Council Tables Decision on Clean Express Auto Wash After Heated Discussion
Mentor City Council tabled a decision on a conditional use permit for a proposed Clean Express Auto Wash at 9361 Mentor Avenue during their May 20, 2025 meeting, citing concerns about traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
The proposal to locate the car wash at the former Boston Market site drew criticism from council members who worried about adding to existing traffic problems near the Heisley Road and Mentor Avenue intersection.
“This is arguably our most heavily traveled area of the city,” one council member said during the public hearing. “Traffic just locks in that area. We’ve got a car wash to the east of where you propose to go and traffic regularly backs out onto the road.”
Traffic Concerns Take Center Stage
The debate centered on whether the new facility would worsen congestion similar to problems experienced at the Zappy’s car wash on the east side of Heisley Road, where cars sometimes back up onto public streets during peak times.
The city engineer confirmed that existing traffic issues typically occur “six days in the winter time, usually a Saturday, when the sun shines after there’s been road salt in the previous week.”
The attorney representing Clean Express argued the new facility would operate differently than traditional car washes. He emphasized that 70-80% of customers are unlimited members who use RFID technology for quick entry without human interaction.
“If you’re a member, you just go in the RFID, you walk in and out. The gate opens, you go in and out,” the attorney explained.
Site Plan Issues Complicate Decision
The proposal faced additional complications when applicants submitted a revised site plan just days before the meeting that had not been reviewed by the Planning Commission. The new plan addressed concerns raised during earlier planning sessions about traffic flow and queuing.
The civil engineer said the revision moved the exit point further from the intersection to improve traffic flow, though he acknowledged it was their “second choice” design.
The facility would feature two stacking lanes capable of holding 24 vehicles, with one lane exclusively for members. Emergency bypass lanes would allow vehicles to exit the queue if needed.
Easement Questions Raised
Council members questioned the reliance on easements with Walmart and Speedway for site access, particularly what would happen if anchor tenants relocated.
The law director noted the city has experienced problems with private easements in the past, stating “circumstances change and legal disputes occur and we’ve seen that and we’ve seen the real mess that it happens.”
The attorney assured council that easements “run with the land” and would bind future property owners, offering to make law director review of easements a condition of approval.
Other Business
Council approved several other measures during the meeting:
Financial Appropriations: Approved $116,867 for a mobile stage ($33,627) and recreation center tennis court ceiling ($73,740), plus $300,000 to refill the salt dome.
Infrastructure Projects: Authorized a $217,000 contract for irrigation pump station installation at Blackbrook Golf Course and $73,726 for tennis court reflective ceiling installation.
Grant Applications: Approved applications for traffic signal updates and kayak launch extension at Mentor Lagoons Marina.
Short-term Rentals: Referred questions about short-term rental regulations to the Planning Commission for study.
Council also recognized the finance director, who will retire after 29 years of service. The finance department has won 40 consecutive awards under his leadership.
Public Comment
A resident addressed council about various city issues, including conflicts of interest involving council members who work for Lake County, bullying concerns in schools and city facilities, and maintenance worries about new city amenities.
The car wash proposal will return to council after the Planning Commission reviews the revised site plan. A motion to table the decision passed 5-1, with only one council member voting against the delay.
Watch the video here.
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