The Turlock Planning Commission on Thursday approved a new planned housing development in East Turlock, a new day center for developmentally disabled adults and one year extensions for three cannabis businesses.

The planning commission approved a planned development and subdivision map for a new housing project that will bring 22 single-family homes to East Turlock. The project, developed by Torre Reich Construction, will be located at 3130 E. Tuolumne Rd. and is bound on the east by Waring Road and on the west by Balisha Ranch subdivision that is currently under construction. The area is zoned for residential estate and there will be two homes per acre. 

The commission approved deviations to the city’s setback and six-foot landscape strip at front entrance requirements, per the developer’s request. 

During the public comment period of the planning commission meeting, residents raised concerns over traffic and support in keeping a six-foot landscape buffer between the street and sidewalks.

“With the proposal of the Leslie Avenue entrance into the new development (off Waring Road), we think is great, but maybe there’s a way that we could have a roundabout there that would help mitigate some of the safety issues we already have,” said Devin Earl, a Waring Road resident.

“The developer is claiming that by removing greenery and landscape and adding concrete walls, that it is going to somehow increase the feeling of this being a transition into (agricultural areas), I don’t agree with that statement. I think that leaving the six-foot buffer will help maintain that feel, which is clearly outlined in the ETMP (East Tuolumne Master Plan) as it stands,” said Adam Hansen, a resident near the proposed project.

The planning commission on Thursday also:

• Approved a conditional use permit for a new adult day care center on Polous Drive. The project will be completed in two phases: Phase 1 will include a 12,000 sq. ft. main facility with communal spaces, activity rooms, dining areas and administrative offices. Phase 2, to commence within two years, will add a 10,000 sq. ft. expansion with additional program spaces, therapy rooms and recreational areas.

The center will be licensed by the California Department of Social Services community care division and will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and serve 100 to 125 clients daily. The center expects to employ 50 to 55 employees.

According to CEO Vartan Hekimian, the center will cater to adults with a wide variety of disabilities, including but not limited to autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and seizure disorders.

“We’re just excited to be a part of the Turlock community,” said Hekimian.

Hekimian also operates residential homes in Turlock for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Approved one year time extensions on development agreements for the following cannabis businesses: JDI Farms, indoor cannabis cultivation at 600 D. St.; Fire House, cannabis retailer at 1601 W. Main St.; and Perfect Union, cannabis retailer at 2500 N. Golden State Blvd.

The city’s cannabis program, established in 2019 as a rolling five-year pilot program, required retailers to enter into development agreements with the city. Under the DAs, retail stores were required to pay a benefit fee of 5.25 percent of gross receipts or $45,000, whichever was greater.

In 2024, the city council considered ending the pilot-program status and put a proposed tax on the ballot. The council ultimately voted down moving to a cannabis tax, and is in the process of updating the city’s cannabis business policies. Until that policy is completed, the city will grant one-year extensions to the pilot program development agreements.