County moves toward making new car washes a harder sell in Pasco

In a significant move for local development, the Pasco County Commission is preparing to vote on a proposal that could impose stricter regulations on new car washes. This initiative, presented by the Planning, Development and Economic Growth Department, aims to amend the county’s land development code to better manage land use in busy transportation corridors. Under the proposed changes, car washes would be banned in specific innovation zones and would require conditional use permits in other areas, making approvals more challenging. Applicants would need to prove public necessity and provide an inventory of nearby car washes within a five-mile radius. The conditional use process would also enforce noise limits, hours of operation, and enhanced buffering requirements.

A neighborhood meeting may be mandatory before car wash approvals, although its necessity is still debated among officials. District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey expressed concerns about the requirement for neighborhood meetings, questioning why they are necessary for car washes but not for other businesses. The upcoming vote reflects the county's commitment to preserving job-generating land and curbing the rapid expansion of car wash facilities.