Asheville Council Approved Costco Zoning Change

City officials unanimously voted to authorize the site development plan for a new store in the Enka neighborhood.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of geometric site planning shapes, representing commercial land development in a mountainous region. — The Asheville City Council unanimously approved a zoning change and site plan on October 13, 2026, for a new Costco in Enka. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Asheville City Council unanimously approved a zoning change on October 13, 2026, clearing the way for a proposed Costco development. The approval also included a reduction in the required property tree canopy coverage to facilitate the project.

Why it matters

Council members prioritized the economic benefits of the project, specifically noting the potential for roughly 300 new jobs and increased local access to gas and grocery options. Officials identified the Enka neighborhood as a primary area of need for additional grocery infrastructure.

The council approved a formal reduction of the site's tree canopy requirement from 15% to 13%, marking a 2 percentage point decrease. This decision follows a unanimous vote to advance the project after developers negotiated with local and state agencies.

The players

Asheville City Council

This is the governing legislative body for the city of Asheville that oversees zoning regulations and municipal development policies.

Costco

Costco is a multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only big-box retail stores.

The details

Following a public hearing, the council moved forward with the project after developers reached agreements with the city, the property seller, and the Department of Transportation to resolve previous application hurdles. Costco had previously withdrawn its initial proposal for the site in February 2026.

Costco withdrew its initial application for the store in February 2026.
Asheville City Council approved the zoning change and tree waiver on October 13, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the zoning change, including local advocacy groups, have historically raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of reducing urban tree cover for large-scale retail developments. This vote highlights the ongoing tension between environmental preservation policies and the push for economic development within the Enka neighborhood.

Residents in the Enka neighborhood can expect significant changes to local retail access and potential increases in employment opportunities once the facility opens. The approval also signals a shift in local land-use priorities that may influence future commercial development standards across the city.

The takeaway

This decision underscores the local government's emphasis on balancing environmental mandates with perceived community economic needs. Residents should monitor future planning commission meetings for details regarding construction timelines and project phasing.