The dearth of parking spaces for masses and various events at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church may finally be addressed.

The Manteca Planning Commission when they meet tonight at 7 p.m. will consider a proposal by the church to build a 95-space parking lot on 1.08 acres that touches on both North Street and Sherman Avenue.

The meeting is closed to the public due to the pandemic but can be viewed on the city’s website or on Comcast Channel 97.

In 1974 St. Anthony’s asked for a variance to city parking requirements when they submitted plans to build the multipurpose room for the gym. The variance was denied at the time as the combined use of a school and for other assemblies requires 200 parking spaces. St. Anthony’s currently has only 133 spaces.

The new parking lot that will include landscaping, fencing, and lighting will bring the number of parking spaces to 228.

Although the proposed parking lot is not adjacent to the church or school, it is within 300 feet of it. The church and proposed parking lot are separated by St. Jude Care Center.

The new parking lot will have its entrance on North Avenue and exit on Sherman Avenue.

The staff report notes it should help reduce on-street parking issues on north street and nearby streets.

The commission needs to approve a conditional use permit, a minor plan modification and a lot line adjustment for the parking lot project to proceed.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@manrtecabulletin.com