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Neighbors protest proposed 24-hour laundromat on North Avenue; operator says security and staffing will minimize impacts
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Summary
Flash Laundromats sought a conditional use permit to operate 24 hours at 7105 W. North Ave. Company representatives emphasized security, staffing and noise mitigation; many nearby residents opposed extended hours citing safety and parking concerns. The application goes to Planning Commission Feb. 9 and returns Feb. 24 for Council decision.
Flash Laundromats asked the Wauwatosa Common Council to allow a 24-hour laundromat at 7105 West North Avenue, saying around-the-clock hours are necessary to serve third-shift workers and reduce peak congestion. Lily Sodello, the company’s marketing director, described security measures including nightly security checks by Securitas, a roving security team, an AI-enabled camera system and a 24-hour phone line. She said other Flash locations in Wauwatosa have operated 24/7 with few complaints and that operations would be fully indoors with no alcohol or outdoor seating.
Owner Gabriel Roman and project cooperator Chris Dorner said they will staff the site during extended hours, invest in $150,000 in new HVAC equipment with sound dampers, and work with contractors to reduce mechanical noise. Roman said the company’s data show a meaningful share of customers arrive during hours that would otherwise be closed, and he argued a staffed, well-lit business is preferable to a dark, vacant property.
Multiple neighbors testified in opposition during the public hearing, focusing on public safety, limited on-street parking and the North Avenue overlay that generally restricts late hours. Lynn Sankarick, a nurse who works long shifts, said she does not see a need to use a laundromat at 2 or 3 a.m. and questioned whether proposed roving security checks would be sufficient. Edward Hayden and Roderick Gilbert cited prior late-night incidents on North Avenue and said extended hours would attract disorderly behavior; Gilbert noted concerns about burglaries and “grab-and-run” crimes tied to coin-operated machines.
Councilmembers and staff did not make a final decision; planning staff said the item will go before the Planning Commission on Feb. 9 and return to the Common Council for final approval on Feb. 24.
The hearing record includes company commitments to staff overnight shifts, coordinate HVAC mitigation and maintain on-site security; neighbors asked the Planning Commission and council to preserve the intent of the North Avenue overlay by denying extended overnight operations.
