Mishawaka Common Council votes in favor of new Drive & Shine location

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (WNDU) - Mishawaka residents living near the Bypass could have a new place to get their cars ready for the road. On Tuesday, common council members voted on a proposal for another Drive & Shine location to be constructed. Plans call for it to be built on a 4.3-acre of unused property off Bremen Highway - across from Meijer and next to Taco Bell.

Councilman Mike Compton (D-5th District) remarked Drive & Shine has been a good community business and that he intends to support a new location being built.

“I don’t have issue with it,” said Compton. “I think development in our community where it creates some more jobs, gives people more opportunity. I, I don’t have issue with it at all, unless there’s something that comes up tonight unknown, I will likely support this.”

Compton said it is unclear when construction would begin on the car wash facility, considering Drive & Shine is currently building a location in the Twin Branch area of Mishawaka.

The common council voted to go forward with plans for the Drive and Shine with a vote total of 8-0 on Tuesday night.

Annexation, rezoning plans for land near Toll Road

On Monday, the Mishawaka Common Council is also holding a public hearing, pursuant to state law, on a proposed annexation measure near Exit 83 and Cleveland Road.

Mishawaka Common Council President Gregg Hixenbaugh (D-At-Large) said the 51 acres are currently in St. Joseph County. The annexation plans also include rezoning the land to make it suitable for possible automotive uses, such as a dealership or service shop.

Hixenbaugh said it’s a legitimate question for the community to wonder when such land should be left alone. However, he added there have been long-term plans to develop the area near Beacon Parkway.

“We’ve made an investment to try to spur development in the area. So at this point time, [leaving the land undeveloped] would thwart the vision that we had for investing in the area, in particular to maximize the advantages that the Toll Road exit brings to those who want to locate a business in that area,” said Hixenbaugh.

It’s likely the common council will vote on this proposal at the next meeting on September 19.

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