The zoning board approved the plans to renovate the Magic Car Wash on Route 70 and build a drive-through coffee/donut shop next door.The development would occupy a lot to be formed by breaking an existing lot into two lots. On the other lot, KM Hotels plans a Hampton Inn, Residence Inn and a restaurant at the site, which is just east of the Cuthbert Boulevard interchange.
The owner of a Route 70 car wash in Cherry Hill planning to renovate the building and add a coffee/doughnut drive-through restaurant next door got approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment last week.
Under the plan, the restaurant and the improved Magic Car Wash on the north side of Route 70 east of the Cuthbert Boulevard interchange would join two hotels and another restaurant on the mostly vacant 11.75 acres of land.
Several conditions were included with the approval and the owner will return to the board seeking approval of signs on the property at a future date, said Cosmas P. Diamantis, Cherry Hill director of community development.
Route 70 West LLC bought the full parcel in 2011 for $2.75 million, according to property records. The zoning board was asked to split the parcel into two properties: One would remain with the car wash and the other would be used by KM Hotels LLC (CH Development Partners LLC) to build a Hampton Inn, a Residence Inn and a restaurant.Â
Zoning board members on May 7 gave preliminary approval to the plan by KM Hotels, a hotel developer and owner based in Richmond, Virginia. The board didn't have time to make a final decision on KM Hotels' proposal at the May 21 meeting, so it is scheduled for the next meeting, Diamantis said.
Bob and Maureen Lee had operated Lee Stone Supply on the site after they befriended owner Stephen Voschin, who later left the property to the Lees when he died.
Maureen Lee of Marlton sold the property to Route 70 West LLC, according to state property records. Press reports at the time said David Lee, who was running the car wash, was buying the property. He is listed as the contact on the latest zoning application. Dong Soo Pyo also is listed on the company's application.
MORE: Odd history behind the Route 70 property.
MORE: Hotel development gets preliminary Cherry Hill approval.
As part of the renovation, the car wash would get queueing lanes. The car wash now has no defined way for cars to line up and, during busy hours, waiting cars spill onto Route 70, according to the application.Â
Although Dunkin' Donuts is mentioned in passing in the application to describe the type of restaurant operation, the developer said it has not settled on a brand.
A mostly vacant site on the north side of Route 70 in Cherry Hill would hold a Hampton Inn, a Residence Inn, a restaurant, a drive-through coffee/donut shop and a renovated car wash. The developer of the hotels also is negotiating to purchase the rectangle of land facing Route 70 from Cooper Health Systems.
Plans for the Magic Car Wash show queues for waiting vehicles. One issue with the current car wash has been cars backing up on Route 70.
