Crew Car Wash, Dutch Bros clear zoning hurdles to come to Kokomo

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It's gonna get sudsy around here.

Crew Car Wash approached the Kokomo Board of Zoning Appeals on March 4, seeking a special exception that would allow the business to open at the intersection of Center Road and Ind. 931.

They also requested a variance concerning the transparency of its facade in order to screen the car mechanisms and improve the facility's appearance.

With the approval of the board, the stage is set of Crew to open its second location in Kokomo. The car wash was represented by local developer and Realtor Paul Wyman, who explained the location would add to the 48 Crew Car Wash locations already established.

The investment will amount to approximately $6 million at one of the busiest intersections in the city. The car wash will replace the current BP gas station and convenience store on the southeast corner of the intersection.

"So, what's going to end up happening is we're going to have this location turn into a really beautiful corner in our community, with a great company doing a great business, and one that we know will continually maintain and improve their property over the years," said Wyman.

A concern about access to the property was raised board president John Meyers. Civil engineer Mike Timko of Kimley-Horn, who is helping to develop the site, explained that the access from Center Road will remain unchanged, while the access along Ind. 931 likely will be changed to an exit only.

"I just want it opened," said board member Mike Besser, which was met with laughter.

"We've heard that a time or two," responded Wyman. "Hence, why we're here tonight."

The other case involving a significant retail project was a petition by Milk Crate Development LLC, seeking to open a Dutch Bros Coffee drive-thru in the middle of the Maple Crest Plaza.

The coffee shop developers sought variances to its frontage and signage allowances, considering that the shop would have no frontage along South Washington Street. The building is slated to be constructed immediately west of the Kroger gas station on the Maple Crest property, with Smoothie King located immediately north of the location and Rural King to the south. The variances were approved.

Again, Timko took to the microphone to explain the development.

"For those of you that aren't as familiar with Dutch Brothers, because they are new to the Indiana market, it is a coffee cafe," said Timko. "Their model is slightly different, though, in the fact that they do not have any indoor seating.

"So, it is a drive-thru and walk-up only. But there is a patio as well, for folks that want to be able to stop and enjoy some outdoor time as well."

Dutch Bros offers coffee, tea, latte, energy drinks, lemonades, freezes, shakes, sodas, and smoothies. The company was founded in Oregon in 1992 and began franchising in 2000. At the close of 2024, there were 982 Dutch Bros locations across 18 states. It's 1,000th store opened on Feb. 6, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.

In other board action, Robert Sylvester was granted a special exception to operate a martial arts dojo in his garage at 3155 Congress Drive.

Also, Charlie Reed was granted a variance on the lot size at 319 W. Jefferson St. for the construction of a permanent storage building on the site. It will replace a pair of shipping containers that currently occupy the lot, which is located next to the convenience store on the west side of Washington Street.

Finally, Joe Martino was granted a special exception for a property at 228 W. Butler St. so that he might auction, sell, and store firearms. The property is located immediately north of Martino's Italian Villa at the intersection of Butler and Washington streets.