In April 2020, Costco Wholesale proposed adding a gas station adjacent to its existing store in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center. 

If built, it would become the largest gas station in Marin County.The gas station would be built near a pristine watershed and wildlife, in an area with a high water table, next to Tamalpais Pediatrics.

The project includes the construction of an approximately 10,000-square-foot canopy covering 14 fuel dispensers with 28 fueling positions. Additionally, it includes three 40,000-gallon underground storage tanks (USTs) for gasoline and one 1,500-gallon additive UST.

Why is it important to oppose a mega gas station in Novato?

Novato doesn’t need more gas stations, not in this area, not at all. There are already 12 gas stations citywide, and 3 gas stations nearby that are closer to the freeway; 2 of them in close proximity (Chevron and Matt & Jeff’s), as well as the Shell gas station on the other side of the freeway on Redwood Blvd. Matt & Jeff's and Safeway are offering great discount gas prices.

Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

We are in a Climate Crisis. Droughts, heatwaves, and horrendous wildfires are a wake-up call. We have to stop burning fossil fuels for transportation and all other energy consumption. Scientists urge people and governments at the city, county, state, and national levels to target net-zero emissions to combat Climate Chaos and avoid a catastrophic ‘Hothouse Earth’. 

On November 10, 2020, the Novato City Council acknowledged the Climate Crisis by declaring a Climate Emergency. In the Climate Emergency Resolution, the city of Novato declared that it will elevate climate issues in its goal-setting process; give precedence to climate mitigation and adaptation when evaluating policies and purchases, and planning for projects.

In March 2021, Novato City granted Costco a use permit to build a mega Gas Station in front of its warehouse in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, but a lawsuit by concerned residents has halted the process. 

In November 2022, Novato approved an Ordinance to prohibit New Gas Stations from being built in Novato. Because it was already under city review before the ordinance was passed, the ban does not affect the planned Costco gas station.

In September 2025, the Novato City Council Members unanimously adopted the Novato Climate Action Plan 2030, to reduce GHG emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. According to Novato’s 2022 greenhouse gas inventory, 64% of our community's emissions come from transportation, predominantly from passenger vehicles. 

On December 8, 2025, the Planning Commission directed the City to prepare the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the proposed project. 

On April 6th, 2026, Novato City released the FEIR.

On April 13th, 2026, at 7 PM, the Planning Commission approved and certified the FEIR.

On April 22nd, on Earth Day, the approval was appealed with strong arguments from No New Gas Novato, 350Marin, Sustainable Mill Valley, and Kevin Morrison.  

Finally:

On Monday, June 9th, 6 PM, the Novato City Council will hold a public hearing and make its final decision on the proposed Costco Mega Gas Station.

This project fosters only short-term financial gain for Costco at the expense of already constructed local stations and doesn’t consider the price taxpayers, next generations and the environment have to pay in the long run.

We have to stop burning fossil fuels. We need to build and invest in a livable future for our children and grandchildren by transitioning to 100% clean & renewable energy. Decarbonizing our economy by electrifying transportation and private and business infrastructure as quickly as possible, is the way to go. Therefore, please sign the petition to protect our environment. Tell the Novato City Council: "No Costco mega gas station in Novato. Protect Climate, Air, Wetland, and the Future."