There is power in letting your voice be heard.

Ten days before the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) September meeting, word started spreading about a threatening proposal for the grassy lot on the northwest side of North Main and Auburn streets.

Application #035-25 had been filed to rezone the entire block to C-2 (higher-density commercial) and build a high-volume automated chain car wash.

“Don’t bother trying to stop this,” we kept hearing. “It’s a done deal.” “You are up against some big players.”

The lot is owned by Dyn Auburn LLC, a subsidiary of First Midwest Group, one of the region’s leading developers. Its founder was given a key to the city this year. Club Car Wash, named on the zoning application, is one of the fastest growing chains in an industry booming nationwide. Lik

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