Manteca’s elected leaders are being asked to increase public transparency when it comes to notifying nearby property owners of a proposed development.

The City Council when they meet at 7 p.m. tonight may extend the notification requirement  to property owners from within a 300-foot radius of a proposed development to 500 feet.

“It is all about increase transparency and encouraging public awareness (and participation) in the planning process,” noted Acting City Manager Toni Lundgren.

The Manteca Planning Commission on Jan. 20 unanimously approved the staff recommendation.

Under state law, cities are required to only notify property owners a minimum of 10 days prior to a public hearing if they are within a 300-foot radius of the edge of a proposed development that needs entitlements such as a zoning change.

The increased printing and mailing costs would be recovered by application fees paid by developers.

The more robust requirement would extend notices to just under a tenth of a mile away from a project.
As an example, if an applicant in a neighborhood with 60-foot-wide lots wanted a zoning change from residential to business and professional to build an office building instead of just 10 homeowners in each direction down the street being sent formal notices the  number would jump to 18.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com