Burton Backs Off Carwash Dispute

York, Va. -- NASCAR driver Ward Burton said he has no plans to sue York County over a new county law that could hamper his plans to open a car wash on Route 17.

"We're certainly not planning on suing the county or anyone else," Burton said.

He and his business partner, Bobby Willis of Smithfield, plan to build a carwash just south of the intersection of Dare Road and Route 17.

That proposal became the first business affected by a new county law that requires special use permits for all gas stations, carwashes and convenience stores and puts more restrictions on those kinds of businesses, as well as automobile sales lots. The new law does not affect existing businesses or proposed businesses where the county had approved a site plan before the law was passed.

Under the new law, which the Board of Supervisors passed earlier this month, owners of gas stations and carwashes have to remove all fuel tanks, fuel lines, gas pumps, fueling islands and carwash equipment if the business is closed for nine months.

Willis said the plans for the York County carwash have been revised and that they will apply for the special use permit, probably next week. The Planning Commission will review that application and make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which will decide whether to grant the permit.

Last week, a representative for Burton and Willis said the developers might file a lawsuit against the county for changing the requirements for the carwash seven months after plans for the business were submitted to the county. Burton, a 42-year-old South Boston native, has won five races at the top echelon of NASCAR, including the 2002 Daytona 500.

Burton and Willis have a second carwash that is under construction at the intersection of Warwick Boulevard and Alpine Street in Newport News. That intersection is near Deep Creek Road, and Burton said the business should be ready to open within two months.

Source: The Daily Press