Kenmont Swim & Tennis Club bills itself as one of Montgomery County’s first community swim clubs, with a membership of 400 families on three wooded acres in Kensington.

It’s also situated at 2900 Faulkner Place, near the southwest corner of Westfield Wheaton mall, where Costco hopes to build a 16-pump gas station to go with its 80,000-square-foot warehouse store slated for completion in early 2013.

During much of the public debate over the project, the Kensington Heights Civic Association has presented concerns from the viewpoint of nearby homeowners. But for Kenmont, which during the summer hosts swim meets with hundreds of kids from swim clubs across the county, the gas station presents some different challenges.

Club member and outgoing Board of Directors President John Seabreeze has been a vocal opponent of the planned gas station, which must earn a special zoning exception before the County Board of Appeals on Feb. 24. He plans to present the pool’s opposition to the gas station to the county board.

“A high volume gas station next door to an athletic, recreation area with more than 1,000 kids just doesn’t make any sense environmentally,” said Seabreeze, who cited fears of fumes from pumps and idling cars from what is expected to be a high-volume gas station.

Seabreeze attended the county-mandated community meeting on Sept. 14 that was organized by the Kensington Heights Civic Association. At that meeting, Westfield and Costco officials presented design plans and addressed resident concerns about overnight noise from delivery trucks and light pollution. As part of the county’s agreement to provide a $4 million subsidy to Westfield to lure Costco to the mall, Westfield had to hold the public meeting with concerned residents.

Seabreeze isn’t opposed to the Costco store, just the gas station.

“Kenmont is glad to see Westfield mall is selling its open storefronts. We think Costco is a great addition to the mall,” Seabreeze said. “We’re just surprised that the county and Westfield don’t see the imminent harm of placing a 16-pump gas station about 100 yards from not just a neighborhood, but a recreational area.”

Montgomery County Code allows a special exception for an automobile filling station if its “use will not constitute a nuisance because of noise, fumes, odors or physical activity in the location proposed.”

A special exception also requires neighborhood need. Seabreeze and members of the Kensington Heights Civic Association contend the area does not need another gas station.

Steven Silverman, the county’s director of the county’s Department of Economic Development, said at this month’s meeting it appears the two sides will not reach any agreement on the gas station. Costco and Westfield officials did not answer specific questions on the gas station at that meeting. Citizens can testify against it during the special exception process.

“We just don’t understand why they are so gung-ho about it,” Seabreeze said. “It’s just not a good place for a gas station.”

akraut@gazette.net