Council approves conditional-use permit for Washington Parkway tire/auto center with noise and wall conditions

The Washington City Council voted Jan. 22 to approve a conditional-use permit (C-24-19) for a three-building commercial project at Washington Parkway and Sandy Talus Drive that will include a 10,500-square-foot tire and automotive service center, a 6,700-square-foot retail building for off-road vehicles and a 10,000-square-foot multi-tenant retail building.

City staff summary and planning commission recommendation Community Development staff presented the proposal and noted the Planning Commission reviewed it on Jan. 15 and recommended unanimous approval. The site plan, building elevations and landscaping met the city’s design standards for projects adjacent to Washington Parkway, staff said. Required parking for the full development is 87 spaces; the proposed plan provides 93.

Noise, wall height and neighboring properties During public and council discussion neighbors and council members raised concerns about potential noise from pneumatic tools and exterior work associated with the tire/automotive use. Staff noted the city code requires a 6-foot-high solid decorative wall along the boundary between commercial and agricultural-residential parcels, but in this location an existing sloped rockery means the practical top-of-wall elevation varies along the boundary.

The applicant — Jared Bates of Rosenberg Associates and operator Mitch Robery — said the business will do most vehicle work indoors behind roll-up doors; a covered area behind the building will be used only occasionally for deliveries or temporary storage. Robery said routine mechanical and tire work will occur inside with doors closed when work is underway.

Council conditions and vote Council members and staff negotiated two additional approval conditions before voting: (1) the developer should work with the adjacent homeowners' association and property owners to either raise the existing boundary wall to a 6-foot finished height where practical or obtain a signed waiver from affected property owners if they prefer not to add height; and (2) compressor and other noisy equipment and mechanical operations must be located and enclosed indoors so that doors are closed during noisy mechanical work. Council also discussed access sequencing and whether roadway frontage improvements should be constructed for all phases; the applicant agreed to coordinate frontage and access plans in final construction documents.

Motion and outcome The conditional-use permit was approved by motion of Councilman Coats with second by Councilman Belson and carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Project details (as presented) - Phase 1: 10,500 sq. ft. tire/automotive shop (approx. 3,000 sq. ft. retail/office, 7,500 sq. ft. service bays); 24 proposed parking stalls for Phase 1. - Phase 2: 6,700 sq. ft. retail/off-road vehicle building; 28 proposed parking stalls; right-in/right-out access shown. - Phase 3: 10,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant retail building; 41 proposed parking stalls; one tenant space includes a drive-through window.

Next steps The applicant will finalize construction drawings, wall/elevation details and access improvements in coordination with city staff and the adjacent property owners. Staff will verify compliance with the two additional noise and wall-related conditions during permit review and building plan approval.