center by 22 people 365 days a year. “So

center by 22 people 365 days a year. “So we have a very large margin of safety,” she said, adding that the field has already been approved. In addition, she said, the health department will also approve the kitchen facilities before the retreat center can operate.

Water usage will be equivalent to that of six people living full time in a private residence, according to Mr. Chapman. He noted that the center’s well will have an attached storage tank so that the weekend draw down on the area’s water table will not be excessive.

In response to the BZA’s suggestions after listening to concerns from neighboring landowners, the Chapmans agreed to:

• A prohibition on a swimming pool

• Issuance of the special use permit to them as individuals rather than to the property so when ownership is transferred, the new owners would have to apply for a permit to use the property for other than a residence.

• A prohibition against using the retreat center for any type of religious or other school.

• Sending out of laundry to avoid excessive water demands.

Chairman Lee Bird read into the record letters of support for the project from Rev. Jennings Hobson of Trinity Episcopal Church who described it as a“positive addition, one of the best possible uses of the land in question” and from Rev Steve Scoggin of Washington Baptist who described it as “a trasteful, well conceived plan that could benefit many in our church.”

Also by letter, Ray Scherer, property owner on Route 231, opposed the center as a commercial venture in a dedicated conservation zone while Rockville attorney William Tannager, another neighboringlandowner, opposed it as erroniously a rezoning for a rest home for clergy.

“Who’s going to come?” asked neighboring landowner E.P. Luke, former chairman of the county’s Board of Supervisors. He questioned the spending of upwards of $400,000 without a market study to determine demand for a retreat cen