News Summary
Construction is progressing on the new Royal Farms store at 9475 Georgia Ave. in Montgomery Hills, despite appeals from local residents concerned about its impact. The Montgomery County Board of Appeals approved permits allowing construction to move forward. The site, once home to a gas station, will soon feature a full-service convenience store with prominent signage indicating ongoing hiring efforts. While the new store is poised to provide better food options in the area, community members continue to voice their concerns about development in their neighborhood.
Construction Advances on New Royal Farms Store in Montgomery Hills
Construction is steadily progressing for the new Royal Farms store located at 9475 Georgia Ave. in Montgomery Hills. The site, which previously housed a Beltway Car Care/Sunoco gas and car service station, has begun to take shape as builders work on the new convenience store.
Construction officially started in March after a series of unsuccessful public hearing appeals by local residents. These residents had hoped to block the store’s development, primarily voicing concerns about how the new location might affect their community. The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services issued construction permits valued at over $200,000 in the fall of last year, giving Royal Farms the green light to proceed.
Despite the appeals from eleven local residents, who were classified as “persons aggrieved” under Section 8-23 of the Montgomery County Code, the Montgomery County Board of Appeals sided with Royal Farms. Following a public hearing on January 29, the board voted 5-0 in favor of the convenience store, allowing construction to continue without delay.
Construction Details
So far, construction work has focused on key components, including the installation of the main building’s framework and canopy, along with various gas tanks. Prominent signs indicating “Coming Soon” and “Now Hiring” have been displayed at the construction site, signaling to the community that progress is ongoing.
Royal Farms has yet to announce an official opening date for the store, but they are actively seeking employees for the anticipated opening. The upcoming store is prominently featured on Royal Farms’ “Coming Soon!” webpage, further heightening community awareness.
Community Concerns
Despite these concerns, the Board of Appeals has made its decision, which means that construction will proceed uninterrupted. The appellant group still retains the option to challenge the board’s decision further in the Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Significance of the New Store
The new Royal Farms store represents a significant milestone for the community, as it will be the first of the “big three” convenience stores (which includes Sheetz and Wawa) to establish a presence outside of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County. Known for its fried chicken and other fast food offerings, Royal Farms was even recognized by USA Today as the country’s “Best Gas Station for Food” in the previous year.
As construction continues to move forward, local residents remain divided over the development, with some excited about the new shopping option and others still voicing their concerns. Time will tell how this new establishment will fit into the existing community and how it will affect the dynamics of the area.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Source of the Spring: Construction Progresses at Royal Farms
- Wikipedia: Royal Farms
- Source of the Spring: Royal Farms Construction Moves Forward
- Google Search: Royal Farms Montgomery Hills
- Community Impact: The Woodlands Hills Community Church Expansion
- Google Scholar: Montgomery County Development Issues
- Vestavia Voice: River Bank Trust Renovations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Convenience Stores
- Dayton Daily News: City of Centerville Court Fight
- Google News: Royal Farms Community Concerns
