Outlot restrictions discussed for proposed Costco in Perrysburg
3/20/2014Perrysburg's Planning and Zoning Committee discussed Thursday the possibility of placing restrictions on Costco's requested special-approval use for its proposed store in the city.
Possible stipulations would require Costco to lessen the traffic burden by agreeing not to sell its out lots. Also, Costco could be required to ensure landscaping that appeases nearby residents.
The proposed 154,000-square-foot Costco would have a 16-pump gas station at the State Rt. 25 entrance, and a Costco study “assumes” a bank and fast-food restaurant would go between entrances off Eckel Junction Road.
"I would support a recommendation that would eliminate the out lots," committee chairman Tim McCarthy said.
Costco's study "assumed" a bank and fast-food restaurant would take up the two lots. Mr. McCarthy explained how even though located in much smaller buildings, fast-food stores could create a lot of traffic, such as during the morning commute.
City Council is to vote on the special-approval use for Costco at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday during a special meeting. The special-approval use is required for retail businesses larger than 60,000 square feet. After the vote, Costco would only need its final site plan approved by the planning commission at a March 27 meeting to proceed.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Brody Walters said the outlots are "critical" for Costco and important for its economics. Law Director Mathew Beredo explained how the outlots would be later decided by the Planning Commission, which would look at traffic studies and codes.
Mr. McCarthy still wants the no-outlots condition in the special-approval use.
The council members discussed how they have heard residents overwhelmingly tell them this is the right store but wrong location. They can't tell them where to go, Mr. McCarthy said. One resident of Callander Court didn't buy the fact they could just go somewhere else.
"I'm tired of people telling them to move here or there," Larry Small said. "If it is not going here they are not going in Perrysburg. And the city is chomping at the bit for Costco and the increase in tax revenue."
Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.