UC Press Building 2120 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA

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1 CONSTRUCTION NOISE REDUCTION PROGRAM FOR: UC Press Building 2120 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA RGD Project #: PREPARED FOR: Berkeley Way, LLC 1958A University Ave. Berkeley, CA PREPARED BY: Harold S. Goldberg, P.E. Principal DATE: 15 November 2017

2 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 1 1. Introduction The proposed project is a renovation of an existing three-story office building and the construction of a three-story addition resulting in a six-story office building with ground floor retail space. Existing uses near the project site that would be affected by construction noise include the Bachenheimer Apartments to the south which is 5 feet from the UC Press Building and has four stories of residences above a podium level. The upper floor of the apartment building overlooks the existing UC Press Building and will be adjacent to the upper floor addition to the UC Press Building. Existing commercial buildings are located to the west. There is an existing 6 foot high block wall between the commercial buildings and the UC Press Building site. The commercial buildings include the Channel Center/Church which is in a two story building set back from Berkeley Way. The remaining buildings on the block are part of the Acheson Commons redevelopment project and will be vacant during the UC Press Building construction period. The UC Berkeley Building (Berkeley Way West) to the north across Berkeley Way is under construction and not currently occupied. 2. Construction Noise Criteria 2.1. City of Berkeley Municipal Code Section B(7) Specific Prohibitions for Construction/Demolition a. Operating or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration, or demolition work before 7:00 a.m. on a weekday (or before 9:00 a.m. on a weekend or holiday) or after 7:00 p.m. on a weekday (or after 8:00 p.m. on a weekend or holiday) such that the sound therefrom across a residential or commercial real property line violates Section or , except for emergency work of public service utilities or by variance issued by the EHD. (This section shall not apply to the use of domestic power tools as specified in subsection B.11 of this section.) b. Noise Restrictions at Affected Properties. Where technically and economically feasible, construction activities shall be conducted in such a manner that the maximum sound levels at affected properties will not exceed those listed in the following schedule: 1 See Appendix A

3 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 2 AT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES: Mobile Equipment. Maximum sound levels for nonscheduled, intermittent, short-term operation (less than 10 days) of mobile equipment: Table R-1, R-2 Residential R-3 and above Multi- Family Residential Commercial/Industrial Weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Weekends 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and legal holidays 75 dba 80 dba 85 dba 60 dba 65 dba 70 dba Stationary Equipment. Maximum sound levels for repetitively scheduled and relatively long term operation (period of 10 days or more) of stationary equipment: Table R-1, R-2 Residential R-3 and above Multi- Family Residential Commercial/Industrial Weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Weekends 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and legal holidays 60 dba 65 dba 70 dba 50 dba 55 dba 60 dba

4 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page Condition of Approval 12 Construction Noise Management Public Notice Required 2.3. Condition of Approval 13 Construction Noise Reduction Program

5 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page Condition of Approval 30 Construction Hours 3. Noise Environment The major noise source in the vicinity of the project is traffic on the nearby roadways which include Berkeley Way, Shattuck Avenue and University Avenue. Noise from construction occurring at the Berkeley Way West Complex to the north is also audible on and around the UC Press project site. Figure 1 shows the project site and nearby land uses. A major redevelopment project called Acheson Commons is scheduled to be constructed at the same time as the UC Press Building project. The Acheson Commons project is the renovation and reuse of existing historic commercial buildings along the north side of University Avenue between Shattuck and Walnut. Acheson Commons includes new residential units above the existing historic commercial buildings, a new building including a parking garage and dwelling units at the corner of Walnut and Berkeley Way. The project also includes adaptive reuse/repurposing of the upper floors (2-4) of the historic Acheson Building from business to residential. Construction activities for the Acheson project will contribute to the noise environment at the buildings that are adjacent to the UC Press Building project site.

6 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 5 Figure 1: Project Site and Nearby Land Uses 4. Construction Noise Reduction Program The UC Press project will renovate an existing building. Some of the noisiest activities will occur in the beginning of a project such as the use of diesel equipment associated with grading, excavating and pouring of concrete foundations. Since the existing building shell will remain mostly intact, noise associated with typical demolition and early grading of the

7 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 6 site will not occur and will be significantly less than an entirely new building. The first phase of construction will include use of concrete saws, jackhammers and small impact hammers to break concrete and remove the roof for access to the interior of the building. Most of the foundation work will occur inside the building so that the existing building shell will tend to reduce the transfer of noise to any nearby occupied buildings. The next phase is construction of the building s structural steel framework. The dominant noise sources during this phase is the cutting and fastening of the structural steel and metal decking with saws and pneumatic tools. The structural steel will be pre-fabricated offsite to minimize cutting at the site. During this phase, there will also be concrete trucks and pumps used to pour the concrete floors. There will also be noise from the diesel motors associated with a crane. Once the building shell is complete, much of the finish work will occur indoors. Therefore, the noise from these activities will be reduced by the building itself. The following summarizes the specific noise mitigation measures required by the project conditions of approval along with some additional recommended measures that will be incorporated into the noise reduction program Measures Required by Project Conditions of Approval Public Notice (COA #12) At least two weeks prior to initiating any construction activities at the site the applicant shall provide notice to businesses and residences within 500 feet of the project site the following: 1. Project description 2. Description of construction activities 3. Daily construction schedule (i.e. time of day) and expected duration (number of months) 4. Name and phone number of the Noise Management Individual for the project 5. Commitment to notify neighbors at least four days in advance of authorized extended work hours and the reason for extended hours 6. That construction work is about to commence 7. Designate a construction liaison responsible for responding to any local complaints about construction noise. Liaison to institute reasonable measures to correct the problem along with a copy of such notice and methodology for distributing the notice to City for review and approval

8 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 7 Construction noise reduction (COA #13) Construction equipment should be well maintained and used judiciously to be as quiet as practical Equip all internal combustion engine-driven equipment with mufflers, which are in good condition and appropriate for the equipment Utilize quiet models of air compressors and other stationary noise sources where technology exists. Select hydraulically or electrically powered equipment and avoid pneumatically powered equipment where feasible Locate stationary noise-generating equipment as far as possible from sensitive receptors when adjoining construction sites. Construct temporary noise barriers or partial enclosures to acoustically shield such equipment where feasible. Prohibit unnecessary idling of internal combustion engines If impact pile driving is required, pre-drill foundation pile holes to minimize the number of impacts required to seat the pile Construction solid plywood fences around construction sites adjacent to operational residences or other noise-sensitive land uses where the noise control plan analysis determines that a barrier would be effective at reducing noise. Erect temporary noise control blanket barriers, if necessary, along building facades facing construction sites. This mitigation would only be necessary if conflicts occurred which were irresolvable by proper scheduling. Noise control blanket barriers can be rented and quickly erected. Route construction related traffic along major roadways and away from sensitive receptors where feasible. Construction Hours (COA #30) 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday No construction Sunday or Federal Holiday Extension of working hours allowed under certain circumstances with approval of zoning administrator and notice to neighboring businesses and residences within 500 feet No more than 15 extended working days allowed.

9 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page Additional noise control measures recommended by project acoustical consultant The following noise control measures recommended by the project acoustical consultant (RGD Acoustics) are in addition to those required by the project Conditions of Approval. Temporary power poles shall be used instead of generators where feasible. Window openings along the south and west side of the building shall be covered with plywood during project construction to reduce sound transfer to neighboring properties. Noise control blankets shall be installed on scaffolding, as practical, along the south side of the project building as the construction proceeds above the third floor. The use of a temporary plywood fence at the perimeter of the site for noise control (COA #13) is not recommended for this project for the following reason: o The effectiveness of the plywood barrier would be limited to noise sources occurring at ground level and for first floor receivers. The barriers would not be effective for activities occurring above the first level or for second or third floor neighboring residences. Also, the barrier effectiveness would be limited where openings are required for access. If on-going complaints are received, the project acoustical consultant shall: o Determine whether or not installation of a plywood barrier would provide a noticeable reduction in noise for the affected neighbor. o Measure noise levels and provide assistance with developing additional noise attenuation measures where needed. * * *

10 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page 9 Appendix A: Berkeley Municipal Code : Exterior Noise Standards : Interior Noise Standards

11 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page Exterior noise standards. A. Maximum permissible sound levels shall be determined by the zoning district of the property subject to the noise, not the property from which the noise originates. 1. The noise standards for the various categories of land use in Table or shall, unless otherwise specifically indicated in other codes, apply to all such property within a designated zone. 2. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound at any location within the incorporated City or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the sound level when measured on any other property to exceed: a. The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour; or b. The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table plus 5 dba for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour; or c. The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table plus 10 dba for a cumulative period of more than 5 minutes in any hour; or d. The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table plus 15 dba for a cumulative period of more than 1 minute in any hour; or e. The noise standard for that land use as specified in Table plus 20 dba for any period of time. Table EXTERIOR NOISE LIMITS (Levels not to be exceeded more than 30 minutes any hour) Zoning District Time Period Noise Level (dba) R-1, R-2, R-1A, R-2A, and ESR 7:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. R-3 and above 7:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m Commercial 7:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m Industry Anytime 70

12 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page If the measured ambient noise level is greater than the level permissible within any of the noise limit categories above, the sound level when measured on any other property shall not exceed: a. The ambient noise level for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour; or b. The ambient noise level plus 5 dba for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour; or c. The ambient noise level plus 10 dba for a cumulative period of more than 5 minutes in any hour; or d. The ambient noise level plus 15 dba for a cumulative period of more than 1 minute in any hour; or e. The ambient noise level plus 20 dba for any period of time. 4. If the measurement location is on a boundary between two different zones, the sound level limit applicable to the quieter noise zone shall apply. 5. If possible, the ambient noise level may be measured at the same location along the property line utilized in subsection A.2 of this section with the alleged offending noise source inoperative. If the intruding noise source is continuous and cannot reasonably be discontinued or stopped for a time period whereby the ambient noise level can be measured, the ambient noise level may be determined by traveling away from the noise source to a point where a steady state decibel reading is achieved. If this test is not possible, the noise level measured while the source is in operation shall be compared directly to the noise level standards. B. The classification of additional areas of the community not listed in Table in terms of environmental noise zones shall be determined by the EHD. Industrial noise limits are intended primarily for use at the boundary of industrial zones rather than for noise reduction within the zone. (Ord NS 5, 2009: Ord NS 1 (part), 1982)

13 UC Press Building, Berkeley, California Page Interior noise standards. A. Maximum Permissible Dwelling Interior Sound Levels. 1. The interior noise standards for multi-family residential dwellings as presented in Table shall apply, unless otherwise specifically indicated in other codes, within all such dwellings with windows in their normal seasonal configuration. Table INTERIOR NOISE LIMITS Zoning District All Time Interval 10:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Allowable Interior Noise Level (dba) No person shall operate or cause to be operated within a multi-family dwelling unit any source of sound or allow the creation of any noise which causes the sound level when measured inside a neighboring dwelling unit to exceed: a. The noise standard as specified in Table for a cumulative period of more than 5 minutes in any hour; or b. The noise standard as specified in Table plus five dba for a cumulative period of more than one minute in any hour; or c. The noise standard as specified in Table plus 10 dba for any period of time. 3. If the measured ambient noise level is greater than the level permissible within any of the noise limit categories above, the sound level when measured on the other property shall not exceed: a. The ambient noise level for a cumulative period of more than 5 minutes in any hour; or b. The ambient noise level plus 5 dba for a cumulative period of more than 1 minute in any hour; or c. The ambient noise level plus 10 dba for any period of time. (Ord NS 6, 2009: Ord NS 1 (part), 1982)