The Turlock Planning Commission voted unanimously on Thursday night to recommend that the city council enter into a development agreement with AdVal Properties of Sacramento.
The development agreement was sought by the developer to make sure that a proposed future overpass that will cross above Highway 99 at Tuolumne Road, would not interfere with the in-out access to a Chick-fil-A restaurant slated to be located on the property at the southwest side of the Tuolumne and Countryside Drive intersection.
“The flyover (overpass) is identified in the general plan,” said Adrienne Werner, the city’s director of development services. “It’s not specifically tied to this (Chick-fil-A) project, but it’s something that is needed, as we grow, in order to move traffic efficiently to the west side. It will alleviate congestion on Monte Vista (Avenue), Fulkerth (Road), even Main (Street), because that’s how we move everybody now.”
According to Werner, AdVal’s concern was that a future flyover could hinder access to the Chick-fil-A restaurant, and the DA is the method to officially alleviate those concerns.
No representatives from AdVal Properties attended Thursday's meeting.
The flyover — or “overpass,” such as the one on Canal Drive that runs over Highway 99 near Tully Road — is part of the city’s general plan that runs through 2030. However, that doesn’t mean the flyover project would be completed — or even started — by 2030. It’s simply identified in the current plan as an essential need to accommodate future growth.
The flyover, at this point, is projected to have a $15 million price tag, according to Werner.
The permitting process for Chick-fil-A is expected to be concluded early in 2025, though it’s unknown when construction might begin.
“In my eight years on the planning commission, I’ve gotten more questions about Chick-fil-A than anything else,” said commissioner Constance Anderson.
Currently, the closest Chick-fil-A restaurant is in Manteca, though Merced, like Turlock, soon will be getting one.
Trader Joe’s, the popular upscale grocer, is also being pursued by the city, according to city economic director Anthony Sims.
However, there are no current requests for permits on file with the city for the parcels adjacent to where the proposed Chick-fil-A will be constructed.
