These countless lawsuits to prevent Costco in Pleasanton is ridiculous. Over and over again an overwhelming number of Pleasanton citizens want Costco. Please let them build the warehouse! Are these the SAME group of people who SHOT down Home Depot at Bernal & Stanley only to let over 250 plus HIGH DENSITY apartments to be built in exact location! Everyone in Pleasanton can shop at Costco and receive tax benefits - more housing will only bring more traffic without any additional benefit to the rest of the community.

Actually it was closer to 350 apartments and yes this is part of the group that opposed the Home Depot at the corner of Stanley and Beral.

More Pleasanton businesses mean more Pleasanton jobs means more need to build more Pleasanton apartments and housing in order to satisfy state requirements. Anyone have any idea of how many jobs are associated with a Costco warehouse? Just asking.

Enough is enough! I think there should be a law that will make the plaintiff to pay for all the court costs as well as miscellaneous costs. Today, if someone doesn't get his or her way, sue! Enough is enough!

At this point all you can do is shake your head, laugh, and start spending your money in Contra Costa County where the sales tax is lower and deny any revenue to the city and county.

You realize that with an extra Costco in town we would probably still be able to get enough toilet paper, water, and dry goods as we prepare for the virus.

Thanks Matt.

Pleasanton has rejected a larger WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot, Movie Theaters, additional BART parking, a dozens of revenue producing projects, our roads are crumbling and a $325M school bond was voted down, there's a disconnect between growth, revenues and costs , costs are going up, services declining and no plan other than raise taxes on residents, this is unacceptable, Dublin has sucked our tax dollar north of 580 and Livermore to our West doing the same, enough poor planning and ridiculous law suits,if we don't plan Gov't in Sacramento will mandate use to their ideas not what we want

Matt Sullivan please move out of Pleasanton, you’re just costing the tax payor more money. You are ridiculous!

I voted no against Measure M.
I am not ready to raise my flag on mount NO vote.
Not all ballots have been counted, YET.

Matt Sullivan - what are you doing !?!?! Enough already. Just stop with your completely self serving and selfish ways.

Sullivan is the ring leader for PCRG but who are those people. How about gas stations, hotels and et.al. who don’t want competition and abuse our regulations to delay projects and protect their profits— not our environment. What about unions who want labor agreements otherwise they fund opposition too. So much for our democratic process when the people have voted and numerous public hearings have vetted the development. Sullivan and his group are the villains and spending our tax monies.

Dear Organic, I used to think new housing here caused more street traffic but now I believe the major employment centers cause traffic from cheaper housing elsewhere. We actually need more range of houses in Pleasanton so people can drive shorter distances to Hacienda and Bishop Ranch or WorkDay who employ thousands. Because Silicon Valley has not provided their share, the freeway traffic has increased significantly and our house prices have gone up due to Bay Area location. Housing for seniors, 2-3 bedroom townhouses, patio homes, etc are woefully needed

Seriously, no matter what the EIR says, it probably isn't going to be good enough for Matt Sullivan and his shadow backers.

If the Costco gets built, Black Tie might have to relocate to a building with an actual parking lot for its employees - imagine that. Then, I wouldn't have to worry about hitting their drivers that park and cross the road all the time. I'm actually looking forward to a future of self driving cars which might eliminate the need for these types of transportation companies and their drivers - maybe we can have a Costco then?

The City needs to take Matt on in court this time and not go back to the drawing board voluntarily to redraft the EIR. If the City did the EIR right they should win. If they didn't, heads should roll at the City given they have had plenty of time to get this right. I'm guessing Matt's plan is to continue to attack the EIR and delay the project so Costco eventually walks away and opens down the street in Dublin or San Ramon.

Then we can all sit back and whine about a lack of tax revenue, bicker about a bond measure, build more high density housing, and complain about losing our small town feel. Rinse and repeat.

I've lived here since 2002, but given how mismanaged the city and school district are I would move to Danville, Dublin, or San Ramon in a hot second if my kids weren't so tied into their local friends.

The proposed Costco backs up to waste treatment ponds. The location is unsuitable for anything except a business like Costco. I probably spend ten thousand dollars annually at Costco - too bad my tax revenue goes to all the cities around us.

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TOO MANY PERSONAL ATTACKS AGAINST MATT SULLIVAN ON THIS FORUM!!!
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That’s enough.. I want a Costco there!
Why the heck do you like to create unnecessary trouble.
Who asked you for it? I think you must be sponsored by these big builders who wants a high density residential which yields money.
So please shut your crap up and let there be Costco!
You will have another source of toilet papers for you to hoard.

This is ridiculous. They don't represent Pleasanton as the voting showed. Can someone post the lawsuit so we can see who's behind this organization? Since the Matt Sullivan supporters infer he's not. Then we can figure out who's supporting this effort. I'd chip in $ to place a counter lawsuit (on their company or personal assets) and then let's see if it's worth it to them. If it's a business, then I won't patronize their establishment. Obviously trying to stall/block all this so Costco (or whoever else may want to use the space) will just bow out. We've spent a year wasting time where we could soon be collecting taxes to help our public services and schools, instead of having to rely solely on a new bond to help with our aging schools - which I'm sure a majority of these same Pleasanton citizens voted against as they don't want a direct tax on them. There are companies moving out of Pleasanton (e.g. Patelco), and responsible growth means finding new companies to sustain levels of taxes. Don't let Pleasanton Citizens for Responsible Growth hide behind their group name. It's no beautiful day in this neighborhood!

Costco provides decent paying "Union" jobs. Support unionization please and let's get this store built.

Matt Sullivan also voted to reduce Owen's drive to one lane in front of bart. He was either paid off or simply makes real poor decisions. When I see his name all I can think of is this guy is corrupt or just plain stupid. So if Matt's against it I'm for it and Visa versa. The way I see it not enough attacks on these slimeball. # get lost matt.

Two serious questions. If it's not Costco what is it? What is this groups real motivation behind blocking this?

By all accounts Costco provides well paying jobs and would provide a service that the majority of residents have clearly decided they want by voting for it. Instead of constantly trying to raise local taxes on residents, why not let a large company pay those taxes?

It's hard to buy the legitimacy of this lawsuit being strictly an environmental concern. Is it going to be another housing developer getting a sweetheart deal to add high density housing that only puts more pressure on schools that are filling up?

Two serious questions. If it's not Costco what is it? What is this groups real motivation behind blocking this? By all accounts Costco provides well paying jobs and would provide a service that the majority of residents have clearly decided they want by voting for it. Instead of constantly trying to raise local taxes on residents, why not let a large company pay those taxes? It's hard to buy the legitimacy of this lawsuit being strictly an environmental concern. Is it going to be another housing developer getting a sweetheart deal to add high density housing that only puts more pressure on schools that are filling up?

Go get em' Matt--screw Costco..people need to get off their fat asses and drive to Livermore or San Ramon

Matt Sullivan, Please move out of Pleasanton!

Matt Sullivan: the sore loser that won't go away. the sore loser that will not accept a democratic decision by the voters of Pleasanton.
why don't you just give it a rest? Why don't you instead go after Walmart? Now that is a place that only sells cheap garbage and exploits their workers. I will take Costco over any Walmart, anytime!

Mr Sullivan also headed up the delay on completing Stoneridge Drive to El Charro by filing endless frivolous lawsuits claiming environmental damage. His group said there was an endangered plant which turned out to be a common weed. How often do those people now use that street to get home when I580 is backed up or to visit aging parents at the senior housing complex.

Well, I don't think anyone can stop Costco from coming in - couldn't stop Walmart, Home Depot, Oracle, WorkDay, etc. etc. Face it, 580/680 corridor is changed forever and not slowing down. Be grateful we still have a 'cute' downtown for now and it doesn't have a lot of expansion space to turn into another high rise and crowded downtown like some other areas. We live across from the mall and know the Cost Plus shopping center will go next - only a couple of stores left on their lease and WorkDay will likely expand their buildings in that space. Grateful we still have hiking trails nearby to have the ability to get out in the wilderness and pretty sure they will stay intact.

To the posters: Voters agreed to the size of a facility, not specifically for Costco. Something is going in that spot and voters already chose a big box type of store. Also, didn’t the deal include some type of loan where the city won’t benefit from taxes for 20 years?

To Matt: I agree with others on two points: this community deserves to know just who you are the front man for (or is transparency only required for the city you are suing?) and you definitely need to stop spending our money (can the city make Matt’s organization pay when they lose?). It is obvious you have very little, if any, support for this crusade. You are not representing consumers or taxpayers here.

It must take some Olympic caliber mental gymnastics for someone to continue to file lawsuits like this with a straight face demanding EIRs on a parcel next to the waste water ponds, a hotel that’s the epicenter of shady business in town, and a “limo” business that transports, I’m sure, all the highest caliber clients.

Those gas station owners must be really rolling in dough to keep propping up this front man so they don’t lose their cash cow.

Pleasantonians screaming about not having a Costco when there are already just not one, but two Costcos nearby - 10 minutes down the freeway in one direction, and 15 minutes down the freeway in the other direction.

Welcome to the First World Problems of Pleasantonians.

While I do not like the attacks on one of our neighbors, we have to understand that Matt lives near the construction site. It smells very NIMBY. But are there legitimate concerns that the City did not conduct the proper study here? I say build it. But what are the specific concerns other than the impact by a crapper plant is lower than portrayed?

A search on Matt’s group only shows an old website and a facebook page. Not real clear who are the members of this group that is suing the city again. Doesn’t look to be a very transparent group. Does anyone have any information? Who are they, who is funding them, etc? There appears to be many cities across the county that use the same name. Is this a national organization that is funding a local group to fight a decision that was voted on and decided by the citizens of Pleasanton?

What kind of games ate being played here by this group?

Maybe we sould all send tweets to Matt at Matt Sullivan@Mjs7882?

Or emails to mjs7882@gmail.com?

i think everyone is missing the point. Matt knows it wont win, he knows they dont stand a chance in court. this is just a delay tactic. the longer the area goes without costco, specifically gas, the longer the gas stations can have little competition which means more sales for them. it does not cost a ton of money to file a suit. Matt is just delaying the inevitable so he can make a few extra bucks in the meantime.

its ridiculous and eventually he will lose interest or money and we will all get our costco. maybe we can call the huge parking lot the "Matt Sullivan parking lot" in his honor

maybe the weekly can contact matt and ask him why he filed the lawsuit:
Web Link

To the Anti-Matt Lynch Mob (and Costco lobbyist-trolls),

The lawsuit was filed due to the inadequacy of the environmental study, which is our right under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), one of the few laws that protects the public against corporations and polluters like Costco and the politicians they have in their pockets like so much loose change. The PW has posted links to the full lawsuit text and our press release so you can read the details there. If you don’t like our group exercising its rights under the law (that is also called democracy) just because its inconvenient for you to get your hot dogs and toilet paper, call your state senator and change the law.

This project is an environmental and traffic disaster, and the city and Costco are intentionally hiding the impacts from you. That’s why the continued lawsuits. But there are many other problems with this project which were not on the ballot as part of Measure MM and which no one voted for.

1. The city is providing almost $20 million in taxpayer subsidies to Costco for this project, a $100 billion corporation. PCRG conducted an independent economic study for these subsides and determined that we may not break even for 20 years. A truly bad investment of taxpayer money. This was not on the ballot, and in fact, the city lied about the existence of the subsides which were being negotiated with Costco during the Measure MM campaign, which if known, may very well have changed the outcome of the election.

2. The Costco gas station with have 40 pumps, making it one of the largest gas stations in the entire state of California. Did you know this? You wouldn’t unless you read the EIR, which my guess is that very few in the lynch mob have. This was also not on the ballot.

3. The city staff wants to build a palatial new Civic Center on the Bernal Parklands. The Bernal Park plan was also placed on the ballot for public approval back in the early 2000’s and the site was approved for a public amphitheater and other arts uses, not a new civic center. Since Costco won’t provide any revenue to the city for many years it’s a throw away to get the Transit Occupancy Tax from the two hotels approved for the JDEDZ. This is the real funding source intended to build the new city hall. Costco is just the enticement to get the project approved.

Finally, there is a lot of talk about “democracy” and “the will of the people” on this thread going back to 2014 when the project was first proposed. As someone who served two City Council terms, six years on the Planning Commission, and several city committees over the years, I think I know something about democracy. And the process used for Costco ain’t it! The city and Costco have been dishonest about the approval process, the environmental impacts, the subsidies, the collusion with the Chamber of Commerce to gain business support, and the real motivations for the project since day one. Democracy is much more than an uniformed vote. We are the people fighting for democracy.

And no, I’m not moving out of town.

Matt

So I read the press release and the court petition. While I see your group referenced the only name I see anywhere is yours.

It say the group is made up of concerned citizens, business owners, etc. but who ate they?

Don’t you think in the spirit of transparency and democracy, the people of Pleasanton deserve to know who is actually behind the lawsuit besides just you?

This is the type of information I want to I clearly understand both sides of the issue.

I have been a citizen of Pleasanton and I think I have a right to know.

Why all the secrets? Are you and your group just playing the same kind of games as the city?

Sorry for the typos. Using my phone.

Amen Joe P. Keep the pressure on, and the city leaders accountable. Bad deal!
Thank you Matt.

Enough is enough already. The clear majority of people in Pleasanton clearly support the COSTCO. Two EIR's are more than enough. This Pleasanton Citizens for Responsible Growth group is clearly financed by local businesses that don't want COSTCO competition. They want to keep gouging us with overpriced gasoline. This group is only against COSTCO, but any other development that adds more potential customers is just wonderful even if it has much more negative impact on Pleasanton. Matt is clearly a misguided pawn heading up their plan to block COSTCO and has lost all credibility.

Matt, You gain nothing by calling those who are concerned about your actions a lynch mob. Stand up for that democracy you claim to know and tell us who you are representing. Present your side (as you have in part) because this is an intelligent community that will listen to the facts. If you cannot be honest, you will continue to meet loud opposition. You owe the voters transparency.

I haven't followed this Pleasanton Costco proposal closely, but I do notice a pattern in the debates here: Matt Sullivan writes fact-filled posts supported with clear reasoning. On the other hand, his pro-Costco opponents here tend to focus on personally attacking Matt and questioning his motives. Facts and clear reasoning from one side. A torrent of bitter, ad hominem attacks from the other side.

Matt

One more thought....

I would really like to attend an info session that reviews the facts, without all the other BS, to really understand the issue.

How do we manage to get both sides together in a mon-confrontational manner to actual learn about and understand both sides?

As a community leader, is that something you can help organize? Letters to the editor and this site really aren’t very effective if you really want to understand this issue.

Please just build it. Livermore Costco and Costco gas is so crowded. Build one in Dublin if Pleasanton doesn't let you. Or extend the hours they're open.

@Karl,
I think the idea of a community forum / panel discussion is a good one.
If there is support for the idea from both sides and residents, maybe we could put it together as a public service.
We'd need to find a venue large enough that would host it at no or little cost though.

Are you currently or in the past 2 years been affiliated with, a representative for or otherwise linked to any business that considers Costco a competitor?

A simple yes or no will suffice. i think we (citizens of pleasanton) at least deserve an answer to this question

Why do we need a Costco? There is one in Livermore and one in san Ramon, it’s literally a 12 minute drive in either direction

Another waste of time and money. Unfortunately California laws permit these endless baseless lawsuits. The law needs to be changed to force hired guns like Sullivan to disclose the names of people and business backing these lawsuits and we need a loser pays law.

Matt,

Thank you for spelling out the concerns. However it seems your concerns are not really around environmental impact which is likely to blame for the confusion on this board.

Your first point is a good one that I agree with. We should not be subsidizing the building of Costco. This is similar to cities subsidizing new arenas for sports teams that the billionaire owners should be paying for. That said, there is no correlation here to environmental concerns.

Second point. Admittedly did not know that there would be 40 pumps. That said this is not dissimilar to most Costco Gas Stations. The reality is the gas here will help lower gas prices throughout Pleasanton. I personally choose to support the Gas Station on Main St and will likely continue to do so, but lowering costs for everyone in Pleasanton is not a bad thing. I understand that idling vehicles and gas spills do have inherent negative environmental impact that come from Gas Stations and this seems to be your one legitimate point regarding the environment.

Third point, don't really see the correlation here. I happen to also agree with you the city should not be building a new CIvic Center. There are much more pressing issues the city needs to focus on and the Bernal Park should remain as untouched as possible to preserve the wildlife there.

Despite the misinformation they may have put out to get the Costco proposal passed, it did pass. Is there any real outcome here besides delaying the now inevitable?

Matt, Democracy is a two way street! If you disclose the 'group' you are the spokesperson for, that will help the people who voted in favor of Costco to understand the true motivation of your lawsuits. Why are you not giving the facts of the group you are representing? In the absence of your explanation, everyone assumes you are representing the privileged few who don't want to lose their money making machine. State the facts of the group you are representing and let people make informed choice.

Justin,
At least no attacks. Just straight facts. I admire your post.
Agree that Matt may be delaying the inevitable- but I admire his conviction. I truly believe that he is trying to prevent a corrupt deal which provides excessive corporate welfare, and will harm our city.
Just my opinion.

Honestly.

If only people cared as much about the issues involving the Costco project, and less about having a Costco, just because.

People do not want to use our taxpayer dollars to improve our schools (Measure M), but they do want to use our $20 million taxpayer dollars to subsidize a $100 billion corporation.

I like how Matt states “ The lawsuit was filed due to the inadequacy of the environmental study”, then doesn’t state exactly what about the construction is harmful to the environment.

In fact, nearly all his reasons are centered around ECONOMIC ISSUES, not environmental.

Matt is nothing but a paid lobbyist dancing to his local business clients tune.

His screed is obviously contradictory and dishonest.

Dan

Didn’t see that Justin beat me to the punch.

Sorry for the overlap.

Sales tax dollars are important- but, when they are derived at the expense of reducing the Quality of Life for many citizens, other alternatives must be examined. There are several neighborhoods near the proposed "big box, club retail site" which will be severely impacted. I will be one of them. We don’t need the traffic, pollution or reduction in home values. Thank you Matt. I appreciate your efforts.

@Patcher - while I don't want to change the thread here, I think the failure of Measure M was more of a statement about the lack of information and progress from Measure I1. I've emailed the district at least 5 times to get any contact information for the oversight committee. None of those emails have been answered. People don't trust the district right now and there seems to be could reason. No communication, mistake after mistake, no response to the public, lack of public information on Measure I1 over the past 3+ years. Oh, and that solar system at AVHS? Still not producing electricity.

Back to the original. The city is not subsidizing Costco. Any information to the contrary is (in the words of the orange man in charge) fake news. True, Costco is not paying (immediately) for the change to the interchange and road, but then again, they don't own the roads. But in the long run, Costco is actually paying for them

PLEASE GO AWAY Matt Sullivan.

@Sarah P. - please be more specific on the "quality of life" statement you make. It seems to be the trend here is Pleasanton that if you don't like something, you just say that it will affect the quality of life, with no basis for that statement.

You say traffic. Gee, an extra 10 seconds of traffic is really going to cut into your spin class.
Pollution - Please give your references to how much pollution is going to increase. I did not see that in the EIP
Reduction in home value - What the are you talking about?

How about not having the Costco will negatively affect my QUALITY OF LIFE?

Loss of tax dollars to fund parks, relieve traffic, improve schools, improve housing, improve all city services.
Reduction of property values (as all those services continue to decline)
Increased pollution as more and more people continue to have to drive do other cities to shop where they want.

Honestly.

If only people cared as much about the issues involving the Costco project, and less about having a Costco, just because.

People won't use their taxpayer dollars to improve our schools (Measure M), but they sure are willing to fork over $20 million in taxpayer dollars to subsidize a $100 billion corporation.

If at first you don't succeed, sue sue again.

@Downtown Res - I guess we are just copying posts

@Patcher - while I don't want to change the thread here, I think the failure of Measure M was more of a statement about the lack of information and progress from Measure I1. I've emailed the district at least 5 times to get any contact information for the oversight committee. None of those emails have been answered. People don't trust the district right now and there seems to be could reason. No communication, mistake after mistake, no response to the public, lack of public information on Measure I1 over the past 3+ years. Oh, and that solar system at AVHS? Still not producing electricity.

Back to the original. The city is not subsidizing Costco. Any information to the contrary is (in the words of the orange man in charge) fake news. True, Costco is not paying (immediately) for the change to the interchange and road, but then again, they don't own the roads. But in the long run, Costco is actually paying for them

Honestly.

People don't show any genuine care about delving into the issues involving the Costco project, as much as they do about having a Costco, just because they want one.

People won't use their taxpayer dollars to improve our schools (Measure M), but they sure are willing to fork over $20 million in taxpayer dollars to subsidize a $100 billion corporation's project.

I'm all for a Costco near the waste treatment plant. However, the $20 million tax subsidy and 40 gas pumps is a huge red flag! In Civics class in high school we learned that good deals often have little parasites piggybacking on them and to keep an eye out for them. By forcing the city to readdress the EIR it is our opportunity to fix the bad parts they are trying to shove through hidden behind the good parts.

We need them to fatten up the benefits for the city and shrink the detriments. Get rid of the tax break and reduce the number of pumps. Livermore only has 12...and they need to make people in line shut off their cars while they wait...the polution from idling would be extremely high...now can you imagine 40 pumps and all the traffic along Johnson Drive for gas and costco. It really needs to be planned out well.

Thank you Matt for spearheading this and dealing with the uninformed voter backlash. I will however call out that your organization needs to be transparent to truly gain everyone's trust. The membership should be shared unless some of your backers have alterior motives. We learned to look into that in Civics 101 too...

Matt,

First off, I agree with Justin. Your points are mostly off topic to the EIR suit. They may be important for your personal motivations, but I think most of us would prefer you to stick to the suit you filed when defending the suit you filed, and leave the rest of it to a separate pet of your response.

I agree with Kathleen that you need to stop accusing people of being a lynch mob. I actually find that to be in incredibly poor taste, if you remember what those actually are. I don’t believe you fit the typical demographic of those victimized. I’m not expecting ting you to be totally calm when you’re under such personal scrutiny. Just don’t say this.

For what it’s worth, I’ve defended you when people say you should move. You have every right to engage in the democratic process—here, where you live.

But I do ask you, if this is about environmental impact, then pray tell what exactly should the city do to resolve your *environmental* concerns? Or is it more likely that you’re trying to abuse the EIR process in a game of chicken and would merely find all new grounds to sue on if the second one fails.

Sadly, whatever group files the suit is probably under capitalized and couldn’t pay a judgement for attorneys’ fees. However, I hope the courts would pierce the veil and pursue the principals.

I see a Costco build in Pleasanton as an addition improving the quality of life in Pleasanton.

Keep it up Matt.....

How do I sue the citizens group for public harassment? These people need need to be sued for civil disobedience and harassment. Going against the public vote to have Costco in our town. Go live in the mountains or leave the town if you want to live in the 1800s.

Matt Sullivan s like an infected pimple...ugly to look at and ready to get rid of it !!! Time to move on

First of all, I think it would be great to have Costco in Pleasanton, saves the drive to Costco in Livermore. The overriding problem is the location of the Costco in Pleasanton. If you have never driven on Stoneridge during a lunch hour try it. It's a mess

Too bad Workday gobbled up the store complex of Penneys and Cost Plus, that might of worked. Or where Sears once was and their parking lot.

Perhaps, Costco could build just the gas station at first and see how that affects traffic. Other Costco's don't have gas stations on the same property as their stores.

Bottom line, this site is a terrible location for a Costco.

Great points on measure M and distrust of the district. And it has nothing to do with the Costco project. Stop trying to distract from the facts.

Deplorables meet the lynch mob trolls. And consider boycotting those companies Matt is protecting. I stopped using airport service companies that employ reckless drivers. I receive much better service from ride share drivers who are motivated by stars at 1/2 the price. Gas is available ~1/2 mile in either direction of that nasty Shell.

Great points on measure M and distrust of the district. And it has nothing to do with the Cos2tco project. Stop trying to distract from the facts.

Deplorables meet the lynch mob trolls. And consider boycotting those companies Matt is protecting. I stopped using airport service companies that employ reckless drivers. I receive much better service from ride share drivers who are motivated by stars at 1/2 the price. Gas is available ~1/2 mile in either direction of that nasty Shell.

I can't help wondering whether any of the people so against a Costco gas station with 40 pumps have even looked at a map of the project. I don't know where highdiver does his/her Costco shopping, but the one in Livermore most certainly does have it's gas station right on the property. Parking lot signs caution against driving into the gas station from the wrong way.
Accusations seem to be flying on both sides of the argument with no evidence that corruption, misappropriation of funds, or other nefarious actions have occurred.
City council meetings on Costco were aired live and have been re-broadcast and are also available from Community TV 30 online at anytime any interested party wants to call them up. They are public meetings, minutes are on the city's website, and if all these folks think there is something wrong with the process, they need to take the time to view those meetings.
Council members receive their meeting packets at least a week in advance, and they study them before the meeting in order to formulate their own questions in order to clarify their understanding before voting. It's just wrong to accuse them of wrong-doing when they have worked extremely hard and long hours to do what they feel is best for the city, not just now but in the future.
The mayor and council members live in homes similar to ours, in various neighborhoods throughout our city. Nothing out of the ordinary, nice neighborhoods but not ostentatious by any means. They serve our community, and view their service as giving back to that community. We elected them, and re-elected them because of their dedication to the job and willingness to work at making our city work.
As a reward they are now being accused with no basis of taking monies, selling out to Costco or developers and of corruption in office. That is just plain wrong, and somebody needs to stand up and say so. Oh, wait. I guess I just did.

I spent an additional 25 minutes on the road yesterday going to and from Costco in Danville. Everyone from Pleasanton that shops at Costco having in either Danville or Livermore has to do the same thing. Yeah, that sure makes a lot of environmental sense. This should be thrown out. The shadow group lead by Mistruth Matt lost an election driven by fear of traffic apocalypse and a deceptively worded ballot, tried gathering signatures for another election to turn over the previous using signature gatherers spewing bold faced lies, sued the city and got their wishes in court for a longer more expensive environmental report which was done, payed for by us and approved and now they are suing and are going to cost the city more. The best I can do is we’ve stop buying fuel and car washes in town and we recently rented a limousine from a smaller much less expensive company for airport transfer. Out next big vote will be an EV purchase so they never see another red cent.

People it's time for us all to stand up against Matt and sue him for these meaningless lawsuits that is costing us taxpayers thousands of dollars. Matt, you are an idiot and obviously hell-bent about something with the City of Pleasanton. Why don't you move away into the mountains so you don't have to worry about people at all, just animals. Maybe you'll be happier? WE ALL WANT COSCO!

People it's time for us all to stand up against Matt and sue him for these meaningless lawsuits that is costing us taxpayers thousands of dollars. Matt, you are obviously hell-bent about something with the City of Pleasanton. Why don't you move away into the mountains so you don't have to worry about people at all, just animals. Maybe you'll be happier? WE ALL WANT COSCO!

Matt, of course, you won't move :-)

Why would you lose the $$$$$ that the group is paying you to spend tax payer money.

Matt, you know how we want the orange man to release his taxes, so we can see how his personal holdings affect his national decisions? We the people want to know who is in your citizens group for the same reasons.

Me personally I think that is a terrible location traffic wise for a Costco, but the people have voted yes, so I say let it be built. You can't stop progress. Give it up already

As far as I'm concerned the ship has already sailed on Costco and I'm actually surprised that they haven't pulled out and moved on. This has been going on for way too long. Sales tax is 1 1/2% less at the Danville store anyway so I shop there for taxable items and in Livermore for gas & food.
As for Sullivan...he always seems to be on the side of the opposition when it comes to anything being built in Pleasanton, but nobody seems to know who he actually represents. Maybe its time for him to run for city council again or planning commission, then he'll be working for us and not some shadowy group.

The news headline is misleading - "Citizen group" seems to suggest that Pleasanton residents are against Costco which is not the case as evident from the democratic votes for Costco by the residents of Pleasanton.
Pleasanton Weekly should update the headline to reflect the reality, which in this case should read "Matt Sullivan and 3 other individuals file lawsuit to prevent Pleasanton Costco.

This so called "Citizen Group for responsible growth" does not even have a webpage - Just a generic Facebook page and does not list who and how many citizens they represent.
Hopefully the courts will throw out this lawsuit and prevent a few vested interests from stopping progress for the benefit of the majority of Pleasanton residents and the city.

I noticed on Matt’s Twitter page he has a picture of himself standing proudly with Bernie Sanders.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. And I don’t mean this to be an attack on Matt.

But as I have observed Bernie Sanders during this election cycle and last is that he is always claiming the people that don’t agree with him are corrupt, or under the influence of big bad business or beholden to billionaires.

I now understand Matt - his approach is exactly the same.

I do hope Gina is able to get him and the city to agree to a community forum so we can here Matt present actual facts that support all his corruption claims. I also hope he is finally made to tell the citizens of this city who have voted for the development of this site who the members of his group and stop hiding from us.

I will be surprised if he does agree because he has shown he has no respect for those who disagree with him and really has no desire to have civil discussion or debate about the facts.

This is demonstrated by his constant insistence that people who want a Costco just want $1.50 hot dogs and cheap toilet paper. His way to insult and question the intelligence of those who disagree with him.

5 justices of the supreme court decide the fate of many issues that affect 330 million citizens of USA.

Matt and a few individuals decide the fate of Costco or any other development that has been approved by the voters!!!

This is the irony of democracy. A few thousand dollars a month - perhaps more - can screw the democracy in Pleasanton.

The question about "who is he/she the front man for" is a very valid one in many ways when it comes to governing, rather it's local, state or federal. Was Obama the front man for George Soros (who averaged visiting the White House 80 times/year during Obama's administration). One might ask, who is Joe Biden the front man for, as Old Joe is obviously losing his faculties and is no way capable of being President except in title only.

Having lived in Pleasanton for over three decades, I can tell you it is a payola-driven and influence-peddling form of local government.

Lots of criticism of Matt and conspiracy theories.
A few of us think his intentions are for good and this deal which is now $25 million stinks. I’m not against Costco. I just want a deal which does not make us borrow money and robs our sales tax of millions is $$ for 20 years.

Matt is just exercising his rights as an American and a Californian. We shouldn't attack him for that but rather be thankful that we live in country where we can raise our voices to fight for what we believe in. If you don't like what he is doing, contact your state representatives and tell them to change the overbearing and restrictive CEQA laws and requirements!

If a Costco is built on Johnson Drive the traffic will be terrible. This project is being referred to as "Nightmare on Johnson Street"! Although some may thing this is an ideal location, I know many who think it's a terrible idea. Thank you Matt for going up against the Big Dogs! Don’t let them bring you down. You still have lots of support.

I shouldn't respond because it's a waste of time and will just trigger more outrage from the lynch mob, but I can tell you that no one is paying me to fight the I'll-conceived Costco. Some of us still want to make a difference without anything in it personally for us - except a more just and sustainable society.

First, stop with the traffic fraud talking point. It’s tiring and disingenuous.

Secondly, my civil rights of an election process that was suppose to guarantee my voice be counted was violated and stolen from those of us that voted for the Costco project to go through. Matt Sullivan’s outrage and whining is a reminder to us all of a certain someone who went on tour and made a profession of it based on the last election.

Please spare us Matt of your cries of: “ Some of us still want to make a difference without anything in it personally for us - except a more just and sustainable society.” You also remind me of Comey and his tweets on Twitter. Your quote is making me stick my finger down my throat.

You want a sustainable society? Then let the winning voters ‘make a difference’ and enjoy a Costco in their city after participating in their civic duty.

Gotta ask the question- did I miss the vote on Costco? If so, were the details of the deal given?
Voted against MM. Terrible initiative. Why limit a business to 50,000/sf??
I wish that I could vote on this deal made by the city for Costco. I want Costco- but not at this price.
Keep up the fight Matt.

"...and sustainable society."

Nothing says "sustainable" like shutting down a grocery source that is economical, right Matt?

Breathtakingly hypocritical.

Dan

“No one is paying me” really? You’re bank rolling this whole sham? You personally paid the signature collectors to lie to the public out in front of Walgreens? No free gas, no free limo rides? Where is the money coming from Matt?

Owen's drive to one lane
I'm questioning Matt's judgement or integrity or both. Lynch mob Matt clearly is an idiot or corrupt.
Owen's drive reduced to one lane.
I rest my case #get lost matt

according to Mr. Sullivan, what is a sustainable society and what does it have to do with a CostCo lawsuit? Talk about a reach or rationalization. I suppose Matt thinks he knows how we should shop. At small co-ops which only deals in bartered organic vegetables and requires you to bring your own containers and volunteer in a communal garden out back. He really needs to move to Boulder CO or Berkeley CA where he will fit in and quit trying to be the superior person he dreams of being. The lawsuit actually claims the incremental air quality impacts is the issue and will affect the houses across I680. Air emissions don’t travel upwind Matt. I guess we’d have to close the freeway, stop all development regionally, and ban cars from city streets. Stay tuned...

Matt, Quit using the lynch mob statement. It’s insulting and offensive. And stop already with the accusations of collusion, dishonesty, and calling people names. It shows your true self, that you just care about the fight. It’s not an inadequate EIR and you are filing a frivolous lawsuit abusing CEQA to stop a project instead of finding true environmental mitigation. State legislators are well aware of people like you and that’s why amendments are being addressed to stop the abuse.

Is deferring sales tax a bad thing to reimburse CostCo to do freeway on ramp improvements that were in our CIP anyways? And it gets Caltrans to prioritize its funding too for this work. Sounds like a cooperative agreement and not a subsidy to me. I mean, we need to attract business here because it is such a pain in the rear to get a shovel turned.

Finally, saying the hotel occupancy tax is the overriding reason to get a new civic center built is absurd. What about hotels (andCostco) being the most appropriate freeway oriented uses sandwiched between the sewage ponds and I680.

David- You know enough to be dangerous, but not much more. You toss around acronyms like EIR and CIP, but you certainly do not understand their processes. The Stoneridge Drive offramp is in the CIP to accommodate Costco, two hotels, and the three-fold increase in traffic now cutting through Pleasanton from 580 to 680 and in reverse, during peak hours.

Matt is fighting for my air quality. He is willing to stand up for clean air for my family, and for clean air for Pleasanton. The environmental studies should have included all of the new growth going into Dublin and Pleasanton but it did not. If the city and Costco need to falsify environmental studies in order to get approval, then I say we should reject Costco. We are not an island, the air quality in our valley is an accumulation of air contamination from commuters that cut through the valley, from Dublin, and from Pleasanton.

I would love to shop at Costco In Pleasanton, but breathing toxic air during or after construction is not worth it. And if this project is tipping the scale on our air quality, what will happen when the new apartments at Stoneridge mall come to the council? Will they rubberstamp that too? Who is watching out for our air quality?

When MM came to the ballot, none of this information was available so please don’t respond with “we voted for Costco” because a loss of air quality was not on the ballot.

Lupe, I’m sorry you are worried about air quality as I am too. The Tri Valley has long been in a non-attainment area due to topography, wind patterns. It’s improved over the years due to restricting wood burning, more electric cars, solar and energy efficient systems., BART, etc Unfortunately you are next to a major freeway used by Silicon Valley commuters and everyone leaving the Bay Area to get to I5 for Los Angeles travel. You are right, we don’t live on an island so we can not stop all development in San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Central Valley, and so forth. How you think leaving those vacate sites undeveloped or under-utilized is unrealistic.

The I680 on ramp and lane widening has been on CalTrans list for a long time and listed as unfounded CIP project by the City for years.

Almost forgot! Lupe, please try to be less condescending by posting I don’t know the processes and Im dangerous. If you want to explain your understanding or position, do it without hyperbole and add some respectful posting language. Thank you.

Stop with the bogus traffic and air quality scares. I didn’t hear Matt complaining about Workday or mass changes to the Stoneridge Mall. Apparently, some development is more appreciated than others. Will this be your go-to talking point for desired development projects in the future?

Dadgumit

Mr Sullivan: P L E A S E S T O P!

Your individual, selfish actions are costing all of us. You tried. Time to let go.

The world will not come to an end.

The citizens will have a wonderful place to shop local.

The city will Benefit


Honestly... I am truly, T R U L Y frustrated as I can be with your selfish behavior. YOU do not speak for me, and it’s obvious, based on prior votes of our citizens, YOU do not speak for anyone but yourself

Isn’t it Time to perhaps move sir? P L E A S E

And Matt protested the WalMart grocery store too despite it being a Nob Hill previously because according to him at the time, we dont need another grocery store. He doesn’t even live near near! He was just against WalMart. AKA any corporation he doesn’t like.

Agree with Lupe!
Keep fighting Matt!!

Matt, if you are so opposed to Costco because of all the reasons you state then why does your group not put up the money for a new referendum? Include all the alleged information you say the city and Costco attempted to hide and get that information out then LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

But you don't want to do this do you? Your "group" just wants to file lawsuits that all of us Pleasanton residents will have to pay to defend against. I hope the city takes discovery of you and your group to find out what your real motives are, and then files a cost-shifting motion for you to pay the costs of defense.

And when Costco does get built and the toilet paper craze is over, I'm forming a group to go T-P your house! I'll call it Pleasanton Citizens for Karma.

In fact, we need more homes in Pleasanton Web Link so that people have the opportunity to travel short distances to the Hacienda and Bishop ranks or WorkDay, where thousands of people work.

It’s improved over the years due to restricting wood burning, more electric cars, solar and energy efficient systems.

Wow, I looked on the City website about political contributions. Cox who is the owner of Shell gasoline stations in Pleasanton made a contribution over $1,000 to Karla Brown re-election. She has not supported a big box (aka Costco) in the Johnson Drive area. Wouldn’t Cox also be opposed to a Costco Gasoline station visible and accessible from the freeway. Ummmm

Karla Brown Supports the Costco build in Pleasanton!

Pleasanton Weekly article 02/05/20 Karla Brown is quoted "But I think we came to a place I can support".

I've lived in Pleasanton for 20+ years. I work in Pleasanton and have many friends that live here


I know this is anecdotal, but no sane person I know gives a monkey's toss about having a Costco in town..meaning, already enough options for shopping and commerce here...seriously get a life people and enjoy the outdoors a bit on a saturday afternoon. so sad the priorities or lack thereof

Majority of voters in Pleasanton overwhelmingly voted in support of a Costco build in Pleasanton. They were all sane and long time established residents of Pleasanton.

All of Pleasanton voters would want their tax dollars in Pleasanton coffers while helping to share cost of the build through their tax dollar revenue resulting from the Costco build.

Dear Paulsen, I care about Matt Sullivan and his group spending taxpayer money, making disingenuous environmental claims, and trying to usurp the majority. He is a megalomaniac just like the orange man.

Dear Austin, thanks for the clarification but it still feels weird that she took the larger contribution from Cox just like the $4,000 from the gravel company in the East Side Area. Her supporters say nothing but still bash developer and business contributions when they are far less in amount to other candidates.

Dear Matt Sullivan,

Please stop.

Stop accusing our city council of nefarious behavior. We thank you for your past service. However, you are now alluding to some deep conspiratorial behavior by the group you were once part of. I am confident that our city leaders (both elected and staff) are working hard to allow the democratic process to work. The voters have already spoken on this issue as well.

You are undermining the process with your ongoing litigation. It is selfish - nothing more.

I've studied each of you posts in this thread. Often times people are guilty of exactly what they accuse others of doing. Psychologists call this narcissistic self projection. That's what seems to be going on here.

You lash out at your opponents with name-calling and insults. That's unprofessional and uncalled for.

You do have some supporters here, but not many and certainly not the majority.

You are now at risk of a counter suit by citizens who are just tired and fed up with what has moved beyond the democratic process and is best describe as playing games. Your actions are costing the city and its residents both financially and in opportunity cost (every minute a resource needs to deal with you is a minute that could be spent on another matter).

Be warned, you are being watched. There are enough people here who are sufficiently angry to the point of taking action if the legal system doesn't cast out this frivolous lawsuit that you claim is part of the democratic process.

That is all.

“Be warned that you are being watched”
“Enough people here to take action”

Sounds like a threat to me. Physical or legal?? Doesn’t say.
This is getting ugly. I hope this Topic and Thread is shut down.

I’m ok with Costco, but I respect what Matt is fighting for. I truly think he is making good points.

Joe, I concur that there should not be veiled threats against any one! But in terms of it getting ugly, Matt has sown the seeds. For years he has accused City officials and personnel as well as the Chamber of Commerce, business community at large, developers, and citizens who disagree with him as being dishonest, neferious, in collusion, inferior, etc. He is bad behavior personified and sadly just an unhappy person.

He really needs to move to Boulder CO or Berkeley CA where he will fit in and quit trying to be the superior person he dreams of being. The lawsuit actually claims the incremental air quality impacts is the issue and will affect the houses across I680. Air emissions don’t travel upwind Matt.

NEWSFLASH MATT!!! Did you see the Calif Dept of Community Development (HCD) published map identifying surplus State lands to be designated for near future homeless transition centers and housing? It was endorsed and approved by the Governor. It shows the vacant land where the West Las Positas I 680 off ramp was previously planned by Caltrans which you fought to have removed from the Pleasanton General Plan document. Good Luck.

Great job Matt.

Ignore the mob.