Car Wash Approval Sought For Beachwood Mall Site
BERKELEY, NJ — Redevelopment on the former Beachwood Mall site is ongoing, and part of this is changing the zoning laws to allow for construction of a car wash.
While this was met with approval from township officials, who voted to change the zoning ordinance, at least one person was not pleased with the news: the owner of the existing car wash that is right across the street from the site.
Read more: Updates Shared On Future Of Beachwood Mall In Berkeley
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Attorney Christopher Reid, representing the car wash’s owner, spoke at a recent Township Council meeting to ask that they table the ordinance amending Berkeley’s zoning laws.
“I’m not sure why a car wash is such an important item,” Reid said.
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The reasoning for the car wash, as said at a previous meeting, is that two tenants have already signed letters of intent for the site. One is for the car wash and the other is for a fast food restaurant – a Popeyes, according to the Asbury Park Press.
A car wash was not explicitly mentioned as allowed under zoning laws, but developers argued that it would be a service establishment and therefore should be allowed.
Reid questioned the necessity of an additional car wash, which quickly devolved into arguing between him and John Novak, who serves at the township’s redevelopment attorney.
Councilman Jim Byrnes empathized, saying he understood and “somewhat” agreed with Reid’s point of view regarding allowing competition right across the street.
“But we have another one [car wash] down the street,” Byrnes said. “And now there’s two more in Lacey.”
Other officials agreed, saying it was healthy and American to encourage competition.
The concept for the Beachwood Mall will go before the Planning Board on Dec. 21. It was originally supposed to be heard in September but was moved. You can find the details here.
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