Volkswagen returning to south Placer County. Find out where new dealership is planned

A Volkswagen dealership may be returning to Placer County.

A 45,300-square-foot dealership and service center is in the permit process for the city of Rocklin, according to a project proposal presented to the Rocklin Planning Commission on Tuesday.

“The project would include sales/showroom space, a 20-bay service shop, vehicle wash, customer parking lot, landscaping improvements, and trash enclosures,” according to the planning commission’s meeting agenda.

The property owner and applicant, Rocklin GW, was issued a conditional use permit by the planning commission, allowing the project to proceed to environmental review.

It will be built on a 2.25-acre parcel next door to Audi Rocklin on Granite Drive, and a few blocks away from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The area is zoned for automotive services, according to the city.

“When the Audi Dealership was entitled in 2015, it was anticipated that a future dealership, or similar use, would be proposed on the project site remainder,” the staff report said. “The proposed project is consistent with that anticipated development.”

The proposed Volkswagen dealership would be built around a large existing oak tree on the property that is protected by city regulations, the staff report said.

Drawings of the proposed building depict a modern, sleek, two-story structure. It has a large storefront with tall windows and aluminum accent panels, as well as corrugated metal cladding. It is designed to blend with the eclectic architectural style that is characteristic of the buildings in this district of Granite Drive, the city said.

The dealership, if approved, would be the first Volkswagen sales and service center in the county since the departure of Volkswagen from the Roseville Auto Mall in 2019. The future home of the new project is not far from the Sierra College Boulevard and Rocklin Road exits from Interstate 80.