Costco plans head into home stretch as Pittsfield Township officials conclude master plan revisions
Two votes in Pittsfield Township over the coming 9 days will give Costco an indication of the timeline it faces for final approval of its plans to build a new warehouse store and gas station on Ellsworth west of State.
The reason: The township will be pursuing a final site plan with the store’s development team while at the same time it resolves its master plan revisions, which officials say must be approved before rezoning to allow Costco.
Now, Supervisor Mandy Grewal said, officials are finalizing Costco’s development plans so that it’s ready to go after the master plan changes are finalized.
The Costco approval “will be running concurrently to the master plan process,” Grewal said.
Planning Commissioners will vote Thursday night on a resolution to send the proposed master plan to the Board of Trustees, who in turn will get a chance to vote for the plan on April 13.
At that point — barring unforeseen denial — the 60-day public comment period begins. Changes can be added after that, but Grewal indicates that the township will have a new master plan approved by mid-June.
By lining up Costco with conditional approvals until that point, the new master plan also should clear the way for the warehouse club to start construction on its long-sought store in Washtenaw County, Grewal said.
“Once we have final approval of the master plan, Costco will be ready to go,” Grewal said.
The steps toward making the two approval tracks run concurrently took shape in mid-March as Costco headed into its third public meeting to discuss planning progress.
At the last Planning Commission meeting on March 17, Jackie Frank, Costco’s vice president for real estate development, gave commissioners an update — and also asked them “to expedite your master plan.”
His message centered on the timing. And while he said he also valued the input from officials and staff since the process began, he was concerned that a recent consultant’s report “retraces steps that we together have made progress on.”
Grewal said today that the township started both the master plan revisions and the Costco site plan discussions to be open and transparent to residents. The March 17 meeting was a part of that, giving the public more opportunity to voice concerns or support.
“I don’t think there’s been any frustration,” she said. However, she added, “I know some folks said it was slower than they would have liked.”
Costco’s intent to build in the township was announced a year ago, but site plans were submitted in August. Taking months to approve the complex changes for the property — which include demolition of existing buildings and construction of a gas station near the warehouse store — is appropriate, Grewal said.
“It’s really just a year since they approached us,” she said. “… We didn’t just want to rubber-stamp it.”
The Pittsfield Township Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Township Hall, 6201 W. Michigan Ave.
Comments
Sam Jones
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.
So ready for this and to cancel my Sam's club membership. Good job Pittsfield, now get it done.
Bertha Venation
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
I really look forward to not supporting the Walnuts via Sams Club!
Brad
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 11:52 a.m.
If there's anything better than Costco it's not having to visit Brighton to go to one.
J. Zarman
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
Is there any plan being assembled for State St. to handle all the additional traffic? Even now, there are significant backups on southbound State, approaching Ellsworth, every weekday morning, every weekday afternoon, and at various times Saturdays and Sundays. Where on annarbor.com can we find suggested roadway changes to improve traffic flow?
joe.blow
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 11:17 a.m.
Can't wait until they come, getting excited to shred my sam's card.
Arieswoman
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 9:21 a.m.
Now what about Menard's???? Let's go folks!
15crown00
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 4:13 a.m.
politicians decide something will happen and it will sooner or later.good competition for Sams
dmkellman
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
Welcome to Costco, I love you.
WWBoDo
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 11:09 p.m.
Full steam ahead!!
Whatever!
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
I for one appreciate Government officials giving due diligence to a project of this scope. I personally won't shop there since I don't need to buy bulk goods to last nuclear winter, but congratulations to you big box/big consumers out there. Just remember how much you wanted this store when traffic backs up from I94 all the way south down State Street.
Basic Bob
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
It sounds like they are giving Costco a free pass since there is no master plan. It seems odd that the master plan is being written around State & Ellsworth as a commercial node, when it is presently office space. However, I wonder if Menard's will get the same deal on their request for spot rezoning, or if we will have to pay them to go away.
katie
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
Good! Costco is a good company and will provide some good jobs. I hope it comes together smoothly and soon.
BigMike
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
Finally! Despite what Pittsfield Twp officials say, the process has really dragged on. My view is that they chew more than they bite off over there, if you know what I mean.
Ignatz
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
This place can't open fast enough for me. Will they consider putting up a big circus tent until they get the store done?
applehazar
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
This is positive news. Thank you Pittsfield officials. I look forward to shopping at a local Costco (hopefully in late 2011).
StartupGeek
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Finally some actual timeline details. Excellent. Thank you.