Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Conditional Use Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission removes 1997 recorded condition for Ducky's Express Car Wash at 1301 Old County Road
Summary
The San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission approved a conditional use permit amendment Feb. 2 removing a recorded 1997 condition for the car wash at 1301 Old County Road, finding the east side specific plan that triggered the condition has expired; the action is subject to a 10-day appeal period.
The San Carlos Planning and Transportation Commission on Feb. 2 approved a conditional use permit amendment to remove a recorded condition tied to the 1997 approval for Ducky's Express Car Wash at 1301 Old County Road.
Principal planner Rucha Dande told commissioners the 0.82-acre site at the southeast corner of Old County Road and Howard Avenue is improved with a 7,914-square-foot car-wash facility and that the east side specific plan that prompted the original condition has expired. The 1997 recorded agreement had required the owner to agree to voluntary removal of the use and structures after a 20-year amortization period provided the city paid fair market value for improvements, Dande said. She stated staff supports the amendment because the proposal does not expand the existing use and is consistent with current General Plan and GCI zoning; staff identified the action as categorically exempt under SQUA 15301 (existing facilities).
Dande said the applicant, owner Richard Miller, was not present; the owner was represented at the hearing by Steve Zumio of Kido Matthews. She also said staff had mailed notice to property owners within 300 feet and published notice on Jan. 22; staff had not received public comments at the time of presentation.
Commissioners asked whether there had been deferred maintenance or code-compliance issues; Dande replied staff had received none and reiterated that because no physical changes or expansion are proposed, current development-review standards are not triggered by this narrow amendment. Commissioners also asked whether obsolete references in the original conditions (for example, to an architectural review committee or ‘‘South County fire’’) needed formal pruning; staff said any future physical changes to the site would trigger current review processes.
After discussion, a commissioner moved and seconded approval of the amendment to remove the recorded condition. On roll call Vice Chair Bundy, Commissioner Canesty and Commissioner Anan voted yes. Chair Clemens and Commissioner Tapias were recorded as excused. The commission’s action is final unless appealed to the City Council within 10 days; the deadline to file an appeal is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
Because the approved amendment does not change the existing use or site footprint, any future changes to the exterior or operations would require a separate application and applicable review under current codes.
