The Garland Plan Commission on Oct. 13 approved a 30-year specific use provision for an automated rollover car wash on a 1.1-acre parcel at 1540 Firewheel Parkway.

The vote followed a public hearing where planning staff recommended denial, citing that the proposed use was not the best fit for the site under the city’s comprehensive plan. The commission voted to approve the applicant’s request; the motion passed with the required majority and a recorded recusal on the item.

Planning staff described the site as part of Plan Development District 21-62 and told commissioners that the property is surrounded by multifamily to the north, a planned Casey’s convenience store to the south, and a residential neighborhood to the southwest. Staff said it mailed 24 notice letters and received zero responses, and recommended denial because the use did not best align with the comp plan’s “compact neighborhood” designation.

Britney Pierce, representing Beach Club Express Wash, said the company seeks a modern “mini tunnel” automated car wash tailored to tight sites. “Our equipment is made in The USA, and we lead with premium design and a clean, fresh aesthetic,” Pierce said. She told the commission the tunnel is about 65 feet long—roughly half the size of many express tunnels—and that a smaller tunnel yields lower peak throughput; she said a busy Saturday at the proposed facility would serve about 200–250 vehicles compared with as many as 1,200 at large tunnels. Pierce said the plan includes a long queuing lane, an escape lane, a 16-foot landscape buffer, and nine complimentary vacuum stations.

Pierce said Beach Club had met with nearby Park House and Castle Point HOA leadership and obtained letters of support. Planning staff and commissioners also noted that the proposed car wash is coordinated with the convenience store (Casey’s) approved for the adjacent lot; staff said Casey’s had submitted site and building permit materials and that the car wash application was presented on the understanding the convenience store will be built.

Commission discussion touched on compatibility with the comp plan’s compact neighborhood designation, the constrained and irregular shape of the lot (including a large drainage easement), and traffic/queue management. Commissioner Duckworth said the car wash and Casey’s together “look like an ideal marriage” for that corner, and others said the applicant’s community outreach and the site constraints influenced their support. Commissioner Jones recused from the item, as noted on the record.

Commissioner Dalton made the motion to close the public hearing and approve the specific use provision for a period of 30 years; Commissioner Abel seconded. The motion passed with the required majority and no opposing votes among those voting.

The approval is a recommendation to the City Council when required by the commission’s bylaws; commissioners noted the council has the final decision on some zoning appeals and that council action previously has differed from plan commission recommendations on nearby projects.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the specific use provision for an automated rollover car wash (30-year SUP); staff had recommended denial; one commissioner recused.

Provisions for implementation (e.g., shared access with the adjacent Casey’s, required drainage accommodations, and any engineering comments) remain subject to final permit reviews by city departments and engineering staff.