There are 236 more apartments in two different complexes almost finished in Manteca.

It will mark the first time apartment complex entrance driveways will be tied directly into traffic signals.

And it includes one complex that is the city’s second dedicated to reduced rents for workforce housing with a 30 percent set aside of units for households employed in agricultural related jobs.

“We need to keep working on getting a stronger housing mix,” said Councilman Mike Morowit whose fourth council district is where the two complexes are being built.

Morowit said the city needs to encourage more town homes as well as “row houses” — three-story homes adjoining each other that are popular with young professionals in Bay Area cities such as Livermore.

Dhillon Villas will offer 136 units in the 100 block of Lathrop Road with one to three bedroom floor plans renting for $2,150 to $2,499 a month.

The entrance is dubbed Luxury Way and ties into a traffic signal the complex developer installed opposite to the western most northern entrance to the Union Square shopping center anchored by Raley’s.

The 100-unit Los Robles complex ties into the Lancaster Drive intersection at North Main Street.

“It’s a good infill project,” noted Manteca Councilman Mike Morowit. “It’s walkable to a lot of services, stores, and dining.”

The housing endeavor rates extremely high on the “walkability scale” — with roughly three dozen locations within the equivalent of a three block radius where future residents can shop, dine, or access services without having to drive a car.

Golden West School is also with easy walking distance.

Among the other offerings close by are:

*Two Manteca Transit bus stops.

*A Save Mart supermarket.

*A hardware store.

*A neighborhood market/restaurant

*Three convenience stores.

*Two shipping outlets for those all-important online shopping returns.

*Bank of America ATMs.

*Two pharmacies.

*A coffee shop

*Seven sit-down restaurants

*A health club gym.

*Two fast food options.

*A hair styling business.

*Three gas stations, tire store, and oil change business.

The new apartment complex is being built with financing from a $40 million revenue bond secured by Bold Communities with the blessing of the Manteca City Council. A public agency needs to sign off but isn’t encumbered by such a project.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com