Costco relocation wins support of Planning Commission after being halted in court 

Costco’s relocation from its original location on Shaw Ave. to northwest Fresno is back underway. 

The Fresno Planning Commission voted on Wednesday to recommend approval to the Fresno City Council of Costco’s relocation to the northeast corner of Herndon Ave. and Riverside Dr. 

The backstory: Costco has been trying to relocate to northwest Fresno for years, eventually gaining the approval of the Fresno City Council two years ago after addressing traffic concerns. 

But last year, a Fresno County judge ruled that the city did not meet state law when conducting the environmental impact review on the project. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by a group called the Herndon-Riverside Coalition for Responsible Community Planning, which claimed the city violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 

Under the ruling, the city is unable to move forward with the project until it produces a revised environmental impact review in compliance with CEQA. 

The big picture: The city has prepared a revised greenhouse gas analysis and has presented detailed Fresno Municipal Code findings to the Planning Commission on Wednesday. 

If Costco is ultimately allowed to relocate, the new location would sit on 22.4 acres and have a warehouse that spans 220,000 square feet, as well as 32 gas pumps and a car wash. 

What we’re watching: The Fresno City Council will consider approving the plan on May 21. 

What they’re saying: “I applaud the Planning Commission’s recommendation to the City Council for approval of Costco,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “This development represents a strong investment in Fresno’s economy and continued business development.”