GALT, CA (MPG) – City Hall was packed Feb. 12 as residents filled the chambers and lobby for a Planning Commission meeting focused on the proposed 45-acre Galt Ranch commercial center, a project that prompted extensive public comment from more than 20 speakers.

Opposition during public comment centered largely on the proposed gas station, which would accommodate truck fueling. More than half of those who spoke said they were specifically concerned about the station functioning as a truck stop. Others voiced support for the overall development but urged commissioners to move forward only after addressing traffic, noise and environmental protections.

The meeting marked the first for Michaela Johnson as commission chair, following her appointment at the Jan. 8 meeting.

The Galt Ranch development is proposed for vacant land between the A Street and Simmerhorn Road off-ramps and is designed as a large-scale commercial center intended to generate new jobs and tax revenue for the city. Plans include a hotel, retail stores, drive-through and full-service restaurants and a Maverik gas station and convenience store.

A central open plaza with walking paths, seating areas and landscaping is planned as a key feature of the project. The overall site plan also includes a car wash, two medical buildings, nine retail buildings, five quick-service restaurants and one restaurant lot with an outdoor patio area. Throughout the meeting, commissioners and speakers mentioned possible national tenants such as In-N-Out, Panda Express and Quick Quack Car Wash.

City staff emphasized the economic benefits of approving the project, noting that much of Galt’s sales tax revenue currently flows to neighboring cities such as Elk Grove and Lodi because residents leave town for everyday shopping and dining. The development, staff said, would help keep that revenue local and support public works and city services.

 

Planning commissioners heard public comment Feb. 12 on the proposed Galt Ranch commercial development, with residents voicing both support and opposition largely centered on the proposed Maverik truck fueling station.

To accommodate traffic, the project would include an extension of Crystal Way on the eastern portion of the site with access from A Street, along with an internal roadway known as Galt Ranch Road that would serve as the primary road within the development.

Commissioners questioned staff on issues including economic impact, architectural design, landscaping standards and traffic flow. Commissioner Dan Denier asked whether the parcel east of the proposed gas station would also be designated for commercial use, which staff confirmed.

Denier then provided historical context, noting that city records from the 1980s identified the area for major commercial expansion, a vision later reiterated in the city’s 2009 General Plan.

City Principal Planner Kristyn Bitz added that while the current application has been in progress for two years, discussions about developing the site date back roughly a decade.

Denier also asked for job projections associated with the project, though staff said an estimate was not yet available.

“We’re talking about a significant amount of jobs for the residents of the City of Galt,” Denier said. “I think that any time that we can do something to increase the job portal in this town, I think it’s a good step, so that’s what I want to have.”

Traffic concerns were also addressed, particularly regarding vehicles exiting the development onto Simmerhorn Road. Public works staff told commissioners that conditions would be imposed to address any future issues at that intersection. At present, drivers traveling north on Galt Ranch Road are able to turn left or right onto Simmerhorn Road without closures in either direction.

 

“My clients have no problem with the Galt Ranch commercial center, it’s with Maverik,” said Attorney Ed Gates, who said he represents an unnamed citizen group during public comment on Feb. 12.

Commissioner Dan Gerling described the proximity of the Simmerhorn Road freeway on-ramp as “questionable” and said it should be carefully considered as part of the project. Staff noted that coordination with Caltrans would be required as a condition tied to improvements at the interchange.

Public comment reflected a wide range of opinions. Resident Gale Webber, among the first to speak, said she supported the gas station as a motorhome owner seeking a local fueling option.

“We have a 40-foot diesel motorhome that we are unable to fill up in city limits… so we are very much in support of having the Maverik fuel station…” Webber said.

Attorney Ed Gates, who said he represents an unnamed citizen group, said he filed a lawsuit against the city seeking public records related to the Maverik gas station, claiming proper procedures were not followed for the project’s environmental exemption.

“I was stonewalled by staff, I was attacked personally by the city attorney,” Gates said. He added that the city later settled the lawsuit to provide documents, which he said cost taxpayers $150,000.

“We urge you that you have a problem legally, you have a problem with costs, sending it on taxpayers and we urge you to step back here. My clients have no problem with the Galt Ranch commercial center, it’s with Maverik,” Gates added.

Ryan Haggerty, president of Haggerty Construction, spoke in favor of the project, saying it would employ nearly 100 construction professionals and help support the regional labor force. He also voiced support for the Maverik station, citing positive experiences visiting the company’s locations in Nevada and working with the brand as a contractor.

Resident Veronica Lopez said she supported the commercial center but opposed the gas station.

“I support the other development because I know we need all those services and retail stores but for the Maverik store, I think we already have too many gas stations,” Lopez said.

Another resident opposed to the gas station described it as a truck stop and raised public safety concerns.

Galt Chamber of Commerce Director Kat Seabolt speaks in support of the Galt Ranch development during public comment on Feb. 12.

“Everyone’s saying this not a truck stop, this is a truck stop,” the resident said. “You get prostitution, that’s the reality.”

Yira Soto, who said she lives off Glendale Avenue near the proposed development, noted existing issues with big rigs parking on nearby streets and said there are better ways for the city to generate revenue without relying on out-of-town traffic.

“I feel like there’s better opportunity to grow this town by doing things that will benefit the locals rather than outsiders that are just traveling and stop by,” Soto said.

“I respectfully ask that you deny the proposed truck stop project,” said Ariana Hernandez, a 13-year resident. “Large truck stops in other areas have become associated with public safety concerns including crime, drug trafficking and other unlawful behaviors such as prostitution.”

Kat Seabolt, director of the Galt Chamber of Commerce and a resident since the early 1990s, spoke in support of the project, viewing it through the lens of the local business community. She acknowledged concerns about competition with small businesses but said the development would ultimately help the city and its merchants.

“Every time a family drives to Elk Grove for retail, dining gas or services, not currently offered that sales tax revenue leaves our city,” Seabolt said. “That’s money that could be funding our roads, Measure R, Measure Q and community programs.”

 

Galt resident and social media influencer Joseph “JT” Thomas speaks in support of the Galt Ranch development and the Maverik gas station at the Feb. 12 meeting.

Galt resident and local social media influencer Joseph Thomas, also known as JT Thomas, voiced support for the development, saying it would help balance recent housing growth and generate commercial tax revenue to support city services. He also spoke in favor of the Maverik station.

“It’s just a damn fuel stop,” Thomas said. “I’ll just say I find it kind of hilarious that about eight individuals, I'll say with a certain group, came in with the same position with their phones like this,” then proceeded to pull out his cellphone and read from it to demonstrate.

Resident Scott Speer said residents’ opposition may stem in part from unfamiliarity with the Maverik brand and concerns over competition from existing gas stations.

“Anyone who’s had a road trip across Nevada and has been to a Maverik would love it,” Speer said. “I think it needs to be noted that a lot of the public opposition to this has been sort of instigated by local gas station owners because they don’t want competition.”

Maverik representative Todd Meyers answered commissioners’ questions about security concerns, noting that each store is equipped with 50 to 60 high-definition cameras monitored live by a security team in Utah and will be coordinated with local law enforcement. He also said staff are trained to identify and respond to potential human trafficking situations.

Addressing concerns about the site being a truck stop, Meyers said the fueling station would not have showers and would prohibit overnight or long-term parking.

After deliberation, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the project’s CEQA environmental checklist and approve the tentative parcel map, master site plan, conditional use permits for fast-food restaurants and a convenience store, freeway-oriented signage and a minor use permit for a car wash, with a modification requiring a commission design review of the project’s community public art.