Culver City Eyes Regulations As Autonomous Vehicle Fleets Expand

CULVER CITY, CA — With autonomous vehicles becoming an increasingly common presence on Southern California streets, Culver City officials announced Wednesday they are considering zoning regulations governing facilities used to operate, maintain and store fleets of driverless vehicles.

The proposed regulations would apply to operations supporting fleets of three or more autonomous vehicles, including facilities used for vehicle charging, cleaning and light maintenance, software servicing, storage and administrative operations. Facilities used only for vehicle charging would not be covered because they are already regulated under state law and the Culver City Code.

Culver City's proposal comes as other Southern California cities grapple with the growth of autonomous vehicle operations and the facilities needed to support fleets of driverless taxis.

In neighboring Santa Monica, officials adopted emergency zoning regulations in July governing autonomous vehicle fleet facilities following complaints about noise, lights and traffic associated with Waymo operations near residential neighborhoods.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction July 27 requiring Waymo to halt overnight operations at two Santa Monica facilities after the city sued, alleging the operations constituted a public nuisance. The California Court of Appeal temporarily stayed the injunction Aug. 14 while Waymo's challenge proceeds, allowing 24-hour operations to resume.

Culver City officials have cited concerns about impacts experienced in Santa Monica while developing regulations intended to prevent similar conflicts involving autonomous vehicle fleet facilities.

Under the proposed framework, autonomous vehicle fleet facilities would be permitted in certain mixed-use zones but prohibited in residential zones, within 100 feet of residential zones and in downtown Culver City.

Facilities also would be prohibited next to hospitals, fire and police stations and other public safety facilities.

The regulations are intended to address potential effects of around- the-clock fleet operations on nearby neighborhoods, businesses, streets and emergency services, according to the city.

Among other provisions, operators would be required to prevent vehicle queuing, staging and idling from blocking streets, bus stops, accessible facilities and emergency access.

The proposal also would establish requirements for vehicles entering, exiting, circulating and parking on-site, while limiting towing, loading, deliveries, repairs, vacuuming and other potentially disruptive activities during nighttime and early-morning hours.

Screening, landscaping and other measures would be required to reduce noise and light affecting neighboring properties.

At least one employee would have to be present whenever a facility is operating, and operators would be required to publicly post a 24-hour emergency contact who could respond to problems at the site.

The framework also calls for an administrative review process allowing operators to propose alternatives to certain site-design or operating requirements. Any alternative would have to provide an equivalent level of protection for public health and safety without affecting emergency access.

The Culver City Council is expected to consider the proposed regulations at a public hearing Sept. 14.

Residents can submit comments through the city's website, www.culvercity.gov/Home, until 3 p.m. that day for consideration before the hearing, and members of the public also can address the council during the hearing.

City News Service