Costco, Lake Stevens reps to attend public meeting next week

LAKE STEVENS — Those who would like to comment on the proposed Lake Stevens Costco may do so next week.

The retailer submitted land use applications at the end of April. The city is hosting a public meeting July 11 as part of the permitting process. Representatives from the city and Costco are expected to attend.

The proposed store would be built on nearly 37 acres at the southwest corner of Highway 9 and 20th Street SE. The plans include a 170,000-square-foot warehouse store and a 30-pump gas station, records show.

A public comment period lasted 14 days following the application.

The city received 26 written comments. The responses were almost evenly split between those in favor of and those opposed to the development, said Melissa Place, senior planner for the city of Lake Stevens.

Most of the remarks were about traffic, environmental impact and the proposed location being near a residential area, she said.

Some who live on South Lake Stevens Road have had ties there for generations, including Marilyn Webber. She hopes the store reconsiders moving in.

“It’s so precious to me because I was born and raised here,” she said. “I think it’s great, and I hate to see it ruined.”

She’s concerned the development may be too big for the land, and that traffic would increase along the main roads, making it noisy for residents and more difficult to get out of the neighborhood.

Two roads would be added if the store were built as proposed — one would link to 20th Street SE, and the other would connect to Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road with a roundabout.

Outlines show the main entrance to the business on Highway 9. Webber would like to see that changed, possibly to 20th Street SE, so South Lake Stevens Road would not be affected.

She also is worried about the wetlands there. Those habitats are being reviewed by the city in coordination with other affected agencies.

Webber encourages people to come to the public meeting next week. It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. July 11, at the Lake Stevens Fire Department Conference Center, 10518 18th St. SE.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.