After an at times contentious discussion, the Lawrenceville City Council compromised with owners of Hometown USA Car Wash and Lube on their exterior building colors. The previously tan brick and stucco building at 812 Buford Drive was recently painted red, white and blue with a red roof replacing the original forest green. The bright, primary colors are not consistent with the city’s restrictions on building colors within the Commercial Character Area.
The requested special use permit would bring the car wash, detailing and lube activities into zoning conformance and allow for construction of an additional two partial canopies and 17 vacuum facilities.
Problems arose when the business changed exterior colors without prior approval from the city. The applicant, represented by retired Marine Peter McKenna, argued the city’s color guidelines are vague and with a “24-year history in our country of red, white and blue” he couldn’t understand the city’s objections to the recent paint job. McKenna also expressed concern his company had already spent $32,000 to paint the building and $19,000 for the red canopies.
Councilmembers ultimately voted 4-1 to allow the business to keep the red roof and red canopies, but repaint the exterior stucco and brick to closer match the original exterior colors. Councilmember Robert Clark voted against.
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