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Asheville planners delay vote on proposed Costco

Asheville planners delay vote on proposed Costco

The proposed site of a Costco in the Enka/Candler area. Photo: Saga Communications/Pruett Norris


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Several people who attended Wednesday’s Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission meeting hoping to learn more about a proposed Costco development in the Enka/Candler area left shortly after the meeting began, once commissioners announced the item would be delayed until next month.

The commission unanimously approved a request to continue consideration of an application seeking to amend conditional zoning for three properties totaling about 39.6 acres at 264 and 274 Enka Heritage Parkway and 1455 Sand Hill Road. The request will now be taken up at the commission’s Feb. 4, 2026, meeting.

Jesse Swords, representing the applicant, said the development team requested the continuance to allow time for additional study related to the site design.

“The Costco team wants to do some additional study before they go forward with the design as it is,” Swords told commissioners.

He cited the need to examine cumulative impacts, site design challenges and several outstanding requests that could lead to changes in the current proposal.

Swords said the goal is to return next month with what he described as a “final-ish” design to ensure the proposal is either appropriate as currently planned or modified as needed.

Commissioners briefly questioned whether a one-month delay would be sufficient. Swords said he was confident it would be, noting that the development team met with city staff earlier this week and received new and clarifying information critical to the project.

City planning staff listed on the application include Planning and Urban Design Director Stephanie Monson Dahl, Assistant Director Chris Collins and Urban Planner II Clay Mitchell.

With no further questions from commissioners or the public, the commission voted unanimously to continue the item.

The proposed amendments would allow for changes to site plans, uses and project conditions to construct a large retail facility and related uses on the 39.6-acre site.

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