Soledad Planning Commission approves Quick Quack drive-through at Soledad Marketplace

The City of Soledad Planning Commission on a special-session vote approved two resolutions permitting a Quick Quack self-service drive-through car wash and design for a space in the Soledad Marketplace.

The commission approved Resolution No. 2025-02, amending Conditional Use Permit 2018-01 to allow the drive-through car wash use within the Soledad Marketplace, and Resolution No. 2025-03, the site-plan and architectural review to permit a 3,588-square-foot Quick Quack with vacuum stalls. Both measures passed 4-0 with one absence.

Staff said the project has been in review for nearly two years and that the applicant supplied analyses required by city staff. Senior Planner Ariana Mora and consultant Gina Paolini told commissioners a queuing analysis prepared for the project found no circulation conflicts within the shopping center, and an acoustical study showed the car wash would not increase existing ambient noise levels. Planning staff also reported Public Works accepted a will-serve letter for water and sewer.

The proposed Quick Quack would be a 3,588-square-foot, self-service drive-through tunnel with two pay stations and about 20 vacuum stalls under a canopy, staff said. The presentation noted existing nonconforming residential units across the street and said ambient noise in the area already exceeds “low levels,” but the acoustical analysis concluded the project would not raise those levels.

John Lee, a representative of the property owner, told commissioners that retail and restaurant tenants had not materialized for the originally proposed building and that Quick Quack is seen as a traffic driver that could help attract additional retailers to the center. He said Quick Quack locations typically increase visits to adjacent tenants.

Don Shively, representing Quick Quack, provided a construction and schedule forecast: “We’re forecasting that building permit review process will take 4 or 5 months after which we’ll break ground and it takes us about 6 months to build it. So we’re looking at this time next year that we would be opening up and cutting the ribbon.” Shively also described the company’s membership and license-plate recognition system and estimated throughput of roughly 30 cars per hour with approximately three minutes inside the tunnel.

Commissioners asked about potential circulation conflicts with an existing Dutch Brothers drive-through in the same center. Staff and the applicant pointed to the queuing study and the design of stacking lanes as reasons they do not expect operational conflicts. Commissioner Lorenzo Sanchez, who did not attend in person but provided a phone comment, expressed support for the project and said his primary concern was circulation; staff noted his comment for the record.

The Planning Commission took the actions separately. For Resolution 2025-02 (CUP amendment) Commissioner Sandy Fuerte moved to approve; Vice Chair Sergio Diaz seconded. For Resolution 2025-03 (site plan/design review) Commissioner Roberto Cruz moved to approve; Commissioner Fuerte seconded. Both resolutions passed with four ayes, zero nays, and one absence (Commissioner Lorenzo Sanchez).

The approvals clear the way for the applicant to submit building-permit plans; according to the applicant, permit review and construction together could take roughly 10 to 11 months from submittal. The project’s stated hours and some operational details were described in staff materials and by the applicant; the transcript records the hours as “7 to 9” but does not specify AM or PM.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 2025-02 — Amend CUP 2018-01 to allow a drive-through car wash at the Soledad Marketplace: Motion by Commissioner Sandy Fuerte; second Vice Chair Sergio Diaz. Outcome: approved, 4-0 (one absence). - Resolution No. 2025-03 — Site-plan and architectural review No. 224003 for a 3,588 sq. ft. self-service drive-through car wash with vacuums: Motion by Commissioner Roberto Cruz; second Commissioner Sandy Fuerte. Outcome: approved, 4-0 (one absence).

Next steps reported: applicant expected to submit building permits within a few weeks, then proceed through plan check and construction if permits are issued. Staff did not provide a firm building-permit issuance date in the meeting record.