Santa Monica Demands Halt to Waymo’s Overnight Charging Operations Amid Resident Complaints
In a move reflecting ongoing tensions between urban development and community tranquility, Santa Monica’s City Council has unanimously voted to halt overnight charging operations at two Waymo autonomous vehicle stations. The decision follows months of resident complaints about noise disturbances from the electric vehicle services.
On November 18th, the Council directed Waymo, along with the property owner and lessees, to cease all overnight activities at the charging sites. Interim City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln indicated that failure to comply by Wednesday would prompt legal action from the city.
The city’s grievance, conveyed through a formal letter, identifies the noise and lighting from the charging stations as violations of municipal and civil codes, branding them a public nuisance. Despite this, Waymo and Voltera, the Virginia-based operator of the stations, have yet to show any sign of yielding to the directive.
In a letter dated November 20, Waymo countered the city’s stance, asserting a “misunderstanding of the Property’s permitted use,” which they claim includes overnight charging. “It became clear that the City is instead attempting to halt all uses at the Property, regardless of existing permit rights or state law,” Waymo’s letter stated.
Residents living near the charging sites, located at the intersection of Euclid Street and Broadway, have voiced concerns over incessant noise from the self-driving Jaguars. Federal regulations necessitate that electric vehicles emit sounds for safety, yet locals argue the disturbances persist despite Waymo’s efforts to mitigate them.
Santa Monica has formally requested the cessation of operations between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. “The City has received many complaints from neighboring residents regarding the Broadway Lots,” reads the city’s letter, emphasizing the disruption to residents’ peace.
While a city spokesperson was unavailable for comment, Waymo expressed a commitment to maintaining operations within Santa Monica. “We’ve been engaging with the city since day one of our operations,” a Waymo spokesperson stated, highlighting attempts to adjust site operations in response to community feedback.
Efforts by Waymo to reduce noise include planting vegetation as a buffer. Voltera’s Vice President for Marketing, Jonathan Colbert, emphasized compliance with applicable regulations, stating, “Voltera constructed these facilities in accordance with applicable regulations, and the City approved that construction.”
Waymo’s operations allow for 56 vehicles to charge simultaneously at the two stations. As the company expands its autonomous vehicle network in Los Angeles County, the lack of prior notice to residents about the charging stations has fueled discontent.
Frustrated residents have reportedly taken direct action, blocking access to the lots with cones or standing in driveways, resulting in police intervention and an unsuccessful restraining order attempt by Waymo against a protestor. The city claims over 40 complaints were received from 15 individuals, with a notable incident on November 2, where a blockage of Waymo vehicles presented a potential safety hazard.
This standoff between Waymo and Santa Monica residents may illustrate broader challenges for the company as it continues to widen its operational footprint. In June, Waymo announced plans to expand its service area to cover 120 square miles in Los Angeles County, including key neighborhoods and local freeways.
Original Story at www.latimes.com