Millstone may welcome car washes on its borders BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer MILLSTONE - A proposed ordinance would pave the way for the creation of car washes in certain areas of town. At its March 21 meeting, the Township Committee voted 4-1 to introduce an ordinance that would permit car washes as permitted conditional uses in the highway commercial zones along Route 33 and Route 537. Committeeman Elias Abilheira cast the dissenting vote. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the April 18 Township Committee meeting. When asked why he voted against introducing the ordinance, Abilheira said he would prefer to see a broader plan for the highway corridors once the township receives results and recommendations from a Route 33 study. "I didn't see anything which would indicate this is the best and most effective use of our limited commercial highway corridors at this time," he said, "and felt this type of piecemeal change is a little premature when we are trying to find the highest and best uses for our highway corridor. "It is not a bad car wash ordinance as far as that goes," Abilheira continued. "I'm just not convinced that's what we are looking for on [Route] 33 or 537." The proposed ordinance defines car washes as any establishment providing full-service facilities for washing and cleaning motor vehicles moving through a building via a conveyor belt system or by other mechanical means. The proposed ordinance goes on to state that it permits equipment and supplies for the self-service washing or motor vehicles in bays within a separate building, providing that the self-service operation is ancillary and subordinate to the full-service operation of the establishment. According to the proposed ordinance, all car washing, cleaning and drying equipment, facilities and operations would have to take place within a fully enclosed building, with certain exceptions. Vacuuming equipment and hand-drying activities may be located outside, but not within any required yard setback area. No other activities could occur outside except for the detailing and fine-pointing of motor vehicles in spaces within an area specifically indicated on the site plan for such purpose and approved by the Planning Board, according to the proposed ordinance. The proposed ordinance also states that all car washing and cleaning establishments would have to be equipped with a water recycling system for at least 90 percent of water usage. "The design of the car wash shall assure that no water leaves the building," the proposed ordinance states. "Any water not recycled shall be pre-treated prior to its discharge in accordance with a pre-treatment plan submitted to the Planning Board for its review and approval." To minimize noise disturbance to residentially zoned property, a building housing the car washing production line must have the blow-dry opening end facing nonresidentially zoned property, according to the proposed ordinance. In addition, the proposed ordinance would prohibit merchandise, products or other equipment from being stored outside, and no motor vehicles, trailers or similar equipment could be displayed or parked on the premises for display, sale, storage or overnight parking.