Manteca is now searching for a “more optimum” site in the path of northward growth for a 50 to 80 acre community park.

The city ended negotiations with representatives of property owners of acreage on the southeast corner of Union Road and Roth Road for what was envisioned as a 50-acre community park.

That means that the land at that location, based on the Delicato settlement to protect the winery as incorporated in the city’s general plan, reverts to business park zoning.

When a business park is eventually built, it will still require a park buffer on the northern side of the property although not as large.

City Manager Toni Lundgren said the city now has an “excellent opportunity” to secure a site that will likely be more effective at filling community recreation needs.

“It is a clean slate,” Lundgren noted of much of the area to the north that has no urbanized development.

Lundgren said locating a community park, as an example, in an area surrounded by business parks as is planned for much of the north area means the city can entertain features it couldn’t in a residential area.

As an example, a community-sized amphitheater for outdoor concerts and even theatrical productions could be built without creating a potential nuisance for neighbors.

Celebrations and festivals could also be done with less impact in terms of noise and parking given there would not be residential neighbors.

Lundgren said such festivals that are growing in number often create impositions for residents near Woodward Park.

Another site would also be conducive to more intense recreation development.

Woodward Park is 52 acres.

A larger park could end up being home to a future aquatics center as well as multi-use play fields and even options such as a community/recreation center, skate park, and more.

The city has growth fees it can use to help acquire a new community park site in the north.

The recently approved Union Ranch North subdivision that is being annexed to Manteca on the east side of North Union Road north of Shady Lane has a development agreement that includes the payment of $12,000 per home for a new community park.

Assuming all 455 homes are built, that translates into $5,460,000.

The Delicato settlement that requires the buffer around the winery stopped a referendum on the city’s general plan from being placed on the ballot after the winery secured the necessary signatures.

The winery also withdrew a lawsuit after the city agreed to the buffers.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com