Oyster Bay OKs car wash proposal for hamlet over residents' objections

The Town of Oyster Bay granted a special use permit for a car wash that drew concern from neighbors when it was proposed last year.

The proposal, for a 3,828-square-foot facility on 0.64 acres at 25 Pine Hollow Rd. in the hamlet of Oyster Bay, called for a car wash that could clean five vehicles using an oversize conveyor belt system while up to 20 more vehicles wait in line. At a hearing last June, residents said the car wash would exacerbate congestion and other traffic problems near the business.

David Jacobson, the property owner, said he made changes to the cosmetics of the car wash to better fit the hamlet’s character and agreed to certain traffic stipulations to improve the flow of cars.

Jacobson, who also owns the nearby Collector Car Showcase, an Oyster Bay automotive museum, says the car wash "is going to be a rejuvenation" to the section of the hamlet that "is underserved."

The site will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, according to town documents. Proponents of the car wash have said it’s needed because the nearest car washes are 15 minutes away, in Glen Cove or Syosset,, Newsday reported.

Tom Abbate, Jacobson’s attorney for the application, said during a phone call on Tuesday the building's original design had been changed to match the "historical flavor" of the hamlet, including a pitched roof and colors that better fit its character. 

Jacobson said drivers would have to turn right when exiting the car wash to maintain the "normal flow" of traffic. He said signage would be installed on the property along with a concrete island known as a "pork chop" that would direct drivers to turn right.

The car wash will be located on a lot a few doors away from another property Jacobson owns, which will soon house Karmic Grind coffee. That business has another location in Locust Valley, he said.

There is not a set time frame for the construction of the car wash, Jacobson said, adding it would not open in 2025.

By Joseph Ostapiuk

joseph.ostapiuk@newsday.com@OstapiukJ