Lathrop residents that wanted to offer input into the final draft of the environmental impact report prepared for the city’s general plan update will get another chance.

At the end of the month the Lathrop Planning Commission will hold a special meeting to allow for input from the community about the document – which, as part of the city’s general plan update process, will help guide the city’s planned future growth during an intense period of it – before it forwarded on to the Lathrop City Council for formal consideration.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. inside of the council chambers at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive.

While Lathrop has existed as an incorporated city for more than three decades, it has been operating during that time with the same general plan that was implemented when the city was formed – a period of intense growth that has increased greatly over the course of the last decade.

The population of Lathrop has increased more than fourfold since the city was first created, and the city’s population has skyrocketed over the course of the last decade – while the collapse of the housing market stalled planned growth, the city has grown significantly since coming of it and become of the fast-growing cities in the State of California.

The general plan provides guidance for zoning and other aspects of growth and reflects the city’s desires as it plans for its future self. The document addresses a number of key areas that will help shape how Lathrop grows as city including land use, circulation, economic development, public facilities, public safety, recreation and resources, noise, environmental justice, and implementation.

While the consulting firm hired by Lathrop to handle the process was also tasked with doing the same for the City of Manteca, the project was slightly different for Lathrop due to the length of time since the last update and the tremendous reshaping of the city that occurred during that span.

Residents interested in voicing their input about the draft documents are encouraged to attend the meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 31m at 6 p.m. inside of the council chambers at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive. Additional information about the process and the documents can be found by visiting the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.