Waymo charging station has neighbors up in arms

Waymo noise, Waymo problems.

Dozens of residents near the intersection of Broadway and Euclid Street have signed a petition urging relief from the “noise pollution” caused by a nearby Waymo charging station.

Christopher Potter — who is leading the effort on Change.org — calls the constant beeping from the driverless vehicles “an incessant disturbance that hinders both our tranquillity during the day and our peace during the night.”

Potter and other neighbors say they have taken their concerns to both Waymo and the City of Santa Monica but received no relief.   Taking matters into his own hands, one resident was handed a restraining order after allegedly trying to block the futuristic taxi cars from entering the charging area.

In statements to the Santa Monica Daily Press, Waymo said it is in “ongoing conversations” with the City, but notes that “noise levels did not rise to the level of a violation of the City’s Exterior Noise Standards.”  The City, meanwhile, maintains it has “no jurisdiction to regulate Waymo’s operations.”