Editor, Ceres Courier,

There are exciting developments on the horizon for Ceres in 2023. The most exciting is the construction of the ACE train station near Whitmore Park.  

Although exciting, I believe the old adage that those who ignore history are bound to repeat it. In reading the Ceres General Plan 2035, I learned that by the early 20th century, an area of approximately a dozen city blocks developed adjacent to the Southern Pacific Railroad, in what is now known as downtown.  When passenger trains ceased, population growth slowed. Passenger trains resume operations in 2024 thereby potentially increasing population growth at a rate similar to the beginning of the 20th century.

After living in several Bay Area cities and relying on public transportation, I can attest that housing costs were exorbitant in places within reasonable distance to Caltrain or Bart – ACE trains will connect to both, in addition to the Sacramento region. Ceres’ newfound access to such large rail network will surely increase demand for housing within our city and increase housing costs to figures never before seen in Ceres.   

The new Planning Commission should consider these historical housing implications as a result of the train and begin considering counteracting measures to combat what’s likely to become a worsened housing crisis. My suggestion: rezone the light industrial areas near the future station and repurpose for high-density residential and highway commercial to attract executives to live nearby and keep vehicles off the road.

Albaro Franco,

Ceres

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