Ceres council approves rezoning and site plan for 81‑unit senior living facility

The Ceres City Council voted April 28 to rezone a 2.1‑acre rear parcel behind Evansshire Gardens Event Center and approve a site development permit for an 81‑unit, four‑story senior living facility.

Planner Leah Solasquez briefed council on the Evansshire Senior Living project: the proposed building would be accessed from Stone Haven Way and would create a separate parcel behind the event center. The general plan already allowed high‑density residential uses; the request was to rezone a portion of the site from Administrative Professional (AP) to R5 (multifamily) and to grant a waiver of the R5 height limitation to permit a fourth story (an additional 10 feet above the 40‑foot standard).

Solasquez told council staff had determined the project met CEQA infill exceptions (Section 15332) and that the site was served by utilities and public services. The applicant's site plan included landscaping and tree screening along the property line adjacent to residential backyards.

Neighbors and commissioners asked about the size and type of screening trees and how quickly they would provide effective visual buffering. The architect and applicant's representative, Peter Sanholt, said cypress trees (evergreen) were shown on the landscape plan and that they grow rapidly; the applicant confirmed window shading would be provided inside units.

Council approved the first reading (waive further reading) and the site development permit on a roll call vote. Council and staff emphasized that the event center would remain a separate AP parcel and that the residential parcel would be consistent with the general plan.

What's next: Applicant will complete final parceling and return with any ministerial permits required for building permits and utilities.