New Car Wash Facility Joins Long Valley Zoning Board Docket

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A developer is seeking Washington Township Zoning Board approval to construct a new car wash facility in the Long Valley area, according to zoning board documents.

Long Valley Gas LLC, the applicant, wants to build the car wash as an addition to the Delta gas station, which is located at 69 E Mill Road in Long Valley. The expansion is expected to add 1,350 square feet of floor area to the site, according to zoning board documents.

Long Valley Gas LLC, which owns the existing Delta gas station and hopes to add the full-service car wash, claims that because the township does not already have one, placing it next to the gas station will be convenient for all residents.

"The Board should also find that the proposed use is particularly suited for this property given the already existing gasoline station and the availability of land on the site. Carwashes are frequently operated by gasoline stations, particularly when there is sufficient land, to support both uses," the application said.

The location of the propsed car wash is in the C-l Zone District, according to Long Valley Gas LLC, which is a commercial district that allows a variety of retail and commercial uses, including gasoline stations.

The applicant argues that once developed, the carwash will be an afterthought to the existing gasoline station and will operate on the same schedule as the gas station. "As stated previously, the C-l Zone contemplates a variety of commercial and retail uses. Although carwashes are not expressly referred, the permitted uses identified in the ordinance are broad and include uses that are far more intense than this proposed carwash," Long Valley Gas LLC said.

According to the zoning plans, the proposed development will increase the number of parking spaces on 69 E Mill Road from six to ten, as well as add additional lighting and signage.

The application is expected to be reviewed at the Wednesday, Nov. 2 zoning board meeting, which is set to begin at 7 p.m., to view the full agenda, click here.