Zoning Bylaws for my Local Town

[Natella]

First post here guys. Glad to be here and thanks in advance.

Looking into the car wash business. Read a couple books and have read through this site as much as possible. I also had the pleasure of speaking with someone in the industry today in my area.


Anyway what I haven't found much info on is the bylaws. I know they are different for each town. I looked up the town I was hoping to run a wash in and here are the bylaws below.. Seem very strict if you ask me..
Wanted to get your opinions. This town has about 80k residents and has I think only 3 or 4 washes.

Need to split the bylaws into 2 posts because they are too long

 

[Natella]

J. AUTOMATIC CARWASH AND/OR SELF-SERVICE CARWASH
Automatic or self-service carwashes constructed after the adoption of this section shall require review and approval in
conformance with the provisions of this section. The Planning Board shall be the review and approval authority for permits
granted under this section. Automatic and/or self-service carwashes shall be designed and operated according to the following
standards:
1. Every new automatic or self-service carwash facility must provide an on-site, defined, paved area for the queuing of
motor vehicles awaiting wash. The queuing area shall be designed to achieve the following objectives:
a. Accommodate the maximum queue expected during peak operating period. The applicant shall supply the Planning
Board with estimates of demand during peak operating periods which form the basis for site design.
b. No queuing shall be permitted onto a public or private vehicular or pedestrian way open to use by the general public.
2. Exit drives from every automatic or self-service carwash facility shall be designed to prevent water from the car wash
from collecting within vehicular or pedestrian rights-of-way in or adjacent to the subject site.
3. Every automatic or self-service carwash facility must include water reclamation to the maximum extent feasible.
4. The following additional provisions shall be applicable only to automatic carwash facilities.
a. Every automatic carwash facility must have a mechanical dryer operation at the end of the wash cycle;
b. Every automatic carwash facility must have a drip time in the wash cycle between the last application of water and
the blower;
c. The Planning Board may also require that an attendant be assigned exclusively to the automatic carwash facility
during all hours of operation.
5. The following additional provision shall be applicable to self-service carwash facilities:

 

[Natella]

Every self-service carwash facility shall have an on-site, defined, paved surface for drying and vacuuming vehicles. This
area shall be separate from and outside of the wash bays and of sufficient area to accommodate peak period demand.
6. An applicant proposing to construct an automatic or self-service carwash shall submit a site plan application which shall
include the following information:
a. A locus map.
b. The location and dimensions of all buildings and structures. Lot and street lines and intersections within 300 feet.
Zoning classification, ownership and use of all parcels immediately abutting the subject site.
c. A traffic impact assessment which shall include the projected peak hour and daily traffic generated by the carwash
on roads and ways in the vicinity of the development; sight lines at intersections of proposed driveways and streets;
existing and proposed traffic controls in the vicinity of the proposed carwash; and projected post-development traffic
volumes and levels of service of the intersections and streets likely to be affected by the proposed carwash.
d. The location and dimensions of all driveways, maneuvering spaces, queuing areas, parking spaces, employee
parking as is appropriate, and proposed circulation of traffic.
e. The extent of impervious surfaces and the provisions for management of storm water as well as water used to wash
vehicles. Drainage computations and limits of floodways shall be shown where applicable. Snow disposal areas shall
also be shown.
f. The location, dimension and type of materials for open space, planting and buffers.SECTION IV
Special Regulations J. Automatic Carwash and / or Self Service Carwash
FRAMINGHAM ZONING BY-LAW MARCH 2011 page IV-41
g. A polar diagram showing direction and intensity of outdoor lighting.
h. Any additional information required by the Planning Board to ensure compliance with this Section.
i. The Planning Board may waive any of the above requirements.
7. Any application for review and approval of an Automatic and/or Self-service Carwash shall be subject also to Site Plan
Review under Section IV.I.2.a. Such application should be provided concurrently. The application process, review
procedure and decision process for this Section shall follow the application process, review procedure and decision
process, as applicable, under Site Plan Review, Section IV.I.
8. In granting approval of an application for an automatic or self-service carwash, the Planning Board may attach
conditions, limitations and safeguards as are necessary. Such conditions shall be in writing and shall be part of such
approval. Such limitations may include the conditions set forth in Section IV.I.8. of this By-law, and may also include
the additional condition set forth below:
conditions to permit the Planning Board to evaluate the facility after one (1) year of
operation to determine that the conditions are sufficient.
The failure to conform to and maintain the foregoing standards may result, after hearing before the Planning Board, in
revocation of any permit issued hereunde

 

[MEP001]

Wanted to get your opinions. This town has about 80k residents and has I think only 3 or 4 washes.

Your first step should be to see if there's a good market for a new car wash.

 

[Natella]

Your first step should be to see if there's a good market for a new car wash.

Sounds logical. How you go about that with any accuracy seems impossible from my research so far.

Could you guys help point me in the right direction. The books described what makes a good location.

I meen it mainly went over the obvious stuff.. lots of people in the area of an income that is higher for automatic washes and lower for SS washes, lots of slow moving traffic, few competitors ect.. yah know the criteria of the perfect location you would have been able to purchase 30 years ago if you were lucky. Now you still can it'll just be a few mill.

I coulden't tell you who would actually use a car wash though and I'm not sure how you would do that.

I was planning on calling a broker and the most local distributor and talk to them about who might be in the market to sell. In addition I was going to go to the local car washes this weekend and count how much traffic they get vs how much drives by.

Those I figure are things I can do now... theres lots left to do but I'm still in research mode.

 

[MudMoney]

I would find out where the regional car wash shows are being held and go to every one of them,next year go to the ICA convention which has an investor seminar.Finally get a part time job at the type of wash your looking at and see if its right for you.Its more than emptying the coin vaults.

 

[Waxman]

I've been giving the 'go work at a wash' advice for years. Has anybody done it?

 

[Natella]

I've been giving the 'go work at a wash' advice for years. Has anybody done it?

I agree here 100+%

So you don't have to convince me but after talking to a local owner on the north shore that has 4 IBA locations (noticed you're located in Mass btw so great to have someone local in the business on here)

He has one part time worker and he said he could manage them while maintaining a regular job if he really wanted to. He said I should keep my current career especially with just 1 location, unless of course the wash business becomes more profitable and too time consuming.

He also said that SS washes don't really have the returns that the IBAs do up here. In the winter he said most are dead. Also, they don't have the labor hassle that a conveyor wash has. So it sounds like a best of both worlds middle of the road solution.


So I guess I'm in a hard spot on that one. I may see if an owner needs someone responsible enough to run their wash on the weekends so they can have the time off.

I have a background in technology and software sales putting together very large and technically complex deals, so although I don't under estimate the car wash business and its own complexities I am sure with some training and a bit of time I can handle it.

 

[Kevin James]

I think you should ask yourself the question “Why do I want to get into the car wash business”? If you think you’re going to make a lot of money in the car wash business you need to think again. Granted some car wash operators make a fairly good return on their investment, but for most of them it’s a low profit business with a dismal return. With the current state of the economy and the poor return I’d never recommend the car wash industry to anyone.

 

[Natella]

I think you should ask yourself the question “Why do I want to get into the car wash business”? If you think you’re going to make a lot of money in the car wash business you need to think again. Granted some car wash operators make a fairly good return on their investment, but for most of them it’s a low profit business with a dismal return. With the current state of the economy and the poor return I’d never recommend the car wash industry to anyone.

I am planning to own my own business regardless, I am just trying to figure out what that may be. I've had my compensation plan adjusted (lowered) multiple times and I've been let go from jobs for no real reason other than I wasn't liked as much as the next guy.
Its a very competitive spot and theres no job security

I am done with corporate america. The car wash business escpecially IBA and SS would offer me a lifestyle change which is what I'm mainly looking for. Most retail scares me because if you're not there every minute of every day the store doesnt do business.
With these semi automated businesses, IBA, SS, Coin Op laundromats ect, my business doesnt need to shut down if I need to run to the hardware store.

So the flexibility is a big life changer for me. I am also a night owl and these businesses allow me to swing by at 9-10pm after the kids go to bed and do more work when its a good time for me (I know I'll still need to respond to emergencies which is part of any business) Plus using very conservative estimates 1 small location is enough to put money in my pocket. My bills are so few right now that I can put away savings even on my base salary.

I also dont mind working with my hands. I build cars on the side so I should be able to handle the dirty work.

 

[Indiana Wash]

Unfortunately, I saw your city council on TV the other day. They appear notoriously difficult and controlling. The only provision that looks bad is that they can require a 24 hour attendant at your wash!!! If you have an unreasonable board, they may require you to have a 24 hour attendant just to keep you from competing with their favorite wash!

 

[Baywash]

If I was one of the other wash owners in your area, I would be doing everything in my power to convince you not to open a wash, i.e. maybe show you my books. Unless you already own the lot debt free and have $400k cash to put into it, I would not do it. Keep the day job.

 

[Natella]

If I was one of the other wash owners in your area, I would be doing everything in my power to convince you not to open a wash, i.e. maybe show you my books. Unless you already own the lot debt free and have $400k cash to put into it, I would not do it. Keep the day job.

Well thats the idea.. in a perfect world I could run one small location, more for the experience and a very small supplemental income after a while. I will then hopefully be able to open subsequent locations if things work out. I am surprised though by how much negativity there is on this board about income levels.

I won't ask what you guys make because its not a topic most would discuss. But I only need about 30k to pay my bills and about 40-50k a year to be comfortable. Based on the most conservative estimates I should be able to make this with a pretty basic wash.

So tell me if I'm way off base.

 

[Indiana Wash]

Well thats the idea.. in a perfect world I could run one small location, more for the experience and a very small supplemental income after a while. I will then hopefully be able to open subsequent locations if things work out. I am surprised though by how much negativity there is on this board about income levels.

I won't ask what you guys make because its not a topic most would discuss. But I only need about 30k to pay my bills and about 40-50k a year to be comfortable. Based on the most conservative estimates I should be able to make this with a pretty basic wash.

So tell me if I'm way off base.

I think they were trying to tell you that you are way off base, but you called that "negativity".

 

[Kevin James]

You’ve got to be kidding me!! $30,000 a year. After you pay your mortgage payment, Insurance, Taxes, and general operating costs, water, sewer, power, garbage, maintenance repairs, you’ll be lucky to clear $10,000 maybe $15,000 a year, on a job that requires someone to be there every day, 365 days a year. I’m not being negative, I’m just telling you the truth.

 

[MEP001]

I've seen a single 6/1 self-serve net $100,000 a year.

 

[Kevin James]

I've seen a single 6/1 self-serve net $100,000 a year.

That's nice!!

 

[Indiana Wash]

I've seen a single 6/1 self-serve net $100,000 a year.

Where? I want to open one next door if you are netting $100,000. LOL.

Actually, if you wash is paid for and you are not paying interest, that is not unreasonable. Maybe you should clarify that to the interested person. If you are paying interest on a new wash, I do want to open one next door.

 

[Natella]

Where? I want to open one next door if you are netting $100,000. LOL.

Actually, if you wash is paid for and you are not paying interest, that is not unreasonable. Maybe you should clarify that to the interested person. If you are paying interest on a new wash, I do want to open one next door.

Well this makes more sense on why there is such a discrepency on incomes stated.


People who own the land already are obviously going to make way more money but I'm still a little surprised that people leasing a location woulden't be able to make a few bucks.

I also do worry about gas stations and quick oil change places who add an IBA to their offerings. The owner I talked to said this is how he started.

he used to own a gas station and he added 1 IBA and it always seemed to be busy. he already owned a peice of land that he thought would be good so he opened his first location with 4 IBAs and thats how he started.

I guess owning the land is the important part of that story. I am still going to do some investigative work and see if there are any older owners, or owners who just want to get out due to the economy that I can talk to about working there or possibly leveraging them out over time.

 

[Tom Thumb]

You have received some good advice here, it would be in your interest to set back and think about you have read on this forum no-one here is trying to sell you anything, but some one you know is trying to sell you a wash, keep in mind they are the salesman and
you are the customer.

If you want to open your own business do the research and get all the local info. you can get, because after you open this business no one is going to hold your hand you will be on your own then.

I wish you the best.