Fresno’s massive new Costco is on hold: ‘I’m very concerned’

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Plans for the massive new Costco in northwest Fresno are on hold after a judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit that said current plans did not meet environmental standards and zoning laws.

The 220,000-square-foot Costco warehouse was set to include 32 gas pumps and a car wash. It was also expected to replace the aging West Shaw Avenue location. The project was put on hold after the Herndon Riverside Coalition for Responsible Community Planning filed a lawsuit.

The group argued that the city’s approval process violated municipal zoning laws and failed to produce an adequate Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer expressed disappointment with the ruling, saying the city is now reviewing its legal options.

“We’re disappointed in that decision and now we’re regrouping as a city and deciding what our legal options are,” Dyer said.

Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi, who represents District 2 where the new Costco would be located, voiced concerns that the retailer could abandon the project altogether.

“I’m very concerned Costco may not want to stay in Fresno. That’s why I want to make it clear we are not just going to roll over. We are going to push back,” Karbassi said.

Karbassi also raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers if the project collapses.

As part of the agreement approved by the city council last year, Costco had committed to funding a number of local infrastructure upgrades.

“You would have this trail all the way to the river, a paved bike trail for folks, and Herndon Avenue completely redone in this section,” Karbassi said.

Dan Waterhouse, vice chair of the Herndon-Riverside Coalition, issued a statement in response to the court ruling, saying that the City now has an opportunity to fix their faulty work.

We welcome any informed public debate in front of the city council in the future.
Dan Waterhouse, vice chair of the Herndon-Riverside Coalition

At this time, there is no clear timeline for when the city will revisit the Costco proposal.