New Business Proposed Near Walmart On Route 59

JOLIET, IL — Joliet's zoning board will meet at 2 p.m. on Thursday at City Hall to review plans to build an automatic car wash on the open land parcel along Route 59 near the Walmart store along Theodore Street.

According to zoning board documents, Tidal Wave Auto Spa car wash is seeking a special use permit from Joliet before it can begin construction. Tidal Wave Auto Spa is a conveyor car wash company with more than 180 locations in the United States. The proposed use at 1351 Route 59 includes a car wash building and vacuum stall area that will have three onsite employees.

The proposed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

According to city staff, access for Tidal Wave Auto Spa will be at the southwest corner off the north-south private access road that serves the Walmart subdivision along Route 59. Cars would be routed to the pay station and then through the car wash tunnel. Vacuum stalls will be available to customers after they exit the wash tunnel.

Vehicle stacking is available for eight vehicles before the pay station and for an additional six vehicles before the wash tunnel.

The development proposal will also require the approval of a drive-thru permit, according to Joliet. Additionally, car washes may be allowed as special uses within the general business zoning district, if approved by the mayor and City Council, with the recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa's proposal indicates the 1.15-acre site is at the southwest corner of Route 59 and the middle access drive to Walmart. The site is also more than 100 feet away from a residential zoning district, as required for car washes within Joliet's City’s Zoning Ordinance, city documents show.

The following people make up Joliet's zoning board:

• Vincent Alessio
• Ralph Bias
• Ed Hennessy
• Pat McShane
• Bob Nachtrieb
• Jim Riggs
• Brigette Roehr