Welcome! 

The City of Barstow has released documents for public review related to the proposed General Plan Update and BIG Project and Specific Plan, including the associated environmental analysis that evaluates these collective efforts in a single Environmental Impact Report.

Planning Commission Public Hearing 5/16/26. Please click here to access the "About the General Plan Update" webpage that provides links to the public notice, agenda, and materials associated with the Planning Commission Public Hearing held on May 16, 2026 to receive public comment and consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding the proposed City of Barstow General Plan Update and Barstow International Gateway (BIG) Project.  

Quickly Learn about the Proposed Projects. You can watch a video and/or read a short summary of the proposed projects by scrolling down on this webpage.  

Review and Download Draft Documents. Please click here to access the "Documents for Public Review & Download" webpage that provides links to all of the documents posted for public review.  

Review Past Project Activities/Information. For information about past and upcoming public activities, meetings, and other information shared during the effort, please click here to access the "About the General Plan Update" webpage dedicated to public engagement. 

Should you have any issues accessing this site, please contact the City by email at generalplan@barstowca.org.

🎥 Check out our amazing 101 videos on YouTube:

– The video breaks down the various parts of the City's ambitious efforts: the General Plan, Specific Plan, EIR, and more.  Go watch, learn, and share so that YOU and others in the community can participate in bringing positive change to Barstow!

About the Proposed Projects

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE

While the 2015 General Plan evaluated Barstow’s future through 2020, the City determined that a comprehensive update was needed to reflect new State laws, economic conditions, and development interests for the next 25 years.

The proposed General Plan provides a long-term planning blueprint for the improvements needed to accommodate the City’s growing population over a 25-year planning horizon from 2023 to 2048. This comprehensive update of the City’s General Plan refines current goals and policies to reflect the City’s new vision, opportunities, and obligations; refines and expands circulation and infrastructure plans to align with the City’s updated vision and land use plan; and expands opportunities for economic growth, prosperity, and community health.

BIG PROJECT AND BIG SPECIFIC PLAN

The BIG Project and Specific Plan consist of a rail yard, a transload warehouse center, and a private utility (i.e., a solar farm). The rail yard would include a block swap yard, an intermodal facility, and ancillary rail areas (container yard, chassis storage, and maintenance of way). To serve the proposed rail yard and transload warehouse center, BIG proposes approximately 660 acres of various off-site rail and non-rail improvements (e.g., lead track extensions, drainage, utilities, and roadways). The total BIG footprint is approximately 5,000 acres. Final acreages will be determined based on site survey. Like other rail yards, BIG would operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines to analyze potential physical environmental impacts of the proposed Project (referred to as the “Project”) which includes:

• A comprehensive update to the City of Barstow 2015-2020 General Plan;
• Barstow International Gateway (BIG); and
• BIG Specific Plan.

The City of Barstow (City) is the Lead Agency for purposes of CEQA, and will review and consider the information contained in the Draft EIR prior to taking action on the Project. Click here for the Notice of Availability. Also, click here for a notice extending the public comment period. 

To submit a comment on any of these documents, please send an email to generalplan@barstowca.org. The public review and comment period for the Draft EIR started on November 10, 2025 and ended on January 12, 2026.  

The City has posted all EIR comments on the website as they were received, and will post responses to comments as part of the Final EIR on May 8, 2026 in advance of the start of public hearings.

Public Comment Disclaimer

All comments received regarding the Draft and Final EIR are public records under State law and will be posted on the City's website.

Any personal information included in your comment—such as your name, home address, phone number, or email address—will be posted and visible to the public on the City's website.

You do not need to include your name to submit a public comment. We recommend leaving out any personal information you don't want shared publicly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For information about community outreach events and other information, please click here to access the "About the General Plan Update" webpage dedicated to public engagement.