Gwinnett Commissioners Delay Car Wash Vote

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Gwinnett County commissioners delayed voting on approval of a new car wash in Norcross on Tuesday, after a debate that took a strange turn.

By the time the board of commissioners was prepared to act, the business owner was asking commissioners to deny his petition, while opponents of the new business were asking them to approve it.

The Gwinnett Daily Post has an account of the unusual hearing.

Cronos Development LLC wants to build a combination car wash, convenience store and gas station on 2.69 acres that are currently split between two parcels on the corner of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Joseph Way.

The land needs to be rezoned to do that.

The county’s planning commission approved the gas and retail portions of the business earlier this month, but not the car wash. That was in line with the wishes of nearby residents, who said they fear traffic from a car wash would negatively impact their neighborhood.

But developers, obviously, want all three approved.

“Due to various concerns from our side, the neighborhood’s side and the Planning Commission’s side, I would like to request you deny this application without prejudice,” Cronos Development representative Jay Parekh told the commission, according to the Daily Post.

An attorney for residents of the area told the commission that her clients are OK with the land being rezoned, with the provision that no gas stations, car washes or drive-through restaurants be allowed on the land.

The commission will decide the issue at their February 2 meeting.