Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Small Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends approval for Take 5 oil‑change PDP amendment at 9140 Wadsworth Parkway (6–1)
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended City Council approve a PDP amendment to add 'auto service — oil change facility' as a permitted use at 9140 Wadsworth Parkway. Commissioners approved the recommendation 6–1 amid questions about proximity to nearby apartments and potential noise; applicant said the use is low‑impact.
The Westminster Planning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend City Council approve a preliminary development plan (PDP) amendment to allow an auto‑service oil‑change facility (Take 5) at 9140 Wadsworth Parkway.
Trevor Harlow, senior planner, told the commission the amendment would only add the land use to the PDP; the actual development and design will be reviewed later at the official development plan stage. Staff said the application was properly noticed (over 1,000 mailers and one posted sign) and that the proposed land use meets the 10 criteria in Section 11.5.14 of the Westminster Municipal Code.
Jim Gamble, representing franchisee Claycon Oil/Take 5 (Driven Brands), described the proposed facility as a three‑bay, roughly 1,700‑square‑foot building that would perform rapid oil changes and related limited services. The applicant estimated 30–50 cars per day and 12–15 employees with operating hours broadly around 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The applicant said the proposal would reduce impervious surface compared with the existing vacant building and that materials were coordinated with the existing shopping‑center character.
Commissioners questioned proximity to recently added apartments and whether typical auto‑service sounds or smells could affect residents. Commissioner Colling said the site is roughly 371 feet from the apartment units and said that factored into her decision to vote no. The applicant and staff noted that the PDP predates some of the residential additions and emphasized that Take 5 is a limited service compared with a full‑service repair shop: “We change oils ... We’ll do fluid, coolant additives and things like that. We just really don't ever have any real noise,” the applicant said.
After discussion, Commissioner Jeong moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Pegg seconded. The roll call recorded six votes in favor and one against (Commissioner Colling). The motion passed 6–1.
The recommendation will go to City Council for final action. If City Council approves the PDP amendment, the applicant will return for ODP and building permits; those later reviews will consider architecture, site plan details and construction‑phase environmental and operations requirements.
