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Pompano Beach board approves special exception for El Car Wash at West Sample Road
Summary
The Pompano Beach Zoning Board of Appeals voted to grant a special exception for a 5,000-square-foot El Car Wash at 2690 W. Sample Road after staff and the applicant said the project meets zoning standards, despite neighborhood opposition citing job and traffic concerns.
The Pompano Beach Zoning Board of Appeals on [date not specified] voted to grant a special exception allowing El Car Wash to build a 5,000-square-foot, conveyor-style express carwash at the southeast corner of Northwest 27th Avenue and West Sample Road.
City staff, represented by Scott Reali, told the board the property is zoned B-3/B-3 PCI and that car wash facilities are allowed in that district by special exception. Reali said staff reviewed conceptual site and landscape plans, a market feasibility analysis and a traffic and queuing study, and concluded the project meets the special-exception review standards. Staff recommended three conditions: that the applicant obtain all required governmental permits, construct substantially in compliance with the approved conceptual plans, and record a unity of title unifying the three parcels into a single development site.
Applicant counsel Jana Lota and El Car Wash representatives described the proposal as an express, membership-based operation that would locate circulation and vacuum stations to minimize off-site impacts. "We're providing more than double that amount on the site," Lota said of on-site queuing capacity, referencing the study's 16-vehicle stacking recommendation. Alex Quintana, an El Car Wash principal, said the company uses water-reclamation systems and aims to use 20–30 gallons of fresh water per car, with the remainder reclaimed and treated before discharge.
Nearby business owners and former owners spoke against the proposal. Thiago Duda, speaking on behalf of a Jet's Car Wash owner, said the proposed site lies only 0.3 miles from an existing car wash and urged the city to "consider and oppose the construction of El Car Wash at least at this site." Sam Agbar, former owner of Jet's, said about 14 employees rely on the existing business and warned a larger entrant could jeopardize those jobs.
Board members questioned whether the city's "demonstrated need" standard should consider nearby uses outside Pompano Beach. Rafael Katz pressed the applicant and staff on the market analysis and whether competition in neighboring Deerfield Beach should factor into the board's review. Lota replied the feasibility analysis covered a three-mile radius and that El Car Wash operates a distinct, membership-driven model that produces a high share of pass-by trips.
After discussion, a motion to grant the special exception subject to the three staff conditions passed on roll call: Erin Berger—Yes; Linda Thomas—Yes; Nicole Henneker—Yes; Rafael Katz—No; Joe Circuzzi—Yes; Charlotte Burry—Yes. The board recorded the special exception as approved.
The applicant must complete required site-plan, building-design and permitting processes and record a unity of title for the three parcels before beginning operations.
