The Garland City Council on Nov. 3 approved a special-use provision (SUP) and concept plan for an automated car wash at 1540 Firewheel Parkway, carrying the motion 6–3 after more than an hour of staff presentation, applicant testimony and council questioning.

Planning staff told the council the 1.1-acre site sits in Planned Development District 2162 and is adjacent to an approved Casey’s convenience store. Staff said the comprehensive plan designates the area as a "compact neighborhood" and that a car wash is not the preferred neighborhood-oriented use for the gateway coming into Garland from Rowlett; staff recommended denial. The planning and zoning commission, by contrast, recommended approval for a 30-year SUP.

Planning staff (Miss Nair) described surrounding uses as a mix of built-to-rent multifamily to the north, single-family subdivisions further west and City of Rowlett jurisdictions to the south and east, and noted a creek and other drainage considerations that will be addressed at the site-permit stage. Staff also reported notification to surrounding properties (24 letters) and three direct responses: one in favor and two in opposition (one inside and one outside the notification area).

Applicant representatives, including Britney Pierce, director of development with Beach Club, and operator Trevor Neiman, described the proposal as a smaller "mini-tunnel" car wash with a 65-foot tunnel (compared with typical 120–150-foot express tunnels), aesthetic investments, a 16-foot landscape buffer along Firewheel Parkway, and outreach and support from nearby homeowners associations. Pierce said the operation would be locally managed and committed to community engagement and landscaping.

Council members questioned visibility from the nearby Park House community center and discussed screening options. Staff and council noted existing mature trees and a potential masonry screening wall of 6–8 feet along the back property line between the car wash and residential uses; staff said there is no screening requirement along Firewheel Parkway itself, only landscape-buffer requirements.

Council Member Bass moved approval of a 30-year SUP and concept plan; Council Member Thomas seconded. The motion carried 6–3. The three members recorded in opposition were Mayor Pro Tem Luck, Council Member Williams and Council Member Dutton.

Clarifying details from the hearing: the applicant said the site is approximately 1.1 acres; the proposed car wash building footprint was described as about 1,900 square feet with eight vacuum bays; the applicant described a 65-foot tunnel and a 16-foot landscape buffer along Firewheel Parkway; staff noted that detailed drainage and screening will be addressed at the site-permit stage.

What’s next: the applicant will pursue site permitting, during which city staff will address drainage, landscaping and any required screening or masonry-wall details.