MARLBORO – An application that proposed the construction of a car wash in a shopping center was approved by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment on Oct. 13.
The applicant, Northeastern Development, sought a use variance and preliminary approval to construct the car wash in an 8-acre commercial area at the intersection of Route 79 and School Road West. The applicant was represented by attorney Kenneth Pape.
The shopping center was known in the past as the Manzo mall.
A car wash is not a permitted accessory use or a conditional use in a C-2 commercial zone and requires a use variance, according to the application.
In 2018, the Marlboro Planning Board approved the construction of a 12,000-square-foot, one-story addition on the south side of the commercial building, a 10,000-square-foot daycare facility and a 4,500-square-foot pad site for a retail building at the site.
The car wash was proposed in lieu of the pad site. Access to the car wash will be provided with a right in and right out driveway on Route 79 and full movement driveways on School Road West.
Testimony regarding the application was presented on Sept. 8, however, a vote was not taken that evening because there were only five board members in attendance and the applicant wished to delay the vote until more board members were present.
The granting of a use variance requires five affirmative votes.
When the zoning board reconvened on Oct. 13, no additional testimony regarding the car wash was presented.
A motion was made to grant the use variance and approve the plan. Board Chairman Michael Shapiro, Vice Chairman Matthew Weilheimer and board members Stacey Di Grande, Ira Levin, Martin Powers and Alan Zwerin voted “yes” on the motion.
