Gaithersburg Wawa faces hostile reception from neighbors at public hearing

A packed house turned out to testify on the Wawa convenience store and mega gas station proposed for 405 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg last night. The development, which backs up to a residential neighborhood, faced significant resident opposition. Mayor Jud Ashman had to quiet the crowd during Wawa's presentation that preceded public testimony, as some grumbled about statements made by the applicant's representatives.

"This is the wrong time and the wrong place for this project," a resident of Gaither Road told the Mayor and Council. She said allowing a major gas station was the wrong approach for the City when it should be promoting electric vehicles, and that the site was too small for a project of Wawa's scale. Many expressed similar concerns about the environmental and noise impacts on both the adjacent homes, and on Gaithersburg High School students. Wawa suggested during its presentation that it would provide employment for some of those students.

Service station owners testified that Wawa would put them out of business. One said he could not compete with Wawa, because customers there could get both a sandwich and gas. Wawa asserted that convenience store and fresh food sales are their primary business, with gasoline being a lucrative side business for them.

What really stands out about the location is how far it is from any interstate interchange. It seems geared more to the high school audience than weary highway travelers, which is somewhat unusual for a gas station business. By contrast, competitor Royal Farms will be opening their first Montgomery County location right at an off-ramp from I-270. Wawa will also be making their first entry into the MoCo market if this store is approved. "We're excited for this opportunity to come to Montgomery County," a Wawa land acquisition representative said.

Wawa fans across the county are also pretty excited. But those living in Deer Park...not so much. A similar battle over a mega gas station at the Wheaton Costco dragged out for years in court, and residents ultimately won. Could residents here resort to an expensive legal challenge to Wawa? We should know by October, when the Mayor and Council will vote to approve or reject this proposal.