Planning commission approves Sonny’s Car Wash site plan amid neighbors’ noise and water concerns

The Rosemount Planning Commission voted unanimously May 27 to approve a site plan review allowing construction of a 4,600-square-foot Sonny’s Car Wash at 2550 140th Street West, subject to five staff conditions and standard engineering and permitting reviews.

The developer and equipment representative told the commission the car wash will use a reclaimed-water system and muffled vacuum enclosures, and that vacuum operation would be limited to business hours. ‘‘It will be less than that with the enclosures,’’ said Michael Geissens, a representative of Sonny’s Enterprises, referring to a company noise measurement. The commission’s approval is final unless appealed to city staff within 10 days.

The decision matters to nearby residents because the site backs to homes along 140th Street West and County Road 42. At a neighborhood meeting May 6 and again during the public hearing, homeowners pressed the applicant about vacuum noise, light spill, stacking and traffic, and wastewater treatment. Commissioners sought technical clarifications from staff and the applicant before voting.

Staff planner Julia (first name provided in the record) told the commission the 1.43-acre parcel is zoned MX2 (Highway Mixed Use) and designated Community Commercial in the comprehensive plan; car washes are a permitted use with performance standards. The submitted site plan shows a…