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Opponents of a possible bid by Costco to build a new membership-only retail store on Johnson Drive in Pleasanton will soon start gathering registered voter signatures to ban stores over 50,000 square feet from locating on the site.
Led by Bill Wheeler, owner of Black Tie Transportation which has its operations on Johnson Drive next to the proposed big box site, a new citizens coalition called Citizens for Planned Growth (CFPG) will have until May 12 to collect the 4,017 signatures required to place its initiative on the ballot.
“We are concerned that the commission and council have not listened to the people, and we want everyone to have a say in what happens in their community,” Wheeler said. “This initiative will simply give Pleasanton citizens the right to vote on a zoning decision that affects a large percentage of the population.”
The initiative, if placed on the November general election ballot and approved by a majority of voters, would prohibit construction of big box retail stores on the 40-acre Johnson Drive site, but it would allow other potential developers including several hotel interests to build there.
Retailers with stores under 50,000 square feet also could build there, including another Walmart grocery store and Trader Joe’s, which have indicated interests in the site.
The site, once occupied by a Clorox research center that has since been torn down, is currently under consideration by a city-appointed task force as an economic development site that would change its zoning to allow major new development.
Wheeler, who has been an outspoken opponent of allowing big box stores on the site, particularly Costco, wants to have his signature-gathering effort well underway before the City Council, Planning Commission and Economic Development task force have their first joint meeting on the rezoning plan in mid-April.
“The area identified for the Johnson Drive EDZ (Economic Development Zone) is currently designated as ‘Business Park’ and ‘General and Limited Industrial’ in the city of Pleasanton’s 2005 General Plan which allows for high-quality, campus-like development, including administrative, professional office, research and limited industrial uses,” Wheeler said.
The city’s new zoning plan, however, would amend the General Plan to allow several new uses, including a large “club retail” store, he added.
“Some of the new uses would generate significantly greater traffic and air quality impacts,” Wheeler said. “The significant and unavoidable traffic impacts and related air quality impacts associated with some land uses will significantly reduce the suitability of the area for (other) uses.”
Once submitted, the initiative by the CFPG will go to the Pleasanton city attorney, who will prepare an Official Ballot Title and Summary no later than March 24. Following that, the Notice of Intention and Official Ballot Title and Summary will be posted or published, and the organizers can begin circulating the document for signature collection.
Speaking at a recent Planning Commission meeting, Wheeler said that in spite of statements by Mayor Jerry Thorne that the rezoning effort will get a full public hearing, “it seems like the project is proceeding without adequate public input.”
“It is already being talked about as a ‘done deal,'” Wheeler said. “At a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting, I personally heard Dan Rosenbaum from Nearon say, ‘Costco has signed the lease. They are here.'”
“What we’ve seen from the informal polling that we’ve done in the last few months is that what the Pleasanton community overwhelmingly doesn’t want is ‘more’ — more traffic, more big box, more congestion, more crime, more pollution,” he added.
If the citizens’ initiative qualifies for a November vote, it’s likely that the City Council could place the proposed Economic Development Zone plan also on the ballot for voter approval. That would be like the dueling Measures PP and QQ over hillside development that went to voters several years ago where the majority number of votes won the day.
It could be the same with a November vote if there are competing initiatives facing Pleasanton voters on the Johnson Drive zoning issue.
I am a Pleasanton resident. I like to pay tax to benefit Pleasanton instead of other cities. The anti-Costco group is a selfish one. It only considers its own business interest and ignores the interest of majority of Pleasanton.
Get over it people.Pleasanton is not some small Midwestern town surrounded by lakes and quaint little stores.Costco is great and it would be great for Pleasanton.It is also a great location by the freeway and other commercial stores.It also creates some decent jobs.
I’m waiting for reasons why I should support this initiative. At the moment, it seems to me that a Costco would be a good addition. There appears to me to be enough existing vacant spaces for smaller shops.
Also tired of the selfish people pushing this and their bogus reasons.
I would like to see Costco here as well and if the city follows through with redoing the intersection there it should work out well. I will not be signing the petition.
Citizens For Planned Growth is against growth, kinda like Citizens United is against uniting.
Few businesses concerned of their own interests. Good location for this type of business with good freeway access. Good for revenue generation instead of Pleasanton being just a commuter shortcut.
Go for Costco not hotels. They just use black tie services for non residents mostly Costco serves everyone.
I’m all for Costco going in on Johnson Drive. Why shouldn’t we have another good business in our town. The location seems perfect and other businesses shouldn’t collude to keep a new one out of their way. Our town is growing anyway so why not do something that benefits us, too.
Another costly initiative on the ballot… Why do we bother electing a City Council? If residents are not happy with the City Council’s decisions, vote for someone else. Costly initiatives for self-serving interests need to stop. Who’s starting the “We want Costco in Pleasanton” group? I will jump on board in support. I would like to see all of Johnson Drive have NO PARKING signs posted so Black Tie will have to actually provide parking for their employees.
Give us an initiative! All the Costco members in Pleasanton could vote, and I bet they wouldn’t be 100 percent in favor of it because of the traffic and bad image of the town given to the hundreds of thousands of commuters who pass by the site every day. Why not think of something better and more in keeping with Pleasanton, and less destructive to local retailers and businesses?
A Costco crammed into that space with very limited road access, is absolutely crazed. If any of you drive the Johnson drive/Stoneridge area regularly, you would know that that entire network of roadways and stoplights is already a mess. Adding 12000 additional cars daily is unthinkable. Is Costco going to pay for reworking all the roadways and intersections to accommodate this traffic? I doubt it. We (the city) will have to pay.
As a Pleasanton resident I DO NOT want our tax revenue to pay for the $25 million dollar road improvements. How long until
Customers find other local freeway exits, e.g. Foothill & Hopyard exits that are not on improvement plan. Remember- Caltrans is responsible for expanding entrance,exit ramps. There are no current plans in Caltrans budget for such expansion.
Research & get educated about the background…..it’s not just about Costco- it’s about the fallout.
Costco wants this site because of its high visibility–so we can start looking like Dublin and all the other retail-hungry towns along interstates. They don’t really care about local small businesses or our sense of community or our traffic problems.
Build the Costco and people will come. Certainly low water user!
Why should we have to drive to Livermore and Danville to shop at Costco and also contribute to their sales tax base. The excuse of traffic is not valid as we have traffic everywhere these days. There is so much cut through traffic from Dublin and Livermore. A lot of my friends from Dublin have told me so.
It is just two businesses ( The Shell gas Station owner and the Limo Company) which are spearheading this. I will definitely vote against this initiative.
My hubby and I have been in P-town almost 60 years (almost since our births) and we are FOR Costco at this location! We will NOT sign if approached to do so.
What’s wrong with long-time businesses getting involved in this, to defend their right to do business? I own a small business, and I’m worried about the effects of Costco. What do I do when my staff comes to me demanding a raise or they will go work at Costco? To me, it’s the Costco members who already have two stores nearby that are the selfish ones!
To small business owner…..if you cannot pay Costco wages maybe you should not be in business,or maybe you will have to make a little less money yourself by paying your employees a decent wage.Selfish?People are not selfish because they would like to have probably the best big box store in the country open a location in Pleasanton.Of course those who use traffic as an excuse forget to mention it would cut down a little on the traffic going to the Livermore Costco.The traffic is also spread throughout the day and weekend,not commute hours.
Many issues are at stake. The citizens of Pleasanton should decide the City’s fate; not politicians. The vote will be during the November general election, and therefore have minimal costs to the city. This Initiative gives the citizens of Pleasanton the opportunity to decide!! I’m all for it!
Many issues are at stake. The citizens of Pleasanton should decide the City’s fate; not politicians. The vote will be during the November general election, and therefore have minimal costs to the city. This Initiative gives the citizens of Pleasanton the opportunity to decide!! I’m all for it!
Isn’t this getting the cart before the horse given that the city council hasn’t even had a workshop on the topic yet?? Shouldn’t residents first know what the facts are–how would traffic be mitigated and how will the mitigations be paid for, what’s the benefit to the city, etc? Then if you don’t like the answers, circulate a petition.
Bill Wheeler doesn’t live in Pleasanton. His employees currently park on Johnson Dr because he’s out grown his space. Proposed mitigations could eliminate his free parking lot. Is he looking for a pay-off to go away? Insist on getting the facts before you sign the petition!!!!
Really “Educated” and “Jojo”, did the spelling really affect your ability to understand the meaning of the article? If you want to complain about the grammar used in an article just write the publisher.
People need to stop being selfish. This attitude of I have mine and to hell with all others has to stop. The people against Costco can’t wait until the City hosts a meeting on April 12 to discuss the “potential” Johnson Drive development before asking for a referendum on a project that hasn’t even been discussed and approved yet. Danville has a Costco that borders homes and they seem to be co-existing just fine. I think that “B” has exaggerated when they say that there will be an additional “12000” cars PER DAY if Costco is built. I’d be surprised if they get 12000 on a very busy day if ever at the intersection Johnson and Stoneridge.
As Purl says, there will be something built on the site so pick your poison. My choice is a business like Costco that will generate many thousands of dollars in tax revenue to the City of Pleasanton. I wonder how much tax revenue Black Tie Limo contributes to the City. I would bet not near what what Costco would provide.
Don’t know why it’s so important to have a Pleasanton Costco. It’s not like we have to drive 100 miles to get to the nearest Costco. There’s one right down the highway a few miles east of us, which has always been plenty convenient for me. It’s not like one has to drive to shop at Costco everyday because, well, it’s Costco, right?
I would like to see a Costco in Pleasanton. I’ll drive 5 miles round trip instead of 30. My taxes will not only stay within the county but will stay within the city. Costco actually pays a decent wage and benefit package to their employees opposed to nail salons, housekeepers and massage parlors.
I saw a person state that it would bring crime to the neighborhood. What?? Putting in a strip mall or hotel will bring more crime and vice than any Costco would.
As for Black Tie, it’s nice they are looking out for their own self interest but I’ll be looking out for mine and voting against their referendum.
I am a Pleasanton resident. Thank you Mr. Wheeler for allowing us to vote.
@Eric: “I would like to see a Costco in Pleasanton. I’ll drive 5 miles round trip instead of 30.”
Fact check: If you’re within 5 miles roundtrip of the proposed Costco on Johnson, then you do not have a 30 mile roundtrip to the other nearest Costco. I’m out on the west side of Pleasanton just within a 5 mile roundtrip of the proposed Johnson Costco site, and Google Maps shows that my roundtrip to either the Livermore or San Ramon Costco is closer to 15 miles.
The article said Bill Wheeler said “We are concerned the Commission and Council have not listened to the people.” Listened? I was never told. No one I know is aware of this. How were we informed? Sounds like a back door deal to me! Good ole boys are making decisions for us again! I want to vote!
I will NOT sign!! Costco is a good idea.
To Bob QP….you said, “There are better locations for that store”
WHERE would that be???
I would use Costco WAY more than a limo service. This is an easy one.
The Mayor said that a direct mailer had been sent. I didn’t get one. Did you? I say…bring on the initiative. Let the people vote. If it is done during the General Election, there will be very little costs to the City. Why wouldn’t people want to decide? If you want Costco, vote for it. I haven’t decided yet, but this is a big decision. I want to hear the facts. So far, I know nothing. We , the citizens, should decide.
Does anyone care about pollution? I read the City report. Two words stuck out: Unacceptable and Unavoidable! Who protects our air quality?
Who pays for the infrastructure? I hear the City says $15 million. That probably means $25-30 million! We as citizens will pay, that’s who. I see a sales tax increase coming!!
Bill Wheeler should be thanked! He does a lot for our community. Now he is standing up for the citizens of Pleasanton. I’ve read the negative comments. I don’t understand them. You can vote yes; you can vote no. What’s the harm in voting. Who does it hurt?
I read about Costco bringing jobs to the community. I’ll bet that less than 20% will come from Pleasanton. What are the statistics in other communities? I have done a little research. You would be surprised.
How has this been kept quiet for so long? I don’t know what an initiative is- but if it means that I have a vote– bring it on!
@P-Town Gal :”I read about Costco bringing jobs to the community. I’ll bet that less than 20% will come from Pleasanton.”
Although I’m ambivalent about a Pleasanton Costco, I think that some good arguments can be made for one, including convenience and tax revenue. However, providing jobs is probably not a good reason. For one, Costco jobs are relatively low-paying. Also, Pleasanton has historically been a job-rich community with 1.6 jobs per adult Pleasantonian. In fact, that’s why we were required to build more housing.
This city in recent years under its current leadership , i.e. city manager, has enabled many shady backdoor deals. The fact that Costco has or is in contract to buy the land should tell you what is going to happen to the site. Sorry Club Sport, too much traffic for me when this is complete.
In reference to the shoddy spelling in the article, is anyone shocked? Pathetic!
Never heard of this. How has it been kept a secret for so long? Thanks Black Tie!
Hmmmmmm…what is better for Pleasanton.Black tie limo which gives the city virtually nothing and provides a service that is not even important or needed…..or Costco…..which provides a lot of decent paying jobs,tax revenue and provides great products and food for the community at a savings over mostly every other retailer……hmmmmmmmm…that is a tough one.The great benefit of small businesses like nail salons and the like are vastly overrated and I own a small business.
The simple truth is quite often bigger is actually better.
Downtown Pleasanton has this enormous reputation for being wonderful.It is nice to walk around but in terms of actually shopping it offers very little in real value unless you like to overpay for the privilege.Sorry,but that is the truth.
I was talking to my wife the other day and figured out that you could actually do pretty well if the only place you shopped was Costco.Food,appliances,electronics,furniture,tires,toys,clothes,shoes,insurance services,pharmacy,eyeglasses,hearing aids,travel deals,restaurant and movie discounts.I even bought my solar panels through them.All with excellent quality and the best return policy in the business.Why would anyone want all that?No give me a few nail salons,junk food places and a limo service we do not need.
I believe that most people are unaware of the proposed change to the zoning for Johnson Drive, and the Big Box, Club Retailers such as Costco now being considered. I’m glad Mr. Wheeler is involved. I DON’T think putting a BIG BOX retail store on Johnson Drive is a good idea.
@Hoop: Hmmmmmm…what is better for Pleasanton.Black tie limo which gives the city virtually nothing and provides a service that is not even important or needed.
You don’t seem like a very nice person. Bill Wheeler does a lot for this community.
If Costco makes the decision to build on Johnson Drive and if that decision goes to a vote. It should be a slam dunk.
Costco builds it.
Costco has 22,000 members that reside in Pleasanton.
The registered voters in Pleasanton number 42,000 voters.
If the 22,000 Costco members are registered and vote. it is a slam dunk.
Hoops,
I think you and your wife have stumbled upon a great idea! If all we need is one giant Costco to purchase everything we need in life then we can get rid of every other business in town, tear them down and build more homes and apartment buildings. Brilliant!!
Clearly this council and Mayor gotta go. They stopped representing the people and are willing to sell out the any business or big box that comes along.
For those that think Costco would be a good idea, consider the following:
• The additional 12,000 daily car trips into this area will create a traffic nightmare for the west side of Pleasanton (an area where the PM peak traffic is already a disaster). This traffic will overflow on local neighborhood streets resulting in safety and quality of life impacts.
• The air quality impacts from this project are so bad that it will cause Pleasanton to violate the Regional Air Quality Plan
• Costco and the developer, Nearon, want the taxpayers of Pleasanton to pick up $5 million of the total of $15 million needed for local street improvements for the project. The city says this will be repaid over 20 years from sales and property tax revenue, but there is no impartial economic study demonstrating this. For the city to subsidize a private developer is unheard of and will set a precedent for the next project to come down the line
• This $15 million covers only the local streets – Johnson Drive and Stoneridge Dr. The EIR traffic models demonstrate that the majority of cars coming to Costco will be regional (from south, west, and north) and improvements will be necessary on I-680 and I-580 to mitigate it. These costs are not being paid by the developer, are under the control of Caltrans and the regional planning agencies, and no foreseeable funding exists for at least the next 20 years for this work. So the freeways will just be clogged even more.
• No analysis has been performed to determine the impact that a Costco (or a Walmart for that matter) will have on locally owned small businesses in Pleasanton, including in downtown. The big box business model is based on dominating markets and running the competition out of business. Do we really want to destroy our small town business community so we can conveniently buy more cheap junk from Costco or Walmart?
Finally, if none of this bothers you (and I’m sure you are out there!), consider that the city is employing an underhanded, deceptive process to approve this project which flies in the face of every other major project over the last 20 years. They tried to get it approved under the radar as a simple rezoning without specific projects identified. Once rezoned, city staff can approve “permitted uses†including one or more bog-box stores, hotels, or any other large format retail without public hearings or the ability to overturn the approvals by voter referendum. A developers dream! Fortunately, the public found out and now the city is being forced to backtrack.
For those who disapprove of the initiative and allowing the public to vote on this, also consider that every City Council for at least the last 20 years has supported every project that has come before it, even if there has been huge public opposition. In just the past 12 months we saw it with the East Side and now Lund Ranch II. The only way the public interest is served in Pleasanton is by direct democracy – referendums and initiatives. Do you really think that Measure PP, a citizen’s initiative that protects our ridges and hillsides from destructive development, is a bad thing? If we had City Council that supported the will of the people referendums and initiatives would not be necessary.
The opposition to this project is broad based, includes neighborhoods and small businesses, and is not limited to Black Tie Transportation. However, we owe a debt to Bill Wheeler to started the initiative and I would urge everyone to sign it.
If after all this you still think Costco is a good idea I have bridge to sell you …..
Put the Costco in…it is just not that big a deal. Plenty of space for the store and parking, more tax revenue, and yes, more traffic. This is Silicon Valley and growth here will always be expanding. Time to move if you do not like the trade off as there are many of places not next to the world’s tech and innovation center that do not have these “problems.”
Wow, a Big Box store on Johnson Drive?? That’s a crazy idea!! I personally don’t want it and I think the citizens of Pleasanton should absolutely be the ones to decide. I have a Costco membership. I like Costco. Do I want Costco in Pleasanton? NO WAY! I vote “NO COSTCO”! I vote “NO BIG BOX RETAIL ON JOHNSON DRIVE”!
“If the 22,000 Costco members are registered and vote. it is a slam dunk.”
I have a Costco membership, I vote, and I would not vote for Costco. Everyone I have talked to (albeit a small sample size) does not want a Costco, and are registered to vote. It is NOT a slam dunk.
Costco will try to promise this and that, and show all the reports of how positive this will be for Pleasanton, how the 22,000 members will have it so much more convenient. Keep in mind this is a business, not a school or library or non-profit or whatever, Costco wants to come to Pleasanton to MAKE MONEY, and make a LOT of money. They do not care about impacts to our roads, hiring Pleasanton residents, improving our tax base, etc. They are here for themselves, not to help Pleasanton in any way.
We do NOT need a Costco in Pleasanton. I can’t wait for the initiative, I want to be the first to sign my name.
In response to COPS:
“I think that “B” has exaggerated when they say that there will be an additional “12000” cars PER DAY if Costco is built”…
I read these blogs to get informed of information going on in my city, and as a resident for over 25 years, it really bothers me when someone speaks about something they know nothing. I have tried to get information on this project since it was announced, and have gone to the trouble to get information from the city offices, and even attended one meeting the city put on to gather information.
For your information, COPS, the number of 12,000 is the City of Pleasanton’s number from their SEIR report (do you know what that is?). And the number increases to 15,000 on the weekends. If you don’t like the number, or disagree with it, don’t imply that someone made the number up when you have no knowledge of what is going on and, obviously, make your decisions without using facts, and have already made up your mind.
Now, for the rest of us more intelligent Pleasanton voters, I think we should look at this project based on all the facts. I am sure there are good points to the project, and there are bad points. I, for one, want to know all the facts before making a decision, and I won’t be swayed by hyperbole on this blog. Probably what bothers me most is that this project has been going on for two years and I never even heard about it. No mention was ever made about it until the last five months.
If Bill Wheeler had not brought it to a lot of people’s attention, the city would have pushed it through and most of you would not have known about it until construction began. Many people would have liked that, many people would not. I have not decided – but I keep wondering — why were we kept in the dark about this project for two years? Who has been paying for all the EIR reporting? I called Caltrans, and they have no plans to do any work on the Stoneridge interchange or the I-580/I-680 interchange for the next ten years. So, traffic sure won’t get any better at Stoneridge and I/680 —- Stoneridge Mall will even be worse this Christmas.
Why has the city been so secretive about this project? Do you trust them? If you do, vote against the initiative, if the signatures are gathered and it goes on the ballot. If you are just a little skeptical as to why this was not done openly, let both sides give you their information and you can make the decision.
I still think “the people” as a whole will ALWAYS make a better choice than elected or appointed officials who may have other motives. I, for one, am troubled as to why this was kept so secret. I also have a problem with traffic and pollution and see no mitigation for these in the EIR reports.
How often do we have to make a difference? I’m glad Bill Wheeler is willing to take the time and verbal abuse from those who do no more than complain and spend no time “fact-checking” some of their points.
This is too important for us as citizens of Pleasanton. We must decide this issue.
I support this initiative!
BTW…I’m a Costco member and I DO NOT want a Costco in Pleasanton.
As a small business person who’s business was displaced after occupying the same property for over 22 years, I can relate to Mr. Wheeler’s ordeal. What I don’t understand is his effort to smoke screen the fact that he is the majority stakeholder behind Citizens for Planned Growth. Moreover, his argument for increased traffic just doesn’t hold water with me because the Stoneridge Drive freeway access does not require out of town customers to drive through our city. As for the crime element in his argument: You only have to look at the San Ramon and Livermore stores of confirm the obvious. That is, these stores do not have a measurable impact on crime. Fact is, this location is a perfect fit for just this kind of development with easy access to 580/680 freeways and it’s located away from residential communities. While I don’t know Mr. Wheeler personally, I am sad that his business will, in all likelihood loss this battle. In our case, we ended on a good note. That is, once we got over the shock of displacement, we focused our energy on locating a new property and ended up locating a better fit for our business. We also purchased the property so that the threat of displacement is no longer an issue. I do hope that Black Tie Limousine ends up in an equal or better place. They are and have been a very good corporate citizen in this community and they deserve no less.
I want to vote. This is one of the biggest issues for Pleasanton in years. I don’t understand the opposition’s reason for not wanting to vote, unless it’s Nearon or Costco, and they fear the vote. I also don’t understand the wrath against Bill Wheeler by some bloggers, again are these bloggers from Nearon or Costco?? I know that Bill Wheeler was recently in Uruguay delivering wheel chairs. Were any of the Nearon or Costco people (who are bad mouthing him or his business) in Uruguay delivering wheel chairs to the needy? Bill will not like that I am telling this. You will never hear it from him.
As I understand, we can vote yes or no. It will be our decision. Seems democratic to me. Why oppose unless you fear the outcome? There is very little cost to the City since it will be during the general election. I say: thank Bill Wheeler. Without you, we have no say. Sure we can get up and speak at the City meetings- but, if the decision has already been made, what good is it? LET”S VOTE!!!
Would a new Costco create new Costco members? Um, er, ah, hardly. Would it move traffic from the San Ramon Costco, certainly.
would it bring tax dollars in, certainly.
Would the parking lot be full with customers, certainly.
Might be surprised if put to a vote what the outcome would be. Certainly closer for me to drive to Pleasanton vs San Ramon; with hopefully better parking (not holding my breath, tho)
Starbucks with drive thru seems the logical choice. Although a bank, safeway, target, car dealership are also excellent. They are few and far between <—Sarcasm
Costco is a good company. I shop there but I don’t want to live next to one.
Big Box, Big Box– does anyone care about the small retailer? I moved here for because of the small town atmosphere. If Costco comes, I go!!
I think I would like a Costco and the small town atmosphere of Pleasanton departed around 1990. We have covered up just about every patch of dirt we have so why not a Costco? Besides if Costco challenged it in court I think they would win. Seems like discrimination to me.
I will vote NO on COSTCO!!!!!!! I grew up in Pleasanton and to see a big box store like this be put in Pleasanton is just CRAZY!!!!! All the PRO Costco voters care about is tax money and maybe saving a couple dollars on gas from not wanting to drive there fuel efficient cars to Livermore or Danville. My biggest concern is traffic! The freeways are already slammed from Santa Rita down to hopyard, and if people have to exit and merge off the freeway it will just cause a lot more madness!
So the Costco would be just up the block from Home Depot and Club Sport? Those businesses already generate quite a bit of traffic. I think the location is perfect for Costco. BTW, who do all of the cars parked in front of Black Tie belong to? Will they have to find somewhere else to park?
I shopped at COSTCO Danville yesterday, the sales tax on my purchase was $57.92 a portion of that that sales Tax could have stayed in Pleasanton. Think abut it
I find it interesting that some people are fighting Costco but a massive car dealer was approved and will soon open without anything being said. Does that make sense?
Matt Sullivan – “The additional 12,000 daily car trips into this area will create a traffic nightmare for the west side of Pleasanton (an area where the PM peak traffic is already a disaster). This traffic will overflow on local neighborhood streets resulting in safety and quality of life impacts.”
12,000 daily car trips?? As in 12,000 people who would shop/supply daily at Costco? As in 4.38 MILLION(!) customers per year at that location??!!
I’m calling BS on this statistic and, therefore, BS on all the rest of your hyperbole. Why? Let’s do the math:
12000 daily shoppers spending a average of $100 (because we all know you can’t shop at Costco without speeding at least that amount) equates to around $438 Million per year in revenue. Average store revenue (2009 was the most recent I can find) was around $150M.
So, Matt would have us believe that the Pleasanton store would have revenues of almost 3x compared to the average, and that’s with competitor stores in San Ramon and Livermore?!
Again, BS.
As a former commuter who drove from Pleasanton to the Bay Area everyday I can tell you that, psychologically, the last thing I wanted to do was stop on my way home and go shopping. That would have extended my hour-long trip another half hour. I don’t believe that we’ll get much traffic during the weekdays from commuters. Weekends, I think we’ll get the traffic from Castro Valley/Hayward and Dublin, at the most.
But 12000 additional cars?? Daily?? Nope. Don’t believe it.
And traffic will “overflow on neighborhood streets”? Precisely HOW will that happen?! There is literally one neighborhood to the East on Stoneridge that has one outlet and why exactly would traffic be going through there?? And traffic coming from the West? Are you kidding me??
Having driven in that location thousands of times due to going to Clubsport, I can tell you right now, UNEQUIVOCALLY, traffic in that location is NOT the potential “disaster” that Matt is describing. This is a blatant scare tactic and I resent Matt resorting to these (at best) thin points.
Dan
I’m grateful for all of the opinions posted here, pro and con nasty and otherwise. It helps me make up my mind on how to vote.
I’m not grateful for the people that will soon be knocking on my door or the people in front of Safeway and Raley’s telling me how I should vote. I know they will be there.
I also am calling out the 12,000 cars daily as b.s.and whatever amount actually visit Costco,many will be coming off the freeway and not driving through town.Also many will be stopping there in conjunction with a trip somewhere else,like Home Depot or he dentist,etc.
It is simply a fact of life that a business like Costco offers a better value than the vast majority of small business simply based on buying power and selection.I never said anyone should only shop at Costco,but was making a point about how broad Costco’s offerings are.I own a small business and compete against Home Depot and Lowes,so I know the routine.
Wheeler and other business owners are opposing because of their self interest which is fine,but do not misunderstand it for being altruistic.
We like to live in a dream world of quaint little businesses that provide great products at great prices.A lot of that no longer exists in reality.It of course depends on the products,some lend themselves to small business and some do not.
I am against Costco in Pleasanton since there are 2 close by in Livermore or San Ramon. Honestly, really not needed in Pleasanton and we are considering not renewing our membership at Costco since they are not as good as bargain on many products and their meats now contain a carcinogen “carageeneen.” Traffic would be an issue regardless. Probably a better plan for this space.
Traffic is what it is, it’s smack at the cross of 580/680 Interchange.
Daily commuters, BART, Corporate headquarters/offices, Retail/Commercial Shops and New Homes along the 580 corridor, the proposed 339,000-square-foot IKEA store coming into Hacienda/Dublin, SF Premium Outlets Outlets are all in the vicinity.
High volume of traffic goes with the area daily. Regardless, if not Costco, some other business will take it’s place along the 580 corridor.
I am only against where they want to put. I don’t know why they always have to put them beside a freeway. It should be in the business park or along Stanley Blvd. Easier for us and harder for Out of Towners.
Would like Costco soooo much more than another Wallmart….
Downtown ear is correct on all counts and I agree.
It’s all about location. It’s no big surprises there…Pretty sure all these big housing projects, big corporate/offices/anchor retail spaces all have done their share of retail market research strategy of the area. There’s market demand, support, visibility, location that factor in… Big players can afford the location and cost of retail space. Doubt the small businesses in general can afford the high cost of the lease/rent in premium locations. It’s cost of doing business.
The people who are going off about Pleasanton having a small town atmosphere…how does putting a Costco in an area that already has big box stores change Pleasanton?Pleasanton is a great place to live,has great neighborhoods and parks and this Costco is not going to change any of that.It will however offer more convenience to the people who live here.
Your small town downtown will not change.The downtown has very little to offer in terms of the things Costco sells anyway.What businesses downtown will be hurt by Costco?Name them.Name one for that matter.
NO on COSTCO on or near Stoneridge Drive: It’s the traffic. The Stoneridge Mall, the Stoneridge BART station, the freeway cut through traffic on Stoneridge, the fact that Stoneridge now connects to Livermore and the new “Premium Outlets” which is scheduled to double with more eateries and CarMax.
– – Just how much more traffic would a big box like Costco bring to Stoneridge Drive, too much on top of too much already. – – We do not need anymore gridlock in Pleasanton, the 580 freeway is enough, do not do it to our key city thoroughfares too.
IKEA is opening in Dublin in 2018. You have outlet in Livermore and is still expanding. There are new stores/shops/restaurants opening in Tri-valley every month. We are not living in the old time where Pleasanton was a small town where population was small. Time has changed. Costco or not, traffic is there already and it will only get worse. That’s the reason they are building all the “paid carpool” lane. If you think costco will make such a big different in traffic, wait until they build more high density houses in Tri-valley. Those are the one that we have to stop. So please, stop using traffic as an excuse. At least the tax $$$ from costco will benefit Pleasanton instead of Dublin/Livermore/San Ramon.
Costco will be great for Pleasanton! Better than more apartments! Remember the location for Home Depot! Now look at the luxury apartments going up ! Many complained about traffic…now water guzzling apartments. Costco pays their employees decent salaries and benefits , unlike Walmart. Black tie starts unneeded iniative because they will loose a parking lot. Let’s stop using black tie! Go Costco!!!
Isn’t the Park and Ride lot supposed to be for, you know, those people who park and carpool to work?
Why is there a moving van there with a No Costco sign parked there?
Dan
Now that IKEA has submitted plans to go into Dublin, I support Costco coming to Pleasanton. The traffic might be bad, but at least we’ll get some sales tax revenue for our troubles.
Sorry can’t sign it. The future is now. Put me down for +1 for Johnson Dr. Costco. Let Tax revenues stay in Pleasanton.
I say yes to Costco. I can stop by there on my way home from Ikea.
Win Win!!
When you put in a costco, you want it near the freeway. That way all the delivery trucks do not have to drive through town to deliver goods. The reason Home Depot had troubles at Stanley as the neighborhood near there said all the delivery trucks would be adding to the traffic. Although I disagree with the traffic there would have been at Home Depot as it would reduce people on the other side of town having to drive through town.
With Costco, I would prefer to give my tax money to Pleasanton instead of Livermore. The additional traffic trips is not correct. They are saying this is additional trips. Most Pleasanton residents have a Costco membership and will now not have to drive down the freeway to Livermore or take Valley to Stanley to get there. There will be a change in traffic; not additional traffic. Those in Livermore will still shop in the Livermore Costco. Those in Dublin will split between Livermore and Pleasanton but since the Costco proposal is at the north of Pleasanton, the Dublin people will not have to travel through Pleasanton to get there. Those in Castro Valley will likely shop in Hayward or in Pleasanton but since Castro Valley is to the west of Pleasanton, those people will not need to drive through Pleasanton.
I don’t think adding a Costco in Pleasanton will significantly add new Costco customers but will rather put a Costco closer to Pleasanton shoppers so they shop more, plus the Livermore store is being saturated so there is not much growth potential there.
Most of the additional traffic, if there is much, will be on weekends. Since the businesses in the business park are not operating then, they is little conflict.
I am a club sport member in Pleasanton and do not want the additional people or the traffic passing through Johnson drive! Simply think about the ammount of people Costco will bring in! The people from castro valley, Sunol, Dublin, and other cities surrounding! No on Costco.
Hum, I am a Costco customer and do not want all the traffic from club sport
I also hear the Kaiser Hospital is coming to Dublin!!!! Hooray and I mean that. WE ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE TODO!!We have to grow and adjust to today’s realities, or actually move to Kansas. Notice how Dublin and now Livermore get all the big revenue. I think Pleasanton will stay boutique for awhile, and then like many small minded cities, end up broke. BUT thank god we have Hacienda Business Park to keep us afloat. That is unless corporate offices start moving away to Dublin, San Ramon or Livermore because they offer better and more restaurants, shopping, housing choices, and faster building permits. Yes, and less snobbery.
Betty…Kaiser is not building a hospital now. They may in the future but for now it is a medical, outpatient surgical and cancer center. A full hospital is a possibility down the road but for now it is not planned.
I don’t think an additional Costco will ‘create’ new customers. It will draw from the 2 Costco’s AND customers will have to drive less to get there. I mean nobody will visit a Costco because it is new; the bldg is the same, so biggest draw would be closer and easier parking, no?
I know for me a new Costco would be closer than the Danville (really in San Ramon) Costco for me.
Traffic is a nit. They would put something there. Does anybody really believe a hotel or such would have NO traffic. In fact, a hotel would have 24/7 traffic. At least a Costco has business hours…..
If Mr. Wheeler is a business owner in Pleasanton I appreciate his involvement with our community but if not a resident he has a more limited interest,that being what he believes may be a negative impact on his business. I suggest he look at it as a positive in that he will have more awareness of his business with the great traffic that Costco generates near his business. I suggest that he place his efforts toward advertising with them, especially for special events and Holiday gifts. Costco has proven to be a great contributor financially and as a first class business in the communities that it is involved in. I dare say that most of the citizens in Pleasanton are customers of Costco and tired of fighting for a parking space in Danville and Livermore when they visit those stores. This is an ideal location for a Costco store in Pleasanton and would be a welcome addition. Bring in in as soon as possible.
Betty, agree about not getting off topic off Costco.
What do we have a gentleman’s agreement about as to Kaiser?
** Read the City’s Environmental Impact Report **
The increased traffic and the pollution numbers are real! Costco provided historic traffic information to the city for their report. The Stoneridge/I-680 accesses are dangerous now (no easy on, easy off here). Until Caltrans fixes the current traffic cross-over issues, it would be insane to add thousands of additional vehicles to this mess. Don’t believe it? Drive it yourself! Try to merge onto I-680 going north at 5:00 pm. Make sure your life insurance is paid up before you go!
Not an anti-costco group….anit-location group….I’m for it except not in that location. You can believe it is going to be a traffic mess near Stoneridge Mall, 580-680 junction and stoneridge dr/Johnson drive. I pass through the Hopyard/Owens area every day, and I can’t image what 12,000 additional cars in the area are going to do to that mess. Can you picture what I680 and Stoneridge would look like during the two weeks before Christmas, when everyone is trying to shop at Costco and the mall? You should visit Livermore Costco on weekends… There are better locations for that store. I’ll sign the petition!
To those of you that are saying there are better locations for Costco…would you mind telling WHERE you think those locations are.
I keep hearing ‘there are better locations’…ok, where???
SOMETHING will be built on that site, might as well be Costco
I have a question for the Mayor….
Mr. Mayor,
With a cost of infrastructure of $15 million. That could be $20-25 million. Could someone please calculate the break even point in years of this type of expenditure by the City? No one has answered definitively were these dollars will come from. It is my understanding that Costco’s policy is not to pay for infrastructure improvements. Will this lead to a sales tax increase?
Respectively,
Concerned Citizen of Pleasanton
To Val Vista Resident….good luck getting an answer to that one!!
I support businesses to stay in Pleasanton. Sales and property tax revenue support our local government and schools. Our schools need much needed funding, and every bit of revenue helps toward this. Pleasanton is a desirable location for families because of our schools which in turn makes the area desirable to live in.
If we keep having not in my backyard mentality, opportunities are missed, and other cities reap the benefits. If people have to drive across town to another city to shop, it just causes more traffic congestion… there is Stoneridge Mall, Hacienda Crossings, Fallon Gateway, San Franicsco Premium Outlets, Ikea planning to come in Dublin are all in the vicinity. Traffic is going to be more regardless, because the vicinity as a whole is on a upward growth. More housing will have more demand for retail, office spaces along the 580 corridor. Roads need to be widen/repair along the major artery/interchange since it’s already bottlenecks on a normal commute.
Wow, it seems like a lot of the frequent posters here are already on a real drive to stop this initiative! So what is their motivation? Are they really afraid to have people vote Yes or No on Costco? It seems like the anti forces are gathering—who exactly is behind them? Yes, we know Wheeler’s stand on Costco, but at least he’s up front about it, he paid to get the initiative created, and he wants to know what the majority thinks. He isn’t hiding behind planners and politicians. In the end, if people really want the Costco, he can simply move his business. Then we will be left with the traffic mess and pollution all on our own, and nobody will have a right to complain when they can’t get to the mall or to work on time.
If people would spend less time worrying about where Black Tie parks its cars and more about the real traffic facts, they would know that the 12,000 vehicle figure is not pulled out of thin air. It comes directly from the traffic analysis in the Johnson Drive draft EIR, produced by the Planning Commission. Know before you speak!
My problems with this:
1. It seems like a bad location, with the on and off ramps in a very congested part of the freeway, and it is very crowded on and around Stoneridge Dr. in December.
2. Is there enough acreage in this spot? It seems like the Livermore Costco had a bigger footprint, and when I go there on weekends, I can’t tell you how many times I park in the very back, beyond the tire installation center, in one of the last vacant spots. Any Pleasanton location needs to have more parking spots than Livermore to get my support.
3. This is very close to Stoneridge and Val Vista housing.
Ellen wonders in her post above where a better location would be. The Walmart location is a great spot, we just need Walmart closed – which would be a win-win, in my opinion.
Looking forward to this discussion going away!
@ Michael Austin, this is one of (at least) two threads where you have stated, “Looking forward to this discussion going away!” You do realize that you don’t have to read every thread and every post, right? There are a lot of threads that hold no interest to me, so I simply don’t read them. That’s what’s great about America, we have a choice. So please don’t read, and definitely don’t post, if you are bored by the thread.
With all you people against Costco going in, are you going to shop there or continue going to Livermore or San ramon/Danville?
and what would you like to see in this location? more overpriced apartments that use more water (we are still in a drought and will be for some time)
Maybe you want another gym.
Bring on in costco-best revenue for our city.
Wilma – my policy is usually to not respond to anonymous attacks (if you don’t have the guts to identify yourself you are not worthy of a response).
But since you have your facts all wrong I thought I would enlighten you.
As a Councilmember, I did not vote on the West Dublin BART station. It was built based on a settlement of a lawsuit that long preceded my tenure on the Council. I also did not vote to approve a six story office building next to it. That happened long after I was gone from the Council (the same Council who now wants to build Costco).
Regarding my “usual doomsday view of things” I try to review the relevant information about a project before coming to a conclusion. In this case it happens to be the EIR, the proposed taxpayer subsidies, and city staff process identified to approve the project. These conclusions are outlined in my post above. If you actually did a little research instead of spending your time writing anonymous rants, perhaps you would come to the same doomsday conclusions that I have. But no, it’s easier to spout off from a place of ignorance and elitism (denying the public voice by voting on the project is the classic view that the political elites know what’s best for all of us – despite the fact that they are corrupt and have no interest in the common good).
Anonymous rants like this are not democracy, but cowardly poison.
Why is the 12k per day causing so much heartburn? That would be 12k cars driving LESS than they do going to the other 2 Costco locations. And really, highly doubtful 12k per day visit day in and out. That’s like 15-20k people if one assume a percent of those cars have more than a single occupant. sheesh, the entire family goes to Costco. 🙂
Matt,
I have always appreciated what you have to say but need to call you out on your statement that “the political elites…are corrupt”.
C’mon Matt. I can only assume that by “political elites”, you mean the entire Council and the entire City Staff? The entire Chamber of Commerce membership? You just called all of these people corrupt for disagreeing with you.
You might not like anonymous attacks but I find wholesale character smears distasteful as well. This community deserves better than that and I think you think so as well. Sticking to the issues at hand is what serves our community best.
Jennifer,
This is not an artful smear (in the words of Hilary) but an accurate description of our political system. With the exception of Karla Brown, the remaining four Councilmembers have taken vast sums of campaign contributions from developers, businesses, and the Chamber of Commerce and their voting records mirror the interests of those contributors. If you’ve followed Pleasanton politics for any length of time you would know this as well. If you would like to peruse these contributions you can find them here: http://nf4.netfile.com/pub2/Default.aspx?aid=COP
This is THE issue. As with our state and national politics, our representatives have been bought by moneyed special interests. Until this changes (in my opinion through publicly financed elections) they will continue to represents special interests and not the people who voted for them. You might not like the word corrupt, but frankly their is no other word for it.
Matt,
I would appear from your comments that if anyone disagrees with you they are are not democracy, but cowardly poison.
When was the last time you were for building anything in Ptwon but low-income housing?
By the way, how is the low-income housing working out for the people you said it world help?
Not so good! There filled with families moving from Fremont or San Jose. Not the hard working men and women who work in Pleasanton but who can not afford to live in Ptwon. If I recall, that’s was why you said we should support low-come housing. At the time, I agreed with you, but that is not what has happened.
So back to the land in question what should we do with it?
Matt,
Anyone who has read my comments on any post here knows that I believe most politicians at every level to be corrupted by the current system, but that doesn’t mean that their actions are illegal. They’re only illegal if WE change the laws.
That being said, you have avoided explaining or addressing any questions directed at your first post with all those nice little bullet points. You have justified this by explaining that you don’t answer questions from anonymous commenters.
Fair enough.
But don’t complain about the system – a system you participate in – then turn around and use the FLIMSIEST of excuses why you can’t answer direct questions or debate the data that YOU presented on this thread.
You sound EXACTLY like that “corrupt politicians” you so rail against.
Here’s a hint Matt, the next time you write a comment, put a disclaimer saying that you are only writing to those who use their “real” names. Save us the time of reading your lame excuses why you won’t answer simple questions.
Sincerely,
Dan
I really hope people do not sign for this referendum. We have way too many of those already, and they are expensive. It’s not like there is a huge groundswell of public opinion against a Costco. It’s basically a couple of businesses on that street but they have given their group a bogus name like “Citizens for Planned Growth”.
Johnson Drive is an excellent site for a Costco, with good freeway and surface street access, and a neighborhood that is already commercial/industrial. And the reduced trips to Livermore would save a lot of gas, traffic, and resulting emissions.
(What is a “trail store”? Was that a typo or some new sort of retail?)
As I understand it, an initiative is a way for people to make meaningful changes before government action is taken, unlike a referendum which happens after the fact. Since there seem to be strong opinions by a lot of people on both sides, this is a good way to determine which is the majority opinion about an important issue. Those who say there isn’t a lot of opposition haven’t really been listening to what is going on and are making judgments based on their own narrow interests.
I’ve just heard about this Costco thing in the past few weeks, and I’ve been asking people about it. There are a lot of people not happy about it because of the traffic mess it’s going to create near Stoneridge Mall. I pass through the Hopyard/Owens area every day, and I can’t image what 12,000 additional cars in the area are going to do to that mess. Can you picture what I680 and Stoneridge would look like during the two weeks before Christmas, when everyone is trying to shop at Costco and the mall? There are better locations for that store. I’ll sign the petition!
Since the city government seems to not know how to gauge public opinion very well, I’d like to see a vote on this issue! At least both sides would get to be heard.
I don’t think people realize that there WILL be something built on that site regardless of whether Costco builds there or not. That land is way too valuable for it to lay vacant. For those that are concerned about image, would you rather have a Walmart there? How about another strip mall? Or even worse, another rack and stack housing development. How many cars will THAT bring into the neighborhood?
All for costco. Love how “Shell” doesn’t support big box business. Bring costco, strong company that is good for small business and the community
Matt Sullivan’s argument about air quality makes no sense at all. As it is today, Pleasanton residents (I am using Downtown as a starting point) must drive 4.5 miles to the Livermore Costco, 11 miles to the Danville Costco or 12 miles to the Fremont Costco. Having a Costco in Pleasanton will REDUCE net vehicle miles traveled and thus REDUCE emissions, benefiting the entire region, not just a few square blocks along 680 and Johnson Drive. As a former elected official Sullivan should be capable of more perceptive environmental analysis.
Sullivan’s argument about hurting small businesses is equally specious. The Livermore Costco has been open for many years yet small business flourishes in downtown Livermore and elsewhere, and is viewed as an excellent locale for small business of all types.
JOHNSON DRIVE IS A GOOD COSTCO LOCATION because it allows easy on and easy off for Pleasanton shoppers as well as Tri-Valley residents. It would be good to allow have a master plan so it is not simply a bunch of big box stores and an ugly freeway frontage. Sorry, but community appearance these days start at the freeway exits.
CRAIG – putting a Costco on Stanley for resident only use is unlikely. People will find it whether they live in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, Castro Valley, etc. We need to keep Stanley flowing in case of a major disaster or freeway accident.
SULLIVAN – I see preaching your typical negative doomsday. You voted to build a 6-story 300,000 square foot office complex and a new BART station at a constrained access location on Stoneridge Mall Rd. Im sure the West Side neighbors should know the commute traffic on Foothill, Stoneridge and West Las Positas is because of you. Really smart. I think the West Las Positas interchange should now be built and I would happily sign a petition to that affect since you think that is the best way to make decisions if you don’t like something.
CostCo is small potatoes. Regarding IKEA, be afraid, very afraid!!!!!
GEORGE- I do not want to get off the topic of Costco. But you and I have a gentleman’s agreement regarding Kaiser.
Back to CostCo, seriously what’s the big deal? Two businesses which have outgrown their sites and need to find bigger space where they don’t need to use public streets to park their fleet cars. Fine up til now, but that area will be developed with a higher and more revenue producing businesses. This is the City’s opportunity to turn an industrial hodge lodge located at one of our most visible fronts and make it attractive. The traffic is nominal due to the freeway access. But PLEASE FIX the road curve where people have died in accidents. Work out a deal with the Hilton during the planning process
GEORGE – I say the prospect of a Kaiser hospital in Dublin bring planned and breaking ground is sooner than I ever hoped for.
JUST THE FACTS- isn’t the 12,000 vehicles you reference spread over a 24 hour period?
Matt, wow, what a negative and nasty response you made to a poster calling her not worthy of a response amongst other things. REALLY UNNECESSARY and frankly digusting. I also think you look at the negative side of things and should celebrate our wonderful community. You said Stoneridge Drive completion would cause mass destruction and that did not happen. It actually helps to distribute traffic. Are you going to now berate me as an elitist and unworthy and maybe even just not as smart as you??
do recall you voted while on the council to build an approximate 350 unit apartment complex next to the BART station (now the Workday complex) which you correctly point out you were not on the council for that vote.