Indio planning commission denies Maverick fueling station project after debate over traffic and environmental justice

The City of Indio Planning Commission voted 3–2 on March 12, 2025 (public hearing) to deny four resolutions that would have approved a tenant parcel map, conditional use permit and an initial study with a mitigated negative declaration for a proposed Maverick fueling station at the northeast corner of Avenue 45 and Golf Center Parkway.

The commission’s denial came after staff and the applicant described the project and environmental review, and after an environmental consultant explained the traffic and vehicle‑miles‑traveled (VMT) analysis that supported the mitigated negative declaration. Planning staff summarized the application as a package including a tentative parcel map, planning review, a conditional use permit and an initial study/MND; the subdivision would split an 8.62‑acre lot into a 3.37‑acre parcel for the fueling station and a 5.26‑acre parcel for future development.

Assistant Planner Jose Luis Jada presented the project to the commission and described key elements: a 6,000‑square‑foot convenience store, a fueling canopy of roughly 7,200 square feet, 10 fuel pumps providing 20 fueling positions plus additional diesel/commercial fueling positions outside the canopy, and 38 parking spaces (including accessible spaces). Jada noted the site is zoned heavy industrial and that fueling stations are allowed with a conditional use permit. He also confirmed the project’s canopy maximum height at 19 feet, 3 inches and that the site is within the City’s workplace and employment general plan designation.

Kevin Dice, site development manager for Maverick, said the company operates 24/7 convenience stores and intends to offer food service, restrooms open to…