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Council to consider new housing, cannabis agreements
New Deputy City Manager position on agenda
Avena Bella
Turlock is experiencing an affordable housing shortage and it has hit seniors, low-income residents and college students particularly hard. Avena Bella, pictured above, is one of the few housing complexes in Turlock that serves people whose income is below or at 30 percent to 60 percent of the area median income.

As the lack of affordable housing continues to cause concern in the Valley and statewide, Turlock is set to approve construction on 60 new low-income units at the Avena Bella apartment complex.

The Turlock City Council will consider at their Tuesday meeting approving the development and financing agreements with EAH Housing, Inc. to develop Avena Bella Phase 2, a multi-family housing project located at 500 West Linwood Ave.

Avena Bella Phase I opened in 2014, with 80 apartments in eight Mediterranean-themed buildings. The complex also features a community center, garden, play area, technology lounge, swimming pool and landscaped walkways between each building.

The complex is home to families who earn 60 percent or less of the city’s median income. According to Assistant to the City Manager for Housing and Economic Development Maryn Pitt, there were 500 families on the waitlist for the 60-unit expansion in March.

There is no impact to the General Fund with this project. This $19 million project is funded through City of Turlock HOME Loan and federal and state affordable housing programs.

Also on Tuesday, the Council is expected to:

  • Consider approving development agreements with three cannabis-related businesses. Fire House Cooperative, operated by The Premier Group which owns dispensaries in Ceres, Modesto and Riverbank as well, is seeking to open a retail dispensary located at 1601 W. Main St. Fuego Azul, also owned by The Premier Group, would represent the company’s first cultivation, manufacturing and distribution site — a warehouse that sits at 495 S. Golden State Blvd. Cal State Ventures2, which is hoping to open a distribution center at 501 W. F St.

If the Council approves the agreements, the businesses would still have to apply for a Conditional Use Permit within the City, which will also go before both the Planning Commission and the City Council;

  • Consider approving the establishment of a Deputy City Manager position, including a salary range and job description and authorizing a related budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2019-20 to fund the salary and benefits for the position;
  • Consider approving updating the salary range and job description for the position of Assistant City Manager and authorize a related budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2019-20 for the updated salary and benefits.
  • Receive an update on the West Main Street Rehabilitation Project.

The Turlock City Council will meet in closed session at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and then in open session at 6 p.m. in the Yosemite Room at City Hall, 156 S. Broadway. The meetings are open to the public.