Greenfield council approves expanded Mega Laundromat after neighbor safety, parking concerns

The Greenfield Common Council on Jan. 21 approved a special-use permit and site-plan changes allowing Mega Laundromat to expand into space at 4101 West Howard Avenue, with operating hours limited to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The vote came after residents and the property owner discussed security, parking and building-condition concerns during a public hearing. Gina, city planner, noted that the Planning Commission recommended approval at its Dec. 11 meeting and that the applicant and the commission had agreed on the hours of operation as "6 AM to 10 PM daily."

The expansion will convert space formerly occupied by a tanning salon and a hair salon; the applicant said the enlarged laundromat will result in "34,100 square feet" of space used for the laundromat and will create two residential units in the lower portion of the building. Gina told the council the building will require a number of exterior and site upgrades, including power-washing…