Costco, New Hotels For Pleasanton: Public Weighing In Again

PLEASANTON, CA — A controversial plan to spur investment in a 40-acre site situated along Johnson Drive near I-680 and Stoneridge Drive is coming to a head. Dubbed the "Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone," the site could possibly see Costco move in, as well as other retailers and two hotels, but not before the public has a chance to weigh in — again.

The site, once part of Clorox, is pretty quiet today. The city calls the location "mostly under-utilized or vacant." Some want to see the spot transformed into a thriving commercial area. To keep things moving along, the city is asking for public comment on additional environmental analyses, as well as a previously circulated Economic Impact Analysis, for the project.

The city has been here before. In November 2016, an initiative was on the Pleasanton ballot that sought to ban big-box stores of 50,000 square feet or more in the Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone. Sixty-three percent of voters cast "no" ballots.

A year after voters rejected the initiative, Pleasanton City Council approved the Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone plan, which included certification of environmental and economic analyses, amendment of the city’s General Plan, rezoning to allow more land uses, and adoption of development standards and design guidelines for the project.

But in December 2017, a group called the Pleasanton Citizens for Responsible Growth filed a lawsuit challenging the California Environmental Quality Act document that was certified for the project. Two allegations were made: insufficient information was provided regarding air quality effects of the project, and more time was needed for public consideration of the economic impact analysis.

Under pressure, in September 2018 city council voted to pull back its previous project approvals in order to perform a supplemental air quality analysis.

Now, the city is looking for public comment on the new supplemental air quality analysis, as well as other environmental analyses. The public has until 5 p.m. on Aug. 23 to respond to the new findings, and from there the project will once again head to the city's planning commission and city council for consideration.

Read about the project and see the new analyses here. All public comments should be sent in writing or via email to: Eric Luchini, Associate Planner, City of Pleasanton Planning Division, P.O. Box 520, Pleasanton, CA 94566-0802, eluchini@cityofpleasantonca.gov