Costco clears hurdle for development in Liberty Township
LIBERTY TWP. – Construction of a Costco store as the flagship of a $133 million development came one step closer to fruition this week.
The project – Freedom Pointe – narrowly received approval from the Liberty Township Zoning Commission on a 3-2 vote, with commissioners James Dobrozsi, and Mike Stater voting no.
It now goes before the township’s board of trustees for final approval of the requested zone change and preliminary plan that would allow the project to proceed. Trustees are expected to hold a public hearing and may vote on the matter on July 20.
“It was a real relief getting through (the zoning commission),” said Dan Wheeler, an engineer and director of development at Target Management and Leasing, lead developer of the project.
“It’s hard to go to trustees without the zoning (commission’s) support.”
The Costco store would be built on 23 acres of the 88.6-acre site, located on the east side of Cox Road, just north of Liberty Way.
The store would be 160,000 square feet and includes a tire center, 768 parking spaces and a covered fueling station with 24 pumps, said Stephen Cross, an engineer representing Costco.
“Costco is the impact; it’s what’s going to drive the development,’’ Cross said. “All of our commercial neighbors see this as a positive development.”
Not so, with neighbors in the neighboring Four Bridges subdivision. Several spoke out against the project citing traffic concerns, the density and height of the apartments, security, and noise.
“While we all know this is going to happen, how can we not devalue our neighborhood and somehow keep Liberty Township beautiful?” said Christina Hamberg.
“Part of the draw is we’re not so big and congested with the same things on every corner. I don’t see the value to Liberty Township of this development.”
If the project is approved, Costco would be built on the southwest corner of the property – furthest away from Four Bridges residents.
Besides Costco, the project includes a hotel, offices, medical facilities, retail, restaurants and both apartments and townhouses for rent.
There are 66.54 acres set aside for retail, including Costco; a restaurant; grocery store; and hotel, for a total of 442,499 square feet. The remaining 22.13 acres would be used for 372 apartments and 44 townhouses that would also be rented.
The breakdown
Office: 125,500 square feet
Retail/restaurant/grocery store: 84,470 square feet
Costco: 160,529 square feet
Hotel: 72,000 square feet