Areawide Directory
The Kern COG Areawide Directory provides vital information on Kern COG, its member agencies, critical public agencies, and media outlets operating in the Kern Region.
Areawide Directory – updated March 2020
Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP)
The Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) is a plan for the incremental implementation of the long-range Regional Transportation Plan. The FTIP presents to federal funding agencies manageable components for the funding of long-term plans.
Current and previous FTIP documents are available here.
General Transportation Reports
Goods Movement & Freight
Highways and Corridors
| Route 99 Interchange Feasibility Study – McFarland | McFarland | 2011 |
| Route 58 & 223 Interchange Feasibility Study | Metro Bakersfield | 2011 |
| Retrofit Noise Barrier Study – Route 58 | Bakersfield | 2010 |
| Retrofit Noise Barrier Study – Route 99 | Bakersfield | 2010 |
| Retrofit Noise Barrier Study – Route 14 | Rosamond | 2011 |
| Eastern Sierra Corridor Enhancement Program | Kern County | 2010 |
| Bakersfield System Study Summary Report | Metro Bakersfield | 2002 |
| Metropolitan Bakersfield Major Transportation Investment Strategy | Metro Bakersfield | 1997 |
| South Beltway Transportation Corridor | Metro Bakersfield | 1994 |
| Mojave Corridor Study | Mojave | 1990 |
| West Beltway Corridor Study | Metro Bakersfield | 1990 |
| Route 178 Corridor Study | Bakersfield | 1986 |
| Kern River Canyon Highway Corridor Study Route 178 | Kern County | 1984 |
Kern Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Blueprint
Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG), in partnership with Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA) and key stakeholders will develop a Blueprint for medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicle infrastructure. The Blueprint will identify major gaps in infrastructure for zero emission trucks and buses, community needs, available technology solutions, and ultimately a set of high-impact ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects illustrative of pathways of progress to zero emission transportation.
Kern County is situated strategically between California’s San Joaquin Valley and the Southern California Ports, eastern United States, and the California Central Coast, and therefore a key location for goods movement. High-impact clean transportation projects identified through the Blueprint will facilitate more widespread use of zero emission medium-and heavy-duty trucks all along California’s major truck corridors and place Kern County on a path to achieving its Sustainable Communities Strategy greenhouse gas emission reduction goals at an accelerated rate.
The project approach is designed to accelerate the region’s clean transportation goals through the identification of high-impact or transformational infrastructure projects capable of stimulating additional outside investment. Projects identified through the planning process will not only have merit because of their immediate benefits (i.e., emissions reductions), but also because of their ability to demonstrate innovation and induce other fleet operators to electrify. The project team will document progress to-date in deploying zero emission infrastructure, engage with stakeholders to align the Blueprint with community needs, develop transparent and agreed upon methodologies for project selection, conduct thorough analyses, and produce detailed implementation plans for each site. The project scope will include both electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
The document posted here is a working draft of the final Blueprint. Several key sections will be added as they become available. The Executive Summary and Project Information sections will be posted following completion of the other sections.
Comments on the document are welcomed. Please send written comments as a memo or document, not only an email, to Linda Urata, Regional Planner, Kern COG at lurata@kerncog.org by April 9, 2023 (prior to 8:00am PST on Monday, April 10, 2023).
2023 Kern Medium-Heavy Duty ZEV Infrastructure Blueprint DRAFT
Kern Electric Vehicle Charging Station Blueprint
The purpose of the Kern Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Blueprint is to accelerate the deployment of zero emission transportation to help reach Kern COG 2018 Regional Transportation Plan air quality goals. Kern COG was awarded a grant of $200,000 from the California Energy Commission to create a Kern EVCS Blueprint. Kern COG staff, the consultant Center for Sustainable Energy and the Kern EVCS Work Group (WG) are working to complete a draft Kern EVCS Blueprint in March 2019 and a completed Blueprint in May 2019.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station Resources June 2022
- Kern EVCS Blueprint
- Workplaces Toolkit
- Destinations Toolkit
- Public Institutions Toolkit
- Multi-Unit Dwellings Toolkit
- Community Based Organizations and Disadvantaged Communities Toolkit
- Fleets Toolkit
The Kern EVCS WG is tasked with the following work:
- Review documents and provide or process information between the meetings
- Set goals for EV infrastructure and vehicle deployment throughout Kern County
- Review and accept the project selection methodology for up to 12 projects incorporated in the plan
- Distribute and/or identify contacts for the distribution of a Kern EV Blueprint toolkit
- Kern COG member agencies are also invited to provide input to the EVCS Blueprint as above.
Newsletters
Kern COG’s Annual Report provides an overview of the results achieved by various projects conducted throughout the fiscal year.
Kern COG’s traditional newsletter, the Kern COG Quarterly, is published up to four times a year and is designed to keep the public informed of fiscal operations.
Overall Work Program and Financial Plans
Kern COG’s Overall Work Program (OWP) documents the activities and products mandated by Federal regulations in sufficient detail (i.e. activity description, products, schedule, cost, etc.) to clearly explain the purpose and results of the work to be accomplished, including how they support the Federal transportation planning process.
The Annual Financial Plans include budgets for Kern COG and the Kern Motorist Aid Authority (KMAA).
Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023
- Kern COG OWP
- Kern COG Financial Plan
- KMAA Financial Plan
Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022
- Kern COG OWP
- Kern COG Financial Plan
- KMAA Financial Plan
Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021
Fiscal Year 2019 – 2020
- Kern COG OWP
- Kern COG Financial Plan
- KMAA Financial Plan
Fiscal Year 2018 – 2019
Fiscal Year 2017 – 2018
Fiscal Year 2016 – 2017
Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016
Policies and Procedures
Policies and procedures used by the Kern Council of Governments.
Quality of Life Survey
The Kern Council of Governments commissions a yearly Quality of Life Survey of residents of Kern County with the following research objectives:
- assess residents’ overall opinion of the quality of life in their city or town
- survey the importance of issues related to future quality of life in the county
- identify housing preferences
- understand the daily commute of the average resident
- determine the feasibility of a transportation related revenue measure
Most Recent Survey
Previous Surveys
The survey is also designed to track the results of telephone surveys conducted in previous years.
Regional Early Action Planning
REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING (REAP) 2.0
Background
California is committed to a future where we all have the option to live closer to our jobs, services, and daily destinations. We can achieve this future through more Housing options and affordability in nearby neighborhoods, which includes transportation options so we can walk our kids to school, ride our bikes to work, or take transit. REAP 2.0 is a key part of the state’s strategic investments toward this more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for people in all areas of the state.
REAP 2.0 is explicitly intended to meet multiple objectives – Infill Housing Development, Housing for all incomes, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reduction, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) in ways that lead to transformative Policy Outcomes and accelerate the implementation of regional and local plans to achieve these goals.
Total State Funds Available to MPOs: $510,000,000
Funds Available to Kern COG: $ 12,670,717
Please take the survey
Por favor tome la encuesta
Regional Housing Needs
Background
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is required to allocate the region’s share of the statewide housing need to Councils of Governments (COG) based on Department of Finance (DOF) population projections and regional population forecasts used in preparing regional transportation plans. Kern COG, acting in the capacity as the state designated Regional Planning Agency, has the responsibility of developing the state-mandated Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) Plan.
The RHNA process will identify the number of housing units that each local government must accommodate in the Housing Element of its General Plan (Government Code §65584). As part of the region’s planning efforts, Kern COG works with local governments and stakeholders on the RHNA Plan. Kern COG identifies areas within the region sufficient to house an eight and a half year projection of the regional housing need. Additionally, the RHNA allocates housing units within the region consistent with the development pattern included in the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), and is part of the Regional Transportation Plan. The development of Kern COG’s 2022 RTP/SCS will happen in tandem with the 6th Cycle RHNA Plan.
RHNA Development Schedule
The development of the 6th Cycle RHNA Plan commenced in Spring 2021. This page will have updates on the RHNA development, draft and final plans, and other information. Updates will also be provided during Regional Planning Advisory Meetings and Transportation Planning Policy Committee Meetings.
-
ADOPTED KERN COG RHNA PLAN – with HCD Approval received 8-18-22
- Kern COG Regional Housing Needs Online Mapping Tool – Staff and Rincon Consultants are developing and maintaining a publicly viewable online mapping application, which will allow users to view the proposed RHNA unit allocations for each jurisdiction and to explore specific parcels to evaluate the potential number of units a parcel could support.
- Link to: Online Housing Needs Mapping Tool
- User Guide link: Kern COG Housing Needs Mapping Tool User Guide
July 2022
- Final Draft RHNA Plan 6-30-22 – July 21, 2022 tentative adoption
- RPAC Agenda, Item VI
- TPPC Agenda, Item VII
- Public Hearing and Final Adoption of 6th Cycle RHNA Plan – 6:30 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2022
April – June 2022
- Staff and RHNA consultants work on draft RHNA Plan
- 45-day Jurisdictional Review and Appeal Period of Draft 6th Cycle RHNA Plan from April 22, 2022 to June 6, 2022 – Comment period now closed.
- 5-27-22 Addendum Draft RHNA Table Format Change – shows the RHNA allocations by all four income categories for each jurisdiction as requested by HCD
- Jurisdictional Comments from the City of Bakersfield and City of Wasco
March 2022
- Adoption of Final RHNA Methodology and Presentation of Preliminary Draft RHNA Plan
- Adopted 6th Cycle RHNA Methodology with Resolution
February 2022
- HCD completes review of Draft RHNA Methodology (HCD RHNA Methodology Findings Letter)
- Staff and RHNA consultants continue to work on draft RHNA Plan
January 2022
- Staff and RHNA consultants work on draft RHNA Plan
November 2021 – December 2021
- November 3rd – Public Roundtable Meeting on Draft RHNA Methodology – Save the Date
- Meeting Agenda
- Draft RHNA Methodology Report – 11-2-21
- Recording of Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JehfDf8pgIE
- Draft RHNA Methodology Public Comment Period from Monday, November 8 – Thursday, December 9, 2021(Comment Period Closed)
- Draft Kern 6th Cycle RHNA Methodology – Public Review Document
- Public Hearing on Draft RHNA Methodology on Thursday, November 18th during Kern COG Board Meeting at 6:30PM. Please visit https://www.kerncog.org/category/agendas-minutes/cog-tppc/ for the Agenda and meeting details.
- Written comments may be submitted in advance of the hearing by mail or email at rinvina@kerncog.org. Oral and written comments both will be accepted during the hearing time and public comment period.
- Community Stakeholder Survey (Spanish Version is also available). Survey period November 10 – December 10, 2021.
- Submitted Draft RHNA Methodology to HCD on December 17, 2021 for review.
October 2021
- Present to RPAC and TPPC – Draft RHNA Methodology
September 2021
- Present to RPAC and TPPC – RHNA adjustment factors and objectives
August 2021
- 6th cycle RHNA introduction and development schedule discussion at the Roundtable Stakeholder Meeting #2
- Member Jurisdictional Survey August 25, 2021 – September 8, 2021
- Commence Draft RHNA Methodology Development
July 2021
- Kern COG has contracted with Regional Government Services Authority (RGS), Rincon Consultants, Inc. and Mintier Harnish Planning Consultants to assist with the development of the 6th Cycle RHNA Plan
RHNA Cycles
- 6th Cycle: In Progress – RHNA Development Schedule
- 5th Cycle: 2013 – 2023 Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan
- 4th Cycle: 2006 – 2013 Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan
→ If you would like to sign up to be on the Kern RHNA mailing list, please email: Rochelle Invina-Jayasiri, rinvina@kerncog.org
San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action Planning (REAP)
REAP is a State of California funded grant program to help regions and jurisdictions with planning activities to meet the sixth cycle of the regional housing needs assessment, and to spur affordable housing production.
Visit the SJV REAP Website for workshops, technical assistance, case studies and other resources.
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Links and Information
Regional Housing Needs Allocation
Local Early Action Planning (LEAP)
Housing Elements
Annual Progress Reports (APR) including link to APR Dashboard
Active Funding Programs
Kern Regional Housing Data Report
- 2022:
- SJV REAP Data Set – Prepared by SJV REAP Consultant Team and Pre-Certified by HCD
- HCD Data Package – Prepared by HCD
- 2014: Kern COG prepared the 2014 Kern Regional Housing Data Report which is a compilation of required data sets to help local jurisdictions prepare their housing element updates.
Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP)
The Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) is the formal presentation to the state of projects that local agencies wish to implement within the next four years. Once projects are approved in the Regional Transportation Plan, they are incorporated into the Regional Transportation Improvement Program for ultimate inclusion into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program.
Current and previous RTIP documents are available here.
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
At the center of the transportation planning process is the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP is a long-term (20-year) general plan for the region’s transportation network, and encompasses projects for all types of travel, including aviation and freight movement. The plan assesses environmental impacts of proposed projects, and establishes air quality conformity as required by federal regulations. The document also discusses inter-modal and multi-modal transportation activities.
Current and previous RTP documents are available here.