Property in Lathrop that is currently being used as percolation ponds for treated wastewater could end up being warehouses if the Lathrop Planning Commission clears the way in a special meeting tonight.

While the commission already met this month, the special meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. inside of the council chambers at Lathrop City Hall located at 390 Towne Centre Drive.

According to the staff report prepared for the commission, the property in question is a 25-acre parcel at the intersection of D’Arcy Parkway and Christopher Way, which Irvine-based Richland Crossroads plans on developing into four light industrial buildings totaling just over 725,000 square feet between them.

The parcel is currently within the Crossroads Commerce Center – formerly known as Crossroads Industrial Park – and is part of a 528-acre development that is almost 90 percent built out. It is home to manufacturing facilities like Tesla and large warehouse facilities like In-N-Out Burger and Ashley Furniture.  

But the land isn’t currently ready to be developed.

In a unique twist, the parcel in question is currently land being used by the City of Lathrop as percolation ponds for treated wastewater. The developer has entered into a lease agreement with the city that will allow the land to continue to be used for percolation ponds until the Regional Water Quality Control Board revises the city’s existing permit.

Once all the approvals are in place, Lathrop will be able to discharge its treated wastewater into the San Joaquin River. Work on the outfall into the river has been ongoing. Once that process is complete, land that has been used for percolation – which allows treated wastewater to filter down through the ground into aquifers and replenish groundwater – will be able to be use for other purposes.

For additional information, or to obtain a copy of the agenda or the supplementary documents, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.