WASHINGTON, Mo. — According to www.emissourian.com, Ken Washburn, a resident of Washington, Missouri, told the Washington City Council that several residents of his subdivision are “upset” about the construction of the Tiger Express Wash near them and questioned the process for carwash permits.
“What are the procedures approving a project of this magnitude and this visibility?” Washburn asked.
Washburn then noted the many historic buildings in Washington and said there were about seven carwashes currently in the city, the article noted.
He added, “To put something that obscene on a highly visible corner is almost saying, ‘Welcome to Washington, the carwash capital of the world.’”
“Let’s make sure you understand — we can’t prevent any business from coming into town as long as they follow code,” said Councilman Jeff Mohesky. “It doesn’t matter if there are 18 car washes. The market will dictate whether all seven will stay.”
Washburn then asked if there are regulations dictating where businesses can be located and how the buildings look, the article continued.
City Administrator Darren Lamb told him that city zoning codes regulate where businesses can operate and that the city’s engineering department must approve the architectural plans, the article stated.
Lamb added that since the carwash will be located in a C-2 zoning district, which allows this type of business, the article continued; he noted that businesses that do not fit in specific zoning codes must apply for a special use permit and that the historic district of downtown Washington also requires additional review, but neither regulation is applicable in this instance.
“It is not subject to go to public hearing or through the planning and zoning board,” Lamb said.
Washburn claimed the rendering on-site differed from the plans that were previously circulated, and Lamb replied that there is no architectural review done by the city as long as the building meets codes and the plans are approved by city staff, the article concluded.
Read the original article here.
