Costco to open in Camarillo next fall
Editor's note: This story has been edited to clarify Planning Commissioner Gladys Limón's comments.
Costco Wholesale is expected to open a Camarillo retail store and gas station in late 2024 after winning the city's OK.
The Camarillo Planning Commission on Tuesday approved development of the 169,397-square-foot facility on about 20 acres on West Ventura Boulevard, next to Home Depot. The site is located between Highway 101 and the Camarillo Airport.
The 4-1 vote paves the way for Costco to begin construction, though the decision can be appealed to the City Council within 10 days.
Costco director of real estate development Diana Salazar said the retail giant is likely to open in Camarillo in late fall and provide 215 jobs.
Camarillo resident Richard Lucas III said at Tuesday's meeting he regularly shops at Costco and welcomed the retailer to the city.
“This is a major change to our city and I think it is warranted,” he said.
The warehouse store will contain a food court, vision and hearing center, pharmacy, bakery, tire center, photo area and more than 4,000 products including alcohol, Camarillo planning manager Jaclyn Lee told commissioners Tuesday.
The massive development will also offer 901 parking spaces and 16 double-sided gas pumps, she said. A total of 32 vehicles can fuel up at one time. An attendant and signal lights will help customers navigate a queue that can accommodate 42 vehicles.
Costco, which sells $1.50 hotdogs and items in bulk, has locations in Oxnard, Simi Valley and Westlake Village.
Salazar said about 70% of Camarillo households already have a Costco membership.
An analysis previously cited by the city found that 36,650 residents — more than half the city’s population ― went to the Oxnard store 386,740 times during a 12-month period. State demographic data estimates Camarillo had a population of 69,309 as of Jan. 1.
In the same time frame, about 12,710 residents visited the Westlake Village location 89,500 times. Another 6,260 residents shopped at the Simi Valley store 32,800 times.
Although she said she has a Costco membership, Commissioner Gladys Limón voted no on the development. She said there are opportunities to improve on the project.
There were a number of components of the project that weren’t specified in the documents, she said, but were spoken of at the meeting.
“There are gaps in the analysis of those impacts that don't allow us to substantiate” that environmental mitigation measures would have a significant effect, she said.
In his motion to approve the project, Commissioner Tom Murphy added a stipulation that the applicant and city staff address written comments from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and the Ventura County Resource Management Agency.
Among the comments were suggestions to reduce emissions, such as starting a rideshare program for employees and incentivizing electric and hybrid car ownership.
Lucas, the resident who supported the development, said Costco would keep sales taxes in Camarillo and alleviate traffic to the Oxnard location.
He said he visits the Oxnard store at least once a week and uses that gas station as the main source of fuel for his vehicles.
Not everyone was eager for the mega-retailer to come to town.
Resident Monique Fox, in a submitted letter, asked commissioners to stop the planned development. She said delivery trucks would add even more air and noise pollution to an area that has seen an increase in traffic due to the Springville residential developments.
She also noted possible effects the gas station would have on the land and residents.
“Please protect the limited safety and health we have left,” Fox wrote.
Brian J. Varela covers Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be reached at brian.varela@vcstar.com or 805-477-8014. You can also find him on Twitter @BrianVarela805.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Costco to open in Camarillo next fall
