FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Fresno City Council has approved plans for a new Costco in northwest Fresno, clearing the way for construction at Herndon and Riverside Drive after years of debate and legal challenges.<\/p>\n
The council voted 5-0 to move the project forward, with Councilmember Mike Karbassi making the motion and Councilmember Tyler Maxwell seconding it.<\/p>\n
The development will replace the existing Costco on Shaw Avenue near Golden State Boulevard and is expected to be the largest Costco in the city and one of the largest in the state.<\/p>\n
Plans for the site include a car wash, gas station and electric vehicle chargers. Construction is estimated to cost about $98 million.<\/p>\n
A key point of discussion during the council meeting was the proposed Market Delivery Option, which would allow customers to order large items, such as appliances, in-store or online for home delivery.<\/p>\n
The plan includes 24 delivery truck bays, which opponents argued could increase vehicle miles traveled, or VMT, in the area.<\/p>\n
A local coalition that sued the city in 2024 contended the facility functions more like an industrial operation and should not be allowed on commercially zoned land.<\/p>\n
City leaders and Costco representatives pushed back, saying delivery operations would be optimized with specialized software to reduce overall travel.<\/p>\n
Only one speaker opposed the project during the meeting. Coalition spokesperson Daniel Brannick urged the council to reconsider.<\/p>\n
“The 24 truck bays are in line with a 250 square foot, 250,000 square foot distribution center, not the two to four bay agencies, you see, a big box retail story, and I’d say just, if it blocks like a DC, and it cracks like a DC, you know, you can fill in the blank,” Brannick said.<\/p>\n
Karbassi, responding to the limited opposition in chambers, said, “I just want to state we’re having this meeting today. I don’t see pitchforks. I don’t see my residents here protesting. Where’s the coalition? I see one person.”<\/p>\n
Despite the approval, the legal fight may not be over.<\/p>\n
Karbassi said he expects Brannick to pursue further legal action against the city.<\/p>\n
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