A group of northwest Fresno residents is suing the city over the relocation of Costco from west Fresno to north of Herndon Ave.
The group, Herndon-Riverside Coalition for Responsible Community Planning, filed a lawsuit against the city in May, one month after the Fresno City Council gave Costco a green light to move ahead with the relocation.
The big picture: Environmental planner Daniel Brannick is the only member of the coalition named in the lawsuit. He argues that the city violated its own development code and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- Brannick argues the city has major land use and zoning consistency issues with the project.
- He also claims CEQA was violated with an inadequate analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as not providing an alternative site for the project.
Go deeper: Brannick argues that the location at the northeast corner of W. Herndon Ave. and N. Riverside Dr. is being improperly zoned and designated for commercial use, even though the project includes a warehouse that is an industrial use.
- “This improper misclassification has materially impacted the public’s understanding of the proposed project and the ability to meaningfully review and provide comment on the proposed project and impacts associated with it,” the lawsuit reads.
- Brannick claims the city allowing the project without an industrial rezoning is a de facto amendment to the development code that would allow such warehouses in commercial zones throughout the city.
- Further, Brannick argues the city needed to explore an alternate location because the new Costco would result in hazardous traffic.
Flashback: Costco first appeared in front of the city council in March but had the project delayed in order to address traffic concerns.
- Costco came back to the council in April and agreed to a number of measures in order to push the project forward. Those measures include installing an all-way stop control at W. Spruce and N. Hayes Avenues, along with two-way to four-way stops in all directions.
- The warehouse retailer agreed to install refuge islands at the east end of Riverside Golf Course, among other measures.
- The city is also requiring all Costco-related trucks to stay off N. Riverside Dr. Costco is paying to resurface and restripe Westbound lanes on W. Herndon Ave.
What they’re saying: Fresno City Councilman Mike Karbassi, who represents northwest Fresno, issued the following statement to The Sun when asked about the lawsuit:
- “Fresno is fortunate to have the nation’s third-largest retailer increase its footprint in northwest Fresno and create more quality jobs with benefits for working families. At a time when inflation is running high, Fresno’s leaders can no longer afford to sit silent as special interests strategically target job creators. For over a year, Costco engaged with multiple stakeholders in order to build trust and community support. As Northwest Fresno’s Councilmember, I was able to get Costco to foot the bill to address several issues raised by the neighborhood during the public hearings, which will improve traffic safety and keep trucks away from the homes along Riverside Ave. Furthermore, this project will increase Fresno’s revenue without raising taxes, and its location will better serve residents west of Highway 99.”
