Costco revising Perrysburg plan

Company has until Oct. 16 to submit official site documents

AP

The proposed site plan for a new Costco in Perrysburg is evolving, and the latest version shows an entrance off of northbound State Rt. 25 as well as off of Eckel Junction Road.

The latest preliminary plan, which has been the subject of dialogue between city officials and the developers for Costco Wholesale Corp., shows the store itself rotated to face State Rt. 25 instead of its previous layout that had it on a diagonal facing the intersection of State Rt. 25 and Eckel Junction. The side of the store will be visible from I-475/​U.S. 23 to the south.

Costco proposed putting a second store in the Toledo area near the southeast corner of State Rt. 25 and Eckel Junction, in a spot where there is a horse barn, residential property, and open fields. Some residents have questioned whether the site is suitable for such a store that will draw large amounts of traffic. There is a Costco on West Central Avenue at Secor Road in Toledo; it opened in 2007.

Costco's latest preliminary site plan.

Costco, a membership-only warehouse store with groceries and other products, hasn’t submitted an official site plan, which will be the subject of a public hearing. City officials had anticipated that hearing might occur in November, but now are questioning whether the company will have an acceptable plan ready in time for that meeting.

The company’s developer has sent two site plans to Perrysburg planning and zoning administrator Brody Walters, both of which he sent back with concerns. On the latest plan, Mr. Walters questioned, among other points, whether there was enough room for cars that might back up heading into the store site off of State Rt. 25.

Mr. Walters said the proposed gas station next to State Rt. 25 might have to be moved back to the northeast corner of the site off of Eckel Junction.

Proposed is a main building that is 153,973 square feet.

Mr. Walters called the site plan a work-in-progress. His notes back to the company include adding sidewalks, landscaping, and removing some parking.

Eckel Junction Road east of State Rt. 25 will need widening and perhaps other work to accommodate expected high volumes of traffic, Mr. Walters said. The added road work, not including any work on the expressway, is estimated at $2.2 million. The expressway work is expected to cost about $8 million to $9 million, he said, which would be done by the Ohio Department of Transportation.

“I don't know where the funding would come [from],” Mr. Walters said. “I don't know if they'll be ready for November.”

To get on the November Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agenda, Costco would have to submit an official site plan by Oct. 16. Mr. Walters said he wouldn't be surprised if the time frame was pushed back a month.

The Circle K gas station at State Rt. 25 and Eckel Junction would remain where it is, according to current site plan.

Asked about putting a Costco at the proposed site, Perrysburg council member Sara Weisenburger, who sits on the council's economic development committee, said, “There is definitely a lot that needs to be ironed out before Costco comes in. I hope the city is working well with them.”

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.