Residents ask Sierra Madre City Council to limit 24-hour laundromat hours amid overnight disturbances
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Summary
Neighbors near a 24-hour laundromat on West Sierra Madre Boulevard presented a petition asking the council to consider restricting operating hours, citing late-night noise, fights, property damage and public-safety concerns; staff said current law may not prohibit 24-hour operation and suggested the council consider an ordinance if desired.
A group of residents near the 370 West Sierra Madre Boulevard laundromat urged the City Council on June 10 to restrict the business's overnight hours, presenting a petition they said was signed by dozens of neighbors.
Robert Gutierrez, who identified himself as a nearby resident, described a pattern of sustained nighttime disturbances outside the laundromat including car alarms, loud music, yelling and on occasion arrests; he said residents have found empty beer cans and broken bottles and that the odor of drugs has sometimes drifted into homes. Gutierrez said there is no on'site security at the 24'hour operation and said relying on police at 3 a.m. is not a realistic solution for many who simply want to get back to sleep.
He requested the council consider limiting the laundromat's hours, suggesting an evening closing window (for example 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and asked the council to consider an ordinance addressing overnight operations for businesses, saying the neighborhood values peace and safety.
Council members did not take formal action on the request during the meeting and no staff recommendation appeared on the agenda; City staff noted there may currently be no code provision restricting 24'hour businesses. Gutierrez's petition was entered into the record and the council heard other routine public comments at the meeting, including unrelated items. The council did not schedule a follow'up in the meeting minutes provided.
