Development is slowing changing traffic flow on Lathrop Road through Manteca.

The Manteca City Council, when they meet tonight at 6 p.m., are expected to approve two agreements that will allow more changes to the east-west arterial with interchanges on both Highway 99 and Interstate 5.

Developers of the 136-unit Manteca Luxury Apartments on Lathrop just west of Union Road will be installing traffic signals at the entrance to the complex that backs up to the Del Webb at Woodbridge neighborhood.

The entrance is aligned with the driveway to Union Square anchored by Raley’s.

As such, the new traffic signals should make it safer for left turns in and out of the Raley’s parking lot.

It will be the eighth traffic signal on Lathrop Road as it passes through Manteca.

Ultimately, plans call for Lathrop Road to be four lanes.

Union Square, once a Circle K convenience store/gas station and auto parts store are built on the southeast corner of Union and Lathrop will have left turns in and out of the center to and from northbound Union Road eliminated as a median will be installed.

The apartment complex will also widen Airport Way in front of their complex as well as add landscaping and a bus turnout.

Less than a mile to the west, another development has a partial road agreement before the council tonight as well for the southeast corner of Lathrop Road and Airport Way.

Developers of the Airport Plaza project will widen both arterial two lanes adjacent to their property along with medians.

There will also be a bus turnout along westbound Lathrop Road.

The initial phase will include a Chevron with 16 fueling stations, an Extra Mile convenience store, and a car wash as well as a quick serve restaurant with drive thru service.

An “outdoor room” for dining complete with a water feature is part of the proposed retail development.

The 1,800-square-foot courtyard is part of the second phase of 13,000 plus square feet of buildings on 3.03 acres.

The courtyard is between a retail building of 5,374 square feet and a pair of restaurant spaces — 1,908 and 2,092 square feet respectively — planned for the second phase.

The courtyard could accommodate up to nine tables.

The outdoor plaza embraces a general plan goal to encourage pedestrian activity in  commercial areas.

The planning staff report notes, “This area will act as an “outdoor room” with tables and seating, lush landscaping and a relaxing water feature. Spaces such as this are important in cities and encouraged because they provide opportunities to sit and congregate.”

“Opportunities to be in spaces like this can improve a person’s physical and mental well-being and are therefore an essential part in creating healthy, livable communities for people, rather than designing cities for just cars.”

The project also includes in excess of 30 trees.

It is the first commercial development in northeast Manteca.

The closest is a mile to the east at Union Road and Lathrop Road.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com