DANA POINT : Carwash Proposal Rejected by Council

Plans for the first full-service carwash in the city have been rejected.

The City Council on Tuesday opposed the project after some residents complained that the enterprise would increase area noise, traffic and vehicle exhaust.

The carwash was proposed for a site near Town Center on Pacific Coast Highway, between Alcazar and Malaga drives, a residential area.

“This project is inappropriate,” resident Susan Hunn told the council before a packed audience. “It is a noisy, smelly, intrusive auto-oriented business. It will make life miserable for all in the community.”

Supporters of the carwash maintained that the project would bring much-needed revenue to the city.

“I spend $20 a month in San Clemente or Laguna to get my car washed,” said resident Marchia Morey. “I’d rather spend that money here and create jobs for our youth.”

Mel Shapiro of Costa Mesa had applied twice to the Planning Commission for a coastal development permit to construct the 7,954-square-foot carwash, complete with a carwash tunnel, gasoline pumps, retail space, an office and lobby.

The commission denied Shapiro’s applications, saying the carwash would have a negative impact on nearby residents. Shapiro then appealed the decision to the council, which unanimously voted to deny the appeal.

“The project that’s proposed is a very nice-looking project,” said Councilman Harold R. Kaufman. “What I don’t like is where it’s being proposed to be built.”