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Planning panel recommends car wash adaptive reuse on J. Clyde Morris Boulevard amid neighborhood traffic concerns
Summary
The commission voted 5‑1 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a Green Clean car wash at 671 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard (CU2025Tax0009); staff emphasized site screening, an 8‑ft fence and landscaping while neighbors cited pedestrian safety and existing congestion at the corridor signal.
On Nov. 5 the Newport News Planning Commission recommended approval (5‑1) of a conditional use permit (CU2025Tax0009) allowing Green Clean to operate an adaptive‑reuse car wash at 671 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. The commission’s recommendation forwards the application to City Council on Dec. 9, 2025.
Planning staff told the commission the proposal converts an existing vacant Rite Aid site into a single‑tunnel car wash with interior and exterior vacuum areas, meets landscape and site‑design requirements, and includes an 8‑foot fence and additional screening to reduce visual and noise impacts. Staff said the applicant must submit a Class 1 site plan, a landscape plan, and comply with 19 staff‑recommended conditions covering site layout, materials and screening.
Tyler Rose, representing the applicant, said the design moves vacuum parking to the rear and orients the car wash entrance and circulation to minimize stacking into the adjacent intersection. Project representatives said Green Clean operates subscription programs that distribute customer demand across multiple locations and highlighted prior successful adaptive‑reuse projects in Hampton Roads.
Several nearby residents and community members spoke against the application or raised concerns. Donna Parker, who lives about 1,000 feet from the site, said the corridor already has heavy pedestrian activity and that the traffic signal at Woods Road and J. Clyde Morris frequently creates long delays; she argued adding another business that attracts vehicle circulation could worsen pedestrian risks. Commissioners asked about vacuum noise; project representatives said they did not have a decibel estimate on hand but said the layout reduced exterior vacuum rows and that Green Clean maintains landscaping and site cleanup.
After deliberation, the commission voted 5‑1 to recommend approval with staff conditions. The item will be considered by City Council on Dec. 9, 2025.
