Despite the objections of neighboring property owners, the Manteca Planning Commission blessed plans this week to build eight apartment units on less than half an acre in the 200 block of North Fremont Street where it T-intersects with Pine Street.

The existing older homes on the property now being rented will be demolished to make way for the one- and two-bedroom apartment units.

Objecting to the complex are former Manteca Mayor Mark Oliver who resides next to the project and Warren and Marcia Malvick whose property backs up an area now filled with weeds where the apartments will be built.

The rear of the property ties in three separate parcels that are being combined to accommodate the apartments dubbed Villa Capri.  The project includes the construction of two separate two-story buildings.

Both buildings will be identical with one located along the street frontage on Fremont and the other to the rear of the property.  Each of those buildings will have four units.  The site plan has been designed to minimally impact the existing single family home neighborhood, according to the project’s proponents.

Oliver’s reluctance stems from how he said owners of the existing homes have kept them ill maintained  and he fears the new project will fall into the same state of disrepair in the future.

In representing the property owner, NSH Architects representative Mike Sessions said the buildings are oriented away from any existing single story homes with open space for future residents.

Warren and Marcia Malvick asked that the Planning Commission halt the building of Villa Capri Apartments in their neighborhood.  They noted that in the last 50 years the neighborhood has been made up of only traditional single family homes.

“The proposed development does not fit into the predominately residential neighborhood.  In the original Hildebrand plans it states that all lots in the tract shall be known and described as residential lots.  No structures shall be erected altered, placed or permitted to remain on any residential building plot other than one detached single family dwelling not to exceed two stories and a private garage,” the Malvicks noted.

The Malvicks added that they don’t like the idea of two-story rental units being constructed only feet away from their fence, with the potential of losing the privacy they currently enjoy in their home.

“We would never have imagined back in 1974 when we moved here that apartments would be going up next door — and we don’t think it will be a good fit for our community,” they said

The project will include both covered and open parking for its residents.  The side driveway includes a three-way turn around to allow the 100-foot fire department ladder truck to reach the second floor units, according to the proposal.

 The project  now goes before the City Council for approval.