The Lawrence Township Planning Board approved an application to add 152 parking spaces to the Costco Wholesale store at 4100 Quakerbridge Road at its June 17 meeting.
The new parking spaces will be constructed on vacant land on the north and south sides of the Costco Wholesale entrance driveway on Quakerbridge Road. The new parking spaces will be evenly divided between the new parking lots.
When Costco Wholesale was approved by the Planning Board in 2015, it was granted a variance to build 680 parking spaces.
Now, additional parking is needed, Costco Wholesale officials said. With the addition of 152 parking spaces, there will be 832 parking spaces.
John Alvarado, who is the director of real estate for Costco Wholesale, said the additional parking is needed to free up parking spaces for customers and to provide for overflow parking during the holidays and long weekends.
Employees have been using the existing parking lot. They will be encouraged to park in the new lots so that Costco Wholesale members do not have to drive around in search of a parking space, Alvarado said.
The Lawrence Township Shade Tree Committee, however, opposed the parking lot expansion. Instead of paving the vacant lot, trees should be planted to provide cooling, according to their opposition.
The advisory committee also suggested that Costco Wholesale could inform its members about the times when heavy traffic is occurring or would be expected. They could be informed about the days and times when there is less traffic.
But project engineer Philip Pryor said members stop at Costco Wholesale on their way to work or on their way home to pick up groceries and other items. The average visit lasts about 45 minutes to one hour.
It would not be practical to attempt to direct members when to shop at Costco Wholesale. It would be difficult to ask them to change their habits, Costco officials said.
Costco Wholesale is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is open on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
