The City of Turlock Planning Commission voted on Sept. 29 to approve a new Panda Express built. Once completed, the new fast-food location will be the second in Turlock, joining the restaurant at 3180 Countryside Drive.

The new Panda Express will be built at 199 W. Canal Dr. According to the site plans, the new restaurant will sit east of the existing Starbucks location in the lot. The layout also details development of a 0.67-acre parcel that will accommodate a drive-through for the Panda Express.

Access to the new restaurant will be from the existing driveway on Canal Drive, which only permits right turn entrances. Exits to the restaurant will be out the driveway leading to N. Golden State Blvd., which also only permits right turns.

There will be 14 new parking spaces added to the lot to join the 12 existing parking spaces onsite for the Starbucks. Onsite improvements will also be made to the landscaping, paving, the existing parking spaces, parking striping, bicycle parking and the existing trash enclosure.

This project has also been considered “Categorically Exempt” from the provisions California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section §15332, which is intended to promote infill development within urbanized areas.

At the time of this publication, there is no clear timetable as to when the construction of the new Panda Express will be completed and when the restaurant will be open to the public.