petroleum resources are basic to Kern County's economy. Kern County has the distinction of producing more oil than any other County in California. In addition, borax, cement production, and construction aggregates constitute major economic mineral resources. As new recovery technologies come into use, petroleum extraction should continue in economic importance. Current trends of increasing demand for borax, cement, and construction aggregates, as well as other minerals found in the County, are expected to continue. As long as new urbanization is restricted in areas having important mineral and petroleum resources, the future production of these resources remains promising. ISSUES: RESOURCE Conflicts over the use of agricultural land frequently occur. As is the case for other urbanizing regions, the loss of valuable agricultural lands to urban development is a prime concern. Land division, even where actual development does not take place, can also adversely affect the County's agricultural resource base. This is particularly a problem in extensive agriculture areas, such as rangeland, where land values can be significantly increased beyond values based on agricultural productivity. A similar issue arises when oil and other mineral extraction activities, such as sand and gravel pits, are located in close proximity to residential or other incompatible land uses. Incompatible uses located in close proximity to one another, as well as health and safety questions, tend to reduce the availability of the various mineral resources and are but a few of the potential conflicts that may occur. The availability, proximity, and cost of construction aggregates are a major concern to the local economy. Without knowledge of these resources, land use conflicts could occur and preclude future excavation. GOALS: RESOURCE 1. To contain new development within an area large enough to meet generous projections of foreseeable need, but in locations which will not impair the economic strength derived from the petroleum, agriculture, rangeland, or mineral resources, or diminish the other amenities which exist in the County. 52
2. Protect areas of important mineral, petroleum, and agricultural resource potential for future use. 3. Ensure the development of resource areas minimize effects on neighboring resource lands. 4. Encourage safe and orderly energy development within the County, including research and demonstration projects, and to become actively involved in the decision and actions of other agencies as they affect energy development in Kern County. 5. Conserve prime agriculture lands from premature conversion. 6. Encourage alternative sources of energy, such as solar and wind energy, while protecting the environment. MAP PROVISIONS: RESOURCE Map Code 8.1 (Intensive Agriculture) - Areas devoted to the production of irrigated crops or having a potential for such use. Other agricultural uses, while not directly dependent on irrigation for production, may also be consistent with the intensive agriculture designation. Minimum parcel size is 20 acres gross. Uses shall include, but are not limited to, the following: Irrigated cropland; orchards; vineyards; horse ranches; raising of nursery stock ornamental flowers and Christmas trees; fish farms’ bee keeping’ ranch and farm facilities and related uses; one single-family dwelling unit; cattle feed yards; dairies; dry land farming; livestock grazing; water storage; groundwater recharge acres; mineral; aggregate; and petroleum exploration and extraction; hunting clubs; wildlife preserves; farm labor housing; public utility uses; and agricultural industries pursuant to provisions of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance, and land within development areas subject to significant physical constraints. Map Code 8.2 (Resource Reserve) - Areas of mixed natural resource characteristics, such as rangeland, woodland, and wildlife habitat which occur within an established County water district. Minimum parcel size is 20 acres gross, except lands subject to a Williamson Act Contract/Farmland Security Zone Contract, in which case the minimum parcel size shall be 80 acres gross. Uses shall include, but are not limited to, the following: Livestock grazing; dry land farming; ranching facilities; wildlife and botanical 53
Page 1 and 2: Land Use, Open Space, and Conservat
Page 3 and 4: shores. (5) Protection of watershed
Page 5 and 6: 7. INDUSTRIAL 7.1 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
Page 7 and 8: 1.2 NONJURISDICTIONAL LAND ASSUMPTI
Page 9 and 10: E. Seek Memorandums of Understandin
Page 11 and 12: 1.3 PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONS
Page 13 and 14: 10. The County will allow lands whi
Page 15 and 16: E. Development proposed in areas wi
Page 17 and 18: 1.4 PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Page 19 and 20: GOALS: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVIC
Page 21 and 22: within this buffer zone. In the Out
Page 23 and 24: changes, conditional use permits, a
Page 25 and 26: the generators of hazardous waste.
Page 27 and 28: DD. Existing Map Code 3.4 (Solid Wa
Page 29 and 30: 1.5 SPECIAL TREATMENT AREAS ASSUMPT
Page 31 and 32: 3. Rural communities are historical
Page 33 and 34: Residential 33
Page 35 and 36: 5. Promote mixed-densities within d
Page 37 and 38: discouraged. 10. Encourage new deve
Page 39 and 40: Commercial 39
Page 41 and 42: MAP PROVISIONS: COMMERCIAL Map Code
Page 43 and 44: v. Compatibility with adjacent uses
Page 45 and 46: Industrial 45
Page 47 and 48: MAP PROVISIONS: INDUSTRIAL Light In
Page 49 and 50: 14. For other policies and implemen
Page 51: Resource 51
Page 55 and 56: Minimum parcel size is 20 acres gro
Page 57 and 58: g. Approval of the proposed project
Page 59 and 60: (Map Code 8.3), Resource Management
Page 61 and 62: ASSUMPTIONS: GENERAL PROVISIONS 1.1
Page 63 and 64: C. Prepare and distribute on an ann
Page 65 and 66: 1.10.2 Air Quality Policies 18. The
Page 67 and 68: M. In areas of known paleontologica
Page 69 and 70: 38. Encourage utilization of wastew
Page 71 and 72: ii. Estimated water consumption of
Page 73 and 74: lines as important economic tools f
Page 75 and 76: . Use of aerial photography and a d
Page 77: GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATIONS KERN COUN

Kern County General Plan - Chapter 1, Land Use - County of Kern

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