75A - PH KARA GRANT APPEAL - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

In light of the substantially similar site plans for the 2018 Retail Project and 2019 revised Car Wash Project, and the background of the property owner/Applicant and his representation in obtaining Project approvals, it is suspect that the 2018 Retail Project proposed demolishing the existing small car wash and developing a retail building and drive-thru restaurant. The Conklins encourage the Council and the City to investigate this suspect approach to obtaining necessary Project approvals. VI. THE COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER A MORATORIUM ON CAR WASHES In 2018, the City of Escondido found that car wash business owners and operators have experienced steady growth from approximately 2012 to 2018, as the economy began to recover and car ownership increased. At the same time, lower gas prices translated to a greater amount of personal car use, which had a cumulative positive impact on car service -based businesses. Car demand, however, is expected to slow and has begun to in areas. Thus, oversaturation of car washes in Santa Ana is of particular concern, as it was in the City of Escondido. In fact, Escondido adopted a moratorium on car washes and ultimately stricter regulations to protect their city. Attached as Exhibit L are documents from the City of Escondido pertaining to their car wash moratorium. The oversaturation of car wash uses in Escondido was particularly concerning for the following reasons: (1) car washes generate little sales tax revenue for the City; (2) car washes employ few employees and thus utilize prime commercial properties without providing employment opportunities within the City; (3) wages paid to car wash employees do not raise the median income within the city; and (4) car washes are aesthetically unappealing and the sites are difficult to redevelop. Santa Ana is quickly becoming the car wash capital of Southern California. For these reasons, it is strongly urged that Santa Ana consider a moratorium on car washes to protect the City's economic stability and future economic development. VII. CONCLUSION In light of the extensive facts, evidence and law discussed above, the Conklins request the Council to reverse the decision of the Commission and to deny Russell Fischer's application for CUP No 2019-30 and the Variance Amendment to allow the development of a massive car wash at the — Property. It is also requested that the Council reverse the decision of the Commission and find that the Car Was Project is not categorically exempt and that CEQA environmental review is required. In addition, the Council should reverse the Commission's approvals because the notice provided for the Commission's hearing was inadequate and violated the Conklin's right to due process. Finally, the Council is urged to impose a moratorium on additional carwashes in the City and to investigate the suspect nature by which the Applicant obtained the General Plan Amendment and zone change discussed above. 25 75A-35