[ PRINT ]

Mint Eco Car Wash & Malverine Rd.


WPB City Commission Meeting 8/21/2023 Monday @ 5:00PM

11.1. “Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 5051-23 regarding a Future Land Use Map Amendment to change the Future Land Use designation of approximately 0.175 acres located at 301 Malverne Road from Multifamily to Commercial; and Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 5052-23 regarding a Rezoning to change the Zoning designation of approximately 0.175 acres located at 301 Malverne Road from Multifamily Medium Density Residential (MF-20) to General Commercial.”

Background Information:

“The subject property contains an existing two-family dwelling (duplex).”

Housing for low income residents is sparse in WPB. If approved the home will be torn down to accommodate a car wash.

“While staff has a concern about the conversion of residential property into commercial use, the benefits of including this parcel into the Mint Eco Car Wash property outweigh these concerns” Agenda below.

https://www.wpb.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6483/638279618058861974

Would staff allow a business into their residential neighborhood? The job of staff is to sell the project to the City Commissioners.

Apparently Eco Car wash has outgrown the space they operate in and their solution is to purchase the property at 301 Malverine Rd. in order to expand. The picture shows the 2 pieces of property. The top of the picture, which appears to be a large white canopy, is Mint Eco car wash. The property below, circled in red, is the duplex they want to purchase and raze. Click to enlarge picture.

If City Commissioners approve, a residential street will have a property rezoned General Commercial and surrounded by single family homes and how will that effect their property values? Would you purchase a home next to a car wash?

At the 8/7/2023 CC meeting (which I attended) they stated this will better control the traffic problems on Southern. Common sense tells me if allowed to expand onto a residential street this will increase traffic.

What defines commercial or residential?

“While residential properties are exclusively used for private living quarters, commercial refers to any property used for business activities. Commercial refers to hospitals, assembly plants, storage warehouses, shopping centers, office spaces, or any other location for a business enterprise.”

This is a small neighborhood and residents on Malverine Rd. need help to keep Mint Eco car wash from expanding into their residential neighborhood, negatively affecting their property values, not to mention the residents have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes. They are a small neighborhood, without the funds needed to challenge a successful, corporate owner of the business.

Why is the car wash looking to expand into a residential neighborhood?

Traffic is a major concern on Southern Blvd. where the car wash is located at 316 Southern Blvd. Corner of Southern & S. Olive Ave. People lose patience, screaming at each other, and police were called multiple times to the area according to people who spoke at the meeting.

Mint Eco launched a campaign in an attempt to gather signatures for approval to allow the city to change the Zoning Multifamily Medium Density Residential (MF-20) to General Commercial.”

They have the means and the people necessary to carry their campaign plan to success.

Jeffrey Jarvis, Co-founder & CEO of Mint Eco car wash presented to the city 180 letters of support within 500′, letter of support from SENA, letter of support from HPS PNA and Dreher Park Neighborhood Association 1,242 total letters of support.

I have a couple of questions. Who is going to verify the signatures collected? Did the neighborhood associations support the car wash without discussing it with their neighbors? I have no answer.

People who signed were told this was needed to eliminate the traffic congestion in the area. it’s my understanding people couldn’t sign quick enough. At the meeting I listened to speakers in favor of the change, many employees of the car wash. I also listened to residents of Malverine Rd, and one gentleman, named Ryan Beckett was asked “want to fix this traffic problem?” he said yes. then it was sign and go. Another gentleman, Galen Brannon, stated he spoke with 50 neighbors who were not told the truth.

The link to the City Commission meeting is below: Here are the times I ask for you’re attention.

CC Meeting item # 9.2 start time 32:06

Mint Eco car wash, Jeffrey Jarvis Co-founder & CEO of Mint Eco car wash made the presentation and presented the city with the signed petitions. start time: 33:57 to 48:20.

The 4 gentlemen below are residents of Malverine Rd.

Ryan Beckett 1:27:11 to 1:30:10 want to fix this traffic problem? yes, sign and go

Galen Brannon 1:30:25 to 1:32:45 50 people were not told truth

Earl Spurlock 1:32:50 to 1:35:53 made good points

John Varga 1:36:02 to 1:38:01 made good points

There were approximately 10 people who spoke in favor of the Ordinance, many wearing green t-shirts provided by Mint Eco, a possible message to the City Commissioners.
Now they are talking Deed Restrictions with Covenant, and could be presented at the City Commission Meeting 8/21/2023 for the Second Reading.

 

What is a Deed Restriction

“A deed restriction is a legal agreement between two or more parties that limits the use of real property. There are different types of deed restrictions but the most common is known as a restrictive covenant. Deed restrictions are often used to protect the value of neighboring properties by limiting the types of activities that can take place on the restricted property. Common examples of deed restrictions include prohibitions against commercial development, minimum lot size, and maximum building height.
Deed restrictions are created when the owner of a piece of property agrees to sell, lease, or donate the property to another party with the condition that the property will only be used for certain specified purposes. The deed restriction is then recorded in the county clerk’s office so that it becomes a part of the property’s title.”

How do I get around deed restrictions?

“Deed restrictions can only be removed by the party who placed the restriction on the property. This can often be done by getting approval from a homeowners association or other body that is responsible for enforcing the restrictions.

Who can put a restriction on a property?

The owner of the property can put a restriction on the property. The restriction will be legally binding on anyone who purchases the property after the restriction is put in place.”

https://study.com/academy/lesson/deed-restrictions-definition-limitations.html

Apparently it will depend on Mint Eco car wash to remove the deed restriction to enable Malverne Rd. to return to a residential neighborhood, minus any commercial business. I don’t believe I have that much faith to trust it will be done.

The first reading was held 8/7/2023, and passed unanimously. The second reading will be held 8/21/2023, and if passed the city will allow a residential neighborhood to change from Multifamily to Commercial.

If residents allow this to proceed what business may want to locate to your neighborhood or mine tomorrow? What precedence is the city allowing? Can you see lawsuits on the horizon?

301 Malverne Rd. Corner of Malverne Rd. & S. Olive Ave.

Sales information below. If City Commissioners allow the change, I’m assuming Mint Eco will pay more than $200,000, plus the cost of razing the duplex. If they decide the location is not working out for them, I can’t imagine they will take a loss on their investment. Commercial property is more expensive to buy that a residential property. Next question. Who is going to purchase an empty lot for 200K + tear down?

MAY-2020   $10 QUIT CLAIM DMA ENTERPRISES INC
AUG-2015   $200,000 WARRANTY DEED D & E REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS LLC

https://www.pbcgov.org/papa/Asps/PropertyDetail/PropertyDetail.aspx?parcel=74434403010003300

CC meeting 8/7/2023  Link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erOYtBSWENA

I have added a recent story by Joel Engelhardt. If you do not receive Stet Media, you are missing out what’s going on in your own back yard. Please subscribe and if possible support them financially. In my opinion we can’t afford to lose honest journalism.

“When developers pay and no one knows”

Agreement calls for Rustic Lakes Property Owners Association to get the money if Palm Beach Gardens City Council rezones site on Northlake Boulevard.
Rustic Lakes, a community of 5- and 10-acre home sites off of Northlake Boulevard, has agreed to support a townhome project on its perimeter for a $650,000 payment from developers.

https://ongardens.org/2023/07/27/exclusive-d-r-horton-local-landowner-offer-community-650000-to-back-townhomes/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailll

At the 8/7/2023 CC meeting all 5 commissioners approved the Ordinance on First Reading.

The residents on Malverine have one more chance to end the foolishness with the Second Reading on 8/21/2023.

Commissioner Lambert this is your district, and you were elected to protect the residents, NOT a car wash.

I once again ask you to attend the upcoming City Commission meeting and speak up for our neighbors, before they come for us.
The end