The vision for Central Manteca envisioned by several citizens appointed to the Manteca Planning Commission by the City Council to oversee the execution of development differs not only from the current general plan but the $1 million plus update now underway.

The commission sees the 400 block of East Yosemite Avenue where Raymus  LCC — the property management of the original Raymus Development home building endeavor — wants to build a warehouse as part of downtown Manteca.

The warehouse would be used to store supplies to maintain numerous rental homes Raymus LCC owns. The office will house the property management endeavors as well as the Raymus Foundation.

The zoning allows for the 3,200-square-foot warehouse with an attached 238-square-foot office Raymus LCC is seeking to build at 617 West Yosemite.

Ron Laffranchi was one of the commission members that took issue with the proposal.

He argued a warehouse doesn’t belong in the block given there are currently no warehouses in the area.

Staff noted that they are working with a developer who has bought three adjoining parcels to the west that border Yosemite and Fremont avenues in a bid to build a structure to possibly house a yogurt shop.

That underscores the point that the easiest way for the private sector to start changing the future direction of downtown is by acquiring property on the edge of downtown where old homes can be torn down and the subsequent vacant parcels created can be used to launch enterprises conducive to bringing more people downtown.

The rest of the block on the north side of Yosemite has older homes on large lots plus the former Bob’s Pharmacy that is now an insurance office.

Seven blocks to the west just over the railroad tracks on the opposite edge of downtown, the private sector is in the process of remodeling a vacant building with parking into the central district’s second Mexican market.

Ann Sugar of Raymus LCC noted they wanted to put the vacant lot they owned to good use. They tore down an old house that was on the lot. Since then people have been dumping trash and abandoning old cars on the parcel that, as property owners, they routinely get cited by the city to remove.

Staff noted the design of the project is such that is will blend in as much as possible.

The commission, however, wanted to see additional changes including coming up with a decorative roll up door to the warehouse that will face Yosemite Avenue as well as installing solar panels.

The project will be brought back before the commission at a later date.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com