Lafferty Homes isn’t simply converting 10 acres of almonds into rows of homes.
The builder of the gated Oakwood Shores gated community that rose from the demise of the Manteca Waterslides preserving the manmade lakes created for that venture is moving forward with their second new neighborhood in the community.
This time the Lafferty Homes endeavor not only keeps an iconic 1918-era farmhouse standing but the design of both the 52 lots and homes that will be built will emulate architectural touches of traditional farm houses as well encourage outdoor living.
The Manteca City Council approved the project Tuesday. In doing so they are allowing Lafferty Homes to deviate from city standards that has led to former orchards and farmland to the east, west, and south to have a cookie cutter feel.
The city has allowed the minimum front yard setbacks to be shaved from 15 feet to 12.6 feet while the side yard setbacks from the property line are going for a minimum of 5 feet down to 4 feet.
This will allow:
*Larger rear yards for the recreational use of families.
*Smaller front yards when coupled with the city’s maximum percentage of coverage allowed for lawn areas for new homes will further reduce water use for ornamental grass. Lawns account for roughly 40 percent of a typical Northern San Joaquin Valley city’s urban water use.
*The elimination of a street view of what the developer’s representative called a “sea of garages” by allowing the front of homes to be more prominent than garage doors.
An increase from the maximum residential height limit from 30 to 35 feet will allow for steeper roofs. That, when coupled with facade design elements will help create a look reminiscent of farmhouses that will complement the nearby 1918-era farmhouse and support structures including a large barn that will remain adjacent to the new neighborhood.
The increase in heights will also translate into somewhat higher ceilings to provide a more open feel.
Plans are for the homes — that will feature Zoom rooms and such — to offer “outdoor living rooms” to take advantage of somewhat larger backyards.0
The homes are expected to be initially priced from the high $500,000s to the mid-$700,00s with basic footprints ranging from 2,300 to 2,500 square feet.
Access to the neighborhood being developed southwest of the Union Road and Woodward Avenue intersection will be by right turns in and out of the subdivision onto Union Road as there will be a median preventing left run movements.
The developer will also install traffic signals at Union Road and Woodward Avenue.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
