Bedford zoning board approves special exception permit for car wash on Mitchell Road

Kameldeep Singh was granted a special exception permit Tuesday from the Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals to build a car wash in the 2700 block of Mitchell Road.
Kameldeep Singh was granted a special exception permit Tuesday from the Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals to build a car wash in the 2700 block of Mitchell Road.

A special exception permit to allow construction of a car wash on Mitchell Road was approved by the Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday.

Kameldeep Singh, who also owns the adjacent gas station/convenience store, applied for the permit. The land is currently vacant and located between the gas station and WinSupply, a plumbing supply and kitchen and bath business.

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Jay and Jayson Strauss will construct the car wash. Jay Strauss told BZA members the design would be similar to the car wash on Plaza Drive, which he also built.

The property is currently zones B-3 business, which does not allow for a car wash without a special exception granted by the zoning board.

BZA members reviewed a site plan prepared by land surveyor Travis Norman.

The car wash will have two automatic bays and two self-serve bays. It will also allow for customers to exit the line if they change their mind.

A property owner wants to separate the parcel at 2435 I St. into two lots. The Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals tabled its decision Tuesday on granting a variance to allow the minor subdivision.
A property owner wants to separate the parcel at 2435 I St. into two lots. The Bedford Board of Zoning Appeals tabled its decision Tuesday on granting a variance to allow the minor subdivision.

There was some concern about waiting vehicles backing out onto Mitchell Road. After some discussion, Strauss said the design could be altered to address those concerns.

By unanimous vote, members Steve Kimbley, Angel Hawkins, Mel Rile and Matt Parker approved the special exception with a revision that the change made to address traffic flow.

Decision tabled

BZA members tabled a decision on granting a property owner a variance from developmental standards to separate a residential lot on I Street into two parcels.

Melissa Hamilton applied for the variance. Her request was reviewed by the Bedford Plan Commission on May 10 and forwarded on to the BZA for consideration of a variance.

The property at 2435 I St. has an existing home and a separate garage that is being converted to a home. Hamilton wants to split the lot so that, eventually, the new home could be sold.

City standards require that lots be a minimum of 6,000 square feet. Splitting the parcel would mean at least one of the lots would be below that. A survey map showed one lot would be 6,400 square feet and the lot where the current garage is would be 4,600 square feet.

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One adjacent property owner, Rachel Dwyer Fields, addressed the BZA with concerns that small lots are not appealing to buyers and that dividing the parcel would negatively affect property values.

James Hamilton said the new home, when completed, will not be an eyesore and will be significantly improved.

BZA members had several questions about the lot sizes and indicated they wanted more information. A vote was taken to table the decision.

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Bedford zoning board approves permit for car wash on Mitchell Road