I realize the meaning of the vote last year on MM, but that doesn't change my opinion. I'm still against a Costco in that location, for all the reasons that have been hashed out before - the back-door dealing with the city, the additional traffic, the increased infrastructure costs. What a bad idea.

Build the Costco, please. What a great spot for it.

"No financing agreement means no Costco, which means no Johnson Drive EDZ plan. While some might cheer this, we harken back to the public outcry that stopped the Home Depot from being developed on Stanley and Bernal. Now there is high-density housing there."

This paragraph makes it sound like inviting more businesses into Pleasanton will somehow circumvent the building of more high-density housing. If so, then the logic seems a bit backwards. The reason that the courts forced Pleasanton to build more housing, including high-density housing, is that the jobs-to-residents ratio in Pleasanton got too lopsided. As I recall, the jobs per adult resident of Pleasanton ratio got up to a ridiculous ratio of 1.6 Pleasanton jobs for every adult resident of Pleasanton because of the city's overly business-friendly and housing-hostile development philosophy. So, no, building a Home Depot on Stanley and Bernal would not have prevented high-density housing from being built in Pleasanton. In effect, the courts would have looked at that new business and said to Pleasanton: "Hey, Pleasanton! Congratulations on that new business you've got there! Now where are you going to house all the people who are going to be working at all these new Pleasanton jobs within your city limits?"

oh good grief. Just build it, 2/3 majority want. Will reduce traffic at the Danville location. All for it.

Quit stalling and just build it before we get more high density over priced apartments built on that site, keep my tax paying dollars in my town!

I am tired of driving to Danville and Livermore to go shopping at costco. Let's get this done.

"I'm still against a Costco in that location, for all the reasons that have been hashed out before - the back-door dealing with the city, the additional traffic, the increased infrastructure costs. What a bad idea."

Sam - if there was already a deal in place as you, and others, claim, then why isn't the deal already approved by the city. What is taking so long?

What increased infrastructure cost? Increased from what? As pointed out in this article if there is any development there the infrastructure needs to be addressed. So I guess you are in favor of just leaving it a pile of dirt? Maybe we should also bulldoze all the houses in your neighborhood, that will help traffic. Perhaps we just get rid of all of Pleasanton, that will also reduce traffic in the area.

How is even remotely a "bad idea"?

Just get on with it. Fast track this. Pleasanton has run out many businesses over the years with slow walking the process.

Is Sam really Hillary?

Get over it - you lost!

For some of us, the question was never "to Costco or not to Costco," it was the loans--taxpayer dollars--to Costco.

And Sam is correct about why we have high density housing. The Governor will be back; he's already been talking to groups who want more high-density housing throughout the East Bay. It's great that housing costs are on the rise if you are already sitting in one of them--not so much for others who want to live closer to where they work.

I voted against MM as I think a Costco would be fine there and I was told that negotiations have not been completed, including any public subsidies. That would all be coming to the city council for public hearings. While I am fine with Costco, I am NOT fine with the public subsidies, unless the finance agreement has the subsidies being paid off in less than 3 years. In my opinion, anything longer than 3 years is just gambling as we do not know what the future will bring, especially with Amazon in the mix. It has been many months since I have been to a Costco since I know like the convenience of Amazon, especially with the Prime account (like a Costco membership) where I get free 2-day delivery. I expect in less than three years the Prime account will be same-day free delivery. If the city and Costco gets to am impasse in this, perhaps Costco can bond themselves in a way that if the subsidy is not paid off in a reasonable amount of time, we get to call the bond.

Reading the editorial it sure sounds like this was written by the Chamber of Commerce who has never seen a development they did not like.

In the article it states "The city could borrow internally from the approximately $195 million in total cash and investments available in city-controlled funds, or the city could take a conventional bank loan." No fricken way! That money is for post-retirement liabilities as well as capital replacement fund. Those funds should not be jeopardized to help finance a private corporation.

The headline is also incorrect. The voters did not want a Costco. Rather they wanted the process to continue which may, or may not, include a Costco but they wanted the public process to continue. I do think the city did hear from enough concerned residents on the amount of subsidies that were being discussed so they are negotiating with Costco on this now.

Local- your assessment of the voters will is inaccurate. All of the yes on MM signs, websites etc specifically stated NO ON COSTCO. Its disingenuous to state otherwise. I think the headline is an accurate depiction of the vote and the voters mind set.

Gridlock traffic and much more to come when and if Costco goes in on the "cut through" of Stoneridge Drive.

If you vote for a big box with high traffic issues, you get more traffic.

You get what you vote for, the good and the bad.

I don't think I was alone in voting NO on MM because I was interested in the council continuing discussions with Costco AND was hopeful the city would not continue with the unreasonable public subsidy.

oh please. There is no signed deal. There is no signed lease. And, let's be clear, the lease would be between Costco and developer, not the city.
Hold up was FREE parking for a business and near monopoly on gas. When those 2 did not gain traction it became the 'deal' the city has not signed, voted or anything on. Oh, let's not forget the traffic (reality would be less regional traffic). Oh, and then the Trump type attack that the mayor had a few costco shares in a mutual fund. even THAT fizzled.
2/3 of voters (Pleasanton) did not care for any of the issues brought up.
Shoppers to a NEW Costco won't care about any 'deal' the city may or may not make. The parking lot will be FULL. And hopefully the Danville location will have FEWER customers (really, all I care about).
Build it.

Come on Folks, our youngsters need jobs ad this is a perfect place for them to start. It will bring more money into Pleasanton. Quit hashing it out ad get the building up and running. Pleasanton needs a Costco, why give Livermore and Danville our hard earned cash when we can start doing for our own community. We voted for it, let us have our vote count.

Agree with Resident, my vote was a lets continue vs absolutely not.

If a fair deal isnt achieved no Costco

Sorry local not resident

Voting statistics for MM: 42,701 registered voters in Pleasanton; 21,532 voted No; 12,849 voted Yes; 8,320 did not vote. So a 62.63 percent No vote was less than 2/3 by 4%. Some numbers should be precise. I don't think anyone should speculate about why any individual voted one way or the other. So maybe the title could have been: What's the hold up with Costco?

Build it now! Please. Thanks to editorial board to keep this issue front and center. Our city council has no problem developing housing, so they can get it done and a majority voted to put a Costco there! Whats the hold up? Perfect location and great company. Costco, get more active in making this happen.

The 580/680 interchange is already a complete mess at all hours. If Costco and Ikea get built BEFORE the freeway interchanges are fixed, TRAFFIC BEDLAM!!! FIX THE FREEWAY FIRST!!!

Yes lets be precise out of 34381 people who voted 62.628% voted no and 37.372% (three digits precise enough?) voted yes. The other 8320 did not vote - either because they did not care or had something better to do. Don't know the reason to point out that the no vote was less than 2/3 of all potential voters by 4% other than another agenda... especially since this vote did not require a 2/3's approval. The vast majority of the pro-mm positioning was anti-Costco (including yard signs etc with a circle with a slash through it over COSTCO). Clearly if MM had passed- well the people would have spoken that they don't want a Costco (or any other big box retailer).

A fitness center? Spudsport is right down the street and 24 hour is not far off. GO COSTCO! I am ready for cheap gas and cheap hot dogs. That is progress.

sumati, absolutely precisely, 2/3 of voters didn't vote no, 2/3 of those voting voted no. I voted Yes, but not because I didn't want a Costco; I don't particularly care what goes on that land. As a taxpayer, however, I don't want to lend money to Costco or anyone else for any length of time. So this statement: "well the people would have spoken that they don't want a Costco (or any other big box retailer)" is incorrect for my individual vote. Who knows, I might join again if Costco gets built.

Costco wants to build their store in Pleasanton primarily because their Livermore store is stressed to the max. More than twenty thousand Pleasanton residents are Costco members.

Building a Costco in Pleasanton is good business sense. Pleasanton city staff will negotiate with Costco to get an agreement that will work for Costco and will work for the city of Pleasanton.

KR: good grief, if one says 2/3 voted no they are more right than incorrect. the simple fact is MM lost by a landslide. Is that better? the voting folks want a costco and that is very very clear. The REGION wants another costco.
Just a few here and a business or 2 didn't want a costco.
You know this comment area gets things wrong more often than not. Need I mention Lund Ranch debacle?

We don't know the vote was FOR a Costco. Here is the quote I take exception to: 2/3 of voters (Pleasanton) did not care for any of the issues brought up No matter; it happens or it doesn't. Again, my issue is subsidies, not if it is a Costco or a Nordstrom Rack.

It all boils down to the fact that the minority lost the vote along with Blacktie Limo and deep pockets, thieving Shell oil so now the city needs to step up and work out an agreement with Costco, the developers, and us taxpayers with something that we can all live with which probably means "we" will be hiring more consultants thereby dragging the whole process a lot longer and costing us more money. Starting to sound like the 2 new tennis courts at valley and hopyard, in less than a year the construction price has doubled, and the city is hiring a construction management firm for the project for an additional $56,880 because they say the city engineering dept has a heavy workload??? Sounds like they need a consulting firm to study time management at those offices downtown.

KR: gosh, nearly 2/3 of those who decided to go out and vote overwhelming said NO to blocking a Costco type (sized) retailer at THAT location. Is that better? As has been posted since day 1: there is no signed deal. No deal has been voted on by the city council. There is no signed lease with Costco. And, keep in mind, the city is NOT the landlord.
And no matter what is agreed to, the parking lot will be full and a majority of the shoppers will reside in Pleasanton. And 'not many' will care about any 'deal'; they will be happy they have a closer Costco than what is currently available. This forum was wrong and it wasn't the first time. Makes you wonder, huh?

What I wonder about is why you're so concerned about a Costco in Pleasanton when you don't even live here ! You've already got one about 2 miles from San Ramon now go beat the crowd and get your $ 1.50 hotdog and chocolate Frosty

Visitor, Not really. I understand the facts, including the potential for subsidies--ones that won't come out of your pocket if you are in San Ramon. If "'not many' will care about any 'deal'" involving taxpayer funds, well, that's a very sad day, every day, and spread out over many years. "they will be happy they have a closer Costco"--sure, but it's hard to look at a privileged society that thinks seven miles is a burden. So if there aren't subsidies, and/or Costco doesn't sign, I *wonder* what we'll have then.

If it were a simple matter of Costco just leasing some suitable existing space and moving in then there wouldn't be too much argument here. But that's not the situation. Big infrastructural improvements will have to be made to accommodate the large Costco store. If Costco itself were willing to pick up the bill for all those infrastructural improvements then, again, there wouldn't be much of an argument here. But that's not the situation, either. Costco lawyers are going to go head-to-head against Pleasanton city lawyers to see how much financial burden each side is going to bear. In a contest like that, my money is on the Costco lawyers taking the Pleasanton city lawyers to the cleaners. That cheap Costco gasoline may turn out to be much more expensive than you thought if you're a tax-paying Pleasanton resident. In negotiations, it's never a good idea to appear to be too eager to make a deal.

Costco has a greater need to build a store in Pleasanton then Pleasanton has the need for Costco to be built.

@Michael Austin: "Costco has a greater need to build a store in Pleasanton then Pleasanton has the need for Costco to be built."

Maybe and maybe not. But I absolutely guarantee you that that is one thing that the Costco lawyers will never, ever, ever say during their negotiations with Pleasanton. They will, however, point out the fact that many Pleasanton residents will be very upset with the city of Pleasanton and with the lawyers representing the city if the deal falls apart, and they will use that to leverage their position to the maximum during negotiations. The Costco lawyers are good lawyers, and like all good lawyers they play hardball for their client. Would you expect any less from your own lawyer?

The debate is over. The vote is in. It is done. It is time now to start the tractors and move the dirt. For those who are still arguing and debating, no matter your dismay, disenfranchisement, dislike, disillusionment, disgust, and every other 'd' word, you have to live with the fact that it is going to be built.

I've spoken with several people that thought voting No was against the Costco. I'm not sure they would have won if it had been clearly written. Many people also told me that Costco was paying for the infrastructure improvements, which I knew was incorrect. Never the less, let the dust fly and the pyramids come down!

Pleasanton needs Costco now! I would be fine with the city paying all the infrastructure costs. Costco in pleasanton is about quality of life for me, it would save me time on the freeways every week. 20k households in town are members! Get it done!

@David

The infrastructure costs for a Pleasanton Costco run up to $26 million from what I have read. Given your own estimate of 20,000 households in Pleasanton using Costco, that works out to a cost of about $1300 per household. That's a mighty expensive tank of gas.

@Sam

I would save about $10 a week if I could buy Costco gas, 500 a year. 1300 doesn't seem too much to me given a 2 or 3 year payback. But my main reason is quality of life, would save me about 30 minutes in the car every trip.

Sam:

On September 01, 2016 you posted on this forum supporting a no vote on Measure MM.

On June 01, 2017 you posted comment on this forum, "you are still against Costco".

Your posts state you are from "another Pleasanton neighborhood", Vineyard Hills neighborhood, Oak Hills neighborhood.

Obviously you are just another anonymous TROLL that does not know where you are, and do not know what you support.

I think what has been posted here over and over with regards to Costco is those driving farther away currently would be happier for a closer location. Has nothing to do with being 'privileged' but more to do with convenience. And keep in mind less traffic region wise. A good benefit, no?
End of day a shopper or potential shopper won't think about what the City, the developer or anybody has been paid/pay subsidy wise. Be happy not all families even need to do Costco type shopping, so not like it will create a stampede of brand new costco members. And keep in mind it won't just be Pleasanton residents shopping at a possible new Costco.

@Michael Austin

I have always signed myself as "Sam from Oak Hill" and never as a Sam from any other neighborhood. Has it ever occurred to you that the other "Sam"s are completely different people unrelated to me? Or do you think that the name "Sam" is such a rare and unusual one that no one else could possibly think of using it?

Also, did it occur to you that IF I wanted to sign onto these forums as another "persona" that using the EXACT SAME name of "Sam" and merely changing the name of my neighborhood would be a ridiculously transparent and ineffective cover?

Your "TROLL" accusation was way out of line.

@David

If you and other very enthusiastic supporters of a Pleasanton Costco are willing to voluntarily pay $1500 out of your own pockets to make a Pleasanton Costco happen and leave the rest of us out of it, I have no objections.

@sam: you know that no deal has been signed or voted on by the council? No lease has been signed between the developer and Costco? Not even sure a letter of intent has been signed. There is no deal.

Sam, Its hard to take that last comment seriously. We are talking about public infrastructure improvements, no a private drive for Costco members. That being said, If I invested 1500 and could get 500 back every year, that's a pretty phenomenal rate of return! I'd have to be an idiot not to do it, over and over if I could.

My wife and I both work full time and we have two young children. Our time is precious with our kids and 1-2 hours saved every month is a big deal for us. It means more park time, trips to the library, or just time to relax as a family. Even without the clear economic benefit to our household budget it is still a no brainer, at least for us.

If I can save 10 miles in the car twice a month thats about a gallon of gas. Multiply that by 20,000 members. 20,000 fewer gallons burned in the Tri-valley every month, that's good for everyone's air.

I would be thrilled if the city leaders can make it happen, if you are reading this please do everything you can. Its not too often that investment of public resources into a project is such a clear win in terms of economics, community quality of life, and the environment.

@David

All I'm saying is that you can only speak for yourself when saying that you would be willing to pick up the entire estimated bill of about $1500 per household for infrastructure improvements for Costco. I'm a Costco customer, too. Yeah, it would be convenient to have a Costco in Pleasanton. I'm not categorically opposed to a Pleasanton Costco. I just don't want them or any other store to get a sweetheart deal from the city at my expense.

Oh, and as for "investing" 1500 and getting back 500 per year, yes, that is a phenomenal amount of return. But you're already getting that $500 in annual savings regardless by going to the Livermore or San Ramon Costco, remember?

Yes I agree, I can only speak for myself and my view of the situation. Also, I am not saying that we should not negotiate for the best deal we can get, that's just responsible government. I think both sides should seek a fair deal in recognition that welcoming Costco will be a win for the city and for Costco. In other words, we don't need to roll out a red carpet, but we also don't need to put up a red velvet rope. Lets make a deal and welcome Costco as a corporate citizen.

Just to clarify, I dont get the 500 savings annually now because Costco is too far from my driving patterns to stop in for gas. I have two cars and I dont make weekly trips to Costco for gas in both of them. My estimate of $10/week savings was based on an estimate of 5 or 6 additional trips to Costco just for gas, plus the reduced gas usage because of less miles driven for my regular Costco trips.

If the Johnson Dr. deal falls through, my bet is Costco is eyeing the 680/84 interchange, outside of Pleasanton city limits!

Cheers!

At no matter what costs, I don't want the traffic. More and more people are dying on I-580/I-680. There are already too many big rigs.