The biggest planned community ever pursued in the Great Central Valley may get even bigger.
River Islands at Lathrop is seeking changes to the second phase of the overall 4,800 acres to allow 4,010 more housing units to be built. That would increase the number of ultimate homes in the community to 15,000.
The 4,010 units are in addition to 6,716 dwelling units that were approved for phase two in 2003. The current phase allows for 4,284 homes of which roughly 2,000 have been built or are in the process of being constructed. Of those, 1,600 plus are already occupied.
All of the additional proposed units wants to now build are in two locations:
*The envisioned Paradise Cut Village Center planned along the extension of the Golden Valley Parkway accessed via the proposed Paradise Road/Chrisman Road interchange on Interstate 205. It would feature 2,439 dwelling units with services, stores, and restaurants.
*The transit village on the edge of the River Islands employment center and along the future Valley Link commuter rail system that’s targeted to start operation in 2028. It would have 1,821 dwelling units with shops, services and restaurants.
River Islands Project Manager Susan Dell’Osso noted the changes are designed to provide more attainable housing for San Joaquin Valley residents as well as Bay Area commuters. Besides apartments the multi-unit housing will include condos that will be sold.
Football stadium may go
next to existing ballfield
Paradise Cut Village will be near where the River Islands High School is being built.
Dell’Osso said that could allow the City of Lathrop and the school to pursue a joint use community center for performing arts that would serve the entire city.
They are now mulling over possibly locating the football stadium next to the existing soccer fields and River Islands Baseball Field at the edge of the town center at the Bradshaw Crossing entrance to River Islands.
Not only would this create a central sports complex but it would take football games out of residential neighborhoods completely changing the ambiance.
Dell’Osso said growing up in Southern California the high school she attended — Sunny Hills — did not have its own football stadium. Instead they played football games at the nearby Fullerton Community College.
As such that created an entirely different ambiance with families stopping by nearby restaurants either before or after the games.
Dell’Osso said the location would allow other potential uses for the stadium such as car shows, events similar to Relay for Life, Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks, and more.
Dell’Osso stressed siting the stadium next to the town center hasn’t passed the discussion phase.
River Islands is also talking about proceeding with building its first apartment complex.
Dell’Osso said due to concerns regarding architectural standards, upkeep, and such that River Islands is now likely to retain ownership of the apartments to assure that they fit seamlessly with the rest of the community when they are built and 75 years down the road.
The overall project as originally approved was expected to have 31,680 residents and 16,151 jobs at buildout. With the additional 4,010 housing units and other changes, it is expected to reach 44,963 residents and 22,162 jobs.
The overall development is anticipated to be completed in 2040.
Public meeting on
EIR set for March 16
A public meeting for the draft environmental documents will be hosted online via WebEx on
March 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the following web address:
https://cityoflathrop.webex.com/cityoflathrop/onstage/g.php?MTID=ebe3e50d36db838d6010d0fafbb450069
The event number (access code) is 187 334 0561 while the event password is 7290.
For those preferring accessing it as an audio conference: in order to receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the following number b and enter the access code; call in number: +1-408-418-9388 and Access code: 187 334 0561
You can also send comments to Mark Meissner, Director of Community Development, 390 Towne Centre Drive, Lathrop, CA 95330 or email: planning@ci.lathrop.ca.us
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
