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Board of Zoning Appeals finds car washes fall under 'light automotive repair'
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals determined that car washes are properly categorized under the zoning definition of light automotive repair and approved the applicant’s request 6–0; staff said a future text amendment will formalize the definition.
The Board of Zoning Appeals voted 6–0 to determine that car washes are included in the zoning category for light automotive repair.
The determination was requested after an applicant sought clarity about whether a stand‑alone car wash constitutes an allowed use. Planning staff told the board the ordinance does not currently list car washes as a standalone use but includes “light automotive repair” (for quick‑service automotive businesses), and staff recommended the board interpret car washes as falling within that category. The staff report noted that car washes are explicitly listed only as accessory uses to fuel stations elsewhere in the code, which prompted the clarification request for stand‑alone facilities.
No public comment was recorded. A motion to approve the determination passed unanimously; commissioners noted staff should follow up with a zoning‑text amendment to explicitly reflect the interpretation in the ordinance text so future applicants have clearer guidance.
Votes at a glance: Motion to determine that car washes are included under ‘light automotive repair’ — mover: (motion recorded in minutes); second: Mr. Rice and Mr. Seaborn (seconds recorded); outcome: approved 6–0.
Staff said the ruling resolves the immediate permit question for applicants but that a formal code amendment will be prepared to reflect that interpretation in the ordinance text.
