Johns Creek says ‘no’ to Newtown carwash

By Rachel Kellogg; Neighbor Newspapers

Residents of Johns Creek will not see a new car wash in the Haynes Market shopping center because it would not meet the standards of the city’s comprehensive plan.

The property’s owner, Daniel Grass operated a package store on the corner of Old Alabama Road and Haynes Bridge Road for 16 years, but the store has since gone out of business.

Grass requested to have the zoning of the property changed to open a carwash, but his application was denied by council in an unanimous vote.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Justin Kirouac recommended denying the application because the development would be “out of character with the surrounding area.”

Several residents, including members of the Johns Creek Community Association, came to Monday’s meeting to speak in opposition of the application.

Residents expressed concern that a carwash would take away from the pedestrian feel of the Newtown area and would create additional traffic.

Call brought a signed petition from other business owners in the shopping center asking the council to deny the rezoning request.

For a carwash to be built on the property, it would need to be rezoned from C-1 status to C-2, meaning, in the future, businesses like pawn shops, repair garages and check cashing companies could be established.

A spokesman for Grass said the carwash would not hinder pedestrian walkways and connectivity, and he pointed out the BP fuel station and carwash adjacent to the property and the Kroger fuel center in the shopping center.

Grass also promised to only operate 12 hours a day and plant trees and additional landscaping around the area.

But council was not convinced that the development was a good fit for Newtown.

“I’ve got a comprehensive plan that wasn’t thrown together,” said Councilwoman Karen Richardson. “It doesn’t allow for a change to C-2, and I’m uncomfortable making that change.”

Councilman Randall Johnson said he had not met any members of the community who supported the development.