A larger-than-anticipated car wash will soon be going into the Clearview Market Square commercial strip along 67th Street.
City council unanimously approved a nearly 50 per cent increase in the building’s size — despite a few concerns raised about whether such a development is better suited to an industrial area.
With 31 parking stalls proposed for vacuuming cars, Coun. Dianne Wyntjes first questioned the “look” of the facility, but then suggested this could be addressed in landscaping plans.
The developer responded the building will be modern and aesthetically pleasing.
Other councillors also queried whether another car wash was appropriate for what’s supposed to be a walkable area.
Coun. Buck Buchanan noted another such operation exists in the area. He wondered about a “proliferation” of car washes, just as many banks have located in Clearview Market Square.
But development services general manager Tara Lodewyk responded that it’s up to private enterprise to decide whether a business will be viable in any particular area.
“It’s the property owners who are making the investment.”
The car wash is a discretionary use at 60 Calder St., requiring city council approval. In May, council had approved a bylaw amendment for the Clearview Market Square, Phase 2 development, allowing such a business to locate there.
What was approved this week is a 7,766-square-foot building, compared to the previous 5,188-square-foot structure in the initial plans. The car wash will be located right along 67th Street, just west of the roundabout at 30th Avenue.
The applicant must still submit engineering drawings as well as a landscaping plan to the city.