The much maligned gas station-convenience store-car wash combo is making it possible for Louise Avenue to be widened to four lanes from Airport Way to the western city limits with Lathrop.

As such, it would significantly improve the westbound traffic snafu, especially on workweek afternoons when traffic waiting for the Airport Way signal backs up almost to the railroad tracks.

The tracks serve as the border separating Manteca and Lathrop.

Developers also will pay for a 10-foot wide sidewalk/bike path on both sides of Louise Avenue fronting the Village at Ticino development.

As such, it addresses safety issues for a small number of high school students that walk or bicycle to and from enrichment programs at the Manteca Unified School District complex on the northwest corner of the Louise/Airport intersection.

The project is before the Manteca Planning Commission when they meet at 6 p.m.

The proposed gas station that would go on the southwest corner of the Airport Way and Louise intersection also will open the door for a potential supermarket.

The gas station, which is in the first phase, would create a critical cash flow for the developer necessary to pursue the “long game” of a 40,000 square-foot grocery store in the second phase that also includes

*a 110-room hotel. (The new hotel going up on the southeast corner of Atherton Drive and Airport Way is 110 rooms.)

*a 6,000 square-foot general retail building.

*14,899 square-foot multi-suite general commercial.

*12,000 square-foot multi-use building with a drive thru window.

*two 4,300 square-foot quick service restaurants with drive thru windows.

The gas station is one of 10 in the planning process that prompted a buzz on social media last year about the need for a gas station moratorium in Manteca.

The City Council in December asked staff to explore options around the possibility of restricting gas stations beyond plans for what has been submitted and get back to them in the coming months.

There are already 29 fueling locations in Manteca.

Unique aspect of

Village of Villa Ticino

The Village at Villa Ticino is the first shopping center with an outdoor courtyard to allow walk ability directly to an adjoining neighborhood, which is this case in Villa Ticino West.

The courtyard will connect directly to the sidewalk on Moscato Drive while parking lot traffic will pass the other end with stores facing the courtyard on the other two sides.

The grocery stile would be immediately north of the courtyard.

Most of the other retail buildings will back up to Louise Avenue and Airport Way.

The parking will be in the middle of the 19.77-acre parcel.

There will be two access points to both Airport Way and Louise Avenue.

The access points closest to the intersection are right turn in and right turn out only.

There will be left and right turns on eastbound Louise Avenue at Airport Way as well as who two thru travel lanes.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com