The Splash Car Wash on Bridgeport Avenue could be washed up if it is not allowed to change oil.
The Planning and Zoning Commission heard another request Tuesday night from the applicant, “Crossroads at Exit 13,” to open an additional business on 367 Bridgeport Ave.
The hearing, in City Hall, was continued to Oct. 27.
The applicant was forced to build a larger-than-planned facility on the site as a result of past decisions by the commission, said Dominick Thomas, the developers’ lawyer.
“You’re going to put him out of business,” Thomas told the commission. The panel has denied previous requests from the carwash to open other businesses on the site since it opened in 2004, he said.
“We have plenty of room on this site. The car wash is overbuilt and the site is underutilized,” Thomas said, adding, “There are plenty of people in the area changing oil.”
One of them, Curtis-Ryan Honda at 333 Bridgeport Ave., sent a letter opposing the request, said Zoning Administrator Rick Schultz.
“It’s not your job to protect competitors,” Thomas said regarding the complaint.
Commission Alternate Member Thomas McGorty was concerned about the traffic and parking impact.
“You could have 20 cars in each lane,” he said.
But Thomas said the applicant was sure traffic would not increase. He asked for a year’s approval to prove it.
“If there’s a problem, we’ll go away” after a year, Thomas said.
The applicant will submit a site plan before the next meeting, according to Thomas.
