Changes for Jax Kar Wash site plan okayed

By Dana Casadei

After a 7-0 vote from the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees in favor of the new site plan, the existing Bloomfield Car Wash at 4025 Telegraph Road in the township is on its way to becoming an improved Jax Kar Warsh.

“Thank you for coming to the township and I’m glad you can invest here,” said trustee Chris Kolinski. “It’s going to be a great location for you. We’re looking forward to having you here.”

There will be no changes to the building’s footprint but there will a few updates, such as the removal of exterior vacuums and the installation of two pay stations with canopies along the south elevation of the property. Removing the vacuums will actually put this space more in compliance by moving all operations inside. 

Jax Kar Wash’s site plan also includes minimal cosmetic work through modernizing equipment to keep up with industry standards; new metal coping, new tile, and new metal panels on the façade; and the LED lighting at the pay stations will be directed downward. Despite the changes, the overall aesthetic will remain similar to what’s currently there. 

For those worried about the traffic this car wash may cause, Jax Kar Wash has a solution with its improved queuing, a highlight during the evening’s presentation by Andrea Bibby, director of planning, building & ordinance, to the board at their Monday, October 13, meeting,

“You certainly made the effort to improve the queuing there by having the two pay stations and I know they work very quickly, and removing the vacuums will allow for fewer cars there. I think with taking those steps I really don’t have any concerns about the queuing issue,” said trustee Neal Barnett. “Plus, there’s another Jax’s down the street and some other car washes being built in the township… I think between all of that, it should take care of itself.”

The two queuing lanes will allow for guests to pay two at a time before entering the car wash – which can hold up to three cars at a time – at the concrete parking island they plan to build. Each canopied pay station will have an employee there for assistance with payment. There will also be employees drying cars that leave the car wash and directing traffic as they exit for an easier flow of cars. Employees will be able to use the two assigned parking spaces at the adjacent gas station and will not take up space in the car wash lot.

The same pay stations will be used to read the license plates of Jax Kar Wash members, who will be able to pull up to the pay station, have their license plate read by the license plate recognition system, then enter the car wash.

If Jax Kar Wash does find there are issues with the queuing in the future, they would work with the township to make adjustments, something the company agreed to with no hesitation.

Jax Kar Wash plans to operate from 7 a.m to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Before this site plan came to trustees it had already gained positive feedback from various Bloomfield Township departments.

It was also reviewed by the planning commission and zoning board of appeals. Neither group had any major concerns or issues with the site plan.