Jilly's Car Wash plans to open a new location in Mequon despite concerns from residents

Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
Jilly's Car Wash is planning on opening a new location in Mequon in March 2023. Mequon Planning Commission approved the plan on May 23, 2022.
Jilly's Car Wash is planning on opening a new location in Mequon in March 2023. Mequon Planning Commission approved the plan on May 23, 2022.

A new carwash is coming to Mequon after city officials approved the proposal despite concerns from residents over the potential for noise pollution and decreasing property values.

Jilly's Car Wash plans to open its fifth location at 10829 N. Port Washington Road and plans to debut in March 2023.

Owner Jon Zimmerman said he's received multiple requests to open a Mequon location after opening the Glendale location. He said he never expected that some community members would disapprove of the proposal for the new location.

"I was very surprised. The noise from Port Road is going to be much greater than anything we produce," said Zimmerman.

Neighbors highlighted their concerns at the May 23 Planning Commission meeting. Concerns included noise pollution, decreasing property values for nearby condos and pedestrian safety.

Gary Balcerzak, who lives in the Winding Hollow Condominiums, opposed the project.

"We have absolutely no animosity toward Jilly's. In fact, my household has a monthly membership at the Glendale location. We have nothing against another carwash in Mequon," said Balcerzak at the meeting. "What we adamantly oppose is a carwash in this residential location."

The carwash will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, according to the proposal. To address noise concerns, staff recommended the noise level not exceed 70 decibels at the property line. But neighbors say tey want the carwash to be even quieter. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 70 decibels is about the noise level of a dishwasher or washing machine. Normal conversation is typically about 60 decibels, and a motorcycle engine is about 95 decibels.

Once the car wash in Mequon opens, it will be Jilly's fifth location in Wisconsin. The business started in 2010 when Zimmeran and his wife Jill, who the car wash was named after, bought an existing car wash in Elm Grove.

Contact Alex Groth at agroth@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @grothalexandria. 

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jilly's Car Wash set to open new location in Mequon