Plans are underway for a car wash to take the place of the long-out-of-service Burger King on Central Street.
During the Hudson Planning Board meeting on June 24 one of the agenda items was to review a site plan for a proposed automated car wash on Central Street, located at the former Burger King property.
Civil Engineer Jeff Merritt, of Granite Engineering and Transportation Engineer, Scott Thornton, of Vanasse & Associates, presented the redevelopment proposal to the Board.
“What we have for the Board this evening is a redevelopment project,” Merritt said. “It’s the old Burger King over there that’s been closed for a while now. The parcel is about 1.2 acres in area. It is zoned ‘Business,’ and there is a single building on the property today, which is the old fast-food restaurant.”
Because of the site’s proximity to New Hampshire Route 111, the applicants have been in contact with state officials regarding potential traffic impacts.
“We’re proposing a car wash that includes a tunnel, an automated tunnel that brings your car through a conveyor,” Merritt explained. “Adjacent to that, on the back side, are two laser wash bays. Those are touch-free, automated, but not a conveyor system. Access to the site would remain as it is today with the one curb cut. We have kind of a one-way circulation from the car wash.”
Merritt said the facility is designed primarily for small vehicles and will reuse existing utility connections where possible, with a new sewer extension planned. The design also includes reduced impervious coverage, updated stormwater drainage, and a completed traffic study.
Thornton summarized the traffic analysis. “We prepared the traffic study for the project and looked at the intersections on either end of the block,” he said. “We are undergoing peer review for that study and have received some comments back from the peer review consultant.”
A revised traffic analysis is expected. The applicants argued that the former Burger King generated “between one and a half and three times as much traffic” as the proposed car wash.
Even so, Selectman Liaison Bob Guessferd warned that traffic could be difficult for drivers entering or exiting the site during peak commuting hours.
“Turning left coming out of there, especially during peak times, is insane,” Guessferd said. “It seems to me that is going to add a lot to it, and I would be concerned about having adequate controls.”
Board member James Crowley noted that adding “no left turn” signs would likely be ineffective. “We’ve tried no left turns on certain places before,” he said. “I’ve said before, we can have them put up a sign, it’s just not enforceable,” added Chair Tim Malley.
Board members also questioned the one-way circulation design.
“If I get there and the card gets declined, the only way I’m getting out of there is in reverse,” Malley said. “Is this manned through all hours of operation?”
Applicant Tom Klemm responded that staff would be able to “cycle people through” if needed. Despite the automated nature of the facility, he said there would always be “one to four” employees on site during operating hours.
Noise was another concern.
“With most car washes, we’re especially concerned about the wash tunnels with the noise and all that,” Crowley said. “Our town has a noise ordinance, with a difference between daylight and nighttime hours. I don’t see a fence or a sound barrier.”
Klemm said noise would be lower at night because the wash tunnel would be closed.
With peer review comments still pending, the Planning Board voted to continue the application to its August 26 meeting.
