ELDERSBURG — A debate over gas stations and hours of operation will continue in the County Office Building this week as the Board of Zoning Appeals tries to decide whether or not a gas station and convenience store proposed at Liberty Exchange, in Eldersburg, should be open 24 hours a day.

In a case that the developer, St. John Properties, claims would stretch the county's authority over business, the zoning board will continue Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. in the public hearing room at the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster.

At the first part of the hearing, held Jan. 5, people who attended could ask questions, but did not have the opportunity to make statements because the board ran out of time. It's expected that the public will have a chance to make statements at this week's hearing.

The gas station, proposed for the 40-acre Liberty Exchange project on Liberty Road, was approved by the county's Planning and Zoning Commission in September 2009, but carried a condition that it would only operate 5 a.m. to midnight.

Attorney Clark Shaffer, representing St. John, said the restriction is unnecessary and uncommon.

— Charles Schelle

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