Dear WeHo:
I’m writing with outrage and desperation on behalf of the residents surrounding Le Montrose Hotel in West Hollywood. What’s happening here is a public health nightmare — and somehow, it’s being allowed to continue.
For more than seven weeks, the hotel has been running a massive diesel generator right under our windows — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What was supposed to last 15 days has turned into a never-ending nightmare of toxic exhaust fumes, constant rumbling noise, and a chemical smell so strong it seeps into our homes and lungs.
We are physically sick — headaches, nausea, sore throats, anxiety, loss of sleep. The ground shakes non-stop, our walls vibrate, and our pets are showing signs of distress. This is environmental torture, and it’s happening in the middle of West Hollywood, a city that prides itself on safety, health, and quality of life.
The worst part? The hotel management’s condescending and dismissive attitude toward everyone who has complained. Instead of acting responsibly, they double down — gaslighting residents, pretending it’s under control, and showing zero compassion for the people forced to breathe diesel fumes in their own homes.
How does a hotel get away with this? Where are the City inspectors, Code Enforcement, and Environmental Health authorities? This generator is a serious health hazard and a violation of basic human decency. No resident should have to live like this — it’s cruel, unsafe, and illegal.
We are begging for immediate intervention from the City of West Hollywood. Shut this generator down. Protect your residents. This is not just a noise issue — it’s toxic exposure and mental anguish inflicted daily by a business that clearly values profit over people.
This situation has gone far beyond inconvenience — it’s inhumane. And we will not be silent about it any longer.
Sincerely,
Leo Soares
On behalf of the residents living near Le Montrose Hotel
West Hollywood, CA
You’ll have to sue or take matters into your own hands vigilante style
Environmentally friendly alternatives to diesel generators exist including renewable energy sources like solar & wind power, with battery storage systems for continuous power. A microgrid system is needed for this to fully work. There are clean fuel generators using hydrogen producing zero emissions which are highly efficient and, run quietly. For NOW Biodiesel Generators have far fewer emissions than fossil fuel diesel. When Rudolf Diesel invented his engine he intended it to run on peanut oil & other oils that farmers produced, it was the fossil fuel companies that later took over the market with their version of “diesel fuel.”
If it is 9005 Cynthia, my former building, they shouldn’t care. The Condo association there let illegal construction go on and there were constant noxious fumes from their tar they were putting into the unit flowing into mine.
This would never happen if Jeanne Dobrin still lived at 9000 Cynthia!
This is pretty outrageous and simply allowing it to go on is an assault on the residents of the Norma Triangle. The permit should reflect the number of days this remediation or repair could go on. The dismissive attitude of the hotel management reflects the same attitude about their new name and location (allegedly Beverly Hills). Code enforcement should disconnect this thing immediately.
Ugh, “Montrose at Beverly Hills” (their new name despite their website being MontroseWestHollywood.com which is hugely confusing) obviously isn’t being a good neighbor and the city, as always, chooses businesses over residents. These are horrible conditions you’ve described and I’d strongly advise you and your neighbors to consult with an attorney on a lawsuit, naming the hotel and city. Even if there are immediate changes, you still have a case based on the time you’ve had to live with this ridiculous ordeal.
I sent emails to every city Council member. Then to be directed to Danny Rivas in code compliance, who then directs himself to the permit fixing people. I mean fixing as in $ payoffs! Danny states that they were given the permits for this project. Even though I pointed out that this generator is against city code 9.08, chapter 9, 19, 13 for construction land use standards. Also being a noise nuisance for idling machinery. Since September 8th till today still and ongoing. This nasty Hotel has a huge garage or shut down the business for your electrical upgrade. The… Read more »