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PacTrust to appeal Salem denial of Costco-anchored shopping center

The empty lot along Kuebler Boulevard where the shopping center is proposed. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter files)

PacTrust Realty, the backers of a nearly 200,000-square-foot shopping center that was spurned by Salem City Council last week, says it will file an appeal to the state land use board.

The Portland-based real estate developer sent a notice to several neighbors Wednesday evening.

The news comes a week after a lengthy and highly attended city council meeting Dec. 12, in which councilors voted 5-3 against the shopping center. Councilors argued the Costco-anchored project had grown too large since it was first proposed in 2006 and was no longer compatible with the neighborhood. That ruling became officially ratified Monday night.

Salem city planners first approved plans for the shopping center in October. The plan included a Costco, four retail shell buildings and a 30-pump gas station.

But neighbors promptly appealed two weeks later. They mainly worried the project was too large and would clog nearby roads. They also did not want to see a grove of Oregon white oak trees be removed.

PacTrust has maintained the project meets all the requirements from when the field was rezoned in 2006 and that the firm has spent $3 million improving nearby roads for the development.

Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.