Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Noise Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wheat Ridge residents press council on persistent car‑wash noise; city says business cited and faces May 1 court date
Summary
Neighbors described constant daytime and nighttime noise from a four‑bay car wash that they say disrupts sleep and work. City staff said the business has been cited for a noise‑ordinance violation and a court date and pre‑mediation conference are scheduled for May 1.
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — Neighbors and a local veterinarian told Wheat Ridge City Council Monday that a car wash on 40th Avenue is producing persistent, disruptive noise that is affecting sleep, work and pets; city staff said the property has been cited under the municipal noise ordinance and will appear in court May 1.
Residents who live near the business described continuous operation of multiple bays and associated blowers and vacuums. Veterinarian Jan Facinelli said she spent three hours outside on a recent Saturday and “measured 80 to 85 to 88 decibels,” and that the constancy of the noise — not just peak levels — makes it intolerable. “It’s the constancy that wears you down,” she said.
Neighbor Gretchen Josten said the noise has forced her family to shift living room use to the back of the home. “We went to the mountains this weekend, and I could still hear the ringing in my ears,” she told council.
City Manager Dylan Goff told council the city has cited the car wash for violating the noise ordinance and that the business has a court date this Thursday, May 1. “We’ve been working with them in the meantime to come up with some solutions,” Goff said, and staff expects a pre‑mediation conference before the court hearing.
City staff did not announce an enforcement outcome Monday; they said the matter is scheduled for court and that the city will continue to explore remedies and mitigation measures. Speakers asked the city to consider requiring the business to add acoustic panels or fencing and to pursue other measures to reduce nighttime and early‑morning disturbance.
Facinelli also quoted the city’s noise definition addressing unreasonable disturbance: it “continues for 15 minutes in a 2 hour period,” language she said the car wash exceeds on many weekends. Several residents said the noise had health effects, including stress and insomnia, and said it may be decreasing property values. Multiple speakers asked for a stronger and swifter municipal response and for follow up from staff to ensure compliance.
What’s next: City staff said it will pursue the court process and mediation this week and continue discussions with the business about operational changes. Neighbors said they have shared video and sound recordings with staff and intend to follow up on outcomes after the court appearance.
