A Costco appears to be the next addition to the thriving Gig Harbor North area of the Maritime City.

When it comes, the store will be the latest plank in testing the seaworthiness of a carefully planned growth.

Community Development Director John Vodopich said that there are only a few vacant spots left in Gig Harbor North, which has become a well-designed, small-town shopping district.

“We’ve shown that the larger companies will listen and agree to the design standards that the city has in place,” he said. “The City Council has really stuck to their guns.”

Some of those provisions include earth tone material only, shift plane requirements that do not allow large flat walls.

Gig Harbor is a city of 6,500 people. Its design review board, which reports to the City Council, tends to be conservative in its approach to preserving the look of the town.

Its work since 1995 has culminated with the success of Gig Harbor North. In less than 18 months a Who’s Who of national franchises has set up shop. Oversized Target and Albertson’s stores were the first one-two punch in October of last year. Since then, Home Depot, Pier 1 Imports, Office Depot and Starbucks have made themselves at home, along with a fistful of other periphery service companies such as tanning salons and pet grooming stores.

Also new McDonald’s and Subway locations are due.

And now Costco. First American Commercial Property Group has applied for site specific rezoning for the 30 acres behind Target.

“They’ve said it’s going to be a Costco and if so, we’re ready for it,” Vodopich said.

All this is a far cry from the reception Wal-Mart received when it talked about moving in. In the early 1990s more than 11,000 people signed a petition to keep the mega store far away. Vodopich said he’s heard the company is still interested, but that they have been quiet as of late.

“Wal-Mart was different, because of the location it was planning,” said Vodopich, who was working for Kitsap County at the time of the controversy. “They had a spot on Point Fosdick Drive, which many believed would have snarled up traffic. It just wasn’t appropriate.”

The character of the town has been preserved through the actions of a design review board and vocal waterfront business owners. The construction of the philanthropic Russell Family Foundation headquarters on the water turned into a lightning rod for change. It blocked the view of the water and was larger than many waterfront business owners thought it had a right to be.

Aware of it’s prime location the Russell Foundation carefully landscaped the front of the building and included a public garden area. But it wasn’t enough for those who mourned the loss of a clear view of the bay.

On the one hand Vodopich, Gig Harbor Mayor Gretchen Wilbert and many others view the headquarters as a jewel in the crown of the waterfront character.

“We are attracting (business) people who are, well, very wealthy,” Vodopich said. “In many ways that’s good.”

But the concerns raised by both its location and size have prompted the Gig Harbor Planning Commission to toward to look at ordinances that will limit the size of new buildings along the waterfront, business or residential.

“The first proposal was 3,500 square feet but the council wasn’t ready to go that small,” Vodopich said. “We will see something change there to stop people buying three or four lots and erecting large buildings.”

Quality of life
   If the city were turning into a big shopping center, residents would not be happy. But it’s not. Shirley Tomasi is the heart of promoting not only the arts but also public events for showcasing local talent. The monthly Arts Walk through artist’s studios has been well received, as has the thriving Paradise Theatre.

The Gig Harbor Historical Society and Museum is also just a couple of years away from a large and permanent new location. Executive Director Chris Erlich also envisions it as an arts and learning center.

Next month the newly built Gig Harbor Civic Center, which will also house city hall and the police department, will open. Another element that keeps the feel of a well-rounded progress is Homestead Park. A community effort spearheaded by the Great Peninsula Conservancy came together to push for the purchase of the 98-acre park.

The $2.8 million price was almost completely funded by grants. But over two years another $250,000 came from the public, individuals and business. Great dreams have been foisted on the raw land. In the coming months the potential balance of ball fields, public amphitheater and RV camping must be decided.

“People come here because of the quality of the surroundings and the people,” Vodopich said. “It will only get better.”

All along part of the growth plan for the City of Gig Harbor was knowing when to stop.

Gig Harbor North came with a major land shift — a new two-lane connecting road off of Highway 16 and two roundabouts. There is currently no comparable open land. And no thought to develop any.

“There’s 180 acres of business park space but we haven’t planned for anything further,” Vodopich said. “These stores have bankrolled our sales tax income — we’ve doubled our projections — but we know there’s a limit.”.