Costco plans at The Exchange at Indian Land in SC move forward
A new Costco would bring convenience, cash and car traffic to Indian Land. So far, the convenience and cash are tilting the scale.
Lancaster County Council moved forward on Monday with a zoning plan and other changes related to the Costco project in Indian Land. There’s one vote down and two remaining on the zoning change.
The Exchange at Indian Land is a 130-acre project on U.S. 521, or Charlotte Highway. It includes a new Costco with gas station proposal at 8918 Charlotte Highway. The ongoing decision involves a zoning change at 28-acre piece of industrial property to be included in the project.
Councilman Jose Luis pushed back on the idea that Costco couldn’t build on the acreage already zoned for its type of business, which would leave the industrial property for other potential development. Parking, the orientation of the Costco and more depend on the additional 28 acres, said county interim planning director Allison Hardin.
“You can make certain changes,” Luis said. “You may not like them, but you can make them. And they may cost you a little more, but you can make them.”
Luis wanted details on traffic and other impacts the new development could bring. Some discussion Monday involved the influx of new traffic the site could generate from Charlotte. The site is on the Indian Land panhandle, just south of Ballantyne.
“We are going to have a significant impact,” Luis said. “We are not ready for that.”
Councilman Billy Mosteller said for years he’s gotten the almost daily comments that people in Lancaster County want shopping options here, so they won’t have to go to Charlotte.
“Everybody that I’ve talked to is supporting it, wanting it,” Mosteller said.
Mosteller believes people in Indian Land, even ones concerned with traffic and growth pressures, will want the new Costco.
“Those people that you’re talking about,” Mosteller said to Luis, “will be the first ones at the door when that place opens.”
Councilman Terry Graham said panhandle traffic has to be considered.
“The problem is, will they be able to get there with the traffic?” Graham said.
Yates Dunaway with developer Crossland Southeast said other area development and commitments in place make the Costco project dependent on the smaller site to be rezoned.
“Some of that (larger) property has been sold off,” Dunaway said. “Some of it’s been leased to tenants. So that ship has kind of set sail.”
Dunaway said between property, sales and other taxes the new Costco would have an estimated $3.6 million annual tax impact for the county.
“From a property tax standpoint, it’s estimated to be about $1 million a year,” Dunaway said. “And then the total sales...a conservative Costco would to about $200 million in sales.”
The larger Exchange project announced plans previously for a Lowes Foods supermarket, hundreds of apartments or townhomes and other retail space.
This story was originally published June 15, 2023 at 12:47 PM.
