The Hayward Planning Commission on Jan. 8 approved a conditional use permit that lets Bubble Machine Car Wash at 22235 Mission Boulevard convert one of its six self‑service bays to a touch‑free automatic bay, subject to conditions intended to limit noise, traffic impacts and litter.

Assistant Planner Duso Chola told the commission the 3,549‑square‑foot site on a 0.37‑acre parcel along Mission Boulevard is a legal nonconforming car wash dating to 1965 and that the proposal would “replace 1 of the 6 existing self‑service bays with touch free automatic car wash equipment.” The staff report and a noise study by Ballard Acoustical Consultants found the equipment would comply with the Hayward Municipal Code noise limits provided the business operates between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., Chola said.

Under the conditions the commission adopted, all vehicles must queue on‑site to avoid blocking sidewalks or travel lanes; the wooden fence on the shared property line with 22240 Pierce Street must be replaced with a masonry wall to further reduce noise; and the site’s operating hours will be limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Another condition requires the property owner to keep the frontage litter‑free, removing litter on or within 50 feet of the property daily.

Applicant Mohit Dinda, identified in the record as one of the owners, said the business has no public restrooms but does have an employee bathroom, and that he monitors the site daily. “I show up to the car wash every day,” Dinda said, adding owners use 24‑hour IP cameras with two‑way audio and can hire temporary help when needed.

Architect Melvin Higginbotham said site work will maintain accessibility at the Pierce Street driveway and that required improvements raised during building‑permit review would be addressed then. “What makes it ADA compliant is the sidewalk that comes on either side of the driveway,” Higginbotham said, describing plans to construct the driveway approach to approved accessibility slopes.

Commissioners asked whether the proposed automatic bay would use 100% recycled water; staff and the architect said normal automatic car wash systems recycle water but still discharge a percentage that is replaced with fresh water. Commissioner Gabati thanked the applicants for offering fleet washing services to local police and fire departments.

Chair Hardy called for a motion to adopt the staff findings and conditions. Commissioner Yorgov moved to approve; Commissioner Goodbody seconded. The chair announced, “The motion has passed.” The transcript does not list the roll‑call vote tally.

The decision is final unless appealed within 10 days; if appealed, a public hearing will be scheduled before the City Council. The commission also approved minutes from previous meetings and reviewed its calendar for 2026 before adjourning.