PALMER TWP., Pa. — It appears that carwashes are king in Palmer Township.
Local government advanced two proposed new operations in a matter of days.
The township board of supervisors put its stamp of approval on final land development plans for a Soaring Car Wash at 48 Kunkle Drive on Monday.
And the township planning commission approved a final land development plan for a Shammy Shine at 2620 Kingston Road on Tuesday.
Car washes can be a lucrative business, with self-service operations bringing in $40,000 to $100,000 a year. Larger operations can make more than $500,000 per year, depending upon traffic.Car Wash Advisory
Neither plan met much contention from the supervisors or commissioners, outside of a few standard administrative comments.
Car washes can be a lucrative business, with Car Wash Advisory stating self-service operations can bring in $40,000 to $100,000 a year.
Larger operations can make more than $500,000 per year, depending upon traffic.
Beyond money-making opportunities for the owners, the projects could bring in some employment opportunities, as well as tax dollars, for the community.
Soaring Car Wash
Stonefield Engineering and Design’s Melissa McIntyre told the supervisors the developers behind the Soaring Car Wash had gotten a required state Department of Environmental Protection Sewage Facilities Act exemption.
It also has obtained, a consistency letter from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and approval letters from the Easton Suburban Water Authority and the Easton Joint Sewage Authority.
Updated plans were sent to the township in March, with only a few outstanding comments left. McIntyre said necessary calculations and adjustments to the stormwater management design also would be addressed.
“So as far as the water quality and water recharge, we believe that's been adequately addressed," township engineer Justin M. Coyle said.
"The bulk of our other comments are more administrative, if you will, as far as providing the blanket easement, cleaning up the cost estimates so we can get the improvements agreement in place."
Plans for the car wash list 16 vehicle cleaning stalls with two ADA spaces.
Shammy Shine
The new Shammy Shine would sit adjacent to an existing location at 2640 Kingston Road and include an additional six wash bays.
The current Shammy Shine features a 100-foot express tunnel, free vacuuming, and a variety of other services, including an Unlimited Wash Club.
On Tuesday, township Acting Director of Planning Craig S. Beavers informed the planning commission that developers behind the Shammy Shine had addressed most outstanding comments from outside agencies and township departments.
Beavers said he recommended approving the project, with conditions including complying with the township engineer’s review letter, payment of recreation fees, dedication of a blanket easement, executing a proper maintenance agreement for stormwater facilities and a few other standard items.
“They have their planning module exemption resolved, and they’re really near the finish line for this plan, which is where they should be at this stage."Palmer Township engineer Justin M. Coyle
Coyle said the only remaining issues in the project were largely administrative, though there were a few items left to address.
One involved the developer reducing the size of an orifice in a trash rack from 3 inches to 2.25 inches, which required approval from the commission, and another called for a hydrograph of a downstream basin for discharges.
Coyle said the developers were working on getting an adequacy letter from the conservation district, and a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.
“They have their planning module exemption resolved, and they’re really near the finish line for this plan, which is where they should be at this stage,” Coyle said.
“I believe there's a blanket easement that was proposed for the stormwater, so that can be addressed as a conditional item, and then, as is typical, at the final plan stage, they have to submit a construction cost estimate, an engineer's opinion of probable cost, and that's what establishes basically the agreement amount in the improvements agreement.”
