River Islands is getting ready to prepare more land on Stewart Tract to build an additional 1,180 homes.
More than 800 families already live in the planned community approved for 11,000 homes.
It’s been just over a decade since River Islands was granted a vesting tentative map for  the first 4,284 homes in the master planned community south of the San Joaquin River.
They’re now coming back to the City of Lathrop to prepare the second phase of development for that portion of the project.
Tonight, the Lathrop Planning Commission will whether to recommend that the Lathrop City Council grant River Islands an amended vesting tentative map, a revised preliminary development agreement and an addendum to the subsequent EIR that was prepared for the massive community in addition to a revised precise plan agreement for River Islands Parkway.
The vesting tentative map, which would address a 3,060-acre plot currently broken up into 39 parcels.
The proposal will include a cross-levee setback for an additional layer of flood protection in the area that will eventually be developed – amending a previous proposal to create a 500-foot trestle to instead build a 3,600-foot long setback to achieve the same end – as well as a preliminary development map for the construction that will eventually take place there.
According to the staff report prepared for the item, the proposed Lakeside and Old River District developments will add an additional 1,180 dwelling units – 1,080 single family homes and 100 multi-family units – that will be constructed at a later date.
The proposals being considered tonight will also include the requirement that all new developments in River Islands be built with the approval of the Stewart Tract Design Review Committee, which is mandated under the West Lathrop Specific Plan and ensures that all new construction is carried out in conjunction with the general plan, the specific plan and the River Islands urban design concept.
And within the next five years, River Islands – which is already a contributing factor in the South County being named one of the hottest development markets in the region – could become even more of a draw.
Last week the San Joaquin and Tri-Valley Regional Rail Commissions held a meeting at Lathrop City Hall detailing future plans for expansions of spur lines that will provide ACE access to points of the valley not currently serviced by the commuter railway. In addition to creating a spur line through Downtown Tracy, the line would also serve River Islands and give commuters the opportunity to ditch the daily commute in favor for a straight shot over the Altamont to the abundance of Bay Area jobs.
The Lathrop Planning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive – at 6 p.m. inside of the Lathrop City Council chambers. For additional information, or to see the documents being proposed regarding River Islands, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

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