New Costco Store Proposed for Asheville

News Summary

Asheville is buzzing with anticipation over a proposed Costco store to be located on Enka Heritage Parkway. The 152,000 square-foot warehouse will feature a gas station, tire center, and ample parking, while also preserving local landmarks and adhering to environmental requirements. Although the development aims to enhance shopping options, concerns about increased traffic are being raised. Approval processes are underway, with community meetings planned to keep residents informed and involved in the development.

Exciting New Costco Developments Coming to Asheville

Asheville residents, listen up! A proposed Costco store could soon call our lovely city home, and it’s shaping up to be quite the neighborhood addition. The warehouse is set to sit along Enka Heritage Parkway in Buncombe County, covering a whopping 152,000 square feet! That’s a lot of room for your shopping list!

More Than Just a Shopping Stop

This isn’t just any Costco; it’s planning to include some fantastic amenities. Picture this: a gas station featuring an impressive 32 pumps for all your fueling needs. Plus, if you have tire troubles, the new tire center will be at your service for tire changes—no more scouring around town for help. And don’t worry about where to park; the design boasts 839 parking spaces, so you won’t have to fight for a spot!

But Wait, There’s More!

This project isn’t just about convenience; it comes with a responsibility to the local community and environment. To enhance the area, developers are required to preserve the iconic Enka Clock Tower, honor the history of the American Enka Company with interpretive signage, and even create a lovely seating area for folks to relax. There’s also a plan for two onsite retention ponds to manage stormwater runoff effectively—because who wants a soggy parking lot?

In an effort to make the community greener, Costco will have to follow a 15% Tree Canopy Coverage requirement. This means they will either need to plant about 3.7 acres of trees or pay roughly $875,000 to help reclaim some green space. The site currently lacks trees, so a little greenery wouldn’t hurt, right?

A Path to Approval

Now, this grand proposal won’t be a walk in the park just yet. It will need to skate through some approval hoops first. An amendment to the existing conditional zoning is needed, requiring a thumbs up from both the city and county. After that, the Planning and Zoning Commission will review the plans.

And communication is key! The developers will hold a neighborhood meeting to keep the people living within 200 feet of the site in the loop. So if you’re nearby, you’ll have a chance to share your thoughts!

Community Reactions

Interestingly, while many locals are excited about the job opportunities and new shopping options, some are voicing concerns about increased traffic that the development might bring. It’s a common worry whenever a big store moves into the neighborhood, and managing that traffic is a must. Luckily, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will oversee a traffic impact study because of the development’s large scale.

With over 600 members in a local Facebook group dedicated to Costco, it’s clear there’s a buzz in the community about this potential new shopping haven! After all, Costco already operates an impressive 897 warehouses across the country, so they’re no strangers to the retail game.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next in this development journey? After the neighborhood meeting wraps up, the developers will submit a permit application to kick off the review process. However, don’t get too excited just yet; there’s no specific timeline for when everything will be finalized. Just know that this is just the beginning of what could be a fantastic addition to the Asheville community!

In conclusion, stay tuned, Asheville! Exciting times could be ahead with the potential for a new Costco store. Will it improve our shopping experience, or will the traffic woes deter us? Only time will tell!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Asheville Plans for New Costco Development at Enka Heritage Parkway

Additional Resources

• WLOS
• Google Search: Costco Asheville
• AVL Today
• MSN Money
• Wcyb
• Britannica: Costco

Author: HERE Asheville