Bel Air community voices concerns over proposed Costco location

A recent meeting of the Harford County Development Advisory Committee saw community members expressing significant concerns regarding a proposed Costco store in Bel Air. The plan involves constructing a 162,000 square foot warehouse on 22 acres of land along Veterans Memorial Highway, which would also include a gas station. Residents are particularly worried about the potential increase in traffic, with estimates suggesting an additional 11,000 vehicles daily and 17,000 on Saturdays. Bill Wehland, a local resident, highlighted the challenges of managing such traffic increases given the current patterns in the area. The advisory committee, which reviews large project proposals before they receive county approval, received feedback from attendees who questioned the appropriateness of a warehouse-style store in the community. While some residents are open to the idea of a Costco in Harford County, they believe this specific location is unsuitable due to the anticipated traffic issues. During the meeting, representatives for the project declined to provide comments, and inquiries made to Costco's website revealed that the company does not discuss new locations until they are close to opening. The advisory committee made several recommendations for the project, emphasizing the need for an updated traffic study before any further progress can be made. Community members, including Wehland, expressed their intent to monitor the situation closely, indicating that this meeting marks the beginning of ongoing discussions about the proposed Costco and its implications for the Bel Air area.