Modified car wash plan advances

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A controversial car wash proposal got the "drive forward" signal from a divided Woodbury Planning Commission.

Owners of the Seasons Marketplace commercial development at Tamarack Road and Radio Drive want to add a car wash to the convenience store. City officials had wrestled with the developers' request for less roadway setback than traditionally allowed. City planners said granting the variance would deviate from precedent.

The City Council last month tabled a decision on the car wash proposal. The developers modified their plan, including by shortening the car wash bay, seeking a smaller roadway setback and modifying the building architecture. The revised proposal went before the Planning Commission Monday.

"It wouldn't be quite as easily used by customers, but it would be very good," Bruce Carlson, a Seasons Marketplace owner, said of a smaller car wash. Proponents say a car wash is needed in order to stay competitive with other convenience stores in Woodbury.

Those modifications convinced five Planning Commission members to back the proposal.

"I think we have to take into account we're always going to have some redevelopment," Planning Commission Chairwoman Nancy Remakel said. "It was not built with the standards that we have today."

Two commissioners voted against the project. Commissioner Rusty Nereng said business competition is not a strong enough reason to waive the city's policy on roadway setbacks. If that's the reasoning, he said, then any other business could use the same argument for its own relaxed setback request.

"I don't really see a benefit" to the city, Nereng said. "The benefit I see is we have another car wash."

The City Council is scheduled to review the revised car wash proposal Nov. 10.

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