San Francisco Residents Awake at Night by Tesla Charging Lot Noise and Disputes
Residents living near a Tesla charging lot in San Francisco are reporting severe sleep disturbances caused by what they describe as "arrogant" owners blaring music and engaging in heated arguments over parking spots. The busy lot on Lombard Street transforms into a nightly hub of activity shortly after local bars close, with dozens of drivers arriving to charge their vehicles.
Noise and Congestion Plague Neighborhood
Long lines of cars frequently pile up and spill onto nearby roads, including Moulton Street, where resident Laurel Calsoni finds herself lying awake at night waiting for the noise to subside. "Peaceful enjoyment of my apartment has been nonexistent," Calsoni told local media outlet SFGate. The 24-hour charging station, situated close to Calsoni's apartment, is one of the few of its kind in the city, according to reports.
Locals indicate that the noise peaks from Friday through Sunday, with disruptions sometimes persisting until 5 a.m. "It's the bass," Calsoni explained, referring to the loud music emanating from vehicles. She recounted that her attempts to ask drivers to lower the volume were met with hostility rather than cooperation.
Formal Complaints Filed with City Authorities
The situation grew so persistent and disruptive that Calsoni and her neighbors filed a formal complaint with the city's planning department in early February. In the document, they labeled the scenario a "nightmare" and branded the unmanned lot a "nuisance." The complaint detailed, "Tesla’s are numerous and blast their music while charging. Day and night at all hours. The bass and music thunders into my building. Then there are partiers in the lot along with some non-Tesla’s parked there late at night."
Residents called for increased oversight of the charging lot, suggesting measures such as fencing and restricting its 24-hour availability. "A 24-hour unmanned lot is subject to exactly what is happening. Whose idea was this? The permit for this lot needs to be modified," the complaint concluded. Additionally, residents disputed receiving advance warnings about the lot's operations, with one stating, "I did not get such a letter and my apartment overlooks this lot."
Traffic and Safety Concerns Escalate
Another nearby resident, Ray Whelan, submitted a letter to District Two Supervisor Stephen Sherill's office, highlighting daily congestion issues from both sides of the lot. Whelan described competition for spaces and constant honking of car horns during nighttime hours. Having lived on Moulton Street for five years, Whelan expressed that he does not wish to shut down the lot but believes traffic control is essential, proposing a one-way traffic system as a potential solution.
Online reviews of the lot on Google echo these concerns. One review noted, "Very difficult to access because of SEVERE traffic backup on Moulton Street. Left my car for ten minutes while charging and it was vandalized." Another review labeled the lot a "safety issue" that has "severely disrupted community life," urging city intervention to prevent potential injuries from traffic incidents. A third review described the lot as a "nightmare" with issues like loud music, bass vibrations, and piled-up garbage, calling for better management.
City Response and Ongoing Discussions
In response to the complaints, a building manager has erected signs advising drivers to minimize noise. Supervisor Stephen Sherill issued a statement acknowledging resident concerns, saying, "I have heard and appreciate the concerns raised by residents. While conversations are ongoing and it's too early to speak to specific interventions, my team is working closely with the property owner, the Planning Department and SFMTA to identify solutions that address increased traffic on Moulton Street and evening noise, while allowing the electric vehicle charging station to continue serving the community."
Media outlets have reached out to Tesla, the San Francisco Planning Department, and Supervisor Sherill's office for further comment, as residents await potential resolutions to restore peace to their neighborhood.
