Costco is one step closer to relocating its Bellingham store to West Bakerview Road after the City of Bellingham issued permits for site work on July 28.

The city announced in a press release that it had issued permits to Costco, and also that the city has started construction on a regional stormwater mitigation facility for new business and city development in the area.

The Costco and most of the development in the area is planned for the north side of West Bakerview Road, near Interstate 5.

The future Costco warehouse will be 162,000 square feet and include a 24-pump fueling station, according to the city press release. The Costco currently in Bellingham, at 4229 Meridian St., is 130,000 square feet, according to city planning documents.

The stormwater facility the city is building will provide stormwater mitigation for current and future development in the area. The facility should be finished this fall, the city press release said.

Other development proposals for the area include two retail shopping centers and residential development north of the Costco site.