City Council denies SuperStar Carwash
Red Mountain Group director of development John Clay listens to comments against SuperStar Carwash. (Photo by Vincent Medina)
NORWALK – City Council denied an appeal for Red Mountain Group [RMG] SuperStar Carwash at Studebaker Road and Rosecrans Avenue during Tuesday’s meeting.
RMG’s request to build the carwash had already previously been denied by the planning commission.
Had RMG earned the commission’s approval, the Norwalk True Value Hardware store, TNT Mexican Restaurant and Vic’s Barber Shop would have been demolished and replaced with the automated facility.
RMG director of development John Clay tried to dismiss the public’s concerns to the council and cited initial approval from staff.
“One of the issues from the public was the false perception that there are too many car washes and actually there’s only three car washes in the area,” Clay said. “The staff report on this table recommended approval process, citing consistency with the general plan land use compliance with the performance standards required under the Norwalk Municipal Code and consistency. “
Kyle McDonald counseled the property owner and spoke on their behalf. McDonald criticized the planning commission because he believed they listened to public opinion over the facts of their proposal.
“We addressed all of the factual concerns and what we were left with was really basically our opinions,” McDonald said. “And the decision that was handed down on the commission was based on opinions that are nonsense.”
Community residents spoke out in strong opposition to the car wash.
Ken Vice expressed the concern that the car wash will reduce businesses in the area and addressed RMG’s lack of concern for public opinion.
“In terms of whether they’ve done their due diligence in listening to the community if we need this business, they haven’t succeeded in doing this,” Vice said.
Sylvester Ani also opposed the car wash, stating that the business would not be used given the large public opposition.
“The Commission is doing this business favor by denying the project because if the community isn’t in support of that project, now, that’s not going to change after it gets built,” Ani said. “And that’s not going to be a good evening. So, I think that it benefits all parties as well, to not try and force a square peg into a round hole.”
After hearing public testimony, the council voted unanimously to uphold the planning commission’s denial.
“We take this role of care very seriously. We’re accountable and beholden to the residents of the city of Norwalk,” Mayor Rick Ramirez said. “We see developers coming in with what they want, but it’s not what Norwalk wants, it’s not what Norwalk needs.”
Clay and the members of the RMG left abruptly as the community residents applauded the decision.