This Plan Commission Meeting Sucked

The definition of aesthetically pleasing design is relative to an individual’s own tastes. At this week’s Plan Commission meeting, a business owner’s idea of good-looking design clashed with that of commissioners.

Carl Goede owns the , N88 W15382 Main St., and plans to invest in a high-powered free car vacuum-cleaner bay in the front of his business. Goede wants to install five stalls, and a few would have canopies over the top to shield customers from the elements.

Goede and the commissioners weren’t at odds about the vacuums themselves. Rather, they were at odds on their placement. Goede wanted to place the vacuums in the front, but commissioners approved his project on the condition that he place the vacuums in the back of his business.

For Goede, the difference between placing vacuums in the front or the back is kind of like the difference between black and white.

“Although it is possible for them to work behind the car wash, it is much more beneficial to the customers and traffic flow if we put them in the front,” Goede said. “We can get the best bang for our buck if they are out in front.”

Goede added that placing the new vacuum-cleaner bay, with its eye-catching canopy, in front is also a great marketing tool and a draw for customers. However, commissioners disagreed on the grounds of aesthetics.

Main Street is beginning to show new signs of life with the in May, and a new making its way through the approval process. These shining new businesses will improve the look of the corridor, and commissioners wanted to ensure any new proposals continue this upward trend.

“Sightlines are obviously important as we try to do something across the street (from the car wash), having less in front that is obtrusive to what (Gatlin Development is) trying to do across the street would be best right now,” said Commissioner Michael McDonald.

McDonald added that it would also be safer for customers to have the vacuums in the back of the building because of the high volume of activity in the front of the car wash.

Goede did have the support of Commissioner Tony Frank, who disagreed with his fellow officials.

“We’ve been trying to do something (on Main Street) for a long time. Until that happens, business owners in this area need help, and things like signage and things like vacuum cleaners in front will help them,” Frank said. “I would approve putting them in front. I don’t see how that detracts from Main Street.”

Commissioners voted down the measure to place them in the front 4-2 with supporting votes coming from Frank and Anthony Ash. A revised vote was taken with the condition the vacuums were placed in the back and that gained approval.

In the same meeting Tuesday, the owner of proposed installing a vacuum bay as well. Interestingly, his proposal was the exact same model and type of vacuum proposed by Goede. However, his proposal was in the back of his businesses.

"You're not going to propose putting them in the front are you?" joked Commissioner Tim Newman.

Needless to say his proposal gained approval quickly.