Planning commission backs Club Car Wash redevelopment at Arnold Commons with added landscaping condition

The Arnold Planning Commission voted to recommend favorable consideration to city council for a revised Club Car Wash conditional use permit for the former Fireside Hearth and Home site in Arnold Commons.

Staff presented the revised plan, saying the applicant shortened the building to reduce tunnel capacity from six cars to five, cut proposed parking from 64 spaces to 53, reconfigured entrance lanes, increased exit stacking from four to seven spaces and added six vacuums (from 12 to 18). Director Turner told commissioners the applicant also proposes masonry enclosures around vacuum turbines and additional screening at the tunnel exit to reduce noise. Staff recommended approval subject to standard conditions and asked that pavement markings and signage be reviewed and approved by staff.

Eric Kirchner of Cochran, representing Club Car Wash, said the design changes respond to the commission’s April feedback and that shortening the building moved the tunnel exit about 10 feet away from Arnold Commons Road to improve queuing and egress. Brad Goss, counsel for Club Car Wash, said the proposal complies with the zoning code and the city’s comprehensive plan and that operating a second location will help relieve congestion at the existing GEFCO site.

Nearby property owners and residents raised concerns about traffic backups, noise and vehicle exhaust. Hat Cross, who gave a home address at Buck Drive, said the plan “looks a lot better” but worried cars could back up at the nearby stoplight, particularly during Sunday services at 1st Baptist Church. Steven Ritchie, of Hickory Manor, warned that long queues could increase engine noise and exhaust exposure for patrons on neighboring restaurant patios.

Applicant and staff responses addressed those concerns: Kirchner and Goss said the 53-space stack is a maximum capacity intended for rare peak conditions, not typical daily flow; turbines will be enclosed in masonry with a vented metal roof; the dumpster was relocated to limit daytime disruption; and trash pickup will occur outside business hours. The team agreed to add evergreen plantings and adjust tree placement near the Pasta House patio to provide additional noise and visual screening.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on whether a dB study exists (staff said there is none for this site) and on the noise that blowers at the tunnel exit might produce. The applicant said the exit fence (discussed at 6–8 feet) and plantings will direct and reduce blower noise and that three enclosed turbine units will serve the vacuum clusters.

After additional discussion, the commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend the conditional use permit to city council with the staff conditions plus an added requirement that plantings/landscaping be installed adjacent to the Pasta House patio and exit turnouts to the satisfaction of staff. The clerk recorded the outcome as 5 yes and 3 no; several commissioners were recorded as excused or on leave. The motion carried.

Next steps: the recommendation will be delivered to city council for final action; staff indicated final construction plans, striping and a fence/fence-permit review will be handled during permitting.