San Jose City Council has officially approved the controversial plan for Costco to establish a new store at the Westgate West Shopping Center, incorporating several new conditions aimed at addressing the concerns expressed by thousands of residents regarding traffic and safety.
Despite the economic benefits this project promises, San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei is leading efforts to ensure that Costco goes beyond the city’s initial requirements to mitigate potential impacts on nearby families and schools.
“We’ve been in ongoing discussions with the Vice Mayor’s office, community members, and representatives from Costco,” Kamei stated. “Our goal is to improve the project and minimize its effects. In addition to standard review conditions, Costco has voluntarily agreed to implement a number of enhancements to become a good neighbor.”
Costco’s vision includes a $60 million investment in a project located at 5287 Prospect Road. The plan involves demolishing three existing one-story buildings in the struggling shopping center and replacing them with a 40-foot tall, 165,148 square-foot store featuring a rooftop parking lot.
Before the approval on the 22nd, Costco already operated four locations and a business center in San Jose. The new Westgate West store, situated near the boundary of San Jose and Saratoga, has sparked diverse opinions in the community since the announcement of the project. City officials and business leaders view the proposed Costco as positive economic news, anticipating the creation of 250 to 300 jobs at an hourly rate of $29, alongside an expected $2 million in annual sales tax revenue, which would benefit the city and local schools.
Leah Toeniskoetter, president of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, expressed her support for the Costco project, highlighting that after three years of dialogue and design changes, as well as $2.5 million towards addressing additional traffic demands, Costco has demonstrated itself to be a cooperative partner.
Yet, many residents hold a contrasting view of Costco’s value and accuse the city of prioritizing large corporations over the welfare of its citizens. The proposed store’s proximity to residential areas, as well as its location near Prospect High School and Country Lane Elementary, is expected to increase daily traffic by 11,000 vehicles, raising concerns about noise and safety among the community.
Julie Reynolds-Grabbe, chair of the Prospect High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association, conveyed her apprehension, stating, “Supporting this project signals that San Jose values tax revenue over the safety of our students and the welfare of the community.”
While San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan acknowledged that some concerns are valid, he pushed back against the notion that the city makes decisions purely based on financial incentives.
As part of the conditions approved by the city council, Costco has committed to restricting traffic on Graves Avenue and relocating its loading dock away from residential neighborhoods. Additionally, the company agreed to increase its contributions for traffic improvement at intersections from $1 million to $2.5 million, aiming to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety.