Costco gets preliminary rezoning approval for store in Pittsfield Township
Costco got another green light for its plan to build a store in Pittsfield Township Wednesday night when the township's board of trustees unanimously approved its request to rezone 17 acres near South State and Ellsworth roads.
Supervisor Mandy Grewal said the board expects to give the rezoning final approval on second reading July 27 and approve a master plan that permits a large commercial project such as Costco in the area. The store would be near the northwest corner of the intersection.
An artist's rendering shows the proposed store in Pittsfield Township.
Grewal said the board has no concerns about the project. “We’ve had a very positive reaction from the community,” she said. “We are really being representative of the community and what the community wants us to do.”
The township’s Planning Commission voted April 20 to recommend the rezoning approval. It's been about a year since since Costco announced intentions to build a 148,000-square-foot store along with a gas station and 720 parking spaces on the site.
The next step is for the township’s Planning Commission to review the preliminary site plan. A final site plan can be submitted after the board gives final approval to the rezoning.
Jack Frank, Costco vice president, previously said the store is expected to have between 200 and 250 employees, half of them full-time with the other half part-time.
The planning commission earlier said Costco’s design plans must include a small pedestrian park or plaza near the corner of Ellsworth and Airport Boulevard. Grewal said today the township also would like to see Costco include charging stations for electric vehicles.
Costco is the largest membership warehouse chain in the United States with headquarters in Issaquah, Wash. The closest Costco is in Brighton, with two others in Livonia and one in Commerce Township.
Contact Cindy Heflin at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2572.
Comments
hermhawk
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
I appreciate the time it takes to approve the store, but don't be like Scio Township and blow this opportunity. I am a Costco member and have to drive to their stores in Livonia. Costco has excellent services and I can't wait for the store to be built and save the time and travel. Besides people need jobs and the project is a win win proposition.
fishjamaica
Wed, Dec 14, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
People need good paying jobs.
BigMike
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 11:31 a.m.
"We are really being representative of the community and what the community wants us to do." Oh, really? The community wanted approval for Costco last April, when the project was first announced.
Tintin Milou
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:06 a.m.
Finally another store where I can go shopping when riding my bike on my way home from work! Thank god for this convenience and accessibility!
Basic Bob
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.
How do you carry 72 rolls of toilet paper and a case of frozen burritos on your bike?
Engineer
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:10 a.m.
Pittsfield is a joke! Costco should go elsewhere. In this economy if a Costco wants to build creating construction jobs and then later retail jobs you welecome them with open arms and help them begin construction yesterday. A bunch of 2 bit elected officials thinking they are important holding things up is hard to believe. Welecome Costco and thank the good lord for your immense patience!
dconkey
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 12:46 a.m.
Boy, you would think that Costco is the second coming. It is a big box store, that you have to pay a fee to buy from. I don't get it. That said, as most of the buildings in the loop are almost empty, this I just a formality. But things like gas, water, electric lines will have to be dug up carefully, I understand why the project will take a while.
A2comments
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 11:04 a.m.
"bus" is business "Van" should be (AND) phone auto corrected.... oh, and their price for a birthday cake blows away everyone and they are good cakes
A2comments
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 11 a.m.
Eyeglasses are $130 for progressive lenses. I joined just for that reason. Gas is usually $.10 per gallon less. Bought vitamins there and unit cost was 40% below CVS' buy 1 get 1 free offer. Pay $50 more for a bus membership that gives you a 2% rebate, breakeven on $2,500 in purchases. Open a Capital One savings account which pays higher interest to Costco members Van beats Ally and ING), and get $60 bonus ($20 w reg membership) and breakeven is now $500... Costco guarantees virtually EVERYTHING you buy AND offers to refund your membership at any time. That said, many items are MORE expensive than Meijer. You need to know prices you pay. And many buy large serving that make them eat more than they would otherwise.
lindsay erin
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Is anyone else wondering how this new Costco might affect the traffic flow on Ellsworth/State during rush hour or when there are big events at U-M (football games, graduations, etc.)? Ellsworth can get pretty congested at times but I can't even begin to imagine what State is going to be like. Just the other day, it took me 25 minutes to go less than a mile during the 5 p.m. rush from the mall to my office. I am not opposing the construction of a new Costco--it could clearly become an asset to the area. I just can't avoid these traffic concerns that continue to arise whenever I hear about this project!
Lola
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
Most likely the traffic will be routed out to the light at Airport Boulevard and State as well as directly out to Ellsworth, maybe another exit as well. If the exits are routed properly I doubt that it will cause too much of a problem. (e.g. exits at Target on A2-Saline)
shirleyd1944
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 8:42 p.m.
As a resident, I am so pleased by the township board and thier decision to let Costco build. That area needs a Gladiator like Costco to make it better. The old administration was a dinosaur, good riddens!!
applehazar
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
Why next summer for an opening? Demolition work has to be done first. If this was fast tracked we would be looking for an opening this fall. But - not now - actually I will believe it when the Costco building is up and the open sign is lit. Until then its drive to Brighton at $4.10 a gallon - oh wait - that might be $5.00 a gallon by July 4, 2011.
A2comments
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
You want them to include charging stations? Really? That's an absurd request. Stop impeding the project with silly requests. I'm of the opinion that once things begin, Costco builds in less than 100 days. So summer 2012 would be later than expected.
Jake C
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
Why is it absurd and silly? Cities all over the country are installing EV charging stations, and it's only going to get more popular. Notice that this apparently wasn't made as a "binding requirement", it seems to just be a request that the township board made to the developers. And if they're already installing a gas station, why wouldn't EV charging stations be a natural fit, too?
ksr48
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
@Basic - So you prefer the approach of the previous township administration and ram a project down? As resident, I appreciate that the township takes the time to study and vet each plan. This township board is light years away from the previous board, and voting residents have made that clear time and time again. The old administration's legacy is set in stone. Costco will be a huge asset to the township because it is being done methodically and the right way. <a href="http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/senior_citizens_group_protests.html" rel='nofollow'>http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/senior_citizens_group_protests.html</a>
voter
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
For Basic, husband of former board member, and if New Market wants to build the previous board just pays 11.35-14 million of taxpayer money and buys the property to stop the project that could have been legally built. Right next door to the former treasurers house also.
Basic Bob
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
We have zoning to provide continuity in development. Good community planning is important to maintain the character and financial viability. Therefore, if a developer wants to build a Walmart where the zoning is appropriate, he can do so as long as he files the appropriate site plans and follows the township ordinances. Good leadership understands that although they may not want to shop at Walmart, it is beneficial to the community to follow the rule of law. Now we have substituted favoritism for law. Do not confuse the long delays in the planning and rezoning process from any form of methodical review or adherence to belief in the best interests of the community. Just remember that the master plan was effectively suspended to get this project approved.
Snehal Shah
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:05 p.m.
Where exactly is this store going to be? Can you please post a map and the exact location?
Jimmy McNulty
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
Just click on the linked location "South State and Ellsworth Roads" in the article and google maps will show you. OR, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=42.229444,-83.738858&spn=0.009613,0.014935&z=16" rel='nofollow'>http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=42.229444,-83.738858&spn=0.009613,0.014935&z=16</a>
Michigan Man
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
Sounds like new jobs for Ann Arborites. Sounds like a good project. Ann Arbor is WINNING again.
fishjamaica
Wed, Dec 14, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
I doubt that 90 percent of the jobs created will pay well enough for an employee to rent an apartment in Ann Arbor and buy a vehicle that costs more than $5000. And buying a home in Ann Arbor would be absolutely out of the question. I am sure all of the corporate profits from this mega store will really benefit the area (that they go to).
gallery69
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.
If Pittsfield keeps messing around Costco will go and build it somewhere else.
thehawk
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
For Pete's sake, Pittsfield! Quit dragging your feet and just let them get on with it! You've already examined and re-examined every detail with a microscope. Dragging it out for another month means they'll be constructing during the winter. How miserable is that?