Opponents of Costco Gas Station Remain Vigilant

Residents near the Wheaton mall have seen a small victory in their fight to keep out a possible Costco gas station on the mall's grounds, but they remain ever vigilant, in case the big box store tries to reinstate its plans later.

In July, Costco withdrew its application for fast-tracking zoning changes that, if approved, would have meant the addition of not just the wholesaler but also a 16-pump gasoline station on the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center property.

Originally, Costco said it would not come to the area without its gas station. County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett (D) had supported the store's move to fast track the zoning changes that would have allowed for the building of the service station. He and his administration were concerned that the normal process would have scuttled the deal with Costco, which they believe would provide a boost to the economy in Wheaton and the surrounding areas.

But community members have environmental and traffic concerns about placing the gas station in the proposed spot.

"As property owners, we're opposed to the gas station, based on the impact it would have on the edges of our property," said John Seabreeze, president of the board of directors of the Kensington Heights Recreation Association. "That's basically our position; that it would have a negative impact on our community and our property."

The recreation association has joined with the Kensington Heights Citizens Association in opposition to the station.

But residents are not the only ones who oppose the station. In April, the county Planning Board unanimously voted against fast-tracking the approval, saying there was "no apparent rational basis" for permitting the service station in that area, given the zoning there.

Now, the wholesaler will have to go through the regular special exception process if it wants the gas station, in which it must demonstrate why there is a need for the project. Seabreeze said that is what "everyone wanted in the first place."

Members of the Kensington Heights Citizens Association have said that they see no way that Costco could make a case for the need of a gas station in that area, given the abundance of service stations nearby. But Steve Silverman, Leggett's economic development chief, has said he is optimistic that Costco would be able to show the need.

However, Costco has not yet filed a request for a special exception, said Valerie Berton, the county Planning Department's media relations manager.

"The planners have not seen a special exception filed by Costco. One of the zoning personnel checked the schedule and a list of special exceptions filed, and she did not see a request for a special exception on the list," said Berton, who added that Costco has no deadline to apply for a special exception for the Westfield Wheaton site.

"They aren't facing a time limit," she said. "They can file for a special exception at any time, but getting it approved is another story."

The store is expected to open in late 2011 or early 2012, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Calls to Costco Wholesale's headquarters in Issaquah, Wash., were not returned.