The Gollum Plan Commission on Nov. 10 recommended denying an application to allow an automated rollover car wash at 6545 Duck Creek Drive, concluding the proposal does not fit the city’s planned transit‑oriented center and would worsen existing parking shortfalls.

Staff told the commission the 0.43‑acre parcel sits in a community retail base zone that the comprehensive plan designates for higher‑density, walkable, transit‑oriented development. Staff said the proposed car wash is “an auto‑oriented type of use” that would not generate the pedestrian‑oriented retail and gathering spaces the plan envisions and recommended denial of the applicant’s request for a 30‑year specific‑use provision.

Applicant Mark Stacy described the project as a family‑owned, boutique automated rollover facility with four vacuum stations and said the operation would have minimal infrastructure impacts and high efficiency. “We’ll reclaim over 60% of our water,” Stacy told commissioners, and he argued that, depending on how the city counts vacuum spaces, the site could meet parking requirements or be close to doing so. Stacy also said the development would add employee‑only parking in the rear and that the family intends to work with staff on trash and circulation details.

A nearby car wash owner, Lee Faulkner, told the commission he opposes placing a second tunnel‑style facility so close to his long‑running business and said staff previously discouraged a similar tunnel wash from locating in the area. A community resident speaking in support told commissioners she wanted more service options for apartment residents nearby.

Commissioners focused on parking and the site’s compatibility with the transit‑oriented center designation. Commissioner Cornelius said she believed “there’s a better use for that area,” and several commissioners agreed with staff that the car wash would exacerbate an existing parking deficiency. Commissioner Abel was the sole vote in opposition to the denial.

Motion and next steps: Commissioner Cornelius moved to recommend denial of the application (identified on the record as Z25‑31) as presented by staff; Commissioner Jenkins seconded. The motion passed 7–1. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to city council, which makes the final decision on the SEP.