Title
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Request for a Specific Use Permit for a Car Wash on Approximately 0.72 Acres Known as Lot 3, Block 1, Racetrac Addition, Located at 3211 E. Broad St.; John Huffman of Broad Street Investments, LLC (SUP#20-020)
Requested Action
To consider the subject specific use permit request.
Recommendation
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on January 4, 2021, and voted 7-0 to recommend approval. There was discussion regarding ingress and egress, how this business would interact with the adjacent car wash, customer waiting areas, signage, re-staining of the wood tower element, and what would happen to the existing dry cleaning business. The applicant indicated that customers would park their vehicles outside and a worker would then bring the vehicle inside to be worked on and customers could wait at the waiting room on-site or in the larger waiting room in the car wash next door, or leave and return when their vehicle was done. The applicant indicated that the Threads Dry Cleaning sign would be removed and the new sign for Clean Getaway Detail Center would be installed in its place and also agreed to re-stain the remainder of the wood tower element. The applicant hasn’t decided what would happen to the dry cleaning business, but indicated that if it continues on, it would be relocated to another site. The changes to accommodate the new detailing center use would likely happen over the course of a few months, once approved.
Description/History
Existing Use: Drive-thru dry cleaning service
Existing Zoning: C-2 Community Business District
Surrounding Land Use & Zoning:
North - Vacant land, C-2
South - E. Broad St.; gas station and drive-thru restaurant (PD) across the street
East - Auto repair garage, C-2
West - Car wash, PD
Thoroughfare Plan Specification:
E. Broad St. - principal arterial (six-lane divided)
Comments and Considerations
The subject property consists of 0.72 acres improved with a 4,028 sq. ft. commercial building and 23-space parking lot, located at 3211 E. Broad St. A drive-thru dry cleaning service called Threads Dry Cleaning currently operates on the property. The applicant is requesting a Specific Use Permit for a car wash to convert the property to an indoor auto detailing center called Clean Getaway Detail Center that will serve as a complementary business to the adjacent Clean Getaway Car Wash business to the west. The applicant plans some minor interior and exterior improvements to accommodate the new business.
Site Plan
The existing 4,028 sq. ft. commercial building and 23-space parking lot will largely remain as-is aside from some changes to the north end of the building, primarily a new overhead door at the northeast corner to accommodate vehicles coming into the building and some other interior improvements to accommodate the requested change in use. The property has access to Cannon Drive and East Broad Street via a two-way common access drive along the front of the property that connects to the adjacent properties to the east and west and then out to Cannon and Broad. Beyond the parking areas on the south and east sides of the building, one-way circulation is provided around the north and west sides of the building and the covered portico on the west side of the building will remain. Direct pedestrian access is provided to the property by a sidewalk that connects to the sidewalk along Broad. The trash enclosure will remain at its current location on the east side of the building. The applicant notes that all equipment will be screened in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance and that there will be no outside storage of materials or vehicles on the property.
Elevations and Floor Plan
The applicant has provided photos of the building that show a predominantly stone front façade with a wood tower feature and mostly brick materials with a stone base on the side and rear elevations. The portico includes masonry columns. Building materials calculations have been provided showing 100% masonry on the side and rear elevations and 66% masonry and 33% wood on the front elevation; in total, the building is 91.5% masonry. In addition, floor plans have been provided showing the existing layout and the new layout. The primary changes to the floor plan are the addition of an overhead door to accommodate the interior auto detailing that is planned for the site, with four vehicle work stations shown.
Landscape Plan
A landscape plan has been provided, showing the landscaping to remain as-is. The landscaping includes 15 vitex trees in the 10’ buffers along the side and rear property lines, 10 palm trees in the parking lot areas near the front of the building, and 5 crepe myrtles in the 20’ landscape setback along East Broad Street. The parking lot is screened by holly bushes and additional shrubs include rosebushes and elaeagnus plants.
Sign Plan
The sign plan shows the existing wall sign on the front of the building to be changed to accommodate the new business. In addition, the existing monument sign will be reconfigured to provide for a new sign that is 8’ wide and 9’ tall, including a 2’ masonry base to match the building; the sign area will be about 23 sq. ft. It is noted that the property will follow the standards for C-2 zoning as it relates to signage.
Summary
The subject property is located in the C-2 Community Business District, which allows car wash uses with a Specific Use Permit. The surrounding area largely includes automotive-related uses and other vehicle-oriented businesses, including a car wash, oil change shop, gas stations, and drive-thru restaurants. The requested use will better complement the surrounding businesses and small modifications will be made to the existing building to ensure vehicle service operations are conducted inside the building. As a result, adverse impacts to surrounding properties are not expected. In addition, the existing architecture and landscaping are of high quality and meet or exceed the City’s zoning requirements and the new signage will adhere to the zoning requirements as well.
Attachments:
Maps and Supporting Information
Exhibit A
Exhibits B - E
Prepared By
Andrew Bogda, Planner for the Planning Department