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 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.
- 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 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 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 eleven-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.
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.
August 2021
- 6th cycle RHNA introduction and development schedule discussion at the Roundtable Stakeholder Meeting #2
- Member Jursdictional Survey August 25, 2021 – September 8, 2021
- Commence Draft RHNA Methodology Development
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
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 COG Regional Housing Data Report
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.
Staff Contact: Rochelle Invina-Jayasiri, rinvina@kerncog.org
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.