Thanks for the clarification -- it seems like an odd name to choose.

Richard, Costco's Code of Ethics used to say "Exceed ecological requirements in every community we do business." When the gas station battle started over three years ago, we mentioned it to them. Since then, instead of addressing the issues, Costco simply removed this sentence from the Code.

Dear Homewood resident - the photos are from Westfield property where Costco dumps its stormwater, so I don't know what Viers Mill Road development you are talking about. The labeling is accurate, the villain is clear for all to see.

Dear HR, Villan? really? I'll trust Mr. Sheveiko on this matter and ask you to please look at what is happening here. Given the state of the forest buffer (compromised) it is even more important to protect what is left.

Dear GreenNeighbor -- After the original post by Webmaster I walked over to the parking lot. Here is what I found: (1) The disturbed are in the first photo has been landscaped and turned into a stormwater management facility, which will actually IMPROVE water quality from what was there for the past 25+ years. Some mature trees were removed, yes. But in general the area looks pretty decent and the green buffer remains. There are no "bulldozers" or other earth moving equipment parked there or near that area. (2) At the far east end of the green buffer, construction where the Baptist church used to be has completely destroyed whatever green buffer there was. (Note that this is as far from Costco as you can get.) This area drains directly into the Wheaton Branch of Sligo Creek. There is earthmoving equipment parked here. So to answer your question: yes I have looked at what is happening here. Mr. Sheveiko apparently has not, as he doesn't know what Veirs Mill development I am talking about.

Dear Homewood resident: The construction project you mention on the site of the former Wheaton First Baptist Church is located at 10914 Georgia Avenue - not on Viers Mill, as you continue to insist, so please check your facts before casting aspersions. Similarly, your continued insistence that we are doctoring the photos does not withstand scrutiny. On the other hand, I challenge you to show the good people reading this thread at least one photo with at least one item of landscaping you claim Westfield and Costco installed to remediate the damage caused in the Wheaton forested green buffer. If you will not produce a photo in response to my challenge, your silence on the matter will speak volumes.

Never said "doctoring." Sorry. Misleading, yes. Doctoring, no.

Dear Homewood resident:
Our photos are misleading? How so?
Also, Patch readers are still waiting for your photos to back up your claims of Costco/Westfield landscaping in the buffer.

Dear Homewood resident - I am glad you are no longer accusing us of doctoring the photos. The facility you are talking about does indeed improve stormwater management, but marginally and temporarily, instead of engineering a more permanent solution called a Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance that would have worked better over time, instead of worse, while also creating riperian wildlife habitat and increasing adjacent property values. Costco has everything to with this, as it has been reported they have a lease on the parking lot you are talking about for 60 years. That's several generations of Wheaton residents whose environmental quality of life will not improve because of Costco's myopic obstinance.

Right now Costco gas is not there. If it gets to be there then the parking lot will have all the additional stuff that comes out of cars that are idling and/or fueling, the tankers that fill up the gas stoarge tanks, etc. That additional stuff will lie on the ground until rain washes it away. Away means either downhill into the small strip of Forest Buffer (and the stream bed) or into the shoddy stormwater management system that Westfield/Costco have constructed and which will also dump into the stream bed. All of the stuff then goes, via the watershed, to the Chesapeake Bay. Do we want that change?