MAC Meeting: Future of Splash Brothers Remains in Question

The future of the Splash Brothers car wash on Castro Valley Boulevard at the old lumberyard site remains in question despite previous approval by the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC).

The matter came before the make once more despite their tepid endorsement of the project in January, after the County Parks, Recreation, and Historical Commission (PRHC) recommended that the existing lumberyard not be removed.

But at Monday night’s meeting, the MAC said that they didn’t feel that the buildings are historically important and that, though they also don’t feel that the car wash is an ideal use for the 1.35-acre site at 2495 Castro Valley Boulevard, no other businesses have expressed interest.

“These issues have already been thoroughly vetted and discussed,” said MAC member Dan Davini. “Someone didn’t like our decision.”

A separate architectural historian also noted that the property “does not contain significant or preservable structures” as only the front of the original building remains following previous renovations and alterations. The MAC added that the long-disused buildings are also not in great condition.

“The only reason it’s standing is that the termites are holding hands,” said MAC member Raymond Davis. “It is a blight.

Davis added that a mural the MC has requested to beautify the car wash could include the lumberyard or other historically significant elements relevant to Castro Valley.

The main issue behind the approval of the project has been the idea of the car wash in a space that is called a “gateway” into town-- it would be one of the first things people see when entering Castro Valley on the west side.

Gary Howard, Chair of the Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber was dubious of the project at the location.

“We have significant concerns about the redevelopment of the lumberyard at a car wash,” said Howard. We really need to move Castro Valley into the 21st century.”

 At previous meetings, many speakers have expressed a desire for a more glamorous business on the site.

A couple of years ago, the MAC rejected a proposal for a Chick-fil-A and the real estate agents handling the site said they had difficulty attracting other proposals.

Linda Willis of the PRHC expressed her concern about the “gateway” issue as well as traffic.

“Castro Valley can be a place to go to instead of a place to drive through,” said Willis

The MAC further said that the PRHC should’ve expressed their opinions before the MAC made their initial decision, though the PRHC didn’t meet on the matter until February, after the MAC’s January vote on the car wash.

“I understand it’s not a perfect scenario for a gateway, but what is?” asked MAC member Tojo Thomas. He added that he thought the PRHC was trying to stall the project in the hopes of getting a different business interested and he didn’t want to wait years to see the site developed.

In the end, the MAC once again voted to reiterate their endorsement of the project. As for next steps, the PRHC or others could appeal the recommendation and the matter would ultimately be decided by the County Planning Director.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the MAC approved an application from the landowner to subdivide a 5-acre parcel at 5911 Jensen Road into four separate lots for single-family homes.

“We look forward to you getting building on that right away,” said MAC Chair Chuck Moore.