Plans for the Bel Air Costco were not approved during a Development Advisory Committee hearing Wednesday after committee members requested that a revised Traffic Impact Study and numerous other changes be made to the plans.

Revisions requested by the committee included road improvements and realignments, along with minor things like clarification on certain items and changes to things like definitions, calculations and measurements.

Once the revisions are made, the plans can be resubmitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning. If the department grants preliminary and site plan approval, the developers could apply for building permits.

Developers confirmed during the meeting that they are under contract with Bel Air Village to purchase the land for the proposed Costco.

The plans show the 22.5-acre development would include the 162,000 square foot warehouse store, 821 parking spaces and a 24-pump gas station at the corner of Plumtree and Emmorton roads.

Since the plans were introduced in July, residents have voiced concerns about potential traffic congestion and traffic safety issues.

The Maryland State Highway Administration recommended that in order for the surrounding area to adequately accommodate the Costco and its projected 5,500 daily visitors, numerous changes and improvements need to be made to surrounding roadways.

Dozens of residents who attended Wednesday’s meeting shook their heads in disapproval and sat wide-eyed with shock, whispering things like “this is a disaster” and “what a mess” when the committee stated that the recommended road improvements include:

Expanding Plumtree Road from two lanes to five to allow two lanes in each direction along with a center turn lane;
A traffic signal at the Route 924/Emmorton Road intersection at Bright Oak Drive;
The widening of Route 924/Emmorton Road to accommodate acceleration and deceleration lanes;
Increasing the speed limit on Plumtree Road from 30 to 40 miles per hour.

Residents who spoke during Wednesday’s meeting voiced concerns similar to those shared during the Community Input Meeting that drew more than 100 people to the Abingdon Fire Hall in July. Everyone who spoke, at some point in their comments, touched on traffic safety concerns.

“This is going to be a horrendous mess,” said Bill Wehland, a 38-year resident of the area. “There is a definite need to improve road conditions for the safety of the public.”

According to Maryland State Police crash data, there have been more than 20 crashes at the four intersections and numerous entrances to neighborhoods surrounding the site of the proposed Costco this year.

The data showed that since Jan. 1, 2024:

At the intersection of Route 24 and Bel Air Parkway South, there have been three crashes that resulted in damage only.
At the intersection of Route 924 and Bel Air Parkway South, there have been two crashes that resulted in damage only.
At the intersection of the Bright Oaks neighborhood and Route 924 there have been two crashes with injuries.
At the intersection of Plumtree Road and Route 24 there have been three crashes — one with injuries and two with property damage.
At the intersection of Plumtree Road and Route 924, there have been two crashes with property damage only.
At the entrance to the Shell gas station, Ultimate Car Wash and self-storage on Route 924, there have been six crashes — one with injuries and the rest with property damage.
At the entrance to the Lorien assisted living facility, Med Star facility and Sonic Drive-In, there have been four accidents — two with injuries and two with damage.

Residents said that adding the proposed traffic light at the intersection of Bright Oak Drive and Route 924/Emmorton Road would cause even longer traffic delays.

“It is already a nightmare getting out of our community,” said Julius Silvestri, president of the Glengate Homeowners Association.  “I see this as hopeless. We are being trapped in our own community just to get in and out.”

Plans for a Walmart were proposed for the same site as Costco in 2012. Many residents pushing back against   Costco recalled participating in the fight against Walmart before the plans were dropped in 2015 after project officials were “unable to reach an agreement” on a contract to purchase the site.

Walmart — like all development proposals — was obligated to submit a traffic impact study. Residents stated that recommendations made by the Maryland State Highway Administration for the Walmart included expansions to neighboring roads that were double what is recommended for Costco.

“The Walmart study was done 10 years ago, and we all know that the traffic has increased significantly since then,” said resident Steve Toby.

Residents said that because of the addition of apartment buildings and businesses in the area along with the overall growth of Harford County, they do not believe the current Traffic Impact Study submitted by the developer accurately captured traffic conditions of the area. They speculated that because the Traffic Impact Study was conducted during the summer, when schools were not in session, the committee is requesting a revised study that more accurately depicts the conditions.

Residents urged members of the Development Advisory Committee and the developers to evaluate other locations for the Costco that would have less of a negative impact on quality of life in the area.

“After Costco does their upgrades, they don’t have to live here. We do,” said Sal Sabatino. “Costco is a good store, just not in this area.”

Members of the Development Advisory Committee said no future hearing or meeting dates have been set for the Costco project.