Plans to put a tunnel-style car wash at Discovery Bay and Business Center Drive drew a mixed reception from Pearland City Council but ultimately gained a 4-3 approval this month.
Tony Carbone, Jeffrey Barry, Joseph Koza, and Mayor Kevin Cole voted Aug. 14 to approve a conditional use permit that would allow a Mint Car Wash location to operate, and members Alex Kamkar, Layni Cade, Rushi Patel voted against.
“At the entrance of our town where we just got done spending $20 million, you’re going to stick something like this in the corner,” Councilman Patel said. “I’m not against a car wash, I just think we can find a better location for it.”
The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission last month recommended against granting the conditional use permit, stating a car wash “does not meet the desired character of the 288 Gateway Designation and future land designation.”
“This is a very odd site,” real estate agent Paul Grohman told the council on Monday, speaking on behalf of the car wash owner. “You can’t see it from 288. If you’re coming off the highway it is behind the off ramp. If you’re in front of it, you can’t see it because Sam’s Club is there.”
In addition, the lack of visibility, the less than 1-acre site wound up being too small for uses other than automotive or fast food, he said.
“I’m not excited about either of those,” Councilwoman Layni Cade said.
“The property has been there. It’s been vacant,” Councilman Jeffrey Barry said. “We have someone willing to do the work and put in the investment.”
