Commission recommends removing car washes as a permitted use in Josephine zoning code

The City of Josephine Planning & Zoning Commission voted Dec. 18 to recommend a city‑initiated zoning amendment (CA25-003) that would remove car washes as a permitted use in all zoning districts.

Staff explained the council directed the amendment because of concerns about water conservation and the desire to preserve prime parcels for higher‑value uses such as restaurants and retail. Miguel told the commission that the city has no existing car wash uses and no pending site‑plan applications for car washes within the 200‑foot notice area; as a result, current uses would not be immediately affected, though applications submitted before adoption could be vested.

Why it matters: removing car washes from the permitted‑use table would prevent new car washes from being established by right in any zoning district; the ordinance could be amended or uses allowed later via special‑use permits if council chooses.

Quoted in the hearing

Miguel, City planner: “There was a concern about water conservation… The vision said by council and the community has consistently been to try to bring restaurant and retail and other uses.”

Action and next steps

The commission recommended approval as presented and will forward the recommendation to city council. If council adopts the ordinance, the change would be published and after 30 days new permitted use status would be effective; the city noted that any application submitted and vested prior to adoption would not be affected.

Outcome

Recommendation forwarded to City Council for final ordinance adoption.