Escalon City Council members will host a public hearing as part of their regular meeting on Monday night, May 5, focusing on a proposed mixed-use development along Jackson Avenue.

The site at 2304 Jackson on the east end of town is across Elizabeth from Orlando’s Market and across Highway 120 from Hula’s; it is currently a vacant, grassy lot.

“The Planning Commission earlier voted 2-1 to not recommend approval to the City Council,” said City Manager Jaylen French. “Now it is coming back before the council.”

The public hearing will include a general overview of the project and a time for comment.

“We do expect public comment,” French said. “The project itself is a proposal for 17 apartment units and 1,800 square feet of commercial space so it is a mixed-use development.”

The area is zoned C2, general commercial, added French, “which allows for multiple family housing with approval of a planned development.”

Putting the plan forward is the Tracy-based Gurmat Lions, Inc.

French said the apartment portion of the development is proposed to include one three-bedroom, two-bath unit; 12 two-bedroom, two-bath units; and four one-bedroom, two-bath units.

“They range from 856 square feet to 1,116 square feet,” noted French of the apartments.

The public hearing on the project is likely to bring in a crowd to the council chambers on McHenry, with the meeting scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.

At the end of the evening, the council could approve or deny the project, put conditions on it for approval or take no action at all.