A local developer’s last-minute attempt to stop Costco’s construction plans in Brentwood was unsuccessful. The City Council unanimously supported the Planning Commission’s previous approvals for the project.
The commission approved the new store’s location on June 20, and on June 28, West Coast Home Builders filed an appeal. Attorneys for the developer argued that the city’s environmental documents were outdated and requested a reconsideration from the council.
Shortly before the council meeting, the builder’s attorneys submitted a 159-page document containing additional arguments against the Brentwood Costco project. The city staff did not have enough time to fully review the document before the meeting.
The city’s legal counsel stated that the late submission of the documents prevented proper analysis and recommended that the item be continued to August 8 to allow for thorough review.
Mayor Joel Bryant expressed the importance of ensuring that all council members and the community have access to all relevant information, despite the frustration caused by the delay.
Although Bryant moved to continue the item, the motion failed due to a lack of a second. Council members and residents eagerly awaited the appeal to be heard, many of whom came to express their support for Costco.
The Contra Costa Climate Action Coalition also attempted to file an appeal in late June, but it was denied due to its ongoing appeal process, according to the staff.
The proposed Costco warehouse will cover 154,852 square feet and will have a parking lot with 864 spaces. Its gas station will have 16 fueling dispensers, each with double hoses. The main entrance will be at the intersection of Lone Tree Plaza Drive and Cañada Valley Road. The project also includes improvements to Heidorn Ranch Road and Lone Tree Way through collaboration with the city of Antioch, according to Jennifer Hagen, senior planner for the city.
West Coast Home Builders plans to construct several hundred homes near the Costco site, west of Highway 4. The plan, known as Bridle Gate, currently consists of 266 homes and is under review. However, it has faced opposition over the years due to rezoning requirements.
Attorneys for the home builder claim that the Costco project does not meet the development standards outlined in the area’s specific plan, which underwent changes in 2022, including a switch from transit/mixed use to regional commercial land-use designation for the 19-acre parcel. The attorneys argued that the project will have significant unreviewed environmental effects.
Seeno companies, the developer, have previously faced fines for violating environmental regulations, including claims of destroying endangered red-legged frog habitat in Pittsburg in 2002 and grading issues in an Antioch development in 2008.
Hanson Bridgett, the law firm representing West Coast Builders, argued that essential documents were missing from the public record, such as traffic memos and the final version of environmental site assessments.
During the discussion, staff made copies of all records for council members and the public.
Raskin, the attorney, also questioned the previous environmental reviews, suggesting that the project was initially planned as a transit village.
Senior planner Hagen, however, assured the council that the staff maintains its belief in the project’s consistency with the general plan, specific plan, and code requirements. The staff asserts that all associated impacts have been adequately evaluated.
Carrie Holliday, Costco’s real estate development director, explained that the company chose Brentwood due to the heavy demand at nearby stores in Antioch and Tracy. She pointed out that nearly 50% of Brentwood residents are Costco members, and the new warehouse will reduce travel distances for them. Additionally, the project will create 200-250 jobs.
During public comments, the majority of speakers supported Costco, emphasizing the benefits of shopping locally, generating tax revenue, and saving on fuel costs.
Danny Dohrmann emphasized that the appeal was solely about whether Seeno could overturn the council’s previous decision, not about the construction of Costco or other details.
Andrew Becker, on the other hand, opposed the project, arguing that it deviates from the intended use of transit in the area and does not provide adequate wages.
Mayor Bryant clarified that the intended zoning for the area always included some commercial retail.
Councilmember Jovita Mendoza supported the project, stating that the city had already reviewed the traffic demands for commercial, mixed-use, and transit stations in the area.
Councilmember Pa’tanisha Pierson also backed the Costco project and expressed frustration with the builder’s last-minute document submission, viewing it as a tactic to delay the process.
The council unanimously denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s previous approvals for the project with a 5-0 vote.