Planning commission clears removal of four lots from parking‑in‑common and grants conditional permit for drive‑through car wash on Maricopa Drive

The Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved two related actions Dec. 19 to allow a drive‑through car wash on Maricopa Drive in the Commercial Southgate District: an amendment removing Lots 11 through 14 from the parking‑in‑common master plan for Tract 2257 Block 10, and a conditional use permit (CUP Nineteen‑Three‑One) to permit a drive‑through car wash on those lots.

Staff told the commission the proposed amendment would have "minimal impact on the overall implementation of the adopted parking in common plan for Block 10" and recommended approval of both land use action 19‑18‑63 (parking amendment) and land use action 19‑18‑66 (the CUP). Staff described site constraints—including a 2:1 slope between adjacent lots and the narrow, 50-by-250-foot lot pattern typical of the Southgate area—that make shared parking difficult. Staff also noted the parking‑in‑common program requires at least 75 percent approval of property owners in the block to request removal; the application included signed statements from 10 of 12 property owners (83 percent).

Applicant Jeff Daddam (car-wash operator) described the proposed site layout and operations, saying the tunnel is a roughly 20‑foot automated wash, the facility would employ a small shift crew and use vacuums and drying stations at the front of the site. "We do have quite a bit of room in the back of the property...there's 4 spaces in the back," Daddam said, adding that typical staffing for the operation would be three to four people in shifts and that some detailing and appointment work would occur in rear bays.

During public comment, Travis Croot, owner of AZ Auto Spa (an existing car wash a few hundred yards away), said he opposed the new car wash because of market concerns and potential impacts to his business. "I obviously have a huge concern with it being so close...I just don't believe that there's enough on that side of town to sustain my business and this proposed business," Croot said. Jarrett Ports, former owner of CarToys Car Wash, spoke in support, saying Lake Havasu is underserved and praising the applicant's business practices.

Commissioners discussed operational concerns such as employee parking and whether vacuum/drying stalls should count as parking. Several commissioners noted the design-review and building-permit process remains to ensure code compliance and staffing/parking adequacy. Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the parking‑in‑common amendment; Commissioner McGowan seconded and the motion passed 5‑0. Commissioner Still moved to approve the conditional use permit; Commissioner McGowan seconded and the CUP passed unanimously.

Staff will complete subsequent site‑plan and building reviews to verify parking counts, setbacks, landscaping and any conditions the commission may require during permit review.