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SUMMARY OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACTIONS

CASE NUMBER RESOLUTION NUMBER DATE ADOPTED DESCRIPTION

SPA #143 2008-082 4/1/08 Circulation MAP 500 Amendment SPA #68 2010-344 10/26/10 Text Amendment MAP #230 to the Land Use Element

ROSAMOND SPECIFIC PLAN ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE1989 CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESOLUTION,

NEGATIVE DECLARATION, AND MONITORING PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

1992 CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESOLUTION,AND SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

SPECIFIC PLAN TEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1AUTHORITY AND DESIGNATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1SPECIFIC PLAN REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1GEOGRAPHIC SETTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2POPULATION: PAST AND PRESENT CHARACTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2POPULATION: PROJECTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

COMMUNITY CHARACTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3THE CHARACTER OF THE TEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

LAND USE ELEMENT

CHAPTER 1. LAND USE ELEMENT: GENERAL GOALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SECTION I. RESIDENTIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

SECTION II. COMMERCIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SECTION III. INDUSTRIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10SECTION IV. RESOURCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13SECTION V. PUBLIC FACILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14SECTION VI. PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

CHAPTER 2. HOUSING ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19SECTION I. WATER SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21SECTION II. LIQUID AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

CHAPTER 3. CIRCULATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

CHAPTER 4. OPEN SPACE/CONSERVATION ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CHAPTER 5. SAFETY ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28SECTION I. FLOOD HAZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28SECTION II. SEISMIC HAZARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30SECTION III. STEEP SLOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31SECTION IV. AIRPORTS/AIRCRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

CHAPTER 6. NOISE ELEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

APPENDIXLAND USE ZONING CONSISTENCY MATRIXMAXIMUM ALLOWED LAND USE DENSITY TABLE

ROSAMOND SPECIFIC PLAN iii

CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION

by the

KERN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

By Resolution No. 89-900, the Kern County Board of Supervisors adopts the herein-contained Specific Planfor Rosamond, Kern County, California, after receiving a recommendation thereon from the Kern CountyDepartment of Planning and Development Services and conducting a public hearing, pursuant to all statutoryrequirements of the State of California and all ordinance requirements of the County of Kern.

Certified this 27th day of November, 1989

Chairman, County ClerkKern County Board of Supervisors

County of KernDepartment of Planning and Development Services 2700 "M" Street, Suite 100Bakersfield, CA 93301(805) 861-2615

ROSAMOND SPECIFIC PLAN Page 1

INTRODUCTION

AUTHORITY AND DESIGNATION

The Rosamond Specific Plan was adopted June 29, 1981. The Department of Planning and DevelopmentServices recognized the need to revise the existing plan because of numerous specific plan amendmentrequests, the need to bring the existing land use designations into consistency with Kern County's GeneralPlan Map Code designations, and the planned extension of services by the Rosamond Community ServicesDistrict.

The Rosamond Specific Plan area was revised effective March 16, 1992, from approximately 24,000 acresto approximately 17,280 acres and consists of Antelope Valley desert land with land uses ranging fromagriculture, mineral extraction, and open space to various urban uses. The present population of the plan areais approximately 7,630 persons.

SPECIFIC PLAN REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

Section 65451 of the California Government Code requires that a specific plan address each mandatoryelement of a general plan. Discussion of the following seven elements must, therefore, be included in theRosamond Specific Plan:

(1) Land Use(2) Circulation(3) Housing(4) Conservation(5) Open Space(6) Noise(7) Safety

Due to the unique nature of land use within the plan area, some of the land use categories are discussed inmore detail than others, and some of the seven required plan elements which are closely related to oneanother have been combined for ease of discussion. Consolidation of elements is allowed by state law(Government Code Section 65301).

In addition to the previously mentioned legal requirements of the Specific Plan, Section 65452 of theGovernment Code allows various other regulations and programs to be included in the Specific Plan asdeemed necessary.

HISTORY

The community of Rosamond is adjacent to the Antelope Valley Freeway in eastern Kern County,approximately 11 miles north of Lancaster and 13 miles south of Mojave.

The townsite was originally owned and subdivided by the Southern Pacific Railroad at the time its rail linewas built from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 1876. This accounts for the orientation of streets parallelto the railroad tracks in the older part of the community, while newer streets have the more conventionaleast/west or north/south orientation. In 1888, the town was named Rosamond for the daughter of a railroadofficial. The community quickly became a mining and cattle raising center for the area.

The town was later bought by a Mr. C.C. Caulkins, but the mortgage was foreclosed in 1907, and the townwas given to the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles which established the first community water systemin 1939. The mission lands were later purchased by Mr. George Hummell.

Rosamond's population grew rapidly during and after World War II due to the proximity of nearby EdwardsAir Force Base. The present population of Census Tract 58, which comprises the most heavily populatedportions of the plan area, is about 7,000. The plan area as a whole contains approximately 7,630 personsduring the April 1990 census and is estimated to have grown to over 9,500 as of mid-1991.


GEOGRAPHIC SETTING

The Rosamond Specific Plan area is located about 75 miles southeast of Bakersfield in the Mojave Desert,a large arid inland plain of 2,000 to 3,000 feet elevation. A range of rocky hills rising to 300 feet above thesurrounding plain forms a partial drainage divide along the northern boundary of the planning area, whichslopes gently to the south and east at the rate of 5 to 15 feet per mile.

The plan area enjoys sunshine on more than 90 percent of the days of the year. Minimum temperatures oftendrop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. Summers are hot with an average of 107 days per yearexceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 36 days per year over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool nights, lowhumidity, and westerly surface winds, however, are factors which pleasantly moderate the desert summerclimate.

Prevailing winds are from the west and southwest during midsummer and from the northwest during the restof the year. Air quality is excellent with visibility ranging up to 50 miles and more.

Precipitation is light, averaging 6.3 inches annually, and occurs mostly during the winter months ofDecember through March. Recorded rainfall extremes range from 1.5 inches to 14 inches per year. Sheetflooding is common throughout much of the plan area during the winter and spring months.

Surface soils are mostly clay and of relatively low permeability. The low permeability of Rosamond soilshas been the cause of severe septic tank-related sanitation problems. Formation of the RosamondCommunity Services District (CSD) in 1966 and the subsequent installation of a community sewage disposalsystem helped solve some problems, but there are still serious constraints on septic tank-based residentialdevelopment throughout much of the plan area.

POPULATION: PAST AND PRESENT CHARACTER

A detailed picture of past population growth in Rosamond is difficult to obtain because pre-1960 populationfigures and trends in the planning area cannot be easily compared to post-1960 data because of inconsisten-cies in statistical area boundaries.

The 1960 U.S. Census reported the population of Census Tract 58, which includes the major built-up areaof Rosamond, at 2,138 persons. Population figures and sources are shown in the table below:


POPULATION, CENSUS TRACT 58

1960 U.S. Census 2,1381965 Kern County Planning Commission 2,150 (est.)1970 U.S. Census 2,3971977 Kern County Special Census 2,4811980 Kern County Planning Dept. Survey 2,600 (est.)1988 Kern County Department of

Planning and Development Services 3,800 (est.)1990 U.S. Census 5,4671991 Kern County Department of

Planning and Development Services 6,837 (est.)

POPULATION: PROJECTIONS

While it is known that the population of the Antelope Valley area is increasing, the actual magnitude and rateof future growth is difficult to predict. Attractions, such as a rural lifestyle and low living costs, haveattracted many people to the Rosamond area. Some of the more important growth factors are:

(1) Edwards Air Force Base activities; number of civilian jobs on base and number of military personnelaffects population and housing demand in Rosamond.

(2) Home prices and rental rates in Lancaster are making Rosamond a more attractive place to reside.

(3) Energy costs affect commuter activity from Rosamond to other places of work.

The Kern County Department of Planning and Development Services has produced projections for the years2000 and 2010. These projections are based upon past growth rates for the area and made to total theprojections for the County produced by the State Department of Finance. These projections are consideredconservative and could range as much as 10 percent higher based on past performance of State projections.

ROSAMOND: FUTURE POPULATIONS 2000 AND 2010

1990 Census Census Tract 58 5,467Rest of Plan Area 2,163Entire Plan Area 7,630

Rest of EntireProjections CT 58 Plan Area Plan Area

2000 13,400 6,600 20,000

2010 23,400 9,100 32,500

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

The community of Rosamond is focused around a central business area which has experienced a resurgencein recent years as evidenced by the many new commercial structures and apartment complexes.

The Rosamond Airpark area has experienced exceptional growth; new housing tracts have been developedsouth of the airpark as well as a neighborhood park, apartments, a restaurant, and an expansion of the airparkfacility itself.

Currently, there is little local employment in the plan area. Most workers living in Rosamond commuteelsewhere (Mojave, Lancaster, Palmdale, Edwards Air Force Base, etc.) for employment.

Rosamond residents must travel to Mojave, Lancaster, Los Angeles, or Bakersfield for many shopping needsas well as most types of medical and dental services.


THE CHARACTER OF THE TEXT

This document contains the following elements: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space,Scenic Highway, Safety, Seismic Safety, and Noise.

The Land Use Element will generally employ the same map code designation system as currently utilizedby the Countywide General Plan. The conversion system used by Staff to "update" the Rosamond SpecificPlan map follows:

Land Use Designation Map Code Designation

Nonjurisdictional 1.1Public Facilities 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4Multifamily Residential 5.1Medium-Density Residential 5.3Suburban Residential 5.4Low-Density Residential 5.45Estate Residential 5.6Commercial 6.2, 6.3Light Industrial 7.2Heavy Industrial 7.3General Agriculture 8.1Resource Extraction 8.4


CHAPTER 1. LAND USE ELEMENT

GENERAL GOALS

(1) To promote a balanced and functional mix of land uses consistent with the values of the communityand the Kern County General Plan.

(2) To achieve orderly growth and development within the community.

(3) To achieve proper relationships and compatibility between various types of land uses.

(4) To develop efficient density patterns.

(5) To protect the economic base of the community by encouraging infilling of existing partially built-upareas and providing areas for future growth and development.

(6) To achieve land use patterns which will result in the most efficient use of and expansion ofcommunity facilities, including water, sewer, and school systems.

(7) To promote land use patterns which reflect the opportunities and constraints set forth in otherelements of this Specific Plan.

(8) To guide public and private investments.

(9) To achieve consistency between zoning and the policies and objectives of the Specific Plan.

SECTION I. RESIDENTIAL

One objective of updating the Rosamond Specific Plan is to incorporate the County-wide land usedesignations, which are compatible with the Kern County Zoning Ordinance adopted in February 1986.Second, to decide what standards are required for new developments. Third, to designate particular areaswhich appear suitable for new housing according to those standards.

ASSUMPTIONS

It has been assumed that the population of the Rosamond area will continue to grow at its current rate ofincrease over the next five years, with increments generated by a continuing influx of new residents fromoutside the area and by the natural increase of the population in the area.

New residential development should be relatively hazard free and should also be capable of being providedwith necessary services.

ISSUES

The major issue in recent years has been the increase of urban developments outside the RosamondCommunity Services District. This situation has made it difficult and expensive to provide necessary urbaninfrastructure (water and sanitary sewerage).

GOAL

(1) To promote the efficient and economical use of residential land and ensure that new urban densities(Map Code 5.45 and greater) are provided with urban infrastructure (paved streets) and are servicedby the Rosamond Community Services District.


MAP PROVISIONS

The Rosamond Specific Plan map distributes residential uses according to the following nine densitydesignations. Each density category indicates the maximum density within the designation; however, densitymay be increased under the applicable Zoning Ordinance density bonus programs.

Map Code 5.1 (Residential - 29 Dwelling Units per Net Acre Maximum)Map Code 5.2 (Residential - 16 Dwelling Units per Net Acre Maximum) Map Code 5.3 (Residential - 10 Dwelling Units per Net Acre Maximum) Map Code 5.4 (Residential - 4 Dwelling Units per Net Acre Maximum) Map Code 5.45 (Residential - 2 Dwelling Units per Net Acre Maximum)Map Code 5.5 (Residential - 1 Dwelling Unit per Net Acre Maximum) Map Code 5.6 (Residential - 2.5 Gross Acres per Dwelling Unit)Map Code 5.7 (Residential - 5 Gross Acres per Dwelling Unit)Map Code 5.8 (Residential - 20 Gross Acres per Dwelling Unit)

POLICIES

(1) All new residential at urban densities (lot sizes of 1/2 acre net or less) shall be permitted in areaswhich are reasonably capable of receiving public services.

(2) The design and siting of new residential development will be required to meet specific improvementstandards to ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses.

(3) Higher residential densities, designated by Map Codes 5.1 and 5.2, will be encouraged in urban areasnear community commercial facilities to realize optimal use of the land.

(4) The County will encourage development of a variety of housing types and price ranges.

(5) Any residential development proposed on hillsides shall be developed in accordance with Chapter19.88 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

(6) Density bonus provisions for residential development shall be in accordance with Chapter 19.88 ofthe Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

(7) New subdivisions (final map and parcel map) and development project shall be required to meetType A Subdivision Standards, as specified in the Kern County Land Division Ordinance.

(8) Require that construction sites be sprinkled with water to reduce fugitive dust.

(9) Encourage retention of natural vegetation until actual construction begins.

(10) Direct development away from "sensitive biological resource" areas unless effective mitigation canbe implemented.

(11) Encourage the maintenance of visual aesthetics in all new construction.

(12) Require all residential land divisions to comply with the park provision requirements found in theKern County Recreation Element.

(13) Require developers to clean up any identified hazardous waste sites prior to submittal of anydevelopment project.

(14) Require cultural resources report for those areas with a high probability for prehistoric activity.

(15) New discretionary residential projects of urban density shall be infill or expansions of existing urbandesignations.


(16) The plan will provide for outward expansion of residential development so that it maintainscontinuity of existing development, allows for incremental expansion of infrastructure and publicservices, minimizes impacts on natural environmental resources, and provides a high qualityenvironment for living.

(17) Residential use, noted as a sensitive or highly sensitive land use by the Rosamond Specific PlanNoise Element and the Kern County General Plan Noise Element, shall be protected from excessivenoise impacts within the Military Flight Corridor as indicated on those lands having a 2.8 (MilitaryFlight Operations) Map Code.

IMPLEMENTATION

(1) All new discretionary residential developments of densities of Map Codes 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, and 5.45are required to be provided with sanitary sewerage and water by the Rosamond Community ServicesDistrict or other special district.

(2) All divisions of land within areas designated for residential map codes are required to provide pavedstreet improvements. Actual street improvement standards will be in accordance with the KernCounty Land Division Ordinance.

(3) Amend the County's zoning maps to achieve consistency with the land use designations of theRosamond Specific Plan.

(4) All residential development in the Rosamond Specific Plan area shall conform to the provisions andstandards of the Kern County Land Division Ordinance and the Uniform Building Code or this plan,whichever is more restrictive.

(5) All residential developments within the Specific Plan area shall be to Type A Subdivision Standards,regardless of land division method.

(6) Every effort will be made to control dust during construction activities by sprinkling the site withwater. Additionally, vegetative cover on site should be retained until actual construction begins.

(7) A biota survey shall be prepared by a qualified biologist, acceptable to the County of Kern, forspecific land division projects located in habitat areas identified in Figures 4A/4B as a condition oftentative map approval (tract or parcel map). The purpose of the survey is to determine the presenceof plant species protected under the California Desert Native Plants Act of 1981 and species listedas threatened or endangered under the State or Federal Endangered Species Acts. The preparationof the biota survey is also intended to mitigate (where applicable) significant adverse effects onthreatened and endangered species and their habitat. The biota survey and any recommendedmitigation measures shall be submitted for review (where applicable) to the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, State Department of Fish and Game, and approved by the Kern County Department ofPlanning and Development Services. The Department of Planning and Development Services shallforward the applicant's biota survey to the aforementioned resource agencies for review andcomment and consider any comments received prior to making a decision to approve or deny thebiota survey. Any recommended mitigation measures of the biota survey shall be implemented priorto grading or site disturbance.

(8) Development projects will be encouraged to emphasize the use of natural materials, sufficientwindows, natural roofing materials, and earth tone colors in building construction and will attemptto ensure fence and walls provide continuity with structure design.

(9) Park land fees and exactions will be required in accordance with the Kern County RecreationElement and Land Division Ordinance.

(10) All discretionary projects which are proposed on properties identified by the State Department ofHealth Services in accordance with Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code must becleaned up in accordance with state standards prior to any application submittal.

(11) All discretionary projects on sites within those areas having a high probability for prehistoric activity are required to file a cultural resource report in accordance with the requirements of Kern County.

(12) Future land divisions for residential use shall be limited to a minimum lot size of 2 1/2 acres within

the area shown for Military Flight Operations as indicated by Map Code 2.8 (Military Flight Operations) except for the area north of Avenue A, east of 50th Street West, south of Rosamond Boulevard, and west of Highway 14, in this area future land divisions for residential use shall be limited to a minimum lot size of 1/4 acre and include an Avigation Notification to be acknowledged/signed with the transfer of property title.

SECTION II. COMMERCIAL

The Rosamond Specific Plan has recently been revised to exclude approximately nine square miles (5,760 acres) from its plan boundaries, which now consist of approximately 27 square miles or 17,280 acres. Presently, 388 acres have been set aside for commercial use to service the growing needs of the Rosamond community. These commercial areas are mainly projected to be developed along Rosamond Boulevard and at Dawn Road and Avenue "A," adjacent to State Highway 14.

ASSUMPTIONS

Employment in the service industries, including wholesale and retail trade, professional services, and health and social services, will continue to grow at a rate comparable to that which is presently occurring. This will continue in response to growth in the basic industries and increasing number of residents and visitors.

ISSUES

Adequate land areas must be provided for future growth and development of commercial uses. These commercial services must be located so as to best serve the needs of new residential development as well as the existing population. New commercial areas should not create imbalances with existing and/or planned commercial centers.

GOALS

(1) To ensure that an adequate and geographically balanced supply of land is designated for a range of commercial purposes, recognizing existing and future patterns of supply and demand, the dependence of commercial facilities on available capacity in public service infrastructure, and the other locational factors that contribute to the economic success of commercial activities, so as to strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life of Rosamond residents.

(2) To establish a community atmosphere of the type which will attract new commercial developments.

(3) Establish commercial areas which will benefit both the traveling public motorist and the community as a whole.

(4) Encourage well-planned, aesthetically pleasing commercial development.

(5) Provide for eventual expansion of some commercial areas due to major construction.

(6) To promote the development of vacant sites, in-fill, and building rehabilitation where economically

feasible within the established downtown area.

(7) Extension of public infrastructure and services where necessary for all projects located within the community services district boundaries.



MAP PROVISIONS

The categories of commercial land use designated on the Rosamond Specific Plan map are intended toachieve differentiation between commercial uses and activities according to scale, character, and market area.

Map Code 6.1 (Major Commercial)

Concentrated large-scale retail operations providing a broad range of goods and services.Establishments in this category have a regional market area.

Map Code 6.2 (General Commercial)

Retail and service facilities of less intensity than regional providing a broad range of goods andservices which serve the day-to-day needs of nearby residents.

Map Code 6.3 (Highway Commercial)

Uses which provide services, amenities, and accommodations at key locations along major roadwaysto visitors and through traffic.

POLICIES

(1) Commercial areas shall be appropriately zoned according to the intended use of property. Whereunique or unusual impact mitigation must be addressed, commercial areas (new or expanding) shallbe rezoned with the PD (Precise Development Combining) District to ensure compatibility of thedevelopment with existing or proposed residential developments or surrounding similarly designatedland uses.

(2) Commercial uses of neighborhood scale may be allowed in areas designated for residential purposeswithout amendment to this plan, provided that such uses are found to be appropriate and compatiblewith surrounding uses in the context of a Precise Development Plan.

(3) New commercial development, including new subdivisions (final map and parcel map), shall berequired to meet Type A Subdivision Standards, as specified in the Kern County Land DivisionOrdinance.






(9) Require cultural resources report for those areas with high probability for prehistoric activity.

(10) Linear commercial development of shallow depth, lacking demonstrated demand, will bediscouraged along secondary collectors and major arterial highways.

(11) The expansion of commercially designated development will be encouraged when such expansionmaintains continuity of existing development, allows for incremental expansion of infrastructure andpublic services, minimizes impacts on natural environmental resources, and provides a high qualityenvironment for business.


IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

(1) Where unique or unusual impact mitigation must be addressed, new and/or expanding commercialdevelopments shall be rezoned with the PD (Precise Development Combining) District.

(2) The County will actively encourage infilling projects within the present commercial area of centralRosamond.

(3) New commercial developments shall only be limited to those areas served by the RosamondCommunity Services District.

(4) A six-foot-high concrete block wall with landscaping shall be required for all new developmentslocating adjacent to residentially designated lands.

(5) Outside storage of materials, where permitted, shall be adequately screened from public view in amethod approved of by the Director of Planning and Development Services.

(6) All new commercial developments within the Specific Plan area shall include Type A SubdivisionStandards, regardless of land division method.



(9) All discretionary projects which are proposed on properties identified by the State Department ofHealth Services in accordance with Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code must becleaned up in accordance with state standards prior to any application submittal.

(10) All discretionary projects on sites within those areas having a high probability for prehistoric activityare required to file a cultural resource report in accordance with the requirements of Kern County.

(11) Signs shall be in accordance with requirements of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

SECTION III. INDUSTRIAL

Industrial land uses in the plan area are presently confined mainly to an area east of the railroad tracks andsouth of Rosamond Boulevard. Primarily, all of the areas proposed for industrial use were already zoned forindustrial use prior to the adoption of this plan.

A large portion of the industrially zoned area of Rosamond is not presently developed. Of the 914 acres(more or less) in Rosamond having industrial zoning, approximately 142 are in industrial use.

Much of the industrially zoned area of Rosamond is adjacent to future residential areas. Achievingcompatibility between these two very different land uses will require careful planning.

ASSUMPTIONS

Historically, there has been very little industrial development within the Rosamond Specific Plan area. Theinfluence of population growth upon industrial growth is less direct and predictable than it is in inducingincreased commercial or services activity. The Rosamond Specific Plan has provided sufficient area forindustrial developments to accommodate foreseeable demand without undue constraint.


ISSUES

Of primary concern to industrial development is location of relative resources, labor supplies, transportation,and energy sources. Conflicts can occur when industrial development takes place in areas which causeproblems of incompatibility with adjacent land uses.

GOALS

(1) Encourage well-planned industrial development with appropriate on- and off-site improvementswhich will be compatible with adjacent and surrounding land uses.

(2) Accommodate a wide variety of industrial uses while observing Goal (1).

(3) To make the best use of existing transportation routes and facilities, natural barriers, and windpatterns as a basis for siting industry.

(4) To encourage development of industrial parks, with appropriate buffers, particularly where anindustrial use lies adjacent to residentially designated lands.

MAP PROVISIONS

The industrial land use designations are divided into three categories based on the scale and nature ofindustrial operations which are appropriate in each.

Map Code 7.1 (Light Industrial)

Unobtrusive industrial activities that can be located in close proximity to residential and commercialuses with a minimum of environmental conflicts.

Map Code 7.2 (Service Industrial)

Commercial or industrial activities which involve outdoor storage or use of heavy equipment. Suchuses typically produce significant air or noise pollution and are visually obtrusive.

Map Code 7.3 (Heavy Industrial)

Large-scale industrial activity which is incompatible with other land uses because of severeenvironmental impacts and/or high employee densities.

POLICIES

(1) Industrial areas shall be appropriately zoned for the intended use of property. All industrial areas(new or expanding) shall be rezoned with the PD (Precise Development Combining) District toensure site compatibility with existing or proposed similar types of developments.

(2) Encourage future industrial growth to take place in that area already designated for industrial use.

(3) Encourage only those industries which do not significantly increase air pollution levels.

(4) Restrict residential developments from occurring in or adjacent to industrial areas to avoidincompatible land use conflicts.

(5) Require new industrial land use projects to be serviced by the Rosamond Community ServicesDistrict.

(6) Signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.


(7) Require screening of all outdoor storage of materials. Screening shall consist of a fencing materialapproved of by the Director of Planning and Development Services.

(8) Require construction of a concrete block wall with landscaping as an aesthetic and acoustical bufferbetween all new industrial development and residential and/or sensitive classified land uses.

(9) New and/or expanding developments shall comply with the Kern County Zoning Ordinance and thisSpecific Plan. Where conflicts appear the more restrictive requirements shall prevail.

(10) New industrial developments, including subdivisions (final map and parcel map), shall be requiredto meet Type A Subdivision Standards, as specified in the Kern County Land Division Ordinance.






(16) Require cultural resources report for those areas with high probability for prehistoric activity.

(17) The expansion of industrial development will be encouraged when such expansion maintainscontinuity of existing development, allows for incremental expansion of infrastructure and publicservices, minimizes impacts on natural environmental resources, and provides a high qualityenvironment for industry.


(1) Review rezonings with respect to Policy (1) and recommend disapproval of new industrialdevelopments outside the area currently designated for such uses. All new and/or expandingdevelopments shall be rezoned with the PD (Precise Development Combining) District.

(2) Review new industrial projects with respect to air quality constraints.

(3) Residential development is prohibited except for limited situations which may be allowed by theKern County Zoning Ordinance.

(4) Review new industrial projects with respect to the ability to be served by the Rosamond CommunityServices District.

(5) Signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

(6) Solid screening of all outdoor storage of materials.

(7) The developer shall construct a minimum six-foot-high concrete block wall with landscaping tobuffer residential and sensitive land uses from industrial developments.

(8) All discretionary permits will be required to be consistent with the Kern County Zoning Ordinanceand the policies and implementation measures of this Specific Plan. Where conflicts appear, themore restrictive requirements shall prevail.




(11) All discretionary projects which are proposed on properties identified by the State Department ofHealth Services in accordance with Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code must becleaned up in accordance with state standards prior to any development request.

(12) All discretionary projects on sites within those areas having a high probability for prehistoric activityare required to file a cultural resource report in accordance with the requirements of Kern County.

SECTION IV. RESOURCE

Natural physical and environmental factors can play a major role in determining the resource of land. Froma positive standpoint, certain attributes represent opportunities or values which may be preserved for theirown sake; potentially productive mineral deposits and agricultural areas are examples of some resources ofthis type.

ASSUMPTIONS

Most of the areas zoned for agriculture have problems which make agricultural use eitherimpractical or uneconomical. Some of these problems are severe sheet flooding and erosion,contiguity to residential areas, steep slopes, unworkable lot sizes, unfavorable soils, and high pricesfor irrigation water. It is, therefore, expected that agricultural uses within the plan area will continue todecline. Although the primary intent of the Rosamond Specific Plan is to provide for residential use, it alsoseems appropriate to maintain some portion of the plan area for agriculturally related uses.

Although mineral extraction activities are presently dormant, changes in the mineral market may againreactivate mineral extraction operations within the Rosamond Specific Plan area.

ISSUES

A basic question that must be addressed is whether or not the unique resource of prime agricultural landsshould be reserved for agriculture, and urban growth directed to areas less suitable for agriculture. A similarissue arises when mineral extraction activities are located in close proximity to residential areas.Incompatible uses located in close proximity to each other and health and safety questions are but a few ofthe potential conflicts that may occur.

GOALS

(1) To achieve compatibility of adjacent land uses within the plan area.

(2) To establish zoning which is consistent with present and future intended land use.

MAP PROVISIONS

Agriculture lands, range lands, and other resource areas are given a "Resource" use designation on theRosamond Specific Plan map.

POLICIES

(1) Provide a method of tax incentives to encourage the preservation of agricultural land.

(2) Require review of discretionary projects in those areas designated 8.4 by the appropriate agency todetermine potential resource loss.



(1) Encourage owners of agricultural land to enter into Land Conservation Act contracts with the Countyto ensure that the property remains in long-term agricultural use.

(2) Amendments to the plan within areas presently designated Map Code 8.4, which allow uses otherthan mineral production, may be permitted upon certification by a State of California certifiedgeologist or mining engineer that significant mineral deposits are not present and the proposed usewould not hinder potential development of any adjacent mineral resources.

SECTION V. PUBLIC FACILITIES

This section addresses Kern County's responsibility to provide adequate public facilities to its residents.Public facilities are defined as the basic physical structures and infrastructure, including roads, parks, waterdistribution and storage systems, sewage collection and treatment facilities, and flood control and stormdrainage systems.

ASSUMPTIONS

As development occurs, the public will demand certain levels of public services.

ISSUES

The economical and efficient delivery of public services is one of the main purposes and benefits of effectiveland use planning. To provide the necessary public services, it is vital that urban development in the planarea occur within the boundaries of the Rosamond Community Services District. The current revision of theRosamond Specific Plan is motivated in part by the annexation of a large area along Rosamond Boulevardinto the local community services district.

GOALS

(1) To provide adequate waste disposal systems within the plan area in order to safeguard the publichealth and public and private investments.

(2) To ensure a safe, reliable supply of water for both new and existing residential development.

(3) To feasibly restrict, if possible, any further and/or unnecessary drawdown of the water table withinthe plan area.

(4) To provide adequate sites for Southern Kern Unified School District educational facilities.

(5) The establishment of parks and recreational facilities of varying size, function, and location to serveRosamond residents.

MAP PROVISIONS

Map Code 3.1 (Parks and Recreation Areas)

Existing public or private recreation facilities and park areas.

Map Code 3.2 (Educational Facilities)

Existing public and private educational facilities.


Map Code 3.3 (Other Facilities)

Existing facilities used for public or semipublic services.

Map Code 3.4 (Solid Waste Facilities)

Existing or planned solid waste facilities.

POLICIES

(1) The efficient and cost-effective delivery of public services and facilities will be promoted bydesignating areas for urban development which occur within areas served by the RosamondCommunity Services District. (See Figure 5)

(2) Developers of new residential subdivisions will be required to dedicate land and/or pay fees in lieuof dedication for the acquisition and development of recreational facilities or schools.

(3) New development will be required to pay its proportional share of the local costs of infrastructureimprovements required to service such development as well as ongoing operating and maintenancecosts.

(4) Operation of any solid waste facility shall comply with standards provided by the Kern County SolidWaste Management Plan.

(5) Encourage the development of a mass transit system plan for the Rosamond Specific Plan area.

(6) Consider creation of a greenbelt parkway through the existing commercial area of Rosamond.

(7) Development shall pay its proportional share for all necessary infrastructure.

(8) Investigate alternative revenue sources to defray the cost of schools.

(9) Consider the formation of a Mello-Roos District to provide the necessary funding for police, fire,medical, and child care facilities.

(10) The County shall cooperate with the Rosamond Community Services District in locating additionallands for sewage disposal.

(11) Encourage the establishment of a solid waste transfer station within Rosamond.

(12) Encourage the establishment of a recycling center and cleanup program for Rosamond.


(1) The Rosamond Community Services District should continue to develop a community sewer andwater plan for those areas which are designated for urban densities.

(2) Adopt an ordinance under the statutory authority of Government Code Section 66477, which enableslocal government to require, as a condition of land division approval, the dedication of land or apayment of fees for park and recreational purposes.

(3) Determine the local costs of facility and infrastructure improvements and expansion which arenecessitated by new development of any type (i.e., schools, parks, streets) and prepare a scheduleof charges to be levied on the developer at the time of approval of a tract or parcel map.


(4) A conditional use permit shall be required for solid waste facilities to establish the standards andconditions necessary to protect the public's health and safety. The adopted solid waste site shall bedepicted on the Rosamond Specific Plan map.

(5) The Kern County Recreation Element is adopted by reference to permit the collection of QuimbyAct funds.

(6) Developers will prepare master drainage plans which take surrounding projects into consideration.

(7) Kern Council of Governments will be encouraged to investigate the funding and development of amaster transit plan, including the possible expansion of bus service in the Rosamond areacommensurate with construction activities.

(8) The County will provide technical assistance as necessary to the Rosamond community for theestablishment of a greenbelt parkway.

(9) New development shall contribute its pro rata share for circulation improvements, school impactfees, park land dedications/fees, and possible biota impact fees. As additional impact fees areadopted, they shall be incorporated into the Specific Plan text.

(10) Provide expertise to the school district, as necessary, in the exploration of alternative fundingmethods.

(11) The County shall investigate use of Mello-Roos Districts to provide necessary funding for fire,police, medical, and child care facilities.

(12) The County will provide technical assistance to the Rosamond Community Services District asnecessary in the acquisition of additional sites for sewage disposal.

(13) Siting and establishment procedures for all solid waste transfer stations, recycling center, andcleanup programs shall be in accordance with Kern County's Solid Waste Management Plan.

SECTION VI. PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS

ASSUMPTIONS

The presence of physical constraints, such as earthquake faults, flooding, steep slopes, and erosive soils, arephysical factors which influence development. Where these factors are ignored, natural disasters can causesevere damage to property and endanger human life. Over 60 percent of the area is subject to some level offlooding. Steep slopes and erosive soils are localized in various portions of the region, such as the RosamondHills and Tropico Hill.

ISSUES

Over the years, development has occurred in areas that have a variety of natural hazards. The extent to whichnatural hazards can be mitigated is frequently debated, thus further complicating the issue of developmentin hazardous areas.

GOAL

(1) To promote a safe and healthful living environment, reduce the potential for property damage andinjury by requiring development standards that adequately mitigate these environmental constraintswhere feasible to do so.


MAP PROVISIONS

Map Code 2.1 (Seismic Hazard)

Alquist-Priolo Special Study Zone and other recently active fault zones.

Map Code 2.2 (Landslide)

Areas of downslope ground movement identified on the Kern County Seismic Hazard Atlas.

Map Code 2.3 (Shallow Groundwater)

Groundwater within 15 feet of the land surface is delineated on the Kern County Seismic HazardAtlas.

Map Code 2.4 (Steep Slope)

Land with an average slope of 30 percent or steeper.

Map Code 2.5 (Flood Hazard)

Water courses subject to intermittent flooding during periods of precipitation, lands within Zone Aon the Federal Flood Insurance Maps, or areas of recognized flood hazard as evidenced by detailedstudies approved by the Floodplain Management Section of the Department of Planning andDevelopment Services.

Map Code 2.8 (Military Flight Operations)

Land within one mile of the centerline of the Military Flight Corridor (Avenue "A"), subject tomilitary overflights and high noise levels.

POLICIES

(1) New development within the 100-year floodplain shall be regulated in accordance with the FloodDamage Prevention Ordinance and the Kern County Zoning Ordinance as may be amended fromtime to time.

(2) New development where densities are limited to lot sizes of one acre or larger facilitate soundfloodplain management practices by allowing sheet flooding to occur over a mildly encroachedfloodplain. New development where densities allow lot sizes smaller than one acre significantlyencroach upon the floodplain and tend to divert flow onto adjacent properties. For these denserdevelopments, structural improvements and lot layouts need to take into account appropriate sectionsof the Kern County Subdivision Standards, which indicate that it is necessary to receive anddischarge floodwaters through the property without diverting flow onto adjacent properties.

(3) New development will not be sited in areas of shallow groundwater unless proper mitigation can beachieved.

(4) Regardless of percentage of slope, development on hillsides will be sited in the least obtrusivefashion, thereby minimizing the extent of topographic alteration required.

(5) Development proposed in areas with steep slopes will be reviewed for conformity to the adoptedHillside Development Ordinance to ensure that appropriate stability, drainage, and sewage treatmentwill result.

(6) Special requirements may be applied to new housing within recently active fault zones.

(7) New residential uses in fault zones will be limited to single-family housing units.

(8) Sensitive and highly sensitive land uses should be minimized within the area subject to overflights from Edwards Air Force Base.

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES (1) Application for discretionary projects within areas designated Map Code 2.1 shall be subject to the GH (Geologic Hazard Combining) District as established in the Kern County Zoning Ordinance. (2) Permanent structures, including mobilehomes, accessory structures, and water wells located in the 100-year floodplain, shall be elevated and/or flood protected to 1.0 foot above the base flood elevation as shown on the County floodplain maps or 2.0 feet above any backwater conditions, whichever is higher. The foundation shall be designed to protect against the potential scour velocities. (3) On-site liquid waste disposal systems shall be designed and located to prevent impairment to them,

or contamination by them, during flooding, as approved by the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department.

(4) Areas within the 100-year floodplain shall be zoned with the appropriate FPP (Floodplain Primary),

FP (Floodplain Combining), or FPS (Floodplain Secondary Combining) designation. (5) Prior to the issuance of any development permit where lot sizes are smaller than one acre, a drainage

study must be provided that shows that development does not cumulatively increase the depth of flow more than 1.0 foot within any individual lot, and that floodwaters are received and discharged at the locations that existed prior to development. Should diversion be required, sufficient work shall be done upstream and downstream to provide affected properties at least the same level of flood protection as existed prior to diversion.

(6) All developments on slopes in excess of 30 percent are required to be developed in accordance with

the Hillside Development chapter of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance. (7) Any projects identified with problems relating to shallow groundwater or landslide prone are

required to be evaluated by a qualified professional in the field. (8) Future land divisions for residential use shall be limited to a minimum lot size of 2 1/2 acres within

the area shown within Map Code 2.8 (Military Flight Operations) except for the area north of Avenue A, east of 50th Street West, south of Rosamond Boulevard, and west of Highway 14, in this area future land divisions for residential use shall be limited to a minimum lot size of 1/4 acre and include an Avigation Notification to be acknowledged/signed with the transfer of property title.

(9) Any land division map filed and recorded for property shown with a 2.8 Map Code shall contain an

informational statement that the property is within the Edwards Flight Test Corridor and may be subject to noise related to aircraft flight testing activities.

(10) Building height for property shown with a 2.8 Map Code will be limited to the standards of the H

(Airport Approach Height Combining) District.



CHAPTER 2. HOUSING ELEMENT

Existing housing units in the plan area represent a variety of types, quality, and environmental conditions.

ASSUMPTIONS

There are approximately 3,200 dwelling units in the Specific Plan area of which 39 percent are conventionalsingle-family units, 20 percent are in multiple-family structures, and 41 percent are mobilehomes. Theevolution of housing types in the plan area since 1970 is best illustrated by data for Census Tract 58, whichincludes the commercial core area of Rosamond.

HOUSING TRENDS 1970-1990 - CENSUS TRACT 58

YEAR TOTAL UNITS SINGLE FAMILY MULTIFAMILY MOBILEHOME

1970 886 63% 22% 15%

1980 1,323 63% 14% 23%

1990 2,253 46% 15% 39%

PLAN AREA - 1990

1990 3,200 39% 20% 41%

The 1990 housing unit estimate for the plan area is based on the 1990 Census figures for the RosamondCensus Designated Place (CDP). Areas outside the CDP but within the plan area were assumed to have thesame housing makeup as Rosamond CDP.

The number of mobilehomes in parks has more than doubled since 1980, growing from 518 in 1980 to 1,112in 1988. Mobilehomes in parks currently account for 72 percent of the mobilehomes in the plan area.

HOUSING QUALITY 1979 - CENSUS TRACT 58

QUALITY CATEGORY NUMBER PERCENT OF UNITS OF TOTAL

A. Standard 760 69B. Minor Rehabilitation Needed1 180 26C. Major Rehabilitation Needed2 45 4D. Should Be Demolished 12 1

1,097 1001 Needs paint, yard work, minor repairs only; 2 Visible structural damage: roof, walls, foundation, etc.

In 1979, 998 of the total 1,097 dwelling units in Census Tract 58 were occupied. This represents a vacancyrate of about 9 percent.

About 32 percent of all substandard units (Categories B-D) were owner occupied; 68 percent were renteroccupied; 41 percent of the units in the minor rehabilitation category were owner occupied. In the majorrehabilitation category, however, only 25 percent of the units were owner occupied, and the remaining 75percent were rental units. Thus, although the overall vacancy rate of 9 percent would seem to indicate theavailability of nearly 100 units for rent or sale, most of the units involved would likely be of inferior quality.


ISSUES

There is a growing need to provide a wide variety of housing types to a broad spectrum of economic levels.Development in the Antelope Valley is proceeding at an enormous rate and the need for additional housingis of critical concern.

GOALS

(1) To provide adequate and safe housing for all residents of the Rosamond Specific Plan area.

(2) To preserve existing housing stock in the community.

(3) To rejuvenate housing areas that have experienced a decline in housing quality.

(4) To encourage housing concepts which meet the needs of the community and particularly of lowincome and moderate income groups.

(5) To increase awareness of the housing problems and needs of the community.

POLICIES

(1) Provide areas for residential use which will allow a full range of housing densities and types.

(2) Encourage new residential development to locate within the present community services districtboundaries.

(3) Encourage the development of innovative, economical, energy efficient housing design within theSpecific Plan boundaries.

IMPLEMENTATION

(1) A density bonus will be provided on projects which propose low income housing in accordance withstandards set forth in the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

(2) Residential development of urban density must be permitted within the community services district.

(3) The Site Plan Review process will entertain all manner of innovative housing design.


SECTION I. WATER SUPPLY

Water for household use in the Specific Plan area is provided by private wells, wells owned by the RosamondCommunity Services District, and AVEK (through Rosamond Community Services District) within thecommunity services district boundary, and by private wells outside the community services district boundary.Throughout much of the plan area, groundwater supplies are sufficient in both quantity and quality to meetthe present levels of domestic use. However, there are some significant problems connected with thecontinued use of groundwater in some areas. Wells northeast of the intersection of Rosamond Boulevardand the Antelope Valley Freeway generally suffer from low levels of production and high alkaline levels.Most wells in the plan area north of Rosamond Boulevard have low production, necessitating the use ofstorage tanks to meet peak household water demands. There is a general overdraft situation throughout theplan area. The situation has recently improved slightly due to the use of irrigation in the area and consequentgroundwater recharge, but irrigated farming in the Rosamond area is expensive and is not expected toexpand. With increased domestic use of AVEK water through the community services district and decreasedwell pumping, water table levels may rise, but to what extent is uncertain.

The possibility of future residential development meeting its water needs entirely from groundwater pumpingis very doubtful. This is, of course, more true of large-scale developments, such as mobilehome parks,subdivision, and apartment buildings than of scattered, dispersed residential units.

ASSUMPTIONS

The Specific Plan area can expect continued growth, perhaps at an accelerated pace when compared tohistorical growth rates. The need to provide water to an ever more urbanizing area will require greaterutilization of the existing water delivery system.

ISSUES

The existing drawdown situation threatens to negatively impact water flow rates in existing water wellsareawide.

GOALS

(1) To ensure a safe, reliable supply of water for both new and existing residential development.

(2) To prevent, as far as is possible, any further drawdown of the water table within the plan area.

POLICIES/IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

(1) All residential development resulting in lots of one net acre in size or smaller shall obtain their watersupply from a source other than private wells. Such other sources include AVEK Water Agency andthe Rosamond Community Services District.

(2) All new multifamily housing units and mobilehome parks, regardless of size, must obtain their watersupplies from sources other than private wells.

(3) Residentially designated land outside the community services district service area will be permittedto have one domestic water well to service a maximum of four hookups at a minimum lot size of21,780 square feet net (1/2 acre net). Water well density shall not exceed one well per 2 1/2 acresgross.


SECTION II. LIQUID AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL

Waste disposal within the Rosamond Community Services District is accomplished by the communityservices district sewage disposal system and by private septic systems. Sewage disposal outside thecommunity services district boundary is by means of private septic tank systems.

The Rosamond Community Services District treats sewage by means of oxidation ponds. The present pondarea is approximately 54 acres. About 100 additional acres are owned by the community services district,and most of this area is available for expansion of ponds. The existing ponds are operating at about 25percent of capacity, and the system is presently serving approximately 2,500 to 2,600 persons.

Historically, there have been serious septic tank problems within the plan area due to low permeability ofsoils. Some homes have had to be relocated onto new lots because of septic tank failure. Septic systemfailures and surface ponding of effluent were common before the construction of the community servicesdistrict sewer system.

Septic system owners within the community services district may have their tanks serviced through privatebusinesses who are licensed by the community services district to discharge septic tank sludge into thecommunity services district treatment ponds. Owners of septic tanks outside the community services districtmust contract with private businesses (which dump at either Mojave or Palmdale) to obtain service.

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

There are no solid waste disposal sites located within the Specific Plan area. The nearest facility is theRosamond-Mojave Landfill located about nine miles north of Rosamond (Section 3, T10N, R12W). TheKern County Public Works Department estimates that the remaining capacity of the Mojave site is adequateto serve the area through the year 2000.

Two franchised refuse collectors serve the Specific Plan area.

An abandoned solid waste disposal site is located adjacent to the plan area in Section 15, T9N, R12W, andis heavily used for illegal dumping. No new solid waste disposal sites are currently proposed for the planarea.

ISSUES

Continuing urbanization of the Rosamond area will tax the existing system's ability to provide adequate wastedisposal.

GOAL

(1) To provide adequate waste disposal systems within the plan area in order to safeguard the publichealth and public and private investments.

POLICIES

(1) Require that all urban intensity development be provided with proper sewage disposal.

(2) Promote the usage of community sewerage services in areas of questionable soil types or high-density development.

(3) Review the possibility of establishing a landfill site within the Specific Plan area.



(1) All methods of sewage disposal used within the plan area shall meet the requirements of the KernCounty Environmental Health Services Department, the California Regional Water Quality ControlBoard, and the Rosamond Community Services District.

(2) Where individual lot sizes and/or soil types are unsuitable for individual sewage disposal systems,as determined by the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department, connection to theRosamond Community Services District central treatment plant shall be required. All multifamilyand mobilehome park developments, regardless of lot size, shall be required to connect to the centraltreatment plant or to construct, operate, and maintain "package" sewage treatment plants at a levelof efficiency and effectiveness at least equivalent to that provided by the community services districtcentral treatment plan.

(3) Due to the relatively long (nine miles) distance to the nearest County landfill site and the largeamount of illegal dumping in the area, consideration shall be given to opening a solid waste disposalsite or transfer station within the plan area.


CHAPTER 3. CIRCULATION

The major access route into the Specific Plan area is the Antelope Valley Freeway, State Highway 14. Themain circulation routes within the community are Rosamond Boulevard in an east/west direction and SierraHighway in a north/south direction. The present configuration of the community shows the influence ofthese two transportation routes as major foci around which the community has developed and grown.

ASSUMPTIONS

This community with its circulation pattern has high potential for producing a large volume of traffic in andaround the intersection of Rosamond Boulevard and Sierra Highway. Compounding the problem in this areais the fact that traffic on Rosamond Boulevard is interrupted approximately 30 times per day by train trafficat the at-grade crossing just east of Sierra Highway. This crossing is presently the only rail crossing forautomobile traffic in the Specific Plan area.

The dispersed residential pattern found west of the freeway has spawned an extensive system of dirt roads,many of which will need to be replaced or supplemented by paved secondaries, majors, and local streets asfurther residential development occurs.

Specific Plan proposals include an overpass or underpass for Rosamond Boulevard at the Southern PacificRailroad tracks, and at-grade crossings of the tracks at Dawn Road, Marie Avenue, and Avenue "A."

ISSUES

The buildout of the planned land use designations will cause a significant degradation in the existing trafficcirculation.

GOALS

(1) To provide for greater efficiency of circulation within the plan area by providing more direct routesbetween populated areas of the community.

(2) To reduce time spent in travel within the plan area.

(3) To maintain adequate traffic safety.

(4) To maintain public safety within the plan area by providing a more direct and efficient circulationsystem for law enforcement and fire protection vehicles.

(5) To reduce energy consumption and other travel costs.

(6) To provide for circulation system which will support planned land uses.

POLICIES

(1) The proposed circulation pattern as shown on the Rosamond-Willow Springs Circulation Map,included in this chapter, is presently considered necessary and adequate to service the communitygrowth pattern presented in the Land Use Element of the Rosamond Specific Plan.

(2) The use of Avenue "A" will be encouraged as an alternative to Rosamond Boulevard for carryingeast/west traffic in the area located west of State Route 14 and south of Rosamond Boulevard. Whenlocated within 1 1/2 miles of Avenue "A" and west of State Route 14, new urban density (lot sizeless than one acre) residential development must provide off-site roadway improvements as requiredto link the project with Avenue "A" in accordance with the circulation plan.


(3) All road alignments proposed to serve lots and/or parcels shall be reviewed to assure conformancewith the Kern County Land Division Ordinance.

(4) Detailed local street alignments shall be considered as a part of the subdivision application process.

(5) Consideration shall be given to the possible future need for a separation of grade on RosamondBoulevard at the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks.

(6) At-grade railroad crossings will be developed where major arterials or secondary collectors intersectthe Southern Pacific Railroad track as shown on Figure 6.

(7) Encourage the development of a Bikeways Master Plan to serve new development. The BikewaysMaster Plan should link development areas to community service facilities.

(8) Encourage the provision of "park and ride" lots within the plan area.

(9) Construction and upgrading of any arterial streets and highways within the plan shall be financedby new development.


(1) All public streets are to be constructed to Kern County Subdivision Standards unless specificvariances are approved by the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

(2) All improvements and dedications for public streets must be in conformance with the CirculationElement of the Rosamond Specific Plan.

(3) Kern Council of Governments will be encouraged to investigate the possible development of aBikeways Master Plan to tie various development areas and community service facilities.

(4) The County will work with CalTrans to establish "park and ride" lots within the plan area. Inaddition, carpooling and ridesharing will be encouraged for all new discretionary developmentprojects.

(5) The County will investigate the feasibility of establishing a grade separation district.

(6) Construction and upgrading of any arterial streets and highways within the plan shall be financedby new development through the collection of a Traffic Impact Fee. A list of street improvements,along with a development schedule, is detailed in the Rosamond/Willow Springs TransportationImpact Fee Study.


CHAPTER 4. OPEN SPACE/CONSERVATION ELEMENT

There would appear to be a great deal of open space within the Specific Plan area due to the large numberof undeveloped rural residential lots. The plan area as of June 1981, contains 3,117 parcels, 918 of whichare 2 1/2 to 5 acres in size. These 3,117 vacant lots could accommodate a population of 9,351 persons (basedon 3.0 persons per lot), with no further subdivision or parceling. Many of these parcels could conceivablybe developed at any time.

Much of Rosamond's "open space" is subject to flooding, earthquake faulting, or ground shaking due toearthquake activity. Some areas present hazards to human occupancy and are, therefore, best preserved insome sort of open space status. These natural hazards and their location and implications are discussed inthe Safety/Seismic Safety Element.

Some open space areas are important as visual landmarks and as aesthetic resources to the community. Aspreviously stated, the "open space" qualities of the plan area have been a major attraction to many of thepersons who have settled there and, therefore, should be preserved and maintained.

In addition to privately owned "open space," the plan area contains approximately 940 acres of landcontrolled by the Bureau of Land Management. This land would appear to be well suited to the developmentof hiking or equestrian trails.

Hillsides are important to open space, and constitute a nonrenewable resource. They are geologicallandscape features whose slopes and soils are in delicate balance with vegetation, underlying geology, andprecipitation. As such, their development requires special considerations that are not usually a part of thedevelopment of flatland areas. Uncontrolled development of hillsides can damage or even destroy acommunity's aesthetic resources.

GOALS

(1) To protect and enhance the physical and psychological health of residents of the community.

(2) To conserve those open space areas of the community which, because of unique qualities of historyand geography, should be preserved for the enjoyment of the entire community and the public as awhole.

(3) To maintain the open space qualities of the plan area.

POLICIES

(1) Except for those areas indicated otherwise, the 2 1/2-acre minimum lot size shall be maintained inall sections of the plan area outside of the Rosamond Community Services District (see Liquid WasteDisposal Section of Housing Element).

(2) The concentration of dwellings and other structures shall be encouraged to help maintain larger areasof open space and preserve the natural appearance and terrain as much as possible.

(3) The County shall encourage planning, design, and development of building sites in such a way asto provide the maximum in safety and human enjoyment while adapting development to, and takingadvantage of, the natural terrain.

(5) The use of the CL (Cluster Combining) District shall be encouraged to preserve open spaceamenities and development on hillsides in accordance with the Hillside Development chapter of theKern County Zoning Ordinance.



(1) In general, grading shall be restricted to slopes of less than 30 percent.

(2) Road cuts shall follow the natural contours of the land, as much as is feasible and reasonable, inorder to minimize cutting and grading.

(3) All graded areas not utilized for development purposes shall be immediately reseeded with a groundcover designed to withstand the desert environment.


CHAPTER 5. SAFETY ELEMENT

SECTION I. FLOOD HAZARD

Figure 6 shows those properties in the Rosamond Specific Plan area which may be subject to flood hazard.

ASSUMPTIONS

The Rosamond Specific Plan lies within the hydrologically enclosed Antelope Valley Basin. The watershedarea of the Antelope Valley is bound by the peaks of Tehachapi Mountains on the northwest, the peaks ofthe San Gabriel and Sierra Pelano Mountains on the south, and the low-lying buttes in San BernardinoCounty to the east. All stormwater runoff generated in the Antelope Valley that does not percolate into theground eventually ponds and evaporates in the Rosamond, Rogers, and Buckhorn dry lake beds.

The east side of the Tehachapi Mountains and the Rosamond Hills are the sources of flooding which producethe four kinds of flow regimes found within this Specific Plan area.

ISSUES

(1) Alluvial Plain Sheet Flooding. The entire southern third of the Specific Plan area is subject to the100-year flood event from Cottonwood, Tylerhorse, Gamble Springs, Bajada, and Bean Canyonsproducing a combined peak flow of 32,500 cubic feet per second. The low velocity sheet floodinghas a flow width of over two miles along the alluvial plain between Avenue "A" and approximatelyBrabham Avenue. Portions of the northeastern Rosamond area are also subject to sheet floodingfrom the North Rosamond watershed.

(2) Alluvial Fan Flooding. The central portions of the Specific Plan, just south and southeasterly ofTropico Hill, are subject to alluvial fan flooding from the Oak and Joshua Creek watersheds. Theseflood flows are reconcentrated downstream of the canyon apexes by the outcrops of Tropico Hill,Willow Springs Buttes, and the Rosamond Hills forming the alluvial fans. This reconcentration offlood flows extends the alluvial fan flooding out onto the alluvial plain to approximately BrabhamAvenue.

(3) Channelized Flooding. The northern portions of the Specific Plan are subject to channelizedflooding from Oak Creek, Hidden Valley, and the North Rosamond watershed.

(4) Backwater Flooding. Man-made obstructions throughout the Specific Plan area create backwaterflooding conditions onto upstream properties within the floodplain. The major backwater conditionsare caused by State Route 14, 20th Street West, and the Southern Pacific Railroad.

To provide a national standard without regional discrimination, the 1 percent annual chance (100-year) floodhas been adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Kern County as the baseflood for floodplain management purposes. Upon entering the Regular Phase of the National Flood InsuranceProgram on September 29, 1986, FEMA provided Kern County with 100-year floodplain maps delineatingthe Rosamond Specific Plan area as a special flood hazard area, Zone A. These maps, the Flood InsuranceRate Maps (FIRM), have been modified by the Kern County Department of Planning and DevelopmentServices, Floodplain Management Section, by extending the map limits to Edwards Air Force Base andincluding the severe backwater conditions near State Route 14, 20th Street West, and the Southern PacificRailroad.

At present, the Rosamond Specific Plan area is not fully developed, which presents Kern County with anopportunity to manage additional growth and development of this valuable land resource in a balanced, well-planned manner optimizing development as well as environmental potential.


GOALS

It is the purpose of the Rosamond Specific Plan to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare andto minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in the Specific Plan area by instituting policiesdesigned to:

(1) Protect human life and health.

(2) Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects.

(3) Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertakenat the expense of the general public.

(4) Minimize prolonged business interruptions.

(5) Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities, such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone,and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard.

(6) Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the secondary use and development of areas ofspecial flood hazard so as to minimize the future blight areas.

(7) Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard.

(8) Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for theiractions.

(9) Comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations, Parts 59 and60 of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

POLICIES

(1) Proposed development within the 100-year floodplain shall be subject to County review so as toprotect that development and downstream properties from undue flood hazard.

(2) New development where densities are limited to lot sizes of one acre or more facilitate soundfloodplain management practices by allowing sheet flooding to occur over a mildly encroachedfloodplain. New development where densities allow lot sizes smaller than one acre significantlyencroach upon the floodplain and tend to divert flow onto adjacent properties. For these denserdevelopments, structural improvements and lot layouts need to take into account appropriate sectionsof the Kern County Subdivision Standards, which indicates that it is necessary to receive anddischarge floodwaters through the property without diverting flow onto adjacent property.

(3) Encourage consideration of Rosamond Planned Drainage Areas to effectively manage drainage.


(1) New development within the 100-year floodplain shall be regulated in accordance with the FloodDamage Prevention Ordinance (G-4284) and the Zoning Ordinance (G-4157) as they may beamended from time to time.

(2) Permanent structures, including mobilehomes, accessory structures, and water wells located in the100-year floodplain, shall be elevated and/or flood protected to 1.0 foot above the base floodelevation as shown on the County floodplain maps or 1.0 foot above any backwater or depth of flowover backwater conditions, whichever is higher. The foundation shall be designed to protect againstthe potential scour velocities.


(3) On-site waste disposal systems shall be designed and located to prevent impairment to them, orcontamination by them, during flooding, as approved by the Kern County Environmental HealthServices Department.

(4) Areas within the 100-year floodplain shall be zoned with the appropriate FPP (Floodplain Primary),FP (Floodplain Combining), or FPS (Floodplain Secondary Combining) designation.

(5) Prior to the issuance of any development permit where lot sizes are smaller than one acre, a drainagestudy must be provided that shows that development does not cumulatively increase the depth offlow more than 1.0 foot within any individual lot, and that floodwaters are received and dischargedat the locations that existed prior to development. Should diversion be required, sufficient workshall be done upstream and downstream to provide affected properties at least the same level of floodprotection as existed prior to diversion.

(6) Application of a constraints overlay Map Code 2.5 will be required for those areas within the 100-year floodplain.

SECTION II. SEISMIC HAZARD

The inferred earthquake faults shown on Figure 8 are believed to pass through the plan area. Although theexact location of the faults is unknown, their proximity raises real concern regarding the earthquake safetyof residential structures.

ASSUMPTIONS

The entire plan area is seismically active, and severe ground shaking can be expected throughout the areaas the result of movement along the Willow Springs-Rosamond, Garlock, San Andreas, or any other largefault in the region. The Seismic Safety map shows the ground shaking intensities expected to occur in theplan area as the result of a magnitude 8.3 (Richter scale) earthquake on the San Andreas Fault in the area ofFort Tejon. The numerical designations on the map refer to the Rossi-Forel scale of earth shaking intensitiesand are defined as follows:

6 -- Fairly strong shock. General awakening of those asleep; general ringing of bells;oscillation of chandeliers; stopping of clocks; visible agitation of trees and shrubs; somestartled persons leaving their dwellings.

7 -- Strong shock. Overthrow of movable objects; fall of plaster; ringing of church bells;general panic.

8 -- Very strong shock. Fall of chimneys; cracks in walls of buildings.

9 -- Extremely strong shock. Partial or total destruction of some buildings.

Ground shaking will, of course, be more or less intense than shown on the map, depending on the locationand magnitude of the disturbance. Relative shaking intensities in the area, however, will generally alwaysbe the same due to the underlying geology of the area.

ISSUES

Expansion pressure in the Rosamond Specific Plan area would site new development in areas that are knownto have documented seismic hazard conditions.


GOALS

(1) To minimize injury and loss of life from earthquakes.

(2) To reduce property damage due to earthquakes.

(3) To reduce economic and social disruption resulting from earthquakes and various other geologicalhazards by assuring the continuity of vital services and functions.

(4) To create an awareness in the population of the Specific Plan area of areas of possible earthquakedamage.

POLICIES

(1) The people of the plan area shall be made aware, through this document, of the relative earthquakehazards associated with living in the various portions of the plan area.

(2) All new construction in the plan area shall comply with Chapter 23 of the Uniform Building Code(UBC), which includes building pad and foundation design standards for structures in UBC SeismicZone IV.

(3) No new 5.1 or 5.2 designations will be permitted for property having a 2.1 constraint overlay unlessan approved, site-specific geologic report indicates that no fault hazard exists.


(1) All areas designated with the physical constraint overlay Map Code 2.1 shall permit developmentonly in accordance with the Kern County Safety Element.

(2) All final map subdivisions are required to prepare a geologic hazards analysis to determine whatmitigation measures may be necessary to ensure the project is suitable for its intended use.

(3) If new 5.1 or 5.2 designations are proposed within the 2.1 hazard constraint overlay, the County willadvise the applicant prior to acceptance of any application, of the need for a site-specific geologichazards report which contains a recommendation for clearance from fault hazard status.

SECTION III - STEEP SLOPE

Steep slopes, defined as those exceeding 30 percent, are found in scattered upland areas located north ofRosamond Boulevard.

ASSUMPTIONS

Development pressure in the Rosamond Specific Plan area would site new development in areas that haveslopes in excess of 30 percent. Development of areas having steep slope should be restricted for theprotection of community residents as well as for the hillsides themselves.

ISSUES

Areas having slopes in excess of 30 percent need not be developed in the foreseeable future owing to theabundance of lands having a lesser slope. Development of steep slope areas is an inefficient and wastefuluse of the land and causes increased road maintenance costs, erosion and sedimentation, and intensifies thedanger of landslides.


GOALS

(1) To preserve from development those areas having steep slope so as to protect the natural landscapefrom loss of vegetative cover and subsequent erosion and sedimentation.

(2) To protect community residents from undue hazards and costs associated with road maintenance,slope instability, improper drainage, and inadequate sewage treatment.

POLICIES

(1) Construction of dwellings or other structures shall not be allowed on slopes of over 30 percent,except as provided by the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.


(1) Development in areas designated with the physical constraint overlay Map Code 2.4 shall bepermitted only in accordance with Chapter 19.88 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.

SECTION IV - AIRPORTS/AIRCRAFT

Rosamond Skypark is a private airport located approximately 1/2 mile north of Rosamond Boulevard, 1 1/2miles west of State Route 14. An airstrip has existed on the site in some fashion since the late 1940s by someaccounts. Surrounding land uses were minimal or nonexistent for many years. However, the approval ofTract 4558))a fly-in residential subdivision))in 1984, and subsequent additional residential developmentsin the nearby area sparked conflicts between Skypark operations and residential land uses. The chiefconflicts have involved noise and safety on the ground. Additionally, overflights of jet aircraft based atEdwards Air Force Base create uncomfortable noise levels as well as a potential ground safety problem.

ASSUMPTIONS

Land use conflicts will arise in the future between aircraft operations and ground-based activities.

ISSUES

The operations of private aircraft and Air Force overflights will impact ground-based activities to someextent.

GOAL

To provide for a variety of land uses within the Rosamond Specific Plan while striving to preserve the safetyof ground-based activities from potential hazards associated with aircraft.

POLICIES

(1) The County will discourage the establishment of incompatible land uses in the vicinity of theRosamond Skypark.

(2) The policies and standards of the Kern County Airports Master Plan shall be considered whendetermining the consistency with the Rosamond Specific Plan.

(3) The people of the plan area shall be made aware, through this document, of the relative noise levelsassociated with living in the various portions of the plan area.



(1) All discretionary actions noted in Section 1.6.1 of the adopted Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan(ALUCP) shall be reviewed for consistency with the ALUCP prior to any action by the County.

(2) Proposed discretionary projects within the Edwards Flight Test Center Area of Influence shall beforwarded to that agency for comment prior to action by the County.

(3) Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration Part 77 regulations will be ensured during thereview of discretionary development projects.


CHAPTER 6. NOISE ELEMENT

A noise element is a mandatory element for General Plans and Specific Plans in accordance with Section65302(f) of the California Government Code. The purpose of this Element is to identify sources of noisewithin the plan area, quantify noise impacts, and provide a means of mitigating adverse impacts. ThisElement is intended to supplement the Kern County General Plan Noise Element.

ASSUMPTIONS

The Rosamond area is impacted in varying degrees by five major noise generators. Rosamond Boulevardand State Route 14 as well as the Southern Pacific Railroad are transportation corridors which generatesignificant amounts of noise. The Rosamond Skypark, a private airport, also produces a more localized noisecontour.

Additionally, military aircraft using Edwards Air Force Base constitute a major source of noise in this area.The southerly portion of the Rosamond area is located within a low level, high speed air corridor that isregularly used by military aircraft. The corridor is about four miles wide with Avenue "A" being theapproximate centerline of the corridor. Noise levels during military aircraft overflights often exceed Countynoise standards.

Planned housing densities have been kept low within the area most severely impacted by Air Forceoverflights, but not reduced from current zoning, to minimize the number of people that may be exposed tomilitary aircraft noise. These relatively low rural densities should make attenuation of mobile noise sourceseasier by placing fewer people in the corridor (refer to Physical Constraint Chapter 1, Subsection VI Re: MapCode 2.8).

GOALS

(1) To protect the health and welfare of Kern County residents.

(2) To minimize disruption to the quality of life resulting from excessive noise.

(3) To maintain reasonable noise level standards, consistent with the Kern County Noise Element.

POLICIES

(1) Noise emissions from new development will be controlled, and off-site levels limited to thestandards of the Kern County General Plan Noise Element.

(2) Noise attenuation will be required of new development within areas subject to excessive noise asshown on Figure 9 and within constraint overlay Map Code 2.8 (Military Flight Operations).

(3) Land uses will be categorized in the following manner and the noise level standards adopted inaccordance with the Kern County Noise Element:

Insensitive Land Uses. The level of ambient noise has no effect on activities occurring within thearea. Examples include industrial, agricultural, mining, and construction activities.

Moderately Sensitive Land Uses. Some (small) degree of noise control is necessary to successfullyconduct activities in such types of land uses as athletic clubs, restaurants, retail stores, andprofessional offices.

Sensitive Uses. Lack of noise control may result in some conflicts, such as sleep interference andannoyance, primarily in residential areas. Other types of land uses affected are hotels, clinics, andresearch laboratories.


Highly Sensitive Uses. A high degree of noise control is necessary for the successful operation ofactivities, such as convalescent homes, senior citizen centers, schools, auditoriums, and mobilehomeparks.

The following maximum desired ambient noise level standards have been established by the Noise Elementof the Kern County General Plan for each land use category described above:

L50 dB(A) Ldn

Land Use Category Day Night CNEL

Insensitive Uses 65 60 75Moderately Sensitive Uses 60 55 70Sensitive Uses 55 45 65Highly Sensitive Uses 50 40 60


(1) All future development shall conform to the standards of the Noise Element of the Kern CountyGeneral Plan.

(2) In those areas noted on Figure 9 (Noise Impact Zones) as being within a noise impact zone,applicants for all discretionary projects involving sensitive or highly sensitive uses shall be requiredto submit an acoustical analysis at the time application is made. Compliance with recommendationscontained in said analysis shall be made a part of any conditions of approval.

(3) Suggested mitigation measures to minimize the adverse effects of noise on sensitive and highlysensitive uses within noise impact zones may include, but are not limited to, the use of noise barriers(walls, fences, trees, and shrubs), buffer strips along noise sources, and room and buildingarrangement to decrease noise transmission. These measures may be incorporated into futuredevelopments within noise impacted areas.

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