Costco gets easement for Carson store

An easement necessary for Costco to build a soundwall between the new discount store and its neighbors was signed Thursday.

The easement was one of the last technical issues standing in the way of full Costco construction.

Costco neighbors Gene and Judy Lepire, owners of Comstock Country RV Resort, signed the easement Thursday, their attorney Richard Elmore said.

"It still has to be signed by Costco, but I can't imagine there will be a problem there," Elmore said. "They told me they have no problem with the language. The easement agreement does what the (Lepires) agreed to do in the main context of their agreement with the city."

Costco needed the easement from the Lepires to allow construction workers access to the Lepires property to build the 8-foot soundwall. Most of the wall can be built from the Costco side of the site, but a portion between the Lepire and U.S. Forest Service properties has to be built from the Lepires' side of the wall.

David Otten, project manager for Costco contractor Roberts Managing Contractors, said his crews have continued preliminary grading during the easement negotiations. When he receives all the signed paperwork, the wall will be built, he said.

Costco officials were unavailable for comment.

Elmore said another minor wall problem has popped up regarding trees which are potentially in the way of the wall's construction. Elmore said the problem wouldn't stop Costco from proceeding with their project but would have to be resolved.

"Costco got what it asked for, an easement that gave the access to the Lepires' property," Elmore said.

"Costco needs to live up to its public statement that they're going to be a good neighbor and do what's right in addressing their neighbor's property. They'll have to construct a wall that takes into account the existence of those trees."

The issue has nothing to do with Carson City. An agreement ending a dispute between the city and the Lepires was settled June 22.

Costco is purchasing just over 16 acres of city property for about $3.7 million. Escrow on the property has not yet closed.

Plans call for the construction of a 148,385-square-foot warehouse with about 720 parking spaces and a six-pump gas station on Clear Creek Road just north of Fuji Park.