GAITHERSBURG, MD — A controversial plan to build a Wawa gas station and convenience store on South Frederick Avenue has been approved by the Gaithersburg City Council, despite opposition from dozens of residents who said it would increase traffic, put pedestrian safety at risk, and hurt local business owners.

The city council voted 4 to 1 on Monday to approve the proposed construction plan. Laurie-Anne Sayles was the only council member who voted against it. According to the plans, Wawa would sit on a 1.84-acre lot at 405 S. Frederick Ave. — which is across the street from Gaithersburg High School. The 5,060-square-foot store would be Wawa's first in Montgomery County.

For months, the proposed Wawa site has divided residents — with some saying it would enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the area. However, opponents say it would have negative impacts on the environment, local businesses, and traffic. On Aug. 5, residents raised concerns about the proposed site plan at a public hearing hosted by the Gaithersburg mayor and council.

"This is the wrong time and the wrong place for this project," Carol Johnson, a 30-year-plus resident, said in August. "It's the wrong time because we're almost at 2020, and we have a severe problem with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And I believe there's going to be a disruption in technology altogether where we will no longer be driving gasoline-powered automobiles. The city needs to be thinking about the future and what we need to service electric automobiles. "Second, it's the wrong place for many, many, many reasons"..."It's my impression they are trying to squeeze a peg in a square hole. It's too small. It's not a big corner lot where you got access."

On Monday, shortly before the council voted in favor of the construction plans, city officials opened the floor to public comments about various projects and proposals. Nine people spoke in opposition of Wawa, echoing much of what Johnson, and others who protested in August, said.

While he encouraged residents to voice their opinions, Mayor Jud Ashman said that the public record was closed on the issue — meaning the city is not legally allowed to take any more comments into consideration.

Troy Parcelles was the first person to speak and expressed concern for small businesses. He fears a big-name company like Wawa will undercut smaller gas stations and hurt them financially. "The city of Gaithersburg does not need another gas station, especially a hypermarket like Wawa that's going to pump over 500,000 gallons a month," he said.