1 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Hoyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Cc: Amanda Ventura; Alexander Hall
Subject: Sept 9, 2025: Agenda Item 16-H
EXTERNAL
Councilmembers,
I truly appreciate that you plan to direct our new city manager to investigate the situation with Waymo's parking lot on Euclid Avenue. It is obviously causing the nearby residents significant distress. It is especially worrying to hear reports of not being able to get out of one's own driveway due to a vehicle without a driver blocking your way. I would be livid.
Personally, I am quite upset that the use of this lot within SMMCN's boundaries was never mentioned during our March 18th monthly public board meeting. Apparently, they had started using it in January and reached out to us in early March asking if we'd like to be updated on their progress. We gave them a speaker slot and yet, somehow, this lot's use was not mentioned at all in their presentation or I'm sure there would have been several questions. I was under the impression that they were running all of their activities out of their operational center in the industrial area of West LA on Westgate and Mississippi.
The Euclid lot was under construction for quite some time, so somebody somewhere must have known about this planned use. I think everyone in the area would like to know more about how this industrial use was authorized in our residential/commercial district. I believe Broadway was designated to be Mixed-Use Boulevard Low and this site does not quite fit into that model.
I do want to emphasize that I am not concerned about the noises affecting children at Pluralistic School 1. Their programming includes not restricting the volume of their attendees in any way, shape, or form. I spent an entire rainy day on 12th Street observing and listening to the school and its activities. The noise level was incredible. It has actually caused folks to move away from the home where they raised their children. So, I do not want to hear any concerns expressed for how Waymo's actions are affecting them. They view noise as self-expression that should not be repressed.
Thank you again for trying to see if anything can be done about this situation. Waymo needs to make this right for our community.
Andrew Hoyer
SMMCN Board President
There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now. - Buddha
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Ellen Hannan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:32 AM
To: Clerk Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Barry Snell; [email protected]; Andrew Hoyer
Subject: Agenda 16H 9/9/2025
EXTERNAL
It is very disturbing to drive in the heavy traffic in Santa Monica. Over the past few weeks I have encountered numerous issues with Waymo cars blocking traffic.
I would be very distressed if I lived near the overnight parking area of Waymo. There have been no issues that I am aware of for the Tesla lot at Santa Monica and 14th St.
Maybe it is because Tesla representatives and City Planning Staff and Mobility Staff met with SM Mid City Neighbors. We made many constructive suggestions regarding the future operations of the site. All of our ideas were incorporated in the plan for the site.
Not that the Tesla owners follow all the rules but at least it appears to work for all of us.
Waymo never mentioned at our meeting with them any plans for an overnight working site in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Auto dealerships have very strict hours.
This work must be considered in a zone plan as automotive repair and servicing.
Ellen Hannan
1218 9th St #6
Santa Monica CA 90401
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: paula achter <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:41 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Why Did Birds Stop Singing on 12th court - ITEM 16 H, Council Meeting 9.9.2025
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
~Two months ago, I sent the complaint below to Waymo (& SM City) asking Waymo to reroute their vehicles through the streets and not the alleys. They did for a short while, but soon they returned to going through our alley.
Since then, I've learned that ALL the impacted neighbors prefer Waymo using the street access despite occasional traffic pile ups. Our alley was never designed for this heavy usage. Waymos pass every 20 seconds 24/7.
I've tried brown noise, white noise, noise curtains and many other devices to kill the noise, but if i wake up at night, i can't go back to sleep. As a senior, my health & sanity are greatly affected by the resulting lack of sleep and peace that i have carefully documented.
There is growing organized resentment and a belief that this project is illegal and was fraudulently approved. The City must support its citizens to end our suffering as Waymo will not voluntarily do so. "I live on the 12th court alleyway in Santa Monica where there are two charging stations servicing >54 Waymo cars. They are routing the approach down my alley... instead of using the streets. All night & day there are wining electric cars ripping past my office and bedroom windows.
There are no setbacks in the alley as in the street. This is unfair to turn my residential neighborhood into an industrial hell for your profit.
Please reroute your cars to use the streets instead of the alleys. Your stations are located at the end of the block and this modification is totally doable. Sincerely, Tired & Pissed Off" Sincerely,
Paula
Paula Achter
resident
1534 Euclid St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025
Item 16-H
September 9, 2025