Hotly debated Costco to officially come to the border of Rocklin and Loomis. Here’s the deal

After years of heated debate and a recent settlement, a Costco will be built at the border of Rocklin and the town of Loomis in Placer County.

The new store will be at Sierra College Boulevard and Brace Road, according to the settlement agreement.

Spanning 155,000 square feet, the Costco features more than 800 parking spots, including 50 for electric vehicles, and will not have a fuel station.

The Costco dispute

In 2018, Loomis proposed construction of a Costco at Sierra College Boulevard and Brace Road, next to the Rocklin city boundary. Soon after, the city of Rocklin issued a response stating that the project would obstruct the city’s streets and negatively affect existing and potential businesses.

The project was put on pause, as Rocklin and Loomis officials tried to address concerns.

In 2020, Rocklin reiterated its worries over the town’s plans.

“Rocklin’s concerns focus on the glaring inadequacy of the analysis of traffic impacts of the project,” the city stated in a news release, “as well as the unreasonableness of recommended mitigation measures to Rocklin streets and intersections.”

Its concerns included the design of the Costco — one main entrance for a large shopping and gas center. With limited access points, the city stated, it would create “frequent gridlock in the Sierra College Blvd. and I-80 area, damage the livelihood of existing and future business in the commercial corridor, severely restrain further development on adjacent Rocklin properties, and curtail prompt access by emergency services.”

The resolution

The project, now in motion, addresses Rocklin’s concerns by cutting the planned fuel center and adding a northbound entry lane on Sierra College Boulevard.

Under the agreement, Costco must pay Rocklin about $3.7 million to mitigate road impacts on the I-80 and Sierra College Boulevard corridor. It’s also outlined that Costco cannot build a gas facility within 750 feet of the site in the town of Loomis for 50 years.

“This collaborative agreement protects the interests of Rocklin businesses in the area while clearing obstacles for Costco, which will bring significant sales tax revenue to Loomis,” Rocklin Mayor Bill Halldin said in a news release. “Rocklin’s goal was always to ensure the Loomis Costco was designed properly and that the project paid its fair share to reduce traffic impacts along the Sierra College Blvd. corridor.”

The new store is expected to bring in more than $1 million in annual tax revenues to Loomis, potentially making it one of the largest and most profitable developments in the town’s history.

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