By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
32-unit duplexes OK’d north of Hackett Road
Toor duplexes
Sixteen duplex structures have been approved to be built off of Aarvig Lane north of Hackett Road. The 32 units in total will help Ceres toward its goals of affordable housing. - photo by Courtesy of the city of Ceres

A tentative subdivision map was approved Monday by the Ceres Planning Commission to subdivide a 3.25-acre parcel into 16 parcels for duplexes at 1947 ½ Hackett Road. The subdivision, proposed by Inderjit S. Toor Construction, will be accessible by an extension of existing Aarvig Lane and a new cul-de-sac to be named Inderjit Court.

Senior Planner Teddy Hernandez said the site is zoned medium-density residential.

A total of 32 living units will result if Toor makes the project a reality.

Harinder Toor spoke to the commission as the company owner. He explained that he had been trying to get his hands on the property since 2005.

“We’re looking to put this project together,” said Toor, who said “affordable housing is the game I’m in.”

Ceres resident John Warren asked the commission to reject the project, suggesting the city is already overtaxed with demands on the water and sewer system and police department.

“We don’t have the capacity to add more sewer lines to our system,” said Warren. “We don’t have the capacity from our Police Department to police 32 more residences and our fire district doesn’t have the capacity to protect 32 more residences. Our infrastructure in this city is caput and these things should be taken into consideration.”

Toor said his company will be “paying to play” with $70,000 in permit costs to build.

“This is an affordable project. The city definitely needs this project. The city hasn’t built anything like this in quite some time.”

Toor said he will be paying cash to build the project.

Planning Commissioner Bob Kachel asked Toor what he planned to do with the flag lot created by the project, to which he answered it will be used for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). 

When a resident asked about a traffic study on Hackett Road impacts, Public Works Director Michael Beltran said that one occurred years ago for the area but not required for a small project like this.

“The roads – while they are in need of repair – they can handle that (traffic),” said Beltran.

Commission Chairwoman Cerina Otero said she appreciates the fact that Toor wants to build affordable homes “especially when purchasing homes and things like that is expensive as it is.”

Kachel, who said the project is consistent with zoning and general plan designations, motioned to approve the project. It received unanimous approval.