Splash Laundry expansion appeal

The shopping center's manager and contractor explained the laundromat has anchored the 1973 center for 53 years and the expansion wouldn't change the exterior — just add dryers and folding space.

The laundromat's owner said the denial caught him off guard after a $500,000 renovation and $400,000 in new equipment; he's one of the city's top water customers and gathered a couple hundred supporting signatures in days.

The contractor and center facilities manager argued the laundromat has operated cleanly since 1964 and deserves the chance to expand into vacant space for needed dryers.

The laundromat owner argued his business is well-run and essential, questioned why laundromats are banned citywide, and asked the board for support, saying he has $200,000 in machines ready.