The Willows Planning Commission unanimously approved a design review and lot‑merger for the Willows Travel Plaza at 1481 South Tehama on Dec. 2, 2025.

Joe Bentancourt, Community Development Services Director, introduced the project and said staff recommended approval, calling the proposal “consistent with the municipal code and the general plan.” City planner Amy Rosig described the site as disturbed by pavement and an existing convenience store with a 12‑pump station and said the entitlement request includes merging six parcels into two (a 1.46‑acre parcel and a 6.15‑acre parcel), expanding the convenience store, adding nine truck fueling lanes, and constructing a truck service center with two service pits, a truck wash, office space and a truck scale.

Rosig said the canopy and fueling components would use Chevron branding and that the convenience store would carry the Extra Mile brand. She described landscaping along the site perimeter and three proposed signs: two monument signs on Tehama Street and an interstate‑facing pylon sign up to 80 feet tall, which she said “would be as tall as the maximum allowed” in the zone.

Commissioners asked for details on jobs and flood risk. Bentancourt said no firm job numbers were in the staff report and that a fast‑food tenant in the convenience store could employ roughly “3 to 4 to 5 with the manager” for that operation, plus additional staff for truck services, but he characterized those figures as estimates rather than a formal analysis. On flood risk, staff said they did not believe the site was within a designated floodplain and noted plans include a water‑retention basin on the southwest corner and engineering conditions to address drainage.

Traffic and safety at the Interstate 5 interchange remain outstanding. Bentancourt confirmed the applicant submitted a traffic study that has been sent to Caltrans for review; Rosig referenced Caltrans’ review and said one of Caltrans’ “biggest concerns is spillage back onto Interstate 5,” meaning staff and the agency will evaluate whether ingress and egress could cause traffic to queue onto the interstate.

Public comment was not recorded on the audio. After discussion, Commissioner Christina moved to approve the lot merger and design review “as presented,” and Commissioner Michael seconded. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote of the three commissioners present.

Next steps noted in the hearing include Caltrans’ review of the traffic study and further engineering checks before final construction permits are issued.