SANTA PAULA : Planners Tentatively Approve Carwash

Despite pleas from angry neighbors, the Santa Paula Planning Commission gave tentative approval Tuesday to build a carwash at the corner of Harvard Boulevard and Felkins Road.

The 19,000-square-foot facility will include five self-service washing stalls and an automatic drive-through carwash, Assistant City Planner Jeffrey W. Hamilton said.

“It’s going to be a good-looking building,” said Robert Bowman, the property’s owner. “It’s not going to be a cheap-looking carwash.”

Neighbors have objected to the size of the project and an anticipated increase in noise, traffic and litter. To quiet the complaints, Bowman limited the facility’s entrance to Harvard Boulevard and increased the parking area to keep waiting cars off the street.

But residents said they are still uncertain about the carwash’s effect on their neighborhood.

Neighbor Cathy Hubbard, who collected 27 signatures on a protest petition, said she is concerned about cars racing along the street and endangering her children. “It’s unfair to the residents that have put a lot of time and energy into raising their families,” she said.

Residents said they would prefer to have a playground, nursery or florist shop built on the vacant lot.

Bowman must apply for building permits within the next 10 days, Hamilton said.