Talkin’ about the car wash was what the planning commission did at their Thursday meeting. On the agenda was an approval of a use permit and variances for a gas station, convenience store and car wash at 505 Miltary East.
In August of 2016, Sat Singh sent an application to the city of Benicia to build a gas station and full-service Autopia car wash in the site of a former 76 station on Miltary East. Singh submitted the final project plans to the city in August of 2017. Staff determined the application complete in September. Autopia would be 20,250 square and be on the northeast corner of East Fifth Street and Military East. There would be separate fueling stations west and south of the convenience market which would also be a part of the gas station and car wash. The proposed gas station would be 600 feet south of the Interstate 780/Military East interchange.
The location had previously been granted a use permit for a service station, food mart and drive-thru car wash back in 1995. The car wash was expanded in 2007, and the station was rebranded from a Valero gas station to a 76 station in 2008. The 76 station closed late last year and has sat vacant since, although underground storage tanks were removed with permits back in August.
Among the proposals of the new business: an 1,870-square foot covered car-drying and vacuum station in place of one of the current fueling canopies, a single fueling canopy with four dispensers, a new outdoor seating area with a planter to accommodate car wash patrons, and a self-serve soup and salad bar in the convenience store. The car wash would operate under the Autopia brand, which has seven operations in the Bay Area, including locations in Martinez, Concord and Walnut Creek.
It was recommended the commission adopt a resolution approving the use permit, although staff also recommended denying of the Height Use Permit for the light poles.
During the public comment section for this agenda item, Lurie Kelpie was among many who spoke up against the car wash.
“I feel like another gas station there is not gonna be a good thing,” Kelpie said. “There’s already a 7-Eleven with a gas station, then there’s Valero across from Robert Semple and there is also Chevron right by Safeway and there is Bob’s off of West J. I feel like there are enough convenience stores in the area ,and the traffic is already bad enough on Fifth Street with especially people walking with kids.”
Despite this opposition, the Planning Commission voted to approve the car wash and gas station.
The city’s proposed cannabis ordinance was also on the agenda, and this topic will be discussed in a later edition.
The Planning Commission will next meet Thursday, Nov. 9.

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