The public has until Jan. 27 to review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Report on the Copper Trails Specific Plan and annexation of 681 acres west of Highway 99 and south of Service Road.

On Sept. 26, 2022 the Ceres City Council hired a professional firm to develop the specific plan, environmental impact report (EIR) and potential annexation of the Copper Trails Master Plan area to the city.

The annexation involves 244 existing parcels in the vicinity of Central Valley High School. Development would occur on 534.6 acres while 146 acres of existing homes, schools, farmland, ranchettes, and other uses would be brought into the city limits.

Project proponents Stewart S. Fahmy and Nav Athwal initiated the Specific Plan so that it can be sold off for development. The Copper Trails portion of the project is bordered by Service Road to the north, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, Highway 99 and Mitchell Road to the east, the TID Lower Lateral No. 2 canal to the south, and Blaker Road to the west. The project area encompasses Central Valley High School, Hanline Elementary School, and Hidahl Elementary School, along with rural homes and farmland.

As planned, Copper Trails will be developed the following ways:

• 106.5 acres to be set aside near Highway 99 for the development of regional commercial (like one the opposite side of the freeway).

• 177 acres for low-density residential homes (seven units per acre);

• 37 acres for medium density residential (seven to 12 units per acres);

• 16.8 acres for medium-high residential uses (12 to 20 units per acre);

• 28.9 acres for high density residential (20 to 30 acres);

• 42 acres for parks and open space;

• 3.4 acres for community facilities;

• 74 acres for schools.

• 47 acres for major roadways and landscape corridors.

The majority of the residential neighborhoods are envisioned to consist of conventional-style detached housing units on both large and small lots. However, in proximity to regional commercial centers, higher density residential uses are planned, which provides for units on smaller lots for detached cluster housing, attached and detached townhomes, and multifamily units.

The city hired Wood Rodgers, Inc. at a cost of $497,620 to perform the planning and environmental studies. The city will be reimbursed by developers who build projects.

Wood Rodgers, Inc. was also the ones who completed the West Landing Specific Plan and EIR, adopted by the city in 2011. The West Landing Specific Plan area of 960 acres was annexed into the city in June, 2012.

If and when the city adopts the EIR and approves the Copper Trails Master Plan, the next step would be to process an annexation within the Master Plan area and an area north of Service Road to avoid creating an unincorporated county pocket. 

The city council will be asked to evaluate the project, probably in the spring and if approved the annexation request must be approved by the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO). Simvoulakis expects the annexation to make it LAFCO by the coming summer.

Development could take decades or sooner, she said.

The document may be viewed online at http://www.ci.ceres.ca.us/1798/Copper-Trails -Specific-Plan

Comments on the document may be emailed to Community Development Director Lea Simvoulakis at lea.simvoulakis@ci.ceres.ca.us