Following the announcement of Mexican fast-food chain Taco Bell likely opening a new restaurant at 3606 N. Golden State Blvd., at the intersection of Roberts Road, Turlockers shared their disagreement with the Turlock Planning Commission’s unanimous approval.
Public comments were made in protest, but a limited number of appeals came in: one before the decision was brought to the Turlock Planning Commission (which pushed it there) and one following the approval by the commission.
Pam and Ray Franco, owners of eight rental properties across Mountain View Road from the proposed Taco Bell, filed the $125 public appeal against the planning commission’s approval.
In the appeal, Pam Franco provided 13 reasons explaining why she believes “the decision or action was wrong,” detailing everything from interruption of local residents to potential traffic hazards.
Pam Franco believes that not enough mitigation has been made to avoid the interruption of the public as residents across the street from the new restaurant will be “harmed substantially” by noise, traffic, smell, and lights. She also pointed out that the traffic study only took into consideration current traffic instead of future traffic, which would include added trips as the restaurant is established and if neighboring properties also become restaurants.
Pam Franco also would like to see the exit on Roberts Road removed, as she argues that precedent is set with the Jack in the Box on Main Street and Golden State Boulevard that “ingress and egress,” or entrance traffic and exit traffic, only occurs on Golden State Boulevard, not Main Street.
“Nothing was addressed about safety for pedestrians,” Pam Franco shared concerns about the west side of Mountain View Road where no sidewalk is present and could place foot traffic in the street or cause jaywalking which are safety hazards.
The appeal includes these general concerns involving traffic and safety, but also more specific suggestions, such as a security guard for the 24-hour restaurant and a mandate for no trash dumping after 10 p.m.
Because the Francos made the appeal of the Turlock Planning Commission’s unanimous approval, the matter will now be taken to Turlock City Council at the July 22 meeting.
WTF why are people voting against it? The new jobs this would bring is much better than empty land!
I want my Taco Bell!!!
I am sure this land was zoned commercial when these people purchase their homes.
They should have done their research at that time and not be complaining now.
If it was a Trader Joe’s going in no one would complain.
I’m offended that Taco Bell was described as a “Mexican fast-food chain”
I’m offended that Taco Bell was described as a “Mexican fast-food chain”
The problems that Pam presented are all very valid points. I have lived here for 4 years. When I first moved in, the property (house) in question was occupied and southbound traffic Golden State could turn onto Roberts. In that time they closed off the median to deter traffic and the occupants of the property left. Traffic in the morning and mid afternoon is already a nightmare during the school year. Not just from Pitman but also from Turlock Junior High parents that want to bypass Walnut and Christofferson. It takes me on average about 5min to back out of my driveway in the morning. I cringe when i think about what will happen when one of America’s and Turlock’s most popular fast food chain and hang out spot moves in.
Hey “S” how do you know it was zoned commercial at that intersection? Are you sure? Those homes have been there for at least ten years now and no one who bought a home there, as a rental or otherwise, was anticipating a busy fast-food chain at that small side street. At Christoffersen or at Taylor why not? Those are major intersections. Even if that strip is zoned commercial, it doesn’t mean a business that causes tons of traffic should be there. I love how our “Christian” community puts themselves in their neighbors shoes! No mention of what it would be like to have a drive-thru across from your house! Cars with young people blasting their music (as they should), loud engines, etc. until 2 in the morning…maybe you can send your address to the City Council and see if they’ll move it.
Hey “S” is for stupid
Yes, the property was in fact zoned commercial long before the houses were there. The Franco’s built the subdivision out there and kept those houses because no one would buy them facing commercial property. ALL property in the city is zoned on a public map. It would take someone ten minutes to look it up online before buying a house. No one here is asking for a zoning change, the developer is acting within the rules set in place years ago for commercial zoning. All land fronting Golden State will be developed into commercial business. The city cannot dictate what is built, only how and where. If someone wants to build 20 Taco Bells in town they can as long as they are built on land zoned for commercial use that includes fast food designations.
This is about business and not personal feelings. Read the link about the previous article and you’ll see that Mrs. Franco owns many rental homes in the area. Don’t be fooled that she really cares about anything but HER property value.
S is not for stupid little girl, S is for SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.
Do your research before opening thy mouth.
I believe that this empty lot over there would make a good place to spray-paint cornhole boards, mine or other people’s. However, I do not have any opinions about Taco Bell Corporation or Mexican-people fast food in general. Thank you.
Why can’t you people be more like Danville?
I do not think that a Taco Bell is a good idea at this location. This would be very close to the [b]Sierra Oaks[/b] complex and I fear that many people will wander the streets to reach this new destination. This may lead to an increase in drunk arrests or accidents from people walking in the streets while intoxicated.
This is a very pressing issue. I see Mrs. Franco’s point of view and agree with some of her concerns. I understand that if this was my neighborhood, I would argue the same points. The point she cant argue against that this is zoned commercial, this is for the general plan. She has the right to move out of this area. She also has the right to fight for it as well. I believe that the planning commission will vote on this and approve it. Then more commercial uprisings will come in. Taco Bell is a great anchor tenant for that area. I think once that is in there you will see that commercial building finally full of tenants as well on the golden state east side. Growth and public demand in unenviable, she might be able to push it off but not for long, another company will come in there and build. My question is where was she, went the hospital extension went up, where was she would Pittman went up, where was she when those condo complexes went up. she was not there, because there would of been something like this written. I wish her all the best and pulling for her but like anything growth is necessary for this area.
@Dick Caballero – I have seen people spray painting crafts in that area and it is detrimental to the top soil. My children drink the water from the Turlock Water Table and it is simply irresponsible to disperse noxious chemicals into the fragile, indigenous, Pop-Eyed Susan patches. Two words: TacoBell Rocks!
ok so i see a ton of negative stuff and a ton of positive stuff i do believe that pam is only worried about her property value not the people . i do believe it a good location and i can say that as someone who has a family who works for taco bell it will provide jobs as well as people like my family member can transfer to it instead of driving to another town to work it will be nice to just walk down the street to work . as for the comments about it being to close to sierra oaks and the worries about the drunk people well thats just stupid and a excuse i know some people who live there and they are happy about it . so just shoot pam down tell her to stop being selfish we need more jobs and if people dont like it they wont move into her houses oh well she will survive she owns how many what about the people who need a job who dont have 8 houses to get income from what about those people build the location im all for it and my family who has been here my whole life supports this project .
They should not build this taco bell here because we all live here and taco bell makes alot of pollution in the area. My kids play outside and the toxics this location could make them sick if they smell. If you drive by taco bell you smell the toxics and it was proofed to lead to cancer. I do not think we should be allowing this to be built here. My cats got sick once from eating something from taco bell and there are alot of houses near with animals who may die if they eat it. We need to think of kids and animals because they are more important then this food maker who pollutions the area. Maybe build a church so we can remember that god is more important then food. Maybe I would like to see a bread store opened here instead because it is safer for cats. I hope you have a good day and remember the cats who ate pollution.
Since there is a house currently on the property that means it was originally zoned for residential and was later changed to commercial. Why can’t they put the Taco Bell on the other side of the tracks next to Starbucks?? Because they are more concerned with buying cheaper property than worrying about the good of the neighborhood. It seems like a bad spot, you can only get to it from northbound Golden State which means people going southbound will turn on Christofferson pkwy and turn on Mountain View Rd. to access it. I live one street over from Mountain view and my children play outside and I’m concerned with the traffic. We already have inconsiderate people racing through our neighborhood streets. This will just cause more traffic and lower my property value.
Hello. My concern over the proposed Taco Bell is that property values may drop due to a low-income brand of Fast Food being placed so near our high-end homes. These Taco Bell fast food establishments attract a type of customer who will not be welcome near our homes and children. Drug Dealers, Drug Users, Drunks, Criminals, and other undesirables are the type of people you commonly find around Taco Bell. DO I want these people near me and my family? No. Our property values are going to fly down because of this change in a once great neighborhood. Do not approve this project unless you want to increase crime and drug rates around Turlock and around a HIGH SCHOOL! What kind of influence will these drug dealers and users have on the children at Pittman? It is completely unreasonable and irresponsible to approve putting this low-income fast food in our neighborhood. Do NOT bring the drug dealers, drunks, and criminals into our backyard.
Voters should remember that Mike Brem who is running for Mayor was hand picked my our realtor Mayor John Lazar and voted for this Taco Bell over the residents of Turlock living in this neighborhood.
The election is in November please vote for Gary Soiseth so we don’t have a real estate controlled city council anymore.
Seems like she is more concerened about losing income with lost renters. I for one welcome our Taco Bell overlords.
The only toxic chemicals in that area are from the meth heads that live there.
Won’t someone PLEAAAAAAAASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?!?!
Kelly Kelli, you are a fool. A true fool, beyond all reason. Are you really so blinded and backward as to assume that a Taco Bell, or any other “low-income” food will, one: Bring down property value, two: Bring in “drugs, drunks, and criminals”. There are multiple Taco Bells in Turlock already, and you know who eats there? Fat white people. So really, you have nothing to worry about, you’ll fit right in. This will not affect high school students in the way you say it will, they’re just going to think “badass, we have a Taco Bell near the school now”. That’s about it.
@ you’re all a bunch of old fools. I’m glad you know the difference between your & you’re, that is awesome all by it’s self but I think that fat people in general eat at Taco Bell, I don’t think you have to be racist and say just white people. Just saying
I ate Taco Bell one time, I had to have a triple gastric bypass three days later. PLEASE DO NOT LET THEM BUILD THIS IS OUT TOWN. THINK OF THE CHILDREN/OUR HIGH PROPERTY VALUES. MY LOAN IS SO HIGH PLEASE DONT MAKE MY LOAN WORTH MORE THAN MY HOUSE
I have nothing against Taco Bell being built at the new location but for the love of God please do not call it Mexican. That is an indult to all the real Mexican restaurants we have around here.