ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A proposed Costco development in the Enka-Candler area has been withdrawn from the city’s review process, a city official confirmed Thursday.
“I can confirm they have pulled their application from the review process,” the official said, adding that questions about the company’s future plans should be directed to the retailer.
Asheville City Council member Bo Hess addressed the development in a Facebook post Thursday morning, expressing disappointment over the decision.
“We won’t stop trying. Sometimes perfect can be the enemy of good. I’m sorry Asheville,” Hess said in the post.
Hess said Costco withdrew its application for the Enka-Candler site on Wednesday.
“This isn’t uncommon with complex projects like this,” the post said. “We will meet with them and see if they want to look at other locations in the Asheville area.”
Fellow City Council member Sage Turner also shared the news on social media.
“Costco update — bad news. Costco withdrew their application. The Enka site will not move forward. I’ll be doing what I can to learn more. Ugh!” Turner wrote.
According to a statement provided to city officials, “The applicant indicated that required on-site and off-site improvements have increased the project’s overall scope, timeline, and anticipated costs.”
The proposal called for a 160,000-square-foot warehouse, a 32-pump fuel station and a tire center at Enka Commerce Park. The development would have occupied about 39.6 acres at 264 and 274 Enka Heritage Parkway and 1455 Sand Hill Road.
Developers had sought amendments to conditional zoning for the Enka Heritage Parkway properties to accommodate the project.
The proposal first appeared on the planning commission’s agenda in January, but the development team requested a continuance to allow additional study of the site design. The item was rescheduled for February, though the applicant again requested a continuance before ultimately withdrawing the application.