The City Council has approved a special use permit for Take 5 Express Car Wash at the old World Bank building next to Walmart in Sebastian. The building itself has been vacant for several years.
In a vote of 3 to 2, the Council passed the resolution to allow the car wash. Mayor Fred Jones and Councilwoman Kelly Dixon did not vote in favor.
Earlier this month, Dixon was the only Councilmember who opposed the Mr. Clean Car Wash located on Sebastian Blvd, east of the O’Reilly Auto Parts store.
Touting as the largest express car wash operator in the United States, Take 5 Express will offer 18 queuing spaces, 9 parking stalls, and 18 vacuum stalls. In addition, the site will recycle 68 percent of the water.
Councilman Ed Dodd said the national chains coming into Sebastian will ultimately put some locals out of business since they don’t have services equivalent to what these new larger companies offer.
“I know there’s a lot of car washes, and I really don’t understand how all of you guys decided to build in Sebastian in the same month. And there’s just not enough capacity here,” said Dodd. “I’m not saying that we should tell you no because I don’t think the Council should be the selector of winners and losers in business.”
Councilman Bob McPartlan doesn’t understand all the car washes coming here at once, but he believes it’s the best location since the World Bank building has been an eyesore for years.
“It’s just been an eyesore. It’s right next to the gas station, right next to Walmart,” said McPartlan.
