Manteca will be closing in on — if not exceeding — 120,000 residents when the year 2040 rolls around.
How Manteca grows from 76,000 residents today to get to that point may be influenced by input at a series of community workshops over the next four weeks that are designed as the first step in a 2.5-year long process to update the city’s general plan that serves as the blueprint for growth.
The first workshop is planned for this Thursday, March 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Manteca Transit Center, 220 Moffat Blvd. The meeting takes place  some 22.5 hours before the March 24 deadline to apply to City Clerk Lisa Blackmon to be in the running for appointment by the City Council to a 15-member General Plan Advisory Commission expected to serve for three years meeting roughly once a month. Each council member will make three appointments.
The other workshops are Thursday, April 6, and Thursday, April 20. Both meetings are at 6:30 p.m. and will also take place at the transit center.
 The workshops are designed to gather ideas and visions that citizens have for Manteca’s future.
Among the questions the organizers of the workshops hope those attending will address include:
What do you value the most about Manteca?
What makes this a special place to live or work?
What issues are facing the city that need to be addressed in the general plan?
What ideas do you face for the future of Manteca?
What would make your community better?
What three things would you like to see accomplished by 2040?
he general plan covers nine elements:
CIRCULATION: This element guides transportation decisions for autos, bikes, pedestrians, and transit.
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES: This section is supposed to ensure adequate planning for community services and facilities.
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN: The element establishes land use designations and patterns, and defines community character, to ensure that future development and revitalization projects contribute to the City’s urban form and provide a distinct sense of place.
CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE: This section of the general plan provides measures to protect and improve natural and cultural resources, waterways, and open space lands.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The element provides tools and strategies to strengthen and diversify the local economy.
HOUSING: Plans for housing to meet the needs of all segments of the community and addresses state requirements.
SAFETY: Addresses hazards such as fires, geologic hazards, and hazardous materials.
NOISE: This element addresses noise-generating and noise-sensitive uses such as residences and schools.
AIR QUALITY: The section of the general plan provides measures that reduce energy use and improve local and regional air quality.