The Ceres City Council has authorized the purchase of a half-acre parcel and a 0.13-acre parcel on Herndon Road for a future park and ride lot.

The two parcels total 28,531 square feet.

The land may help connect the Ceres Farm Labor Camp to Herndon Road via Linda Way. Currently the "camp" is connected only to Central Avenue via Glenda Way.

City Manager Toby Wells said the park and ride lot could yield parking for up to 50 vehicles and that an adjacent storm drainage basin could be used to expand the number of parking stalls.

The purchase is costing the city $90,000 and will come from state gas tax revenues.

Wells said he would like to see the site developed as a charging station for electric vehicles.

One of the parcels is located directly north of the Lazy Wheels Mobile Home Park. The state acquired the park site as part of the Whitmore interchange construction project and will be selling the site. The park's days are numbered, however. On Aug. 5, 2013 the Ceres Planning Commission approved an action to file a Notice of Nonconformance which limits the park's use to a window of five years. The park is a non-conforming use for the zoning but has been in existence for 66 years.

Caltrans continues to own the triangle-like shaped island across from Ceres High School created by the new interchange configuration. Wells said the city would like to see the site developed commercially but said the size and shape could present some design challenges for possibly a sit-down restaurant.