Zoning Board Overrules Car Wash Compliance Finding

Zoning Board · Meeting of October 22, 2026

SOMERSET — The Somerset Zoning Board of Appeals overruled the building commissioner and ordered a County Street car wash to restore a buffer wall and contain its lighting. Resident Celia Martins of Montauk Street told the board bay lighting illuminates her house at night and that cars have run through the wash at 3 a.m. A representative identified as Scott Green, speaking for the owner, said bay lights stay on "for safety and security" since the self-serve bays run 24 hours and that ownership would not add motion sensors.

Citing a 1997 permit requiring "a wall of black pines at least five foot in height" as a buffer, the board voted unanimously to require all light be contained to the property and the buffer restored to a "continuous wall of solid appearance," either by fixing the fence or replacing cut-back pines with taller evergreens. The board also continued Taco Bell's restaurant permit and a lot-area variance to November 19, and approved a shed variance and an in-home bakery special permit.

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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of October 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.