The Kern County Planning Commission on Thursday recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a package of zoning code changes (Ordinance Code 2025B / Title 19) intended to implement the county housing element, clarify multiple definitions and strengthen review of certain land uses — but the commission directed staff to remove proposed non‑agricultural trucking allowances in agricultural zones after public comment and commissioner discussion.

Staff presentation: scope and purpose
Planning staff presented the ordinance revisions as threefold: to implement the county housing element and state law (including requirements for ADUs), to carry out board‑initiated changes (notably increased oversight of CRV recycling centers), and to make clarifying language fixes across Title 19. Staff told commissioners the housing element compliance included a commitment to raise maximum density in the R‑2 district from 16 to 20 dwelling units per acre and to add or clarify where supportive and transitional housing, farm labor housing, emergency shelters and low‑barrier navigation centers may be sited under county rules. Staff also described a proposal to require conditional use permits for all new CRV recycling centers in commercial and industrial zones to address public‑health and compatibility concerns.

Public concerns over truck parking on agricultural land
Two speakers from the public pressed the commission on a separate change that would have allowed certain truck parking on agricultural parcels. Dave Laut said the change would permit commercial truck parking near residences and would encourage commercialization of agricultural land: "We don't want to park the trucks over there because the is next to my house," he said, raising dust, lighting and neighborhood compatibility worries. Avi Negra clarified current practice, saying owners sometimes park or rent spaces for commercial trucks on agricultural land and that the proposed language was unclear about whether outsourcing or renting parking would be allowed without case‑by‑case review: "They are buying agricultural land and they are buying a parking commercial trucks on their agriculture land ... they are also renting out spaces and generating commercial income while parking those trucks on the agriculture land right here."

Staff and commissioners respond
Planning staff told the commission the intent was to allow case‑by‑case review: outsourcing or permitting third‑party parking on ag parcels would still require a conditional use permit under the proposed A and NR zone language. "It would require a conditional use permit so your commission could choose not to have any outsourcing," staff said, noting the commission could direct staff to remove non‑ag trucking allowances before the ordinance goes to the board.

Motion and outcome
After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt the Title 19 amendments but to exclude any changes to trucking facilities as proposed in the draft resolution — preserving the county's existing practice that parks ag and non‑ag trucking primarily in industrial zones (M‑1, M‑2, M‑3). The motion was seconded and carried by an on‑screen tally of 3 ayes, 2 absent. Staff told the commission that the ordinance package will be considered by the Board of Supervisors on December 16; because the commission's action is advisory, the Board may still make further changes.

Other business and next steps
The commission also approved on consent a specific plan amendment and zone change for a 19.76‑acre parcel near the Bear Valley Road and Cummings Valley Road intersection (applicant: the Gilberts by LAV Pinnacle) and noted that one applicant (Malibu Vineyards by McIntosh and Associates) requested continuance to January 22, 2026. Commissioners adopted the 2026 hearing schedule and will finalize chair and vice chair selections at the December 11 meeting. The meeting adjourned following the consent votes.

What happens next
Staff will forward the recommended Title 19 amendments (with the commission's instruction to exclude the proposed non‑ag trucking changes in A and NR zones) to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on December 16. If adopted by the board, changes tied to the housing element will be used to align local zoning with state law and the county's housing commitments.