Can the City Council’s decision on the Costco application be appealed?

The City’s Planning Commission approved Costco’s application after a public hearing on July 9, 2019. Under the Tustin City Code, Planning Commission decisions can be appealed to the City Council, and a timely appeal was filed by opponents of the project on July 19. The public hearing on the appeal was scheduled on October 15th. Prior to the meeting, the public sent the Council hundreds of messages in support and in opposition to the project, and a number of public speakers spoke to the City Council during the public hearing. At the conclusion of the City Council’s public hearing on the appeal, the City Council upheld the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the application. Under the Tustin City Code, that City Council decision on the appeal was the City’s final decision on the application. Since that time, a court challenge has been filed, and that court case is ongoing.

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1. What is the current status of the project for the new Costco gasoline station in Tustin Ranch?
2. Why did City Council members decline to have private meetings with individuals before the appeal hearing?
3. How many emails did the City Council receive in advance of the Appeal Hearing on October 15, 2019, and what position on the project did they want?
4. How many gasoline pumps will the project actually contain?
5. What will be the hours of operation for the new gasoline station?
6. Why did the new gasoline station not need an environmental impact report (EIR)? Was the exemption a loophole?
7. What studies have been completed to support the City Council action on the project?
8. How are greenhouse gases emissions estimated and air quality evaluated to know if the new station will have any adverse impacts on public health? Is vehicle idling included in these assessments?
9. How will the traffic be handled on the site and on the streets surrounding the new gasoline station?
10. What if a major traffic jam is created with cars waiting to get gas at the new Costco location – what happens then?
11. What will happen to my property value if I live near a gasoline station?
12. The new Costco gasoline station will drive out other smaller, independent gas station owners in the City compelling everyone to buy gas at Costco. Does the City not care about small businesses?
13. What are the differences between the new gasoline station and the existing Costco gasoline station at The District?
14. What are the lessons learned from the other Costco located at The District?
15. Can the City Council’s decision on the Costco application be appealed?