Let's finally get the Costco Gas Station built
As a Kensington resident for the past forty years, and 12 in Kensington Heights, I strongly support the Wheaton Costco gas station and I want to comment on Esther French’s recent posting, “Costco Gas Station Dominates Zoning Amendment Testimony.”
The thought of having a Costco gas station in my backyard is very appealing to me. I look forward to the day when I don’t have to drive out of my way for affordable gas, and I think the current proposed ZTA is nothing short of adding bureaucracy to an already bureaucratic system.
As we heard at the Hearing on Tuesday, I believe that the opponents to this gas station are making a lot of assumptions that are either not accurate, or based on irrelevant information. They are relying on studies that were done internationally, not on the specific site. Their assumptions are not based upon fact and have no relevance to the proposed site.
There is no justification for the distance ban. Costco has done their due diligence, and the science shows that the distance ban isn’t necessary.
Years ago, where the current Wendy’s restaurant is – there was a gas station, and I recall it being a rather large station. That ga station was only about 200 feet from the proposed gas station. So why all this fuss now? Why didn’t my neighbors complain years ago? Esso was not a community partner. They didn’t add any value to our neighborhood, nor did they go above any environmental regulations. Costco has indicated that they not only do they have plans to put up a green screen, but they are also adding additional vegetation between the station and our community.
You can see why I am puzzled that this ZTA was introduced. Why are our County Council members trying to stop a good corporation from doing business in the County?
I look forward to the day when Wheaton Mall and the surrounding areas are revitalized. I can see people walking through the shops, eating in local restaurants and enjoying a town that I am proud to call my home.
Ann Arevalo
6:20 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Costco's due diligence applies to their gasoline pumps, but the emmissions from hundreds of idling cars day in and day out, particularly in the summer heat, is in fact a health threat, especially to children. A mega gas station so close to the swim & tennis club and school for special needs children puts those children at great risk. As you said in your last paragraph, a walkable Wheaton downtown is the goal; a mega gas station located in a public transit-oriented area is the antithesis of that goal.
Maria Sklar
10:25 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I agree with Ann!
The Big Egg
8:03 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
"I look forward to the day when I don’t have to drive out of my way for affordable gas"
How far is it for you to drive to Econoway or Freestate, if you are looking for the least expensive gas in town? For whatever it's worth, the gas there is always within a few cents of the Beltsville Costco gas, and without the long lines.
MG Kemp Mill
8:57 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Thank You for Supporting the Costco Gas Station
I am a big proponent of the Costco store *and* the related gas station. Affordable gas is good for the neighborhood, and should also bring nearby prices down. I do drive out of my way to get lower-priced gas, without the inconvenience of cash that are required by the "discount" gas stations in our area. If the prices are not that much better than other gas stations, then we will not have long lines, right? I shop Costco gas regularly, and I can tell you that when the prices are not much better than the surrounding stations, no long lines. So either way, we win. Yes, car emissions are not good for the health. But this gas station will add no more emissions than the terrible traffic lights/patterns in the area, and the zoning is not any closer to schools/parks/etc. than any other gas station. Some people just don't like Costco. So don't shop there.
David Becker
9:10 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
MG Kemp Mill: Based upon real time data, the cost of going to CostCo in Beltsville is higher than purchasing it in Wheaton. As you've stated each time I've heard you talk about this, you're a lawyer, so you'll understand this.
Cost of Gasoline at local Wheaton station: $3.35/$40.20 to fill a 12 gallon tank,
Cost of Gasoline at Beltsville CostCo: $3.25./$39.00 to fill a 12 gallon tank,
Cost Savings of $1.20 to purchase a tank of Gasoline at CostCo.
Is there really a savings?
Current Average MPG of American Automobiles is @ 18 MPG (per http://www.project.org/info.php?recordID=384)
The distance for a round trip from Wheaton to Beltsville is 20 miles. This equates to a cash outlay of $3.61 at the Beltsville CostCo prices to pay for the round trip from Wheaton to Beltsville and back again.
Subtracting the cost savings of the purchase of CostCo's lower grade gasoline ($1.20) from the cost of taking the trip ($3.61) equates to a "loss" of $2.40. Not to mention the time it takes to travel there and back (whatever your time is worth), idling in line, and the burning of fuel while waiting in line. (if a 15 minute wait consumes 1/5 of a gallon of gas while idling, then the cost for that is .65).
Overall loss: $3.05. You've been losing money buying gas at Beltsville.
Increase the cost per gallon another .05 per gallon to use your credit card at another station and you're still ahead.
Why not petition to have a CostCo gas station at Kemp Mill Plaza?
The Big Egg
9:41 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
MGKM, have you been to the Beltville Costco gas station? The price of the gas there is usually within a few pennies, and sometimes the same price, as the nearby BP, WaWa, and other stations. Yet, the line at Costco stretches beyond the queuing area into the parking lot. It's simply irrational behavior. So your assumption about not having long lines is disproven by the Beltsville situation. And, for the record, I love Costco, and even buy their gas when I'm in Beltsville or Landover. I just don't think Costco gas at the Wheaton location is needed or beneficial to the community.
jenny
9:07 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
We have affordable gas in the neighborhood. It's totally unnecessary to put a huge gas station right there. Adding all those drivers to the area will not only add to pollution as they idle waiting for "cheap gas" but also add more to traffic in the area. The sunoco, econoway, and free state stations all are just a few cents different from the Beltsville station and I seriously hope that Costco is not allowed to put their gas station in. Slightly cheaper gas is not worth it.
David Becker
9:48 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
The Wendy's you're talking about is approximately 200 feet east of the J C Penney store. Which is over 1,000 east of the proposed site; away from houses, schools, and pools; and is on Veirs Mill Road. Also, I find it highly unlikely that this old service station was pumping 12 "million" gallons per year.
liquideve
2:16 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I find it impossible to believe that anyone who pooh-poohs the concerns about the location of the Costco gas station actually knows where it will be located or how big it will be, or has visited the site. Walk by sometime -- it is *obviously* located literally on the edge of a residential neighborhood and a stone's throw (literally) from the community pool. And it will be pumping 12 million gallons a year -- at least four times larger than a typical gas station.
It seems entirely understandable that some people will be more concerned about the emissions, noise, runoff and pollution risks from a 12 million gallon station at such a site. Reasonable and well-informed people can disagree about the specifics of those concerns and about how to weigh these costs and concerns. But I don't think anyone who is properly informed about the location and size of the proposed station can credibly claim to be perplexed about what the "big deal" is.
Sasha
8:34 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Well said Katja Bullock. I completely agree. It is about science. And some folks wanting growth somewhere else.
David Becker
10:26 am on Friday, June 29, 2012
What is about science?