“Sitting in a 30-Minute Car Wash Line…
Here I am, waiting in a long car wash line, thinking about Boardman’s recent decision to limit the number of car washes in the township. Depending on who you ask, this is either smart planning or government overreach—and honestly, I can see both sides.
Boardman recently passed zoning rules that:
✔ Cap new car washes at one per 10,000 residents (meaning no more than four total).
✔ Require at least a half-mile distance between any new car washes.
✔ Ban excessive noise, like loud music, to avoid disruptions in residential areas.
The argument for these rules? Township officials say Boardman is becoming oversaturated with car washes and storage units, limiting commercial diversity. They want to make room for different types of businesses, not just endless rows of drive-thru washes.
But opponents say the government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers in business. If a car wash succeeds, that means people want it. Why stop new businesses from opening?
Austintown’s Approach: A Middle Ground?
Instead of setting a hard cap like Boardman, Austintown now requires a special permit for new car washes. Each one must prove it won’t create problems with traffic, noise, or environmental impact before getting approval.
This allows the township to control growth while still giving businesses a chance to open—a compromise some might call fair.
The Debate: More Car Washes or Smart Limits?
🚗 Why We Might Need MORE Car Washes:
✔ Lower wait times – If demand is high, why stop supply?
✔ Free market should decide – If a car wash is successful, it means people are using it.
✔ Business growth – More car washes mean more jobs and tax revenue.
🚫 Why Limiting Car Washes Might Make Sense:
✔ Too much of one thing – Do we really need more car washes when other businesses struggle to open?
✔ They take up valuable commercial space – A car wash means no retail, restaurants, or other businesses that could offer something new.
✔ Water use & environmental impact – Car washes consume tons of water, and runoff with soaps and chemicals can pollute local water sources.
✔ Traffic concerns – Popular car washes create congestion on busy roads, and too many in one area can be a headache.
So, What’s the Right Move?
Do we really have too many car washes, and these rules make sense to keep Boardman and Austintown balanced?
Or should we let the free market decide and allow businesses to open wherever there’s demand?
🔥 Drop a comment! Should townships limit car washes, or is this unnecessary regulation?
#Boardman #Austintown #CarWashLimits #LongLines #GovernmentOverreach #MahoningCounty
