The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission voted to deny an amendment to the Casaub Travel Center application that would have replaced a previously approved drive‑through restaurant with a 3,600‑square‑foot express car wash and 15 vacuum spaces.

Nancy Winn, principal planner with the Community Development Department, summarized staff's report: the modification requests a conditional use permit and commercial design review because a car wash is a new use in the applicable zone. “The modification is only a change in land use,” Winn said, and staff prepared an addendum to the project's adopted mitigated negative declaration, concluding the change does not require further environmental analysis.

Abraham Aga, one of the project partners, told the commission he had no questions and that the staff report covered the application thoroughly. Public testimony and commissioner comments focused on on‑site queueing, off‑site traffic, water reclamation and whether the modification undercuts the original intent of the project as an RV fueling stop.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on traffic. The record shows a traffic impact analysis tied to the original approval was prepared in March 2019; staff said the applicant's memo indicated the car wash would generate roughly 450–500 fewer vehicle trips than the restaurant it would replace. Commissioners remained concerned that current and planned nearby development (including recent and proposed fuel stations and retail) had materially changed traffic conditions since the earlier TIA.

Several commissioners urged water‑conservation conditions. One suggested requiring a 75% closed‑loop water reclamation system, citing regional standards used by cities such as Riverside and Irvine. Commissioners also asked for a “no U‑turn” sign at Collier Avenue if the project were approved.

Vice Chair Carroll moved an alternate motion to deny the application; Commissioner Devore seconded. The commission voted to reject the staff recommendation and deny the modification (alternate motion carried, recorded as 5–0 in the minutes). The record shows commissioners who voted for denial expressed concerns that the change would dilute the project’s original RV‑focused purpose and could worsen congestion at nearby intersections.

The commission's decision denies the amendment; the original Casaub Travel Center approval remains the underlying entitlement unless further action is taken by the applicant.