Construction Advances on New Royal Farms Store in Montgomery Hills

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 Amid Resident Appeals

Construction is actively moving forward on the new Royal Farms store, located at 9475 Georgia Ave. in Montgomery Hills. This site, previously home to a Beltway Car Care/Sunoco gas station, is set to transform into a full-service convenience store. The construction began after a series of public hearings where local residents expressed their concerns through appeals, which ultimately did not halt the progress.

Public Hearing Outcome

In March, community members learned that construction permits had been approved by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services, with a total value exceeding $200,000. Eleven local residents formally appealed the permits, citing their status as “persons aggrieved” under Section 8-23 of the Montgomery County Code. These residents claimed they would be significantly affected by the store’s development and initiated an appeal process that culminated in a public hearing.

The Montgomery County Board of Appeals convened a hearing on January 29, where they voted unanimously, 5-0, in favor of allowing the construction to proceed. This decision cleared the way for Royal Farms to begin developing the site.

Construction Progress

Current construction activities include the installation of the main building’s structure along with a canopy and underground gas tanks. As construction progresses, the site features prominent signs indicating “Coming Soon” and “Now Hiring,” signaling that the store is preparing for its future opening, though no specific date has been announced yet.

Royal Farms’s Reputation

Royal Farms is well-regarded, particularly for its famous fried chicken. The convenience chain was recently acknowledged by a national publication as the Best Gas Station for Food in the country. The upcoming store in Montgomery Hills is particularly significant as it will mark the first of the so-called “big three” convenience stores—alongside Sheetz and Wawa—to open outside of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County.

Community Concerns and Next Steps

147-page case filed by the appellant group outlines their arguments against the project, requesting the denial of the building permits. This group retains the option to escalate their concerns further by appealing the Board of Appeals’ decision to the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

As the Royal Farms store takes shape, it promises to bring a new level of convenience and food options to the Montgomery Hills area. Although construction is moving forward, the topic has reignited discussions among local residents regarding the impacts of new development in their neighborhood. While community opposition has not prevented the store’s construction, the appeal highlights ongoing tensions in balancing growth and residents’ concerns in planning new projects.

With the store prominently featured on Royal Farms’ “Coming Soon!” webpage and hiring actively underway, Montgomery Hills residents may soon have access to the beloved offerings of this popular chain. The completion of this project stands to benefit both the community and the convenience store chain as they enter this new chapter in direct competition with other established brands.

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