An annexation of 58.45 acres in the southeast that will move Manteca a bit closer to Ripon’s city limits is before the Planning Commission on Sept. 16.
Meritage Homes plans to build 310 homes on the acreage at 9715 Sedan Ave.
The Meritage property abuts the west side of Sedan Avenue between the two 90 degree curves that takes the primarily east-west road on a north-south alignment for a short distance
The land includes a three bedroom, one bathroom home and agricultural budlings used in connection with the bulk of the acreage that has been used to grow strawberries
The proposed Meritage project is immediately south of the Hat Ranch property where 738 homes will be built.
It includes an envisioned 3.75 acre park on the northwest corner of the future intersection of the Raymus Parkway and Atherton Drive in southeast Manteca, it will include something for those that enjoy watching hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees at work and the fruits of their labors — a pollination garden.
As such, it will highlight the importance of pollinator species in California.
The native pollinator garden located adjacent to the sports court will provide a large native shade tree in the center, benches, and a biodiverse planting scheme.
The planting will allow flowers throughout the year that provide food and habitat for native pollinator species such as hummingbirds, monarch and western tiger swallowtail butterflies, western bumblebees, Valley carpenter bees, and mason bees.
Nearby play areas will include flowers, bees, and butterflies, along with related color schemes to make them” interesting and inviting.”
Turf grass will be utilized in recreation areas and for connectivity and accessibility.
To add interest, a mound will be included in one of the turf grass areas. Any planting areas that do not provide sufficient space for activity will be planted with shrubs, ornamental grasses, and groundcovers.
Plants will be chosen and properly located so that sight lines remain open and clear and do not provide places of concealment.
Other aspects of the park include:
*a tots playground and a children’s playground adjacent to a pair of 1,000-square-foor picnic shelters.
*an irrigation well to avoid using expensive potable drinking water to irrigate the landscaping.
*A drinking fountain.
*a soccer field in the storm retention basin. It will be large enough to serve as an Under 12 field or two fields for younger players.
*a walking path encircling the water treatment pond.
The water treatment pond is to meet state mandates that storm runoff from city streets and such that ultimately makes its way to the San Joaquin River is cleansed somewhat naturally by various vegetation that is panted.
Other nearby plans
for more housing
The City of Manteca last year received plans for a proposed 202-home subdivision on land north of Sedan at the intersection with Alice Avenue. The land would need to be annexed to Manteca in order for homes to be built.
Alice Avenue today T-intersects into Sedan Avenue just to the southeast of Manteca.
If Alice Avenue — which intersects with West Ripon Road to the south — continued north of Sedan it would run into a metal agriculture structure next to a house.
Other than that, there are almond orchards in all four directions.
The Meritage property abuts the west side of Sedan Avenue between the two 90 degree curves
Once Meritage property is annexed to Manteca and developed, it will become the closest urbanized area in Manteca to the City of Ripon.
Both housing projects are also south of the proposed Raymus Parkway alignment that will ultimately connect with Austin Road.
Manteca’s city limits already border Sedan Avenue on the west side of South Manteca Road/South Main Street.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
