Planning commission forwards code amendment to allow car washes in C-1 zone

The Francis City Planning Commission voted to forward a positive recommendation to city council to amend Francis City Code 18-45-020 to add car washes as a permitted use in C-1 commercial zones. Commissioner (speaker 6) moved the recommendation and the commission approved it by voice vote; the motion asked that staff recommendations on water shares, noise management and parking be included when the council considers the amendment.

Erin, a city planner, told the commission the application from Wade Souza of Western Endeavors proposes locating a car wash on Parcel RT 32-5 in the Harwood development. Erin summarized the conceptual plan—two automatic bays, three self-service bays and seven vacuum stalls—and said staff recommends conditions addressing water rights and usage, blower/noise limits, and specific parking and circulation standards. "Staff recommends that if the use is adopted, conditions be established around water shares, noise management, and traffic impacts," Erin said.

Applicant Wade Souza said his firm designs and builds car washes and described the proposal as a "water smart" facility that would include a water reclamation system. Commissioners and staff discussed whether the project would require the applicant to secure "paper water" and to demonstrate capacity in the city’s wells and tanks before a building permit could be granted. Scott, a staff member, said that a commercial site plan and staff review (including commercial inspections by partner JEMS) would be required before construction and that site-specific mitigation would be considered at that time.

The commission’s action forwards the code text amendment to the city council with staff recommendations attached; council consideration is the next procedural step. The planning commission also approved the meeting minutes (with a correction to the chair’s name) and adjourned.