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Board approves special-exception permit for automated Flagstaff Car Wash at Ladysmith Crossing; applicant to provide economic details
Summary
The Board approved a special-exception permit for an automated car wash at Ladysmith Crossing with conditions on hours and overnight parking; the applicant agreed to provide an economic impact statement for county review within two weeks and explained water-recycling plans.
The Caroline County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a special-exception permit for a proposed 3,200-square-foot automated Flagstaff car wash located within the Ladysmith Crossing shopping center.
Planning staff recommended approval after the Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation; staff included conditions recorded in the packet: signage to restrict overnight parking, hours of operation limited to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and development in substantial conformance with the applicant's generalized development plan dated April 7, 2025.
Mike Rothermel, attorney for the applicant, introduced Flagstaff representatives to explain operations and community impacts. Will Kerr, Flagstaff CFO, said the site would employ about 15 people with three employees on-site at all times. The applicant showed elevations and a generalized site plan depicting entrance and exit circulation, vacuum stations and an attendant requirement.
Flagstaff operations manager Derek Haines described the car wash's water system: "We recycle about 50 to 80% of our water. We use a reclaim system. There's 4 settling tanks that are put on-site, to settle out all the solids, and then we reclaim all that water in the wash process." Haines added that a third party would pump out settled solids "probably every quarter."
Supervisor Black raised questions about potable water use and economic benefit for the county, noting that the applicant's water demand could be comparable to the daily usage of dozens of homes. The applicant agreed to provide an economic impact statement and additional revenue and meter-size information within two weeks; the applicant said it would deliver confidentiality if needed.
After public comment closed, a motion to approve the special-exception permit with the packet conditions passed (recorded in the meeting minutes). The board's approval includes the staff conditions that signage be recorded in the circuit court, overnight parking be restricted, hours be 8 a.m.–8 p.m., and the site be developed in substantial conformance with the GDP. The applicant also agreed to provide county staff with a requested economic-impact summary in the stated timeframe.
