Letters to the Editor 3-13-14

Sebastopol’s Rotten core
Editor: As a resident of this community, I am amazed what a business can get away with. For years my neighborhood has suffered from unbearable and excessive noise generated by the Rotten Robbie Gas Station and Car Wash in downtown Sebastopol.
The noise levels increased substantially two years ago when the company renovated the car wash without consulting the city or the neighborhood about the noise implications of the changes. It is ironic that the vision statement claims that the company prides itself on being a “good neighbor.”
We have experienced little interest about our concerns from this company, which conducts it business substantially outside the restrictions that the city imposed over 20 years ago when it approved a car wash at this location.
My husband and I chose to buy a house downtown because we love to live in the middle of this wonderful community, where we can reach everything by foot. Nevertheless, the ideal of Sebastopol as a people-friendly, green and attractive town has not been met for us.
Every day we are forced to endure the awful sounds coming from the gas station. We hear an automated loud voice giving instructions to customers, night-time delivery of goods, disruptive sounds of the high-pressure washer and most importantly the unbearable high-pitched whine of the turbo “air blade” blower, which runs for several seconds after each car passes through. Even with closed windows, these sounds penetrate every corner of our house.
I am deeply troubled that this business is able to operate in a fashion that makes living in the heart of Sebastopol a true nightmare.
Susanne Tolksdorf
Sebastopol