IRVINE

Despite protests that Irvine Hand Car Wash already imposes unsightly signs, glare and noise upon its neighbors, the city Planning Commission has given the owner permission to build a three-bay oil and lube station.

“The issue of what’s already there has been decided by previous Planning Commissions and City Councils,” Commissioner Ken Hansen said, reminding angry residents who attended the meeting last week that the commission was ruling only on the lube facility.

Before the carwash went up at Culver and Michelson drives in 1996, two previous Planning Commissions had approved a gas station, detail center and lube oil facility as part of the operation.

But City Council members at the time quickly revoked the lube permit after residents voiced concerns about traffic and the variety of activities on the site.