Numerous comments from the public were made, and most read at the hearing favored a Costco. “This is the only regional development space that a Costco would fit in, and the zoning has been in place for a long time - in fact, even before the housing units next door were built,” Seyarto said. Traffic concerns are being addressed by planners and consultants, he said. Tepper said he hired his own consultants to research the project, and that Skyview Ridge residents would like to see “alternative mitigation.”Ĭity planners and Dudek, an Orange County-based environmental consulting firm that led the project’s environmental review, also offered ideas to address residents’ concerns, including limited construction times and building a temporary noise wall near Skyview Ridge.ĭennis Watts, a senior planner, said that the project meets several longtime city goals of “economic development and building a strong economic base.” It also creates jobs and puts a retail center near a freeway, he said.Ĭity Councilman Kelly Seyarto said the project is in line with Murrieta’s general plan for growth, which includes seven regional shopping centers, four of which are already built. “I appreciate the fact that getting a Costco is a sales-tax enhancer, and I understand, but it does have impacts that should be looked at closely.” “The problem, as I see it, is that you’re putting your vote and trust in your hands of consultants whose interests may not be aligned with yours, who may not have complied with CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act) in issues and areas we have suggested,” Tepper told the council.
It’s standard economics - if your demand exceeds your supply, you build more supply.”Īt the meeting, Bruce Tepper, a Los Angeles-based attorney representing more than 30 Skyview Ridge residents, raised concerns that “areas in the city’s environmental report does not solve all residents’ concerns,” which include the proposed 32-pump Costco gas station, increased traffic and poor air quality in the area. “We’re aware that the Temecula Costco is particularly crowded, and can be a less than enjoyable experience at peak time. “That’s 24,000 (members) of the 37,000 households in the city,” Murillo said. Nearly 24,000 Costco members are already driving to its Temecula and Lake Elsinore locations, Murillo said. Jenifer Murillo, director of real estate at Costco Wholesale, told the council that Costco aims to serve Murrieta’s growing community of 37,000 households.
The hours apply to all stores except for the company's Business Center locations.The project will include the city’s first Costco, a shopping center with retail tenants, and a new road, Warm Springs Parkway, that will access the center and Costco.Ĭonstruction has begun at the 26-acre site. Store pharmacies also will be open earlier for the senior hours, but food courts will maintain normal hours, according to the Facebook post. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m., Costco “will temporarily implement special operating hours for members who are 60 and older," the retailer said in a different Facebook post.īecause of panic shopping, which has left store shelves empty in many places across the country, at-risk groups including seniors have had difficulty getting supplies. Sign up hereĬOVID-19 store closings, reduced hours: Nordstrom stores will be closed at least through April 5. Your money is important: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Walmart has trimmed hours twice at its more than 5,000 stores.Ĭostco, which originally started a twice-weekly senior shopping hour amid the pandemic March 24, is now offering three senior shopping hours a week and is allowing “those with physical impairments” to also participate. "This temporary change will not affect weekend hours," Costco said in the post.Ĭostco is the latest to cut store hours in response to COVID-19, which also has led dozens of retailers to temporarily close. Monday through Friday and gas stations will close at 7 p.m., the company announced in a Facebook post Thursday. Costco Wholesale Club is temporarily cutting weekday hours starting March 30 because of the coronavirus pandemic.