Costco has officially filed a full application with the City of Eagle to build a 27‑acre warehouse and fuel facility at the corner of Highway 55 and Hill Road — the latest sign that the fast‑growing corridor north of Boise is gearing up for more retail and residential change.
What the proposal includes
The submission includes the typical packing of studies and drawings: site plans, architectural renderings, an economic impact analysis and a traffic impact study. According to the traffic study, Costco projects roughly 6,985 weekday vehicle trips to the site, with about 981 vehicles in the busiest Saturday midday hour. The company says many of those trips would be rerouted from existing members who now travel to Costco locations in Boise or Meridian.
To handle that traffic, Costco is proposing substantial roadway work: widen Hill Road from Highway 55 to Horseshoe Bend Road to five lanes, add turn lanes at the Highway 55/Hill Road intersection, adjust signal timing along Hwy 55, and install two new multi‑lane roundabouts. Those roundabouts are among the most visible elements of the plan — and among the most talked about by neighbors.
Neighbors are split
Dozens of residents showed up to a neighborhood meeting in December, and public comments since have reflected a split. Some long‑time residents worry about traffic and the character of the area.
"Traffic... everyone can see it," said one resident who has watched the valley transform from dirt fields to crowded roads. "A Costco is not a bad thing... but with this road, the high speed, and not a lot of access, I feel like it'd create a lot of problems."
Others see a practical benefit. For families and travelers heading north, a Costco would be a one‑stop shop that keeps spending in Eagle rather than sending motorists to Boise or Meridian, supporters say. Some neighbors also point to jobs: Costco's analysis estimates the store would create about 300 positions, with wages the filing lists in a range from roughly $20.00 to $33.40 per hour plus health and retirement benefits and other perks.
Neighboring development and growth pressures
The Costco filing arrives amid other development moves around Eagle and nearby Boise: plans for new housing projects have been pitched in areas adjacent to the proposed site, underscoring competing priorities — more homes and services, and worries about traffic, school capacity and neighborhood feel.
Growth in the corridor has been rapid in recent years, and city planners will now need to balance that momentum with infrastructure needs. The proposed road improvements are intended to address congestion, but some residents remain skeptical about whether they will be enough.
The economic argument
Costco's application emphasizes fiscal benefits for the city: increased sales and property tax revenue and reduced "retail leakage" — the notion that local dollars currently leave Eagle for other markets. The company also highlights benefits for travelers on Highway 55, many of whom head north to recreation areas and could stop for supplies en route.
Next steps
The City of Eagle has received the application and will hold public hearings in the coming weeks where residents can give formal comment before elected officials vote. You can find permitting and meeting schedules on the City of Eagle's official website: City of Eagle Planning.
Costco's nationwide site has information about its warehouse model and employment offerings, which the company included in its local filing as context: Costco Wholesale.
As hearings are scheduled, the debate here will likely track a familiar pattern: economic opportunity and convenience on one side, and concerns about traffic, scale and neighborhood character on the other. Expect the roundabouts to remain a key talking point — not just as an engineering plan, but as a symbol of a place changing rapidly.