The Common Council gave its approval Tuesday to a use variance that will permit a site in Gary zoned for other business uses to have an automated car wash.
The land in question is a 150-foot by 350-foot plot at 33rd Avenue and Grant Street, located next to an Aldi grocery store. The council voted without opposition to approve the plan. Councilwoman Carolyn Rogers was absent.
Balliwick Properties Inc., of Manteno, Ill., acquired the site in a tax sale. The company will have to complete a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency process to ensure that none of the site includes wetlands before construction begins.
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Douglas Babcock, of Balliwick, said he is skeptical that any wetland will be found on or near the site.
Babcock previously said Balliwick officials hope to begin construction on the car wash by June, with actual construction expected to take about five months to complete.
The company already operates car washes in LaPorte, and also has plans to open an identical structure in Portage later this month. Future plans for the company, operating under the name Tsunami Car Wash, would include opening similar businesses in Chesterton and Michigan City, officials said.
Council President Ronald Brewer said he was pleased to see such a business locate in Gary.
“I think it will be a great addition to that corridor” along Grant Street south of Interstate 80/94, Brewer said. “It would serve the city greatly, and I am pleased to see someone want to bring their business to our city.”
In other business:
*Mayoral chief of staff Dayna Bennett introduced Angie Hayes to the Common Council. She was put on the city payroll beginning Jan. 22 to become the new city Controller. Celita Green, who has worked for Gary government since 1998, plans to retire later this month. Hayes previously worked 11 years for the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and four more years for the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
Gregory Tejeda is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.