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!
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Asheville Plans for New Costco Development at Enka Heritage Parkway
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Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
