Exhibit M
Public Comments Received
Since February 27, 2024
City Council:
Costco Commercial Center Project
From: Alyssa Stevens
To: Steven Martinez
Subject: FW: Northwest Costco
Date: Friday, March 8, 2024 1:27:51 PM
Attachments: image001.png
Hi Steven:
We received this e-mail, I just wanted to forward this so it is included in the public record for the project.
Thank you so much!! Our office super appreciates your work on this item!! Alyssa Stevens
Chief of Staff
Council Vice President Mike Karbassi
559-621-8000
From: Renee Nealy <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 1:22 PM
To: Mike Karbassi <[email protected]>
Cc: Nelson Esparza <[email protected]>; Annalisa Perea <[email protected]>; Tyler Maxwell <[email protected]>; Luis Chavez <[email protected]>; Garry Bredefeld <[email protected]>
Subject: Northwest Costco
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
We live in the neighborhood where the proposed Costco is being considered to be built and have lived in our neighborhood for 18 years. We are vehemently opposed to having a Costco literally in the middle of our neighborhood!! The proposed new Costco will be across the street from an elementary school and middle school. In the mornings and in the afternoon there are several kids waiting for the school bus and there are many school buses along the streets picking up kids for school and dropping them off after school. The amount of traffic and congestion that this Costco will bring to our neighborhood will be unprecedented! It is already congested with school buses and traffic with people traveling to work. The Environmental Impact Report cited four unavoidable impacts, which include an increase in construction noise and the most important of overall transportation impacts. It will not be safe for the children living in our neighborhood traveling to and from school; they have to walk to the bus stops in the morning and walk home from the bus stops in the afternoon. It is not safe for our children due to the increase in traffic this Costco will cause!
The neighborhood is quiet and safe; having the Costco at the proposed site will bring unwanted homeless people and thieves wandering into our neighborhood.
Why can't the Costco be built on one of the many empty fields near the Marketplace at El Paseo on Riverside Drive; that seems more like an optimal location near the shopping center instead of in the middle of a neighborhood.
Please reconsider moving the Costco to a more industrial or commercial area, not in a neighborhood!!
From: Jose Valenzuela
To: Andres Jauregui
Cc: Steven Martinez
Subject: RE: Research on Costco"s relocation impact
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 8:17:49 AM
Dr. Jauregui,
I have transferred out of the Planning and Development Dept. I am looping in Steven Martinez the current planner on the project. Please work with him moving forward.
Best,
Jose Valenzuela
Project Manager – Utilities and On-Site Project Management Capital Projects Department
747 “R” Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Main Office: (559) 621-8880
Direct Line: (559) 621-8830
www.fresno.gov
Building a Better Fresno
From: Andres Jauregui <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 10:19 PM
To: Jose Valenzuela <[email protected]>
Subject: Research on Costco's relocation impact
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Hello Jose! This is AJ, real estate professor and Director of the Gazarian Real Estate Center at Fresno State. I hope this email finds you well!
I'm currently doing research on the impact of Costco's
relocation in Clovis back in 2019. I'm looking at how the relocation impacted commercial land prices. I am presenting the preliminary research results at the American Real Estate Society's annual conference in Orlando in two weeks. I have been working with Andrew Haussler from the City of Clovis to recreate the timeline of events.
I wanted to incorporate into the analysis the news about the relocation of the West Shaw Costco location in Fresno. I was wondering if you could provide me with a timeline of events, please? Of course, the location is not yet open, but I would assume that real estate prices have been already impacted by the news.
So far, I know that there was a notice of preparation of an EIR in October 2021, which was completed in July 2023. Is it possible to know when the Conditional Use Permit was
submitted? I also believe the Planning Commission has already approved the CUP, but the City County is delaying voting on it.
I hope you can help me. This will definitely enrich the analysis and give us more accurate results. Please feel free to call my cell 334-332-9683 if you'd like to discuss this further.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
AJ
Andres Jauregui, Ph.D.
Professor of Real Estate and Director
Gazarian Real Estate Center
Department of Finance, Real Estate, and Business Law
Craig School of Business
California State University, Fresno
Phone: 559.278.8328
[email protected]
From: Erik Young
To: Steven Martinez
Subject: FW: City of Fresno VM: Voice msg from DAY MAIN MENU 5592770004.
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 9:52:11 AM
Attachments: f2c1df20-4d75-4d61-ab31-02826e2e5955.WAV
Hey Steven,
I received the attached voicemail this morning pertaining to your Costco. Do you mind following up with Autumn when you have a chance?
Erik Young | Supervising Planner
Current Planning | Planning & Development
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8009
[email protected]
Resources: Planning & Development | GIS Data Hub – Interactive Zoning Map | Fresno Municipal Code Accela Citizens Access (ACA) Online Plans/Permits/Inspections | ACA Instruction Videos -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 8:59 AM
To: Erik Young <[email protected]>
Subject: City of Fresno VM: Voice msg from DAY MAIN MENU 5592770004.
Please call (559) 621-7200 to listen to your messages over the telephone.
From: PublicCommentsPlanning
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: Phillip Siegrist
Subject: FW: Agenda item 24-245 new Costco
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 4:22:49 PM
FYI
Rob Holt | Supervising Planner
Current Planning | Planning & Development
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8056
[email protected]
Resources: Planning & Development | GIS Data Hub | Citywide Development Code Accela Citizens Access (ACA) | ACA “How To” Videos
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Caples <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2024 4:12 PM
To: PublicCommentsPlanning <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item 24-245 new Costco
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
This letter is in support of building a new Costco on Herndon across from El Paseo. This mixed use area of NW Fresno was planned before houses were built across the street. I’m sorry the builder did not inform buyers that there would be retail across the street. With 40% of Fresno’s population members of Costco, it’s only fair to build Costco is all sectors of Fresno so that every member has access to all products. With easy access from new Veteran’s Blvd, this Costco will serve the entire west side until Costco decides to build another store in Southeast or West. I do believe to support the residents, truck traffic should not have during sleeping hours unless there is an entrance for the trucks from Herndon on the Derek’s Mini Storage side of the building. But minor changes shouldn’t prevent building.
Thank you
Cathy Caples
Sent from my iPhone
From: Darrell Vincent
To: PublicCommentsPlanning; PublicCommentsPlanning
Cc: Steven Martinez
Subject: Oppose the new Costco
Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 11:59:00 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Hello City Councilman Mike Karbassi,
I am sending you this message to strongly urge you to oppose the new build of Costco in Northwest Fresno.
Marketplace at El Paseo is an already busy area with somewhat manageable traffic. If a Costco is built there this will create a huge traffic congestion. People who live in the surrounding areas, myself included, do not want to detour or sit in traffic just to get home after a long day of work. I am sure that a lot of the people in these neighborhoods would agree.
Why does Fresno want to build another Costco in North Fresno when there are already two (Shaw and Abby)? Costco should be built in a commercial area in South Fresno where it could be more accessible to the rest of the community and away from residences in an already busy area.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
Darrell Vincent
559-269-0129
From: Planning
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: PublicCommentsPlanning
Subject: FW: Costco in NW Fresno Disapproval
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 1:48:13 PM
Pam Mariano | Administrative Clerk II
Planning & Development Department
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8487
[email protected]
Resources: Planning & Development | GIS Data Hub | Citywide Development Code Accela Citizens Access (ACA) | ACA “How To” Videos
From: James Fleck <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 12:59 PM
To: Planning <[email protected]>
Subject: Costco in NW Fresno Disapproval
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
I'm writing this to inform the council of my disappruoval of the Costco project in NW fresno for many reasons.
First, the huge increase in traffic in the area, which is allready congested most of the day because of the new strip mall in the same location. The access to the homes that now exist across the street will be comprimised,
along with the constant noise,pollution,and lights that will degrade the environment even more. What about access to the Golf Course? The increase in noise,pollution,lights and traffic congestion to name a few of my concerns is why I disapprove of "The worlds Largest CostCo" be located at the proposed sight.
Life long resident of NW Fresno, Thank You, James Fleck From: Joseph Lee
To: Jose Valenzuela
Subject: largest Costco built
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 2:14:13 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
When is the largest size Costco being built in the city of Fresno? - Joseph Lee
From: Loretta Hanson
To: PublicCommentsPlanning
Cc: Steven Martinez
Subject: Costco
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024 11:59:36 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Please vote against the Costco moving to Herndon and Riverside Drive. It will create such a mess in our neighborhood!! It is too close to homes and the traffic will be out of control. Seems like properties farther south on Riverside Drive next to the shopping center and Highway 99 would be much more accessible and appropriate Loretta Hanson
Sent from my iPhone
From: Jose Valenzuela
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: Phillip Siegrist
Subject: FW: Costco proposal Thursday Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 8:13:30 AM
FYI.
Jose Valenzuela
Project Manager – Utilities and On-Site Project Management Capital Projects Department
747 “R” Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Main Office: (559) 621-8880
Direct Line: (559) 621-8830
www.fresno.gov
Building a Better Fresno
From: Patricia Yaralian <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 12:44 AM
To: Jose Valenzuela <[email protected]>
Subject: Costco proposal Thursday Meeting
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
R
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
From: Patricia Yaralian
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: Phillip Siegrist
Subject: Costco Plan Herndon/99
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 3:01:11 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Good Afternoon Gentlemen,
Please check your email from prior plan manager Jose Valenzuela to read my disapproval (2) emails of planned Costco sight. Due to lack of my knowledge, I was unaware you are the new contacts.
I worked hard writing my concerns in regards to this project. Please take the time to read them and to fairly present them at the meeting tomorrow night.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patricia Yaralian
559.277.2845
From: Patricia Yaralian
To: Steven Martinez
Subject: RE: Costco Plan Herndon/99
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 3:17:20 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
I just was informed the project has been temporarily put on hold. I can't express my relief enough. It just might help renew my faith in Fresno leadership. Thank you for sharing my concerns. It means alot because we were listened to and heard. Patricia Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Thu, Mar 7, 2024 at 2:57 PM, Steven Martinez
<[email protected]> wrote:
Greetings,
Thank you for the submission of your comment. The comment has been added to the administrative record for review.
Thank You.
Steven Martinez | Planner
Current Planning | Planning & Development
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8047
[email protected]
From: Patricia Yaralian <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 3:01 PM
To: Steven Martinez <[email protected]>
Cc: Phillip Siegrist <[email protected]>
Subject: Costco Plan Herndon/99
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Good Afternoon Gentlemen,
Please check your email from prior plan manager Jose Valenzuela to read my disapproval (2) emails of planned Costco sight. Due to lack of my knowledge, I was unaware you are the new contacts.
I worked hard writing my concerns in regards to this project. Please take the time to read them and to fairly present them at the meeting tomorrow night.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you.
Patricia Yaralian
559.277.2845
From: Jose Valenzuela
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: Phillip Siegrist
Subject: FW: Costco Proposal Thursday Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 8:13:50 AM
FYI.
Jose Valenzuela
Project Manager – Utilities and On-Site Project Management Capital Projects Department
747 “R” Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Main Office: (559) 621-8880
Direct Line: (559) 621-8830
www.fresno.gov
Building a Better Fresno
From: Patricia Yaralian <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 2:05 AM
To: Jose Valenzuela <[email protected]>
Subject: Costco Proposal Thursday Meeting
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Greetings Mr. Valenzuela,
I just have the hardest time understanding the mentality of Fresno's leadership as I once again am writing to voice my disapproval of the proposed location of a new Cosco site on Herndon and 99.
Traffic congestion and safety of the local school children are my main concerns. I drive eastbound to work on Herndon and I assure you that the traffic is already chaotic. I'm sad for the people that live in the area and the fact Fresno planners think a new Costco will be a healthy addition to the area.
Gas stations, 24/7 truck deliveries, and people migration from nearby towns to shop is not a nice thing to FORCE on residents and commuters in that area. There is a very busy train track to contend with also. The freight trains are long and slow along Golden State Boulevard. Traffic backup is comparable to the starting line of a drag race. It's madness...come on. REALLY?
Mental health of Fresno residents should be a top priority. This proposed Costco site and the years of development disruption doesn't support a healthy environment. We have had to endure High Speed Rail, Veterans Boulevard and El Paseo Shopping Center construction. We have lost our hometown feel. No one belongs anymore. I mourn.
Please share my concerns against this plan at Thursday's meeting. And please feel free to contact me IF my voice will matter. That's a BIG "IF".
Thank you.
Regretfully,
Pat Yaralian
559.277.2845
From: Planning
To: Steven Martinez
Cc: PublicCommentsPlanning
Subject: FW: Northwest Costco
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 1:48:15 PM
Pam Mariano | Administrative Clerk II
Planning & Development Department
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8487
[email protected]
Resources: Planning & Development | GIS Data Hub | Citywide Development Code Accela Citizens Access (ACA) | ACA “How To” Videos
From: Renee Nealy <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 7:23 PM
To: Planning <[email protected]>
Subject: Northwest Costco
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
We live in the neighborhood where the proposed Costco is being considered to be built. We are vehemently opposed to having a Costco literally in the middle of our neighborhood!! The proposed new Costco will be across the street from an elementary school and middle school. In the mornings and in the afternoon there are several kids waiting for the school bus and there are many school buses along the streets picking up kids for school and dropping them off after school. The amount of traffic and congestion that this Costco will bring will be unprecedented! It is already congested with school buses and traffic with people traveling to work. The Environmental Impact Report cited four unavoidable impacts, which include an increase in construction noise and the most important of overall transportation impacts. It will not be safe for the children living in our neighborhood traveling to and from school; they have to walk to the bus stops in the morning and walk home from the bus stops in the afternoon. It is not safe for our children due to the increase in traffic this Costco will cause!
The neighborhood is quiet and safe; having the Costco there will bring unwanted homeless people and thieves wandering into our neighborhood.
Why can't the Costco be built in one of the many empty fields near the Marketplace at El Paseo on Riverside Drive; that seems more like an optimal location instead of in the middle of a neighborhood.
Please reconsider moving the Costco to a more industrial or commercial area, not in a neighborhood!!
From: Steven Martinez
To: [email protected]
Cc: PublicCommentsPlanning
Subject: RE: Planning and development of proposed new NEW Fresno Costco Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024 5:20:51 PM
Attachments: 78153da7-1fa4-43f0-97d1-f21b6395d7af.WAV
Greetings,
Thank you for the submission of your comments. The comments has been added to the administrative record for review.
In Public Service,
Steven Martinez | Planner
Current Planning | Planning & Development
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8047
[email protected]
From: Sandra Velazquez <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 4:20 PM
To: OCC Customer Service <[email protected]>
Subject: Planning and development of proposed new NEW Fresno Costco
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
First Name Sandra
Last Name Velazquez
Email [email protected]
Phone
Number
(559) 284-6582
Subject Planning and development of proposed new NEW Fresno Costco Message Hi
I live in the neighborhood of the proposed Costco and am very concerned About it being built. As it is I already feel it’s very congested with the new veterans blvd abd shopping center, I’ve lived in the area for 22 years and I miss the quiet neighborhood I once had. Please don’t let it be built im against it IP Address 107.77.213.56
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(Browser/OS)
Apple Safari 17.3.1 / OS X
Referrer https://www.fresno.gov/contact/
From: Jose Valenzuela
To: Steven Martinez
Subject: FW: Smog shop @ Costco
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024 11:15:41 AM
Steven,
For your reference.
Thank you,
Jose Valenzuela
Project Manager – Utilities and On-Site Project Management Capital Projects Department
747 “R” Street, 2
nd Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
Main Office: (559) 621-8880
Direct Line: (559) 621-8830
www.fresno.gov
Building a Better Fresno
From: Sehaj Sabharwal <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2024 10:59 AM
To: Jose Valenzuela <[email protected]>
Subject: Smog shop @ Costco
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Hi Jose,
We are interested to collaborate with you in opening a Smog shop/machanic shop in the New comming
Costco site.
You are going to have a Carwash, Tire shop the only thing you are missing is a Smog/machanic shop.
It would also help in bringing more people and we would give every customer a 5 star customer experience.
My Uncle has its own workshop from the past
20+ years . With that experience and customer
satisfaction sky I'd the limit
We can put more downpayment to.
Please let me know.
Appreciate
Sage
From: Steven Martinez
To: Xavier Flores; PublicCommentsPlanning
Subject: RE: costco on herndon
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 1:40:04 PM
Greetings.
Thank you for the submission of your comment. It will be added to the administrative record for review.
As far as Spruce Avenue:
Currently Spruce terminates at two intersections: Spruce Avenue and Riverside Drive; Spruce Avenue and Strother Avenue. Spruce does not have a segment across the project site. The applicant (Costco) will extend and enhance West Spruce Avenue from North Riverside Drive to the intersection with North Sandrini Avenue. The connection will be consistent with the City of Fresno Active Transportation Plan. The asphalt roadway will include curb, gutter, sidewalk, Class II bicycle facilities, and streetlights.
Thank You.
Steven Martinez | Planner
Current Planning | Planning & Development
2600 Fresno Street | Fresno CA 93721
559.621.8047
[email protected]
From: Xavier Flores <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 1:33 PM
To: PublicCommentsPlanning <[email protected]> Cc: Steven Martinez <[email protected]>
Subject: costco on herndon
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Hello , I've been a resident off of Spruce and Hayes since 1993 and after looking at the map and roads going in and out of that Costco its a big concern if you open that dead end at Spruce.
That's if I am reading it right !
The amount of folks and kids on Spruce everyday along with the elderly that are on there power chairs, the traffic from Costco is gonna destroy our neighborhood , School buses also picking up and dropping off kids on Spruce is another issue.
I am all in for New Business in Fresno but not at the expense of losing our peaceful setting, that neighborhood has been a Great place to live and raise a family.
Hoping for the best for us all ,
Xavier Flores
559-994-6601