GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley Planning Commission voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to reinstate a long-discussed site development plan for a commercial project at 1225 Highway 99, allowing a mixed-use development to move forward after previous approvals expired.

Principal Planner Christopher Smith reminded commissioners the project had appeared before them several times but expired when required permits were not secured within the two-year window. He said the applicant is now actively preparing construction documents and moving ahead. “There isn’t really a good reason for this to expire again,” Smith said.

The 3.41-acre site sits at the northwest corner of Highway 99 and West Liberty Road and was created through the merger of two parcels. Zoned General Commercial, the property is surrounded by industrial uses to the west and south, with residential neighborhoods and the Union Pacific rail line to the east. The proposal includes a 5,200 square foot convenience market, auto fuel pumps, a four-pump truck fueling canopy, a 1,344 square foot car wash and an 824 square foot drive through coffee kiosk.

Smith said the project remains consistent with the city’s zoning and General Plan designations and that the site design has not changed from previous approvals. However, traffic circulation once again drew the most discussion, particularly the challenges of accommodating large trucks at the southern driveway on West Liberty Road.

Smith explained that while the northern portion of the site is designed for STAA length trucks, West Liberty Road is not currently built to those standards. He said the conditions of approval require additional review before interstate trucks can use that access point.

“There is a trigger in place,” Smith said, explaining that trucks cannot simply begin using the route without meeting certain requirements.

Commissioners questioned whether trucks could safely make left turns into the site from southbound Highway 99 or exit without backing up traffic into the signalized intersection. They noted the turn pocket can only hold two trucks before a third would sit in the intersection.

Richard Sanner, a resident close to the proposed project, raised concerns about visibility near the elevated railroad crossing and the potential for slow moving trucks to block lanes or trap vehicles on the tracks. Smith also summarized written comments submitted earlier, which focused broadly on increased traffic, pedestrian activity and the limited capacity of West Liberty Road as development continues in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Commissioners said the conditions already require further analysis, roadway improvements and coordination with outside agencies before construction of certain elements could begin. The project previously underwent environmental review and required a mitigated negative declaration. By reinstating the site development plan approval, the project will be able to move forward.