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Planning Board schedules public hearing for Spark Car Wash after traffic and wetlands review
Summary
Board heard traffic contingency plans from Spark Car Wash representatives, who said the design accommodates up to 27 stacked vehicles normally and up to 44 using vacuum areas in contingency; Board directed submission to Orange County Planning and voted to schedule a public hearing for May 15.
Jennifer Porter, representing Spark Car Wash LLC, and engineers from Stonefield Engineering updated the Planning Board on design and traffic mitigation for the proposed car wash on Route 300.
Paul Mutch (Stonefield) said the team met with the Board’s consultants and focused on traffic queueing and sidewalk design. John Corak, the project’s traffic engineer, described a contingency plan that provides for 27 stacked vehicles in standard operation and an additional 17 vehicles using vacuum areas when needed, for a maximum onsite stacking of 44 vehicles. "With that queueing area, we're able to provide an additional 17 vehicles within the queue," Corak said, adding the arrangement would rely on trained staff and operational controls to avoid blocking the Route 300 right-of-way.
The applicants argued a sidewalk across the site frontage is preferable to installing a right-turn lane because a new lane would create a confusing weave/taper on the state highway. Stonefield said the City of Newburgh accepted the site’s flow request and that DEC has reviewed the adjacent stream classification (A) and did not require additional permits for bank impacts as proposed. Pat Hines and other staff warned that DEC jurisdiction over wetlands should be confirmed and that stormwater and landscaping securities will be required later in the process.
Board members expressed concern about potential queueing impacts on Route 300 and asked how the vacuum area would be converted for contingency stacking. Engineers said operations would use cones and staff to control queuing and noted this would be a rare, managed step often used after heavy weather events.
After discussion, John A. Ward moved and Kenneth Mennerich seconded a motion to schedule a public hearing for the Spark Car Wash application on May 15. The Board took a roll-call vote; the motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: applicants will work with Town staff on DOT dedication for sidewalk, confirm DEC wetlands/stormwater requirements, coordinate required variance updates with the Zoning Board if needed, and proceed with County 239 referral before the May hearing.
