Supervisors reject northwest home development
| Tuesday, Aug 18 2009 04:54 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Aug 18 2009 04:57 PM
Kern County Supervisor Jon McQuiston cast the deciding vote against a northwest Bakersfield development Tuesday, saying it goes against the spirit of legislation to reduce climate change and global warming.
The project, homes and apartments on Driver Road at Rosedale Highway, died. Supervisors recommended the developer not bring any new project back until the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan has been updated.
McQuiston said he doesn't like the environmental laws, but they're the law.
"I ask myself the question, 'Will this project increase vehicle miles travelled or will it decrease the vehicle miles traveled?" McQuiston said.
The bottom line, McQuiston argued, is the residents would have to travel to work, recreation and shopping.
"I just think it's premature," he said of the development.
Supervisor Ray Watson, who represents the area, made a passionate case for the project.
But his support boiled down to the fact that Neighborhood Development LLC went through the process of bringing the project forward and deserves approval for completing that process.
Watson said he's been telling other developers who want to build on the west side that he's not supporting new development there.
But, he said, "I have a real difficult time when somebody has gone through the process, then you change the rules."
Supervisor Michael Rubio also supported the project.
Andreas Lewis of Neighborhood Development said the project is dense and transit-friendly.
"When you talk about the density and desire for transit-oriented communities, Rosedale Highway is the perfect place for it," Lewis said.
Neighbors said the project is premature and out of place in their neighborhood.
Steve Kramer, who spoke last week, showed photos of weed-choked, half-built streets in a project to the east of the proposed project.
"Where is the assurance that this project won't turn out like (these) in the end?" Kramer asked.
