By Jef Rietsma
The petitioner behind a proposed automatic car wash in Vicksburg cleared an initial hurdle last month.
During the village council’s April 15 meeting, municipal officials approved text amendments in support of the proposed development proposed for a site near the southeast corner of Richardson and Vine streets.
Village Manager Jim Mallery said the history of the proposal dates to last summer, when Pat Pearson approached him about the concept. Mallery said he realized the village did not have a zoning classification for a standalone car wash.
He said the proposal required a review of the village’s zoning codes. Mallery concluded Commercial-2 zoning would be the appropriate classification for such a development.
He presented a timeframe for the proposal, indicating potential approval of a special land-use application will appear before the council May 6. That step would be followed by a site plan review by the village Planning Commission May 13.
“If all goes well, the developer would begin turning dirt in June, with anticipation of opening as soon as possible,” Mallery said.
Pearson addressed Planning Commission members during their meeting earlier in the evening. He said he has been in the car wash industry for 30 years.
Pearson said he became aware of the idea for a car wash in Vicksburg after attending one of the ‘Burg Days of Summer weekly events in 2023. Pearson said he sensed a good vibe and later discovered Vicksburg to be a business-friendly community.
“This is a community … willing to help. Hats off to you guys for what you’re doing in this community,” he said, noting he has attempted to keep everything related to the proposed development local. “Our banking, our financing, our builders, electricians, everything we’re trying to do we’re trying to keep it in the area.”
In a separate matter, council members approved construction of a fence along the northern border of the village hall. The 8-foot, white vinyl fence is necessary to provide a visual barrier between the building and residential properties to the north.
Cost is $36,200 and includes five-foot, black fencing to camouflage ground-level HVAC systems by the office. The money will come from the village’s general fund, Mallery said.