Narrative
August 20, 2021
Bill Parsons
Planning Supervisor
City of Meridian – Current Planning Group
33 E. Broadway Ave, Suite 102
Meridian, ID 83642
RE: Epic Shine Carwash | 1653 S Meridian Road
Certification of Zoning | PN 121098
Dear Mr. Parsons,
The following is a project narrative for the construction of a one-story carwash and associated site work,
located at 1653 S Meridian Road:
The construction of the project will take place on parcel: R5652350020 which is currently zoned (C-G)
general retail and service commercial, which permits this type of use. There are existing commercial
businesses surrounding the current site on all sides. The building size is approximately 7,069 square feet.
The building’s exterior has been designed to meet current City design standards and has taken into
consideration the adjacent commercial context, conceptually the building’s is derived from a modern
rectilinear design language.
The material palette is intended to provide a balance of contrast and an accent of warmth throughout
the exterior design. A white/gray stucco is the main field building material that ties the extent of the
design. White metal panels have also been used to supplement a textural difference to break up
facades. Warmth is brought to the building with the western red cedar wood grained metal siding
applied to chimney elements at the entry and exit of the building. The fenestration throughout the
building invites natural light within the building as well as serves to provide the fenestration
requirements within the design guidelines. The major accent material that provides the most contrast is
the dark gray metal panels. In addition, contrast is provided with the use of the black metal accents on
the roofing, canopy elements, and fenestration.
The south façade serves as the entry into the carwash tunnel. The tower element consists of dark gray
metal panel cladding with white/gray stucco providing a break in materiality towards top. Fenestration
wraps the top to provide natural daylight and visual interest at varying hours--due to lantern effect at
night (which is also the case for the north elevation). Two layered roof planes sit atop the towers to
emphasize and establish a linear design language. A black canopy above the car tunnel door extends
horizontally to the adjacent office to provide a cohesive look with the linear roof design and bring the
scale of the building towards the pedestrian. The vertical metal wood-grained chimney anchors the
horizontal nature of the building.
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The west façade consists of the car wash tunnel and towers on either side. This elevation is broken up
with the contrast of the dark gray metal panels at the center and the white/grey stucco with a concrete
wainscot. In addition, clerestory fenestration flanks the metal panels on both sides at the underside of
the roof and provides natural daylight. Since there is a rise in elevation at this façade black trellis
elements have been added to provide a growing medium for plants and serve as a ‘window’ of greenery.
The canopy elements above this trellis aid in creating further visual interest and break up the use of the
metal panels. The towers and vertical chimney provide a focal point for pedestrians as well as provide an
undulation of varying roof heights.
The east elevation consists of the office spaces and mechanical room for housing the car wash
equipment. The scale of building is brought down to address the pedestrian scale while also keeping a
rectilinear massing. The building façade is broken up by recessing a portion of the building at the center.
The materials used at this location to provide contrast are the white and dark gray metal panels. The
white metal panels tie in with the main field white/gray stucco but provide a textural difference to help
provide a subtle change in materiality. Along the base the building is grounded with a natural-colored
concrete wainscot.
The design intent with mechanical is to have it serve the building without being obtrusive. Mechanical
equipment and units will be placed on the lower office/mechanical rooftop with the parapet used to
screen, preventing vision of the units from the ground.
As part of the attached amended Development Agreement there is no conditional use permit required
for our proposed use. The site has been designed to conform to all City requirements and standards.
Thank you for reviewing our application for Building Permit approval. Please contact us if you have any
questions or require further information.
Sincerely,
Phil Hull, Principal
The Land Group, Inc.