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Hempstead board approves special exception for automated car wash at 1260 Hempstead Turnpike
Summary
The Town Board approved New Magic Realty Inc.'s special exception to add a 499‑sq‑ft automated in‑bay car wash to an existing auto service at 1260 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, subject to covenants requiring a flagpole, restored landscaping, irrigation and maintenance.
The Hempstead Town Board voted on Feb. 10 to approve a special exception allowing New Magic Realty Inc. to add an automated in‑bay car wash to an existing auto repair facility at 1260 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.
Attorney Dominic Minerva described the proposal as a 499‑square‑foot addition that would bring the total building size to 2,443 square feet; the car wash will operate only when the service facility is open. Barry Nelson, a land‑use witness, said the site complies with setbacks, parking and landscaping requirements and that the addition represents roughly a 5% increase in lot coverage.
Ethan Schakowsky of TPD Engineering summarized a traffic analysis prepared for the applicant, saying he projected a maximum of eight additional trips in a peak hour (about one arrival every 7½ minutes) and a maximum peak queue of two vehicles on site—levels that he said could be accommodated without affecting adjacent streets.
Todd Mills, owner of Car Wash Products Inc., described the in‑bay automated system as an unattended, single‑vehicle wash where the customer remains in the car, with wash times ranging from about 2½ to 4 minutes. He said payment will be through a terminal (credit card, cash, RFID or tokens) and the system is largely self‑contained.
Board members asked about manual cleaning options, noise and fumes affecting nearby residential properties and landscaping plans. The applicant agreed to remove any reference to manual cleaning in the traffic report, to add a flagpole with an American flag, to restore previously approved plantings (except where the addition will sit), to install an irrigation system and to include a licensed landscaper maintenance schedule (weekly from April 1 through Oct. 31) in the covenants and restrictions.
The board closed the public hearing and adopted the item by roll call. Town staff will include the agreed covenants and landscaping/irrigation conditions as conditions of the special‑exception approval.
What was decided: the special exception was approved with site‑improvement and covenant conditions; the applicant will provide a landscape plan and the town will record the covenants before final permits are issued.
Next steps: Building/Zoning staff to incorporate the covenants and confirm the irrigation and landscaping plan prior to permit issuance.
