By Sara Beth Williams–
After months of planning and delays, a fuel expansion project proposal for a members-only gas station in Citrus Heights was approved by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission.
The original site plan proposed adding two new fuel pump islands, along with repaving, restriping with appropriate ground pavement markings for drivers, and reconstruction of asphalt and concrete curbs, as well as the addition of another canopy and associated lighting. Further landscaping plans call for the addition of multiple new trees along with necessary irrigation and the removal of 10 existing trees. A driveway along Fountain Square Drive will be removed to allow for better traffic flow and safety of pedestrians, the city said during a presentation to the Commission.
The purpose of the expansion is to prevent over-queuing and back up of vehicles during peak fueling hours, the city reported. The planning division also noted that the driveway which is slated for removal has been blocked off with cones and hasn’t been used “in years.”
When asked about the loss of parking spots in the proposed project plans, the planning division did confirm that the site would go from 702 spots to 626 spots, but the original site plan already exceeded the minimum number of of required parking spots for the business by several dozen.
The expansion project was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission at its Sept. 9 meeting.
The proposed plans for the project had initially been withdrawn in the beginning of the year, according to the city. In a statement in February, the city said revisions were required but delays in resubmission led to withdrawal of the application. The city also noted at the time that the applicant still remained interested.
The existing gas station was approved to serve 12 vehicles in 2002.
The shopping center where Sam’s Club is located has seen two new tenants, including Yummy Buffet Grill and Sushi which opened late in 2024, and Triple Crown Cages, a new baseball and softball training facility that opened in January.
Sam’s Club is located at 7147 Greenback Ln.
