A proposed Costco warehouse in Surrey's Grandview Heights neighbourhood is facing significant community opposition, with hundreds of residents signing a petition citing serious environmental and traffic concerns.
Community Concerns and Environmental Impact
Local resident Tiffany Bullinger, who lives directly across from the proposed site, expressed her distress at the potential loss of the natural landscape she enjoys daily. "I look out my bedroom window daily and think to myself how unbelievably upsetting it is that all of these beautiful trees will be gone once they begin construction," Bullinger said. "It truly breaks my heart."
The petition, which has garnered approximately 800 signatures, states that the proposed location is in an ecologically sensitive area. Opponents are worried the development will be detrimental to local wildlife and the nearby Fergus Creek Watershed, located just a few blocks south near 14th Avenue.
Details of the Costco Proposal
The ambitious development proposal from Costco Wholesale Canada includes a massive 165,000 square foot warehouse, a gas station, and a sprawling 989-space parking lot. To proceed, the project requires rezoning the lots from residential to commercial.
The Surrey city council has already given the proposal its first and second readings. A crucial public hearing is scheduled for Monday night at city hall, where the fate of the project will be further debated.
A major point of contention is the project's impact on the local tree canopy. The current plan involves the removal of 1,107 trees. While Costco proposes to keep or replace 572 trees and contribute an estimated $517,000 to the city's green city program, the net loss remains a significant issue for residents.
Traffic and Family Safety Worries
Beyond the environmental impact, residents are deeply concerned about the potential for severe traffic congestion. The petition highlights that with only one road in and out of the area and limited entry points to the proposed parking lot, there is a high risk of congestion and potential safety hazards, especially during peak shopping hours.
For Bullinger, a mother of four, the proposed store threatens the very character of her family-friendly neighbourhood. "We have been so incredibly lucky to have our children be able to safely play along the sidewalk in front of our house … this will no longer be safe to do so, once the Costco is built," she lamented.
The application also reveals that Costco is seeking permission to build closer to a nearby waterway than typically permitted. As a mitigation measure, the company has committed to adding a green buffer along the east and south sides of the property. The proposal also includes subdividing the land, with one lot being designated as a city-owned protected riparian area.
