In June 2023 we let you know that the owners of The Lube Center on Fields Rd. in Gaithersburg were looking to open a car wash in the space that was home to Ziki Japanese Steakhouse until 2020. This past summer, WLR Automotive Group requested schematic development plan approval for an approximately 5,106 square-foot car wash facility, and now the City of Gaithersburg will meet next month for a joint public hearing.
WLR proposed the development of an Auto Spa Express car wash on the Property. Per the applicant, “the property has been vacant for four years and the new use, which will include a modern design and generous landscaping, will provide activity and vibrancy and a needed boost to this vacant, languishing corner Property.”
The existing car wash located on the adjacent 10005 Fields Road site will be discontinued and effectively relocated to the Property, thus resulting in no overall increase in the number of car washes in the area. The proposed development on the Property will include the following:
- 5,106 square foot tunnel shaped structure to accommodate the car wash
- 23 vacuum spaces, including one ADA vacuum space
- 9 parking spaces
- 44 percent green area
Per the plan, “the proposed car wash tunnel structure will be 5,106 square feet and located in the center of the property. The structure will be of modern design constructed primarily with glass and steel and it is intentionally designed to be visually interesting. To this end, the vacuum stalls that are situated to the west and south of the car wash structure resemble modern sculptures.”
Per the City of Gaithersburg: “The Mayor & City Council and Planning Commission of the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland, will conduct a joint public hearing on Schematic Development Plan Application SDP-9896-2024 on MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025 AT 7:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as this matter can be heard in the Council Chambers at 16 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Comments on this application may either be mailed to 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 or emailed to [email protected].”
