Pending Decision Could Help Carwash Owners Lease Space

Two carwash owners in Whittier, Calif., are hopeful the city council will approve an ordinance Feb. 9 that will enable them to lease out building space to help off-set expenses. The Five Points Car Wash property owned by Alex Isaian and Mike Shahbazian is about two-thirds vacant, according to a report by the Whittier Daily News.

Isaian and Shahbazian would like to lease empty space to an auto body or repair shop, but those business types are not currently allowed under the current use plan. The council is examining an ordinance that would enable property owners to lease space to businesses that were allowed under zoning laws prior to June 2005.

If approved, property owners would have six months to lease space under the old zoning requirements. Businesses leasing under the ordinance would receive provisional approval and be allowed to operate for 20 years, the article said.

Under the current use plan, Isaian and Shahbazian can lease empty building space only for office or light-industrial use, the newspaper reported.

Five Points Car Wash takes up about one-third of the 121,900-square-foot property. One of the vacant buildings on the lot was previously used for auto repairs, the article said.

Source:

Whittier Daily News: Officials consider proposal to help economically stressed property owners on Whittier Boulevard