Progressive values and Costco dreams collide in a wealthy Bay Area town

Officials from the town of Windsor are now considering whether to loosen the town’s ban on new gas stations. Several lawmakers in a recent town council discussion openly framed it as a way to attract Costco to Sonoma County’s northern corridor.

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“We want to signal to the Costcos of the world to say we’re open,” council member Mike Wall said during the meeting last Wednesday, according to the Press Democrat. 

The discussion centered on Windsor’s nearly four-year-old ordinance prohibiting new or expanded gas stations, part of a broader regional climate strategy adopted by several North Bay municipalities in recent years to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Wall suggested that the town could consider an exemption for stores above a certain square footage threshold “for the health of the town,” the Press Democrat reported. 

Costco itself is staying quiet on the possibility.

“Unfortunately, it is our company policy to not comment regarding future Costco warehouses until we are ready to share details about the new location (usually 2-3 months in advance),” a Costco spokesperson told SFGATE via email.

Wall did not immediately return SFGATE’s request for comment.

The conversation comes as the wealthy town of Windsor faces mounting budget pressure, according to the Press Democrat. Town officials previously approved a 2025-27 budget that included a $19 million shortfall and required them to tap into reserves to close the gap. The town is also projecting future deficits in upcoming budget cycles and has discussed the possibility of placing a 1% sales tax measure before voters later this year.

Council member Sam Salmon said Windsor’s “retail leakage,” referring to residents spending money and paying taxes to other towns, has become a growing concern. Salmon added: “Can we get a Costco here in Windsor to help us lower this leakage? Because it is major.”

Some council members acknowledged they personally shop at Costco stores outside Windsor, citing lower gas prices and bulk goods, the Press Democrat reported. 

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“I don’t think we’re looking at potential revenue from gas stations,” Wall said. “But gas stations would be the unnecessary evil to have Costco in town, which would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue.” 

The proposal would mark a notable shift for Windsor, which was early among a wave of cities in Sonoma and Napa counties to adopt bans on new gas stations in recent years. Environmental advocates urged council members not to weaken the ordinance.

“Please take no further action,” Woody Hastings, a founder of the Coalition Opposing New Gas Stations, told the council. “We need more bikes on the road and less cars.”

Whether Costco is actually planning a Windsor location remains unclear. Sonoma County currently has Costco warehouses in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. Additional North Bay locations operate in Novato, Ukiah and Napa.