Route 206 Car Wash Seeking To Replace Vacant Bank Under Review In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — An application looking to tear down a vacant bank building and replace it with a car wash next to Hillsborough Elementary School was heard by the Hillsborough Township Zoning Board.

Flagship NJ Propo, LLC presented its plan to develop the 3.22 acres in the TC/Town Center Zone District at the Oct. 21 meeting.

The applicant is seeking both “c” and “d” variances, along with waivers.

The plan calls for demolition of the existing vacant bank building at 425 Route 206 and construction of a 13,995-square-foot car wash development with a drive-thru car wash, self-service vacuuming facilities and associated parking.

Testimony focused on site operations, parking, stormwater controls and wetlands on the property.

Gail Price of New Jersey Land Law Law Firm, appearing for the applicant, told the board that outside agency approvals were in place except for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Price said the project also has Soil Conservation District approval and county conditional approval from DRCC.

Judy Knob, vice president of development and construction for Spotless Brands, said Flagship is the operating brand for the company on the East Coast and is the applicant for the Hillsborough project.

Knob described the proposal as a "flex model" that combines a wash tunnel, self-service vacuum stations and full-service interior cleaning.

She said the site would operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and would have about 10 to 12 employees on a shift.

Knob also said customers would not need to enter the building to pay because transactions would be handled at pay stations.

According to testimony, the site would have one driveway on Route 206 for both entering and exiting traffic.

Once on site, customers would head to three pay station lanes, including one dedicated to members. After the wash tunnel, drivers could leave, use vacuum stations or move to dry belts for interior cleaning.

Board members questioned traffic counts, startup traffic and accessibility for customers using the dry belt option.

A resident also asked whether the project would have separate entry and exit points, and Knob said it would use a single existing driveway.

Engineer Robert Byra of Bowler said wetlands cover a large portion of the rear of the site.

"It occupies about 44 percent of the total lot area," said Byra.

He said the applicant expects to seek DEP approval within 45 to 60 days after minor revisions.

Byra also told the board the applicant agreed to remove a proposed canopy over 23 vacuum spaces and eliminate related LED lighting after review comments.

Instead, the site would use additional pole-mounted lighting and porous asphalt as part of the stormwater management system.

During the hearing, the board attorney clarified that the Hillsborough Township Planning Board had not approved the application and had only conducted a conceptual review because the zoning board has jurisdiction over the requested variances.

The conceptual review was held in April.

Testimony also turned to site design details.

The applicant said the plan includes 19 deciduous canopy trees, 41 evergreens and 286 new shrubs, plus grasses and perennials.

The application will be continued, without further notice, to the Jan. 20, 2027 regular meeting.

The regular meeting immediately follows the reorganization meeting at 7 p.m.

Previous Reporting:

• Car Wash Proposed For Vacant Bank Site On Route 206 In Hillsborough

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