Residents speak out against Brighton car wash | Business

Several times a day, Warren Avenue resident Jeff Spero and his family make a left turn northbound onto Clover Street.

“In doing so we take our lives into our hands,” he said. “You have shoot out onto Clover Street at any chance you can get.”

Spero was among more than a dozen who spoke about a proposal by the Daniele family to construct a car wash at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Clover Street at a Brighton Town Board meeting Wednesday.

The board held a public hearing on an incentive-zoning application for the project, as car washes are currently not permitted under town code. The site used to house a Mobil gas station several years ago.

The Town Board decided to keep the public hearing open.

Danny Daniele said the car wash would have the capability to stack almost 40 vehicles, but they only anticipate having a maximum of 23 vehicles on a busy day.

The proposal would allow cars to enter from Monroe Avenue and Clover Street, however cars could not make a left turn into the wash from Monroe. Cars could only exit on Clover Street, but drivers could choose to go right or left.

Towpath Lane resident Rosemary Hyland is concerned about cars exiting right and going into her street to turn around in driveways, which would be the first opportunity to change directions.

The project does have its supporters, though, such as Dr. Elias Nicolas, whose office neighbors the proposed site. He said the town needs a car wash, but he does have traffic concerns. Al Antonez of Brighton Informed, a citizens group that promotes economic development, also is in favor of the car wash.

“The proposed development will increase tax revenues, create jobs and improve the property, which will benefit all residents,” Antonez said.

Mario Daniele has lived near the intersection for 36 years and has seen its evolution.

"We are committed to not making traffic problems on the road," he said.