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Car wash location draws opposition

Proposed environmentally-friendly car wash in Sooke core not wanted by some

The proposed Murray Road car wash is not meeting with approval by many of the residents who live in the area.

At a public hearing on Monday night, council heard mainly from those opposed to the location of the car wash.

Robert Martin, who lives directly behind the proposed location, said he was not against a car wash, he was against the location. He also said a car wash in that area of Sooke was not in the Official Community Plan.

“The plan is more important than any of us here,” he said. “Don’t inflict things on us that are contrary to the OCP.”

The proponent is wanting to build a environmentally-friendly five-bay car wash and laundromat in the area behind Village Food Markets along what is called Logan Lane.  A new road would be built at the east edge of the property. The cost of the enterprise would be well in excess of a million dollars. The developers are JCB Holding comprised of  Bruce Logan and Jerry Liedtke.

One of the arguments set forth by those opposed to the location was that by amending the current zoning it showed an advantage of one property over another.

Gail Hall, spoke against the location, stating it was “site specific” zoning the developers were after. She also said traffic congestion was not given enough consideration. A traffic impact study had been conducted, but one speaker stated that a pedestrian impact study had not.

Some felt a car wash was bringing “car-related” business into the centre of Sooke while another felt there was no respect for people living in close proximity.

Jeff Bateman said it was the business of Sooke to foster business and commerce. He said the project looks good and is environmentally sound.

One resident said one of the largest sources of pollution was people washing their vehicles and allowing the soaps, oils and such to flow into the storm drains. He said the car wash has to be in the town core as that is where the sewer is. Creating more jobs in Sooke was also brought up.

After more than almost two hours of discussion and comments, council recessed the public hearing for Bylaw No. 545. It will continue on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at the municipal hall.