Residents Unhappy About Proposed Carwash

LEBANON, Ohio - Waynesville Village Council got an earful from several Wilkerson Lane residents unhappy with the Planning Commission's approval for a carwash in its neighborhood.

In December, the Waynesville Planning Commission approved a conditional use application permit for Super Wash of Morrison, Ill. to locate a carwash in the bottom ground of Wilkerson Lane. Under the property's general commercial zoning, Super Wash filed for conditional use of the land for an automotive service facility. The land is owned by village councilwoman Claire Dunkin.

Super Wash intends to develop a four-bay carwash (three self-serve, one automatic) on the one-acre site

Tim Chamberlain, a resident of Wilkerson Lane, addressed council with the neighborhood's concerns.

Chamberlain said the residents object to the project on the following grounds: inappropriate use of property in a residential area; added traffic to an already congested interchange; lighting that would make it "the brightest spot in Waynesville; loitering concerns; noise associated with machinery and patrons and the fact that the carwash will be located in a flood plain "resulting runoff during a high water period will flow onto adjacent properties."

The problem, however, is that the objection comes too late.

When the planning commission approved the conditional use permit in December, residents had 10 days to file an appeal the decision. No appeal was made.

Only Neal and Darren Green of Waynesville Automotive and Gene Anspach, a Wilkerson Lane resident, expressed concerns at the Dec. 18 meeting.

By law, the four adjoining village property owners were personally notified of the public hearing.

Also by law, the hearing was advertised in the newspaper, according to Linda Jones, clerk of council.

Making the situation even worse for the Wilkerson Lane residents, under current zoning there's nothing to prevent the use of the land for the carwash, according to Village Manager Rod Smith.

"From a procedural standpoint, this company has met the criteria (for the conditional use permit)," Smith told the residents. "However, they (Super Wash) still have an arduous task to meet the storm sewer, drainage and lighting requirements."

He added that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards must also be met.

Smith told the residents that he is not enthusiastic about a carwash locating there.

"I don't think this town needs another carwash and it's not my personal philosophy to look for businesses that will compete with existing businesses," Smith said.

"I have trouble with the fact that this property was zoned general commercial. There are dozens of businesses which would be a better fit there," he said.

"By law, we can't eliminate the conditional use, but we can work to make these loopholes tighter," he added.

Ed Lawson, acting law director for Waynesville, told council there was nothing it could do now without risk of a lawsuit by Super Wash. He added about the Wilkerson Lane residents, "if they are aggrieved by this, I would suggest they consult their own counsel."

Mayor Ernie Lawson said he is troubled with the location of a carwash there, however, given the existing zoning, it is pretty much out of council's domain.

"The time for council to get involved has passed, no one appealed in the 10 days... If there is a way for council to get involved in this, we will," he added.

In other action, council approved the public works committee's request for an additional $13,025 and 30 days for the well-field project.

According to the village manager, delays due to weather have forced the contractor to use a granular material rather than topsoil for backfield, which adds more than $6800 to the project. Furthermore, he said an increase in prevailing wages will add another $6100 to the project.

Source: LebanonOhio.com

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