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Boca Raton holds first hearing on proposal to allow car washes in RB‑1 district
Summary
On Sept. 24 the council heard a staff presentation and public comment on Ordinance 5701, a zoning text amendment that would add car washes as a conditional use in RB‑1 motel business district fronting North Federal Highway and impose operating, noise and parking requirements; the matter returns Oct. 22 for final hearing.
The Boca Raton City Council on Sept. 24 heard the first of two public hearings on Ordinance 5701, a text amendment that would reorganize car‑wash regulations and allow standalone car washes as a conditional use in the RB‑1 (motel business) zoning district on properties with at least 100 feet of frontage on North Federal Highway.
Senior planner Heather Hanson told the council the change would replace outdated terms ("auto laundries" and "car laundries") with "car washes," add off‑street parking requirements and create supplemental rules where a car wash abuts residential zoning. Hanson said the proposal limits hours for car‑wash operations adjacent to homes (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.), prohibits exterior loudspeakers or radios, requires a sound study to demonstrate compliance with city noise standards, and requires architectural compatibility with nearby neighborhoods. Hanson summarized staff’s finding that the amendment is consistent with the city comprehensive plan and noted the planning and zoning board recommended approval.
Hanson also described the applicant’s project at 7900 North Federal Highway (a mixed building with a car wash and restaurant) and the broader scope of the amendment: about 111 RB‑1 parcels fronting North Federal Highway would be eligible to apply under the proposed wording; most are developed and only five are vacant, staff said.
During public comment, resident Jonathan Anjian questioned whether the noise limits (which Hanson compared to a quiet conversation or a residential street) would effectively address blower and dryer operations and asked if the change could apply in LIRP zoning. Applicant representative Ellie Zacharias told the council the full application package — including site plan, conditional‑use request and rezoning — will return at the next council meeting and confirmed the second public hearing and final reading are scheduled for Oct. 22, 2024.
No vote was taken at the Sept. 24 hearing; the ordinance will return for final action at the next hearing.
