People may want a Trader Joe’s or a WinCo.

Instead, they’re going to get more convenience stores — lots of convenience stores.

There are applications with the City of Manteca to build five more convenience stores with gas pumps. Two of them will include car washes as well with one having a fast food restaurant in conjunction with a convenience store.

That is in addition to a 7-Eleven convenience store with gas pumps now under construction on the northeast corner of Louise Avenue and North Main Street.

And then there are three convenience stores with gas pumps approved that have yet to break ground including one with a car wash. There is also a car wash planned with the proposed shopping center anchored by  SaveMart on the southwest corner of Atherton Drive and South Main Street.

That means within 2 years Manteca could add 8 more convenience stores, 8 more places to buy gas, 4 more car washes and another fast food option.

When added to what is already in place, it would give Manteca:

*38 convenience stores including two old-fashioned neighborhood markets near South Park and at Austin Road and East Yosemite Avenue.

*34 locations to pump gasoline.

*20 car washes.

*19 free-standing fast food places. The count excludes Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Dutch Bros., Subways, other chain delis, and such. If those were added the count for fast-food would reach 34. Also, if the approved drive-thru Pinkberry Yogurt at Fremont and Yosemite is added to the count it would be 35.

Many have criticized the city for allowing more car washes and convenience stores.

Given they are allowed by zoning city officials can’t legally deny permits for their construction if applicants meet all required criteria.

The same goes for gas stations. However, some cities have moved to change their zoning codes to ban new gas stations in response to climate change and the pending prohibition on the sale of any new fossil fuels vehicles in California starting in 2035.

The current council has made it clear they won’t be entertaining such a ban for Manteca such as Los Angeles is considering and the one that is already in place in Petaluma.

The new convenience stores, gas pumps, and car wash approved but not under construction yet include:

*A Chevron station with convenience store and car wash on the southwest corner of Union Road and Atherton Drive.

*Rotten Robbie at Airport Way and Daniels that includes a convenience store and gas pumps.

Projects that are now in the review process are:

*A convenience store, car wash and gas station at 212 South Daniels St.

*Fast food restaurant, gas pumps and car wash at 1901 East Yosemite Avenue.

*A convenience store with fuel pumps on the southeast corner of Lathrop Road and Union Road.

*A 7-Eleven with gas pumps on the northwest corner of Union Road and Lathrop Road.

*A Maverik gas station and convenience store on the northwest corner of Airport Way and Atherton Drive.

*A car wash on the southwest corner of Atherton Drive and South Main Street.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com