The Turlock Planning Commission unanimously voted in favor of amending the City’s General Plan on July 16 in order to allow the construction of three four-story student housing apartments.
The Vista Student Housing complex will consist of the tallest buildings in Turlock when completed, and is set to be developed on the property directly next to the Prime Shine Car Wash, extending behind Rite-Aid. The property is located on Monte Vista Avenue between Crowell Road and Dels Lane across the street from California State University, Stanislaus.
Although the land was originally zoned as Community Commercial, the recent vote has resulted in the property now being approved for High Density Residential Development and will consist of 180 units with 600 beds and 618 parking spaces.
The new housing complex will be state-of-the-art living quarters for students, complete with a swimming pool and fitness center, as well as outdoor volleyball and basketball courts.The apartments will also have security features which include a gated perimeter, card key access for every door and security cameras located throughout the property.
According to CSU Stanislaus Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs Tim Lynch, the complex is an entirely private endeavor by Coleraine Capital Group and AMCAL Equities, though they were gracious enough to approach the university early on about any concerns the school may have. Although there is no affiliation between the Vista Student Housing complex and the university, the apartments will only be open to students. Prospective renters will be required to show some form of identification that proves they attend any school or university, not limited to CSU Stanislaus.
“There could be students living there that are going to ITT Tech. As longs they’re a student, they can live there,” Deputy Director of the City of Turlock’s Development Services Department Debbie Whitmore said.
“I think the students will like it; they get their own room and bathroom and share a living area and kitchen. It’s like dorm living with a little more privacy,” Whitmore said.
Residents will be employed by the apartment complex to monitor activity as well as assist students with any problems they may have. A shuttle service will also run to and from campus, taking students safely to class. Whitmore also stated that other destination options for the shuttles are being explored, such as a route to and from downtown Turlock or the neighboring shopping centers.
Despite these enticing features of the new buildings, many neighbors near the location of the future complex have opposed the construction. Earlier this year, Turlock resident Patrick Jensen actively protested against the new complex by posting a sign along the backside of the property that read, “No 4 Story Apt Here! Call 209-620-4741.”
In February, Jensen expressed his concern to The Signal.
“I’m all for students and their student housing, and I’m not opposed to apartment complexes, but I think that even a two-story apartment complex would be okay. That way houses can still be given privacy,” Jensen said. He also worried about potential parties and noise that college students may bring to the neighborhood.
Despite collecting over 60 signatures of those who opposed the construction of the new student housing as well, Jensen was unsuccessful at putting a stop to the process, as made evident by the Turlock Planning Commission’s vote.
Yet, Jensen’s sign of protest still remains along the fence line of the property, surely to be torn down once construction begins. Coleraine Capital Group and AMCAL Equities hope to complete the Vista Student Housing complex by 2017.
