Council updates code and approves car wash at Corral Hollow and Middifield

The Tracy City Council on March 4 introduced a zoning text amendment and approved a conditional use permit (CUP) and development review permit for a proposed automated car wash at 4600 South Corral Hollow Road.

Project planner Genevieve Federighi described the proposal as three related actions: a development review permit to build an automated car wash, a conditional use permit required by the Neighborhood Shopping zoning for a car wash, and a zoning text amendment to replace the code’s outdated definition of “service station” with two new definitions—“car wash” and “fuel station.” Federighi said the site is “just under 11 acres” and the car wash is planned on the south portion of the property adjacent to a recently opened Chevron station.

Nut graf: The code change is intended to modernize land‑use language and allow staff and the planning commission to evaluate conveyor, blower and steam cleaning devices at the conditional use permit level rather than under an antiquated “service station” definition. The council’s actions permit a specific car wash proposal while also updating the municipal code to separate fueling and car‑wash uses.

City staff presented elevations and site plans that show a tunnel car wash facility with three drive lanes, vacuum stalls, enhanced landscaping and a decorative design palette including stacked stone and tile roofs. Federighi said the proposed zoning text changes remove the old service station definition—which, staff said, would not easily accommodate modern automated car wash equipment—and add two focused definitions that allow site‑specific review.

Applicant Scott Schendel of Shaq & Company told council most modern car washes already implement water recycling and that such systems will be part of the facility’s operations. “I believe most car washes have to do that anyway, but it is gonna be part of the program,” he said.

Councilmember Nygaard asked specifically about water conservation; the applicant confirmed water‑reuse systems will be implemented as part of operations. There were no public speakers on the item, and the council voted to introduce the zoning text amendment ordinance and to adopt a resolution granting the CUP and approving the development review permit (CUP application CUP20‑0006 and D22‑0044). The motion carried on unanimous roll call.

Ending: The ordinance was introduced (first reading) and will return as required by municipal procedure; the CUP and development review permit approvals allow the applicant to proceed with building permits and site work subject to the project conditions of approval.