Springsbury board approves Shiny Shell Car Wash conditional use, grants seven zoning modifications

Springsbury Township supervisors voted to approve a conditional-use application from Shiny Shell Car Wash Coldwater Development LLC, clearing the way for a 5,174-square-foot automated car wash with 21 vacuum stalls and a fenced children’s play area at 3021 East Market Street.

The decision follows a continued conditional-use hearing at which the applicant and engineer described design constraints and asked for seven modifications to the town-center overlay and zoning ordinance. Solicitor Corey Dillinger opened the hearing and outlined process options, and Director of Community Development Mr. Heilman recited public-notice dates and planning-commission review before the applicant presented the proposal.

Nick Ord, representing Shiny Shell, described the facility as "a modern express car wash, fully automated," with a membership model and customer amenities, including a members lounge and complimentary vacuum supplies. He said the company uses "advanced, filtration and reclamation systems that allow us to reuse up to 70% of our water." Pennoni engineer Chris explained that the site is a narrow, flag-shaped parcel that required several design compromises and listed the requested modifications to landscaping, building setback, entrance orientation, transparency requirements, clear sight triangle, public-plaza visibility and parking-island planting requirements.

Board members questioned vehicle stacking, trash and dumpster access, sight-distance safety and where playground access would be located. The applicant and engineer said the design provides about 15 stacking spaces under normal conditions, with an additional 7–8 spaces available on busy days; they also presented turning-radius exhibits for large trucks and an emergency-vehicle maneuver analysis. Chris said sidewalks and a crosswalk would connect the front pedestrian path to the rear public plaza/playground.

One resident who spoke during public comment, John Slatky of 3673 Cimarron Road, endorsed the proposal, saying, "Competition is good. It makes everybody better," and that the proposed business fills a local niche by offering vacuum access and an automatic wash in a single location.

After brief discussion of procedure, the board closed the hearing and returned to the regular meeting agenda. Under subdivisions and land development, the board moved to approve the seven requested modifications and then to grant the conditional-use application itself; both motions carried on voice votes. The board noted that conditional-use approval is the first step and that the applicant still must complete land-development review, including engineering and solicitor review, and obtain any stormwater approvals required during the land-development stage.

The approvals mean Shiny Shell can proceed to detailed land-development submissions and permitting. The board did not adopt stormwater modifications during the conditional-use hearing; staff and the engineer indicated stormwater matters will be handled as part of the subsequent land-development review.

The meeting continued with routine business: the board approved consent-agenda items and contract awards, rejected bids for the East York Pumping Station project because pricing exceeded budgeted expectations and authorized creation of a full-time parks-and-rec coordinator position before adjourning.

What happens next: Shiny Shell must submit land-development plans and the project will undergo township engineer and solicitor review; any required stormwater waivers or modifications will be considered during that process.