Gaithersburg residents push back on plan to replace homes with car wash on MD 355

Gaithersburg residents have launched a campaign to stop a proposal to replace two homes at 605 and 607 S. Frederick Avenue (MD 355) with a car wash. Signs have been posted along the roadway in that area which read, "NO CAR WASH." They urge people to email planning@gaithersburgmd.gov by April 27, 2022 in opposition to the proposal. The signs warn of the impact in traffic, noise and pollution opponents believe the car wash will cause.

Residents are batting .500 in stopping contentious projects with significant impacts on residential neighborhoods in the city over the last couple of years. A proposal to build a crematorium adjacent to residential homes was ultimately rejected by the city. The plan to build a Wawa convenience store and mega gas station was approved, and ground was broken recently on that project. Wawa having more than a few fans in Gaithersburg probably helped, along with the stronger legal position the applicant held. There's probably not a similar built-in fan base for a car wash, so it will be interesting to see who prevails in this case.