SEASIDE – If all goes as planned for the city of Seaside, Costco shoppers will be able to fill up their tanks at a gas station not far from the big box store in Sand City.

At its council meeting on Thursday, the city will consider adopting a resolution pertaining to preparing environmental documents per California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines for a Costco Gas Station to be located at the northeast corner of Del Monte Boulevard and Auto Center Parkway in Seaside.

According to city documents, Costco Wholesale is seeking a use permit and text amendment to the city’s municipal code to redevelop a 42,683-square-foot property for the construction of a Costco brand gas station.

“I think they want to build as quickly as possible,” said Kurt Overmeyer, a Seaside community development manager. “The sales tax will be booked in Seaside.”

The project would consist of a 6,768-square-foot fueling canopy, 12 gas dispensers, three 40,000-gallon gasoline underground storage tanks with three remote fill ports, a controller enclosure, and associated site improvements.

Seaside city staff issued a request for proposal for the environmental services contract and Denise Duffy and Associates was chosen to complete the work. The costs associated with processing the environmental review documents and related services is $30,032 which will be paid by Costco.

The city sought a qualified professional environmental practitioner to prepare an Initial Study, and if deemed appropriate, either a Class 32 Infill exemption or Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration for the construction of the gas station. It would include a text amendment to the Seaside Municipal Code to allow a membership gas station as a conditional use in the Automotive Regional Commercial Zone.

The annual fee for a Costco membership is $60 for a “gold star” or business membership, and $120 for each of two executive plans which include extra saving and benefits such as 2% back on purchases.

The retail giant has about 450 gas stations in the United States and often sells its gas about 20 cents per gallon cheaper on average than competitors. Costco opened its first gas station in 1995 and is now one of the most popular gasoline retailers in the U.S. selling only Top Tier trademarked gasoline. Its gas stations are designed for one-way traffic flow to keep traffic moving quickly, and filling up from either side is managed with the use of hoses long enough to reach across a vehicle.

Part of the analysis will include such things as a technical study on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, noise and groundborne vibration, and traffic impacts.

The timeframe for completion of the study is about five months.