Planning commission recommends Green Clean Auto Wash at 6102 Jefferson Avenue; 7-1 vote

The Newport News Planning Commission voted 7-1 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit that would allow Green Clean Auto Wash to build and operate an express car wash at 6102 Jefferson Avenue.

Planning staffer Saul Garcia introduced application CU2024Tech0014 on behalf of Newmarket Outparcels LLC (owner) and Green Clean Auto Wash (applicant). Garcia said the 0.84-acre site is zoned C-1 and that the 2040 comprehensive plan designates the parcel for regional commercial uses. "The proposed car wash fits this designation as it is located along a commercial corridor and is a service establishment and will share access with the existing shopping center," Garcia said.

Staff recommended approval with 19 conditions to be included in the ordinance. Key elements in the staff report and the conceptual site plan included: no direct vehicle access from Jefferson Avenue (access will be shared with the adjacent shopping center on the southern property line), a 10-foot minimum landscape strip along Jefferson Avenue, internal stacking for the tunnel wash and 19 vacuum parking spaces sited behind the building, and a single six-foot monument sign not to exceed 45 square feet. Waterworks staff noted an existing eight-inch water main traversing the site; structures must remain outside the easement or the line would need to be relocated.

Tyler Rose, an attorney representing Green Clean, told the commission the company is locally founded and operates throughout Hampton Roads. He said the vacuums will be free to the public during business hours and "they will be turned off" when the facility is closed. Rose said Green Clean emphasizes landscaping, site design to keep parking and vacuum stations from the street view, and community engagement through a local grant program.

Commissioners asked technical questions about circulation, a roll-up door shown on an elevation and whether the door was intended as vehicular access; project representatives said the elevation detail was a window, not a vehicular door. Commissioners also discussed market saturation — one commissioner noted multiple car washes in the corridor while another said the project would improve the Jefferson Avenue streetscape by pulling parking behind the building.

After public comment (two cards in favor were submitted) the commission voted to recommend approval. The roll call produced a 7-1 result; staff said the item will go before City Council in February 2025.

Details and conditions (selected)

- Parcel and use: 6102 Jefferson Avenue; 0.84 acres; proposed express car wash with a tunnel and 19 vacuum bays. The vacuums are free to the public during operating hours and will be turned off outside business hours.

- Site design: Building oriented to face Jefferson Avenue with no parking or circulation between the structure and the street; vacuum bays and parking located behind the building; one internal access point shared with the shopping center along the southern property line.

- Landscaping and signage: Conceptual plan shows the required landscape strip along Jefferson Avenue (minimum 10 feet); a single six-foot monument sign limited to 45 square feet is proposed. Building elevations and exterior materials must be submitted to and approved by the director of planning prior to building permit issuance.

- Utilities and easements: An eight-inch water main crosses the site; structures must be kept out of the easement or the line relocated to the southern property line as required by Waterworks.

- Conditions and approvals: Staff recommended 19 conditions, including submission and approval of a class 1 site plan, a landscape plan, and final building elevations. All standard conditions in the staff report will be part of the ordinance forwarded to council.

What happens next

Following the planning commission—s recommendation, the conditional use permit and associated ordinance will go to City Council for a public hearing and final action in February 2025.

Speakers cited in this report include planning staffer Saul Garcia; applicant counsel Tyler Rose; civil engineer/firm representatives; and commissioners as recorded in the roll call.