A redevelopment project is underway to turn the former O’Gorman’s West Towne Auto business at 7105 W. North Ave. into part of the Flash Laundromats chain. Neighbors say they don't have a problem living next to a laundromat. Several of the neighbors, however, are opposed to allowing the new Flash Laundromat to be open for 24 hours a day.
[Update: The Plan Commission voted Feb. 9 on a compromise that would set midnight closing time.]
Some voiced their objections to the Common Council on Jan. 27 at a public hearing on the new business' request for a conditional use permit.
"My main concern is public safety," Rod Gilbert, who lives on the block of North 71st Street behind the planned laundromat. If it is allowed to operate overnight, "I'm afraid of what customers may be attracted to our neighborhood, on the bus line and North Avenue."
Lynne Senkerik, who lives on the same block, raised similar objections. "I'm very concerned about my safety," she said. "I just do not like the idea of 24-hour."
Zoning allows for the operation of a laundromat on the property at 7105 W. North Ave. from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. without additional approval from the city, but a conditional use permit is required to extend those hours overnight.
Ed Hayden, another North 71st Street resident who lives a few blocks north, spoke against granting Flash that permit, saying the zoning condition is intended to give neighbors some control over potentially adverse property uses in their neighborhood.
Flash Laundromats is a regional chain with seven locations, from West Allis to Waukesha, including one in Wauwatosa at 6110 Bluemound Road. As Tosa Forward News first reported in October, the chain purchased the former O'Gorman's property last fall and began converting the interior of the building to accommodate 50 washers and 50 dryers, as well as a children’s play area in the space where the O’Gorman’s car repair bay formerly was.
Flash Laundromats owner Gabriel Bambarakos told Tosa Forward News in October that East Tosa has been eyed as a prime expansion location because of its population density and the high traffic volume on North Avenue. The former O’Gorman’s location was particularly suited for the laundromat because of its on-site parking.
Bambarakos, as well as a Flash marketing official, spoke at the Jan. 27 public hearing seeking to allay the concerns of neighbors. They said 24-hour accessibility is a key part of the laundromat's business plan, and they have taken several steps to ensure it is safe and not a nuisance or danger to the neighborhood.
"We understand we have to manage overnight operations responsibly," Lilly Sidello, the marketing official, told the council as part of a slide presentation during the hearing.
She underscored several measures that Flash Laundromats takes to ensure its overnight operations do not court trouble or cause problems to neighbors. The business will allow no alcohol, parties or loud music, will provide no outdoor seating, will encircle its parking lot with fencing and will pay for additional security measures, including an on-site overnight attendant, on-call security service, surveillance cameras and "roving" security guards to monitor activity at the chain's locations.
Flash Laundromats has said overnight hours are important because many of the chain's clientele are third-shift workers and other residents who appreciate the convenience of doing their laundry outside the traditional work day. This also serves to spread visits out across the full day, reducing traffic during busy daytime hours.
Video of the public hearing can be viewed here. It starts at about the 17-minute mark. Several residents submitted written comments, which can be accessed here, as well as Flash Laundromats' written responses to residents' concerns.
Flash Laundromats' application for a conditional use permit will be discussed next by the Plan Commission at its Feb. 9 meeting. After that, it is scheduled to return to the Common Council for a final decision on Feb. 24.
- David Paulsen, a Tosa East Towne resident and editor of Tosa Forward News, has more than 25 years of experience as a professional journalist. He can be reached at editor@tosanews.com.
