Costco's application for a special exemption to build a gas station includes an eight-pump station with hours between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., reports TBD. Costco decided not to pursue a zoning text amendment after local opposition questioned the need for a 16-pump station and the environmental effects on the nearby Kensington Heights neighborhood.

Construction on the main Costco store is scheduled to begin early this year to replace the empty Hecht's anchor store on the south side of the Wheaton mall. However, Costco will not hear the outcome of the application until May.

The special exemption process goes first to the Planning Board for review and if approved for transmittal, then to planning's hearing examiner, who will conduct a trial-like hearing where the applicant must answer questions by those scheduled to sign up.