Asheville Council Clears Path for First Costco

Asheville City Council unanimously approved conditional zoning changes for Costco’s proposed store at Enka Commerce Park, moving the project closer to construction. Plans call for a roughly 168,000-square-foot warehouse, a 32-pump gas station and more than 900 parking spaces, with Costco tentatively targeting a spring 2028 opening. Traffic remains a major concern: a study estimates more than 12,000 vehicle trips daily, and road improvements and further technical reviews are still under consideration. The council also approved reducing the required tree-canopy coverage from 15% to 13%, drawing objections from residents who said the exception could set a precedent; Costco’s representative argued the development would preserve the intended amount of tree cover when land outside city limits is included. The proposal follows an earlier application withdrawal amid traffic and other concerns.