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Approved <br />Orefield Labs, noise experts, to test the noise levels and to help with a solution. The manufacturer of the care <br />sh equipment and the installer were also brought in help solve this situation. All of their recommendations <br />ave been implemented, which included installation of foam around the dryers to help deaden the noise. On <br />staff's recommendation a neighborhood meeting was held to see if the solutions that had been implemented had <br />helped the situation at all. It became apparent from the meeting that the noise was still an issue and the problem <br />had not been solved. Mr. Foster and Mr. Brever identified several solutions; which include creating a berm with <br />a fence to deflect the sound, replace the new equipment with older style equipment that could be used in a <br />closed space (this would decrease the car washes revenue in half), or build an addition onto the building which <br />would allow one car to wash and one car to dry all within the same building (pilings would have to be added for <br />any addition due to soil conditions). The architects are in discussion with the engineers to see which solution is <br />the most feasible. The applicant is speaking with the car wash manufacturer to see if the drying equipment <br />could be reengineered so that the car wash doors could remain closed while in operation. Mr. Foster added that <br />Mr. Kroona is committed in coming up with a solution, but added they would need a solution that is <br />economically viable for the business. <br />Baker stated that the Commission recommended in 1999 that an addition be put onto the building for the car <br />wash, however the Commission was told by the original owner the addition was not possible and agreed to have <br />the entire cycle enclosed. Baker added that either an addition must be built or replace the equipment with the <br />older style car wash, so that the doors are closed. Howard asked if Orefield's recommendation to reverse the <br />car wash's direction was feasible. Foster replied a stacking issue would be created on the north end of the site. <br />Baker stated that he would support the berm and fence if the applicant could prove to the City that it would be <br />eses <br />t as affective as a closed door. Howard added that it would also have to be acceptable to the neighborhood as <br />11. Femelius stated since this was a special use permit the City has discretion to impose conditions that this <br />an indoor operation and added since the requirement was for an indoor operation it should remain that way. <br />Mann asked how often cars are stacked to use the car wash and how would the business be impacted if a slower <br />system was put in. Kroona replied that they are in competition with surrounding businesses that have the new <br />systems that can process a car faster and the stacking tends to be a seasonal issue. The old equipment can <br />process thirteen to fourteen cars per hour verses twenty to twenty-two cars per hour. <br />Chris Luhman, 506 2nd Avenue NW, stated that the new car wash is very annoying since it sounds like a <br />neighbor is using a leaf blower at six o'clock in the morning and reported that he could not tell any difference <br />with the changes that have been made to the blowers. He urged the Commission to keep it as an indoor <br />operation. O'Keefe asked if the hours of operation were having an impact upon the neighborhood. Luhman <br />replied that before the doors were open he did not realize that people washed their cars at all hours of the day <br />and night. O'Keefe asked if there would be an inconvenience to the neighborhood if the car wash only operated <br />between 8 am and 10 pm. Luhman replied that while that would help with sleeping, he would still not be able <br />to enjoy his yard during the day. <br />Steve Thiessen, 521 2nd Avenue NW, stated that when the car wash doors were closed the noise was <br />significantly reduced, almost unnoticeable. He added that while there is noise from the freeway, by the time <br />that he is home from work the amount of traffic is significantly less but the noise from the car wash is <br />emphasized. Baker asked how Thiessen would be impacted if the car wash continued to operate for another 60 <br />to 90 days until the owner comes up with a solution. Thiessen replied he is inside due to the weather; however <br />*e dryer is still noticeable and would like solution soon. <br />- Page 2 of 6 <br />