Bedford County planners OK car wash

By Justin Faulconer

Published: October 6, 2008

BEDFORD — The Bedford County Planning Commission voted Monday to allow an enclosed carwash and luxury rental operation to locate within the Thomas Jefferson Crossing development in Forest.

The 108-acre mixed residential and commercial neighborhood was rezoned for planned development in November 2005. The idea for the 2-acre operation across from the Bank of the James on U.S. 221 has since come forth and needed commission approval. Commission members decided the request was a minor revision to the original master plan and is a good venture for the area.

David St. John, of Shoebox Properties, LLC, said the carwash would be enclosed in a two-story building and would provide interior cleaning. The water that will be used for the carwash will come from runoff of rainwater and also from public water.

A unique circular water mill connected to the building would provide the water to wash the cars.

Also on site would be no more than 20 luxury rental vehicles and a corporate office.

Richard Smissen, of Expansion Realtors, LLC, is investing $4 million in the project, St. John said. Smissen said the project is environmentally friendly and only proposes to use 75 gallons of water per car.

It is projected to employ 50 to 60 people.

The commission’s approval is final, which means it doesn’t have to go before the Board of Supervisors. Commissioner Lynn Barnes said the operation is not a typical carwash and could serve as a model. Smissen said eventually he would like to build a half a dozen such operations in Central Virginia.

“It’s a no-brainer,” said Commissioner Robin Hartman. “It’s an excellent project.”