City officials were excited in 2019 when Whitmore Towers was proposed to bring a variety of new eateries and businesses to the triangle shaped lot opposite Ceres High School. The Ceres Planning Commission approved the project that year but excitement waned when the project hadn’t broken ground. Hope is renewing with the proponent seeking a two-year extension of the approved conditional use permit.
The extension was intended to be approved by the Planning Commission on Monday but the meeting was cancelled for a lack of a quorum of three members. Monday was the Juneteenth holiday.
The delays in building the project are due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021 as well as difficulties to find tenants.
Whitmore Towers is proposed as a 7,280-square-foot retail building focused on eating establishments on the uniquely shaped 1.13-acre island at the corner of Whitmore and Central avenues. The project is proposed to accommodate up to seven retail spaces with a variety of uses to serve locals and highway travelers.
In May 2019 city officials told developer Anthony Nowaid of the Calabasas based Metro Investment that they were hesitant about supporting the project unless the proposed building was aesthetically enhanced with a high-quality design and high-quality architectural features. City staff also encouraged the applicant to design the building to capture additional spacing to allow for the possibility of outdoor seating areas that potential restaurant operators could use. When architectural renderings incorporated all of their wish lists and were presented to the city in July 2019, city leaders expressed enthusiasm.
The building will be divided into three separate food-oriented tenant spaces with two outdoor seating areas – one on the roof – and a foyer that would accommodate the customers of those restaurant users. As proposed, one 4,300-square-foot sit-down restaurant would be created, along with a 1,200-square-foot fast-food restaurant, and a 1,200-square-foot ice cream shop.
Real estate agent Renee Ledbetter is working with Nowaid to find tenants. Nowaid has also purchased the large parcel between the triangle lot and the freeway. Initial interest among potential businesses will determine how the interior spaces are created but she said the size could accommodate seven businesses.
The project was proposed with a conditional use permit process that leaves the door open for a restaurant to serve alcoholic beverages.
The site will be accessed from two driveway entrances, one from Herndon Way and the other from Central Way that will lead to the parking lot of 52 parking spaces. Both driveways will be configured for right-in and right-out only turning movements, thereby reducing potential traffic conflicts.
The seven parcels that comprise the triangle were merged into a single parcel in February 2022.
