Urban Affairs Committee recommends denying Washville car wash special permit

MARLBOROUGH — May 13, 2025 — Marlborough committee votes 4-1 to recommend denying a Route 20 car wash special permit. The Urban Affairs Committee rejected GR Development LLC's Washville Car Wash proposal for 223 East Main St., the former Bank of America site, with Vice President Mark Navin moving the denial and Councilor Doucette dissenting. Attorney Brian Falk offered 18 conditions including police-ordered shutdowns for queue backups, a water-reclamation system, hours capped at 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and right-turn signage, after MassDOT refused to allow a left-turn restriction. Consultant Bob Michaud said the use would add roughly 12 vehicles at Saturday midday peak versus the former bank. Council President Ahsing, citing the $213 million city budget and a vacancy since summer 2022, warned colleagues that "hanging your hat on traffic, we're going to lose." The full council takes it up Monday.