Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calimesa planning panel approves Quick Quack car wash at Marketplace at Calimesa
Summary
The Calimesa Planning Commission on July 13 approved Planning Commission Resolution 2026‑17, adopting an environmental finding and permitting a 3,366‑sq. ft. automated Quick Quack express car wash at the Marketplace at Calimesa. Staff found no new CEQA impacts and recommended approval after receiving seven written comments entered into the record.
The Calimesa Planning Commission on July 13, 2026 adopted Resolution 2026‑17 approving an environmental assessment (EA 2603), major development plan review (DPR 2504) and conditional use permit (CUP 2602) to allow construction and operation of a 3,366‑square‑foot automated drive‑through Quick Quack express car wash at the Marketplace at Calimesa, at Cherry Valley Boulevard and Desert Lawn Drive.
Senior Planner Celine Sevilla told commissioners the project sits within the Summer Wind Ranch at Oak Valley specific plan area and has a Town Center (TC‑8) zoning designation. She described the project as an automated tunnel car wash with three vehicle‑queuing lanes, about 25 vacuum stations under a canopy, a 230‑square‑foot attendant/checkout station, and parking and landscaping improvements. Staff said the facility would operate daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., employ roughly 18 people with 2–3 employees on site per shift, and is consistent with the specific plan’s design and sign guidelines.
"Staff found that the project will not result in any new or significant environmental impacts," Celine Sevilla said, noting that staff relied on the certified Summer Wind Ranch at Oak Valley Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report and supporting memos on noise, air quality and traffic. She recommended the commission find the project within the scope of the previously certified environmental review and adopt Resolution 2026‑17.
Applicant representative Jeff Christophe of Catalyst Commercial Group thanked staff for their work on the application and said the developer and operator had coordinated on equipment and layout. "They worked hard on this deal over several months," Christophe said, praising staff responsiveness. He confirmed the operator uses the same manufacturers and core equipment as other Quick Quack locations.
Staff recorded seven written comment letters that were entered into the record; the authors listed by staff were Joaquin Reyes, James Marchman, Princess Charles Johnson, Elena Stroud, Lisa Ramos, Melania Beal and Thomas Schultz. No speakers signed up to speak at the public hearing.
Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about the site layout (the pad is the former CVS location), access and landscaping to minimize impacts on adjacent single‑family residences. One commissioner noted staff had modified the layout and planting to reduce effects on neighboring properties and expressed support for the design changes.
A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑17, finding EA 2603 within the scope of the certified specific plan EIR and approving DPR 2504 and CUP 2602 to allow the proposed Quick Quack car wash. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the Chair called for the vote and commissioners responded in favor.
After the action, commissioners thanked staff for their work and welcomed the Quick Quack as the city’s second location. Community Development Director Kelly Lucia reminded the public that the previously listed Mesa Verde item was postponed to the Commission’s regular meeting on Aug. 10, 2026, and she recognized Commissioner John Keith for his years of service; this was noted as Keith’s final Planning Commission meeting.
The Planning Commission adjourned to its next regular meeting on Aug. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.
