Laundromat concern in New Haven

New Haven (WTNH) - An all-night laundromat is just in the planning stages. But, some residents say they're worried the business would attract more than just those looking to do laundry.

It's not an attractive site now and even though there's an idea to build a sparkling new Laundromat there, there's a great show of hands of who's against it.

"We think there could be a higher and better use for this site," Elizer Greer, of New Haven, said.

A proposed Laundromat, at the corner of Whalley Avenue and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard in New Haven, has neighbors worried that it will be a hot zone for loitering, trash, and crime. Neighborhood activist Greer leads the charge.

"This is something that would not be advantageous, not enhance Whalley Avneue," Greer said.

But New Haven Attorney Anthony Avallone argued at a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing that this is not the issue. "This is not a request for a use variance," he said.

Avallone represents two brothers who own a chain of Precision Laundromats across the state. If the next  Precision is to go here, then the key is parking.
Avallone says the city requires one parking space for every 200 square feet of net space. With about 2,400 square feet, they need 12 spaces and Precision will provide thirteen.

"There's sufficient parking to have a Laundromat here, the fact that people don't like a Laundromat, is not the issue," Avallone said.

But, neighbors showed pictures of other Laundromats owned by Precision where they say parking lots are beyond capacity. A decision is yet to be made. And, the question now is will this lot be filled with Laundromat customers  or something else?

"This is a Laundromat that desires to have dozens of dozens of machines, which will create a backlog of traffic in the parking lot in a residential neighborhood," Greer said.