Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005

Kaua'i panel yet to rule on permit for Costco

Advertiser Staff

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Costco's effort to get permits for a new 150,000-square-foot facility on Kaua'i has been delayed before the Kaua'i Planning Commission, both because a commission quorum was not present at a Feb. 8 public hearing, and because a traffic study for the project is not complete.

The commission deliberations will resume March 8. It was not clear how the delay would affect the firm's plans to open in November or December of this year.

Costco hopes to close soon on the purchase of 15 acres of commercially zoned land from Grove Farm, just south of Kukui Grove Center, next to the new Home Depot facility. Costco proposes an eight-lane wholesale service station on 1.5 acres, and its big warehouse facility on the remaining land.

Costco plans 682 parking stalls, and its parking facilities will flow into those of the Home Depot store.

Some local businesses have protested the arrival of the big box store, which provides discount gasoline and lower prices on food, furniture and other goods. Planners said the Costco property is already zoned for general commercial use, providing no ready means to prevent the store's establishment.