News

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.

Outlaw Roundup

Commercial Free Outlaw

Each weekday at Noon & 5pm, 105.5 The Outlaw goes commercial free

Asheville Deal

Save 50% and more on great local eats, products and services.

105.5 The Outlaw App

Download the free, official 105.5 The Outlaw app!

105.5 The Outlaw welcomes The Big D & Bubba Show!

Catch the Big D & Bubba show on 105.5 The Outlaw every Monday-Friday from 5-10am and Saturday from 6-10am

Listen to 105.5 The Outlaw on your Smart Speaker

We make listening to The Outlaw easy!

News

2 days ago in Lifestyle

A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday

The crisp crinkle of fallen leaves beneath your feet. The swish and trickle of water moving through a stream. A breath of crisp, fresh air. Spending time in nature can be invigorating or produce feelings of peace and calm.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote on Thursday sided with the recording giant, arguing that the Grammy-winning group never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings and didn't transfer them to anyone else.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman sells for $15 million

A rare copy of the comic book that introduced the world to Superman and also was once stolen from the home of actor Nicolas Cage has been sold for a record $15 million.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker gets Golden Globes’ Carol Burnett Award and Helen Mirren gets DeMille prize

Matthew Broderick presented his wife of nearly 30 years Sarah Jessica Parker with the Golden Globes'Carol Burnett Award for a life of achievement in television at Golden Eve, a ceremony that also added Helen Mirren to the list of legends that have won the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

3 days ago in Entertainment

David Bowie’s childhood home in London is set to open to the public next year

David Bowie's bedroom could soon be London's newest tourist attraction. The house where the musician grew from suburban schoolboy to rock 'n' roll starman has been bought by a charity that plans to open it to the public.

3 days ago in National

Protests over federal enforcement operations after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland

As anger and outrage spilled out onto Minneapolis' streets over the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, a new shooting by federal officers in Oregon left two people wounded, sparked additional protests and elicited more scrutiny of enforcement operations across the U.S.

3 days ago in National

Minnesota must play a role in the investigation into Renee Good’s killing by ICE, governor says

The state of Minnesota must play a role in investigating the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, Gov. Tim Walz insisted Thursday, pushing back against the Trump administration's decision to keep the investigation solely in federal hands.

4 days ago in Lifestyle

Mobility exercises are an important part of fitness as we age. Here are some tips

As they age, it's not uncommon for many people to let out a muted groan when getting out of bed in the morning. But if you "oof" every time you get in a car or "aargh" while bending over to pick up something, it may be time to prioritize exercises that target your mobility.

4 days ago in Entertainment

Live-action ‘Tangled’ will star Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider

Disney will let down Rapunzel's lengthy hair once again. Walt Disney Pictures said Wednesday its live-action adaptation of "Tangled" will star Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim in the lead roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

4 days ago in National

Senate considers limiting Trump’s war powers after Venezuela raid

The Senate is expected to vote on a resolution Thursday that would limit President Donald Trump's ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela, setting up a test for his expanding ambitions in the Western Hemisphere.