Williams planners OK gas station design for east side

Gas stations are not the most popular places these days with prices soaring above $4 per gallon, but a proposed Arco in east Williams is getting a warm welcome.

The Williams Planning Commission on Monday night approved the design application for the project, which will include an eight-pump, 16-nozzle gas station, a convenience store and room for a quick-serve restaurant.

The building, to be located on 1.49 acres at the northeast corner of Vann and E streets, just east of the Taco Bell, will comprise 4,175 square feet, with about 2,900 square feet dedicated to the store and nearly 1,300 square feet for the drive-through restaurant.

The station was approved as an infill project, so it was exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act process.

However, a number of conditions have already been placed on the project by the city's Technical Advisory Committee, including developing the appropriate turning lane into the site.

Planning Commission Chairman Joel Sanders said the gas station does not have the feel of an infill project because it sits on the eastern edge of the development that has taken place in the area, but he was assured that it met all the criteria.

The developer of the project is Nirmal Singh of Modesto.

Assistant City Planner Monica Stegal told the Planning Commission, with Nancy Marshall absent, that once the appeal period passes, the developer will be able to submit the project for a building permit.

Chris Winkle, the project manager, said drawings for the project plan will begin immediately. He expects the city to have the full plans in three to four weeks.

The project does sit next to an open drainage ditch, and the developers said that area will be fenced off.