Costco plans for Ogilvie Road draw criticism from neighbours

Some residents who live near Blair and Ogilvie roads are upset with plans to build a new Costco in the neighbourhood because of fears the surrounding streets couldn't handle the hundreds of extra vehicles the store might attract.

As many as 300 people turned up at a public information session on Thursday evening to see the plans and speak with representatives from Costco and the developer, Trinity Group.

The plans call for the front portion of the site, which is directly along Ogilvie Road, to house new retail including a Gabriel's Pizza and The Beer Store.

The Costco would be built on the back part of the property, adjacent to Highway 174.

Trinity Group's plans show there would be several entry and exit points to help the traffic flow, and more than 800 parking spaces.

But some area residents at the open house said Ogilvie Road simply can't handle the extra vehicle traffic, including Beacon Hill South resident Louise Michaud.

Michaud said Ogilvie is already "very congested" at peak hours, and she's worried a Costco would make it even worse.

"For the residents in this neighbourhood this is going to be a real problem," said Michaud. "I'm a member of Costco. I'm not going to renew my membership if they come in my neighbourhood."

'Mixed' reaction to new Costco plans

The area's city councillor, Tim Tierney, said reaction from residents has been "mixed."

"I think people are very excited about possible jobs, possible rejuvenation of the community," said Tierney. "But the biggest issue I've heard is traffic … I completely support the constituency on that."

Other residents expressed concerns the public hasn't been properly consulted about the site plans, and that building the new Costco is a "done deal."

But Tierney said the developer must submit an engineered traffic study to the city before it can proceed.

A spokesperson for Costco Canada said if the new Ogilvie location is built, there will be "no need" for its existing Cyrville Road store.

The Ogilvie Costco could open as soon as fall 2017.