Planning Commission OKs special-use permit for high-end auto-protection and detailing shop at 6250 28th St. SE

Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission members voted Sept. 22 to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a high-end automotive protection and detailing facility at 6250 28th Street SE.

Planning staff said the site is located within PUD 39 (Centennial Park) but that older PUD approvals lack specific dimensional standards, so the township applies the underlying General Business B-2 zoning. Under B-2, “sales and services of vehicles” is a use allowed by special use, and staff recommended conditioning any approval to the scale and operations described in the applicant’s materials.

Cole Matthews, the applicant, said the proposed business would be an “auto spa” focused on paint protection film, window tinting and detailing. “We don't intend to do any kind of painting or anything like that on-site,” Matthews said, adding that cars would be stored inside, mostly by appointment, and that the operation would not perform major mechanical work or store materials such as paint.

Neighbors and the property manager spoke during the public hearing. Bonnie Wisnu Jacob of Forest Hills Condos said she lives nearby and asked for screening because of headlights and potential noise. “More traffic, more headlights, more lights, more noise,” she said, and asked whether privacy fencing or planting could be required. Jack Bauer and Doug Todd (the asset manager representing the property owner) told the commission the owner would investigate additional screening and deferred to staff to specify conditions.

Commissioners discussed how to limit future scope creep and said they preferred motion language that referenced the applicant’s own description rather than a broader category such as “new or used automobile service center.” Commissioners proposed and the motion included explicit limits: no on-site car sales, no typical mechanical auto repair or enhancement, and hours limits for large truck/tow drop-off. The applicant estimated trade traffic would be low — “probably be 2 to 4 cars in and out a day kind of thing,” Matthews said.

The motion the commission approved recommended the special-use permit with conditions: the use is subject to the scale and operations outlined in the application; the property owner must provide heightened landscape buffering on the west side of the property to screen adjacent condos; tow-truck or large-truck drop-off and pickup are limited to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; no on-site car sales or sale signage; and no mechanical repair or enhancement beyond detailing and protective film installation. The motion was supported and passed.

The conditions task staff with translating the approved limits into enforceable permit language and, where applicable, adding those limits to the land-use approval. Commissioners also encouraged neighbors to report any operational nuisances to township staff so enforcement staff can respond.

The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation; final approvals or permits will be processed through township administrative procedures.