Coon Rapids tables Club Car Wash painting request after council seeks to preserve River Rapids overlay aesthetic

The Coon Rapids City Council on Feb. 4 voted to table a design‑flexibility request from Club Car Wash that would paint most of the building’s brick façade black and white at 2550 Coon Rapids Boulevard. Council members said they want to preserve the River Rapids Overlay District’s intent for natural‑brick building materials while giving the applicant an opportunity to propose a compromise that meets the 30% natural‑brick façade standard.

City staff said the property formerly operated as Coon Rapids Express Car Wash; the applicant wants to rebrand the facility with painted brick (black with white accents on the boulevard side and reversed on other elevations). Under the River Rapids Overlay District, at least 30% of the street-facing façade generally must be natural brick or similarly specified materials. Planning staff recommended approval of design flexibility after the Planning Commission discussed the matter on Jan. 16 and recommended approval.

Several council members voiced concern that the applicant’s proposed monochrome palette and painted brick would deviate from the corridor’s prevailing natural‑brick character. Council member Geisler said the overlay’s purpose is to “keep a natural brick facade” along the boulevard and that the proposed black-and-white treatment would “make this building stand out like nothing else on the boulevard,” undermining the district’s intent. Council member Novak also urged a compromise that preserves brick at the base and between window accents while allowing other surfaces to be painted.

Club Car Wash representative Michael Lydig, appearing at the meeting, said Club Car Wash typically uses split‑face concrete masonry units on new builds and painted finishes were proposed to retain branding without demolishing the existing building. Lydig asked whether the council wanted the city to seek more information or allow the applicant to return with options that meet the 30% exposure threshold.

After discussion, Council member Novak withdrew a motion to approve the paint proposal and moved to table the item to give staff and the applicant time to craft a design that better meets overlay standards; the tabling motion passed. Staff told the council it could extend the review period and return the item “as soon as feasible” once the applicant provides revisions; staff also noted a 120‑day review deadline exists for design‑flexibility actions if an extension is not granted.

Ending — next steps: The applicant will work with city staff to develop a revised façade treatment that maintains a higher percentage of exposed natural masonry at street level and between windows. The item is tabled to a date uncertain and will return to the council after staff and the applicant present proposed revisions or within statutory review windows.