Large Crowd Expected at Costco Hearing in Yorktown
Residents and officials are gearing up for what is anticipated to be a long and emotionally charged public hearing next week on a proposed Costco Wholesale Club on Route 202 in Yorktown.
The hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday before the Planning Board in the Nutrition Center at the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center.
Citizens representing two active community groups that have competing views of the development have been urging residents to express their feelings at the hearing. Yorktown Smart Growth, which opposes Costco, and Citizens for a Progressive Yorktown, which supports the megastore, both had speakers appear at the Town Board meeting last week to promote the hearing.
A few days later, Yorktown Smart Growth held an informational meeting at the Mohansic Golf Course. On Friday, a group of protestors gathered in front of the 18-acre site on 202 holding signs supporting existing businesses, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club, which is down the road, and reminding passerbys Costco has not yet been approved.
“Contrary to the slogans of the opposition, Costco does not hurt local businesses but rather fortifies and assists them,” said Citizens for a Progressive Yorktown. “They are the ‘bread and butter’ segment of Costco’s customer base.”
Costco is looking to construct a 150,000-square-foot building, a gas station for members and 610 parking spaces. Supporters have highlighted the tax benefits of bringing in Costco, which is projected to produce $5.2 million in state tax, $3.9 million in county sales tax and $613,000 to the Yorktown School District annually.
In addition, Costco would generate 350 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs, along with contributing $3 million to road improvements that would complement the $7 million of work on 202 that is being completed by the state Department of Transportation.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
