4.10 NOISE INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 4.10 NOISE INTRODUCTION This section evaluates the noise and groundborne vibration impacts resulting from the construction and operation of the Project. Noise monitoring data and calculations are included as Appendix to this Draft EIR. Fundamentals of Sound and Environmental Noise Sound is described in terms of amplitude (i.e., loudness) and frequency (i.e., pitch). The standard unit of sound amplitude measurement is the decibel ( db ). The db scale is a logarithmic scale that describes the physical intensity of the pressure vibrations that make up any sound. The pitch of the sound is related to the frequency of the pressure vibration. Since the human ear is not equally sensitive to a given sound level at all frequencies, a special frequency-dependent rating scale has been devised to relate noise to human sensitivity. The A-weighted db scale ( dba ) provides this compensation by emphasizing frequencies in a manner approximating the sensitivity of the human ear. Noise, on the other hand, is typically defined as unwanted sound audible at such a level that the sound becomes an undesirable by-product of society s normal day-to-day activities. Sound becomes unwanted when it interferes with normal activities, causes actual physical harm, or results in adverse health effects. The definition of noise as unwanted sound implies that it has an adverse effect to people and their environment. However, not every unwanted audible sound interferes with normal activities, causes harm, or has adverse health effects. For unwanted audible sound (i.e., noise) to be considered adverse, it must occur with sufficient frequency and at such a level that these adverse impacts are reasonably likely to occur. Thresholds of significance, discussed below, differentiate between benign unwanted audible sound and significant adverse unwanted audible sound. A typical noise environment consists of a base of steady ambient noise that is the sum of many distant and indistinguishable noise sources. Superimposed on this background, noise is the sound from individual local sources. These can vary from an occasional aircraft or train passing by to virtually continuous noise, such as traffic on a major highway. Table , Representative Environmental Noise Levels, illustrates representative noise levels in the environment. Several rating scales have been developed to analyze the adverse effects of community noise on people. Since environmental noise fluctuates over time, these scales consider that the effect of noise on people is largely dependent upon the total acoustical energy content of the noise, as well as the time of day when the noise occurs. Those that are applicable to this analysis are: L eq - An Leq, or equivalent energy noise level, is the average acoustic energy content of noise for a stated period of time. Thus, the Leq of a time-varying noise and that of a steady noise are the same if they deliver the same acoustic energy to the ear during exposure. For evaluating community impacts, this rating scale does not vary, regardless of whether the noise occurs during the day or the night. L max - The maximum instantaneous noise level experienced during a given period of time. L min - The minimum instantaneous noise level experienced during a given period of time. County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

2 Table Representative Environmental Noise Levels Common Outdoor Activities Noise Level (dba) Common Indoor Activities 110 Rock Band Jet Fly-over at 100 feet 100 Gas Lawnmower at 3 feet 90 Food Blender at 3 feet Diesel Truck going 50 mph at 50 feet 80 Garbage Disposal at 3 feet Noisy Urban Area during Daytime Gas Lawnmower at 100 feet 70 Vacuum Cleaner at 10 feet Commercial Area Normal Speech at 3 feet Heavy Traffic at 300 feet 60 Large Business Office Quiet Urban Area during Daytime 50 Dishwasher in Next Room Quiet Urban Area during Nighttime 40 Theater, Large Conference Room (background) Quiet Suburban Area during Nighttime 30 Library Quiet Rural Area during Nighttime Bedroom at Night, Concert Hall (background) 20 Broadcast/Recording Studio 10 Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing 0 Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing Source: California Department of Transportation, Technical Noise Supplement, October CNEL - The Community Noise Equivalent Level ( CNEL ) is a 24-hour average Leq with a 5 dba weighting during the hours of 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. and a 10 dba weighting added to noise during the hours of 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. to account for noise sensitivity in the evening and nighttime, respectively. The logarithmic effect of these additions is that a constant 60 dba 24 hour L eq would result in a CNEL of 66.7 dba. Noise environments and consequences of human activities are usually well represented by median noise levels during the day, night, or over a 24-hour period. For residences, environmental noise levels are generally considered low when the CNEL is below 60 dba, moderate in the dba range, and high above 70 dba. Frequent exposure to noise levels greater than 85 dba over time can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Examples of low daytime levels are isolated, natural settings with noise levels as low as 20 dba and quiet suburban residential streets with noise levels around 40 dba. Noise levels above 45 dba at night can disrupt sleep. Examples of moderate level noise environments are urban residential or semi-commercial areas (typically dba) and commercial locations (typically 60 dba). People may consider louder environments adverse, but most will accept the higher levels associated with more noisy urban residential or residential-commercial areas (60 75 dba) or dense urban or industrial areas (65 80 dba). It is widely accepted that, in the community noise environment, the average healthy ear can barely perceive CNEL noise level changes of 3 dba. CNEL changes from 3 to 5 dba may be noticed by some individuals who are extremely sensitive to changes in noise. A 5 dba CNEL increase is readily noticeable County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

3 to most people, while the human ear perceives a 10 dba CNEL increase as a doubling of sound. However, there is no direct correlation between increasing or even doubling noise-generating sources and what is detectable by the human ear as an increase in noise level. The human ear perceives a 10 dba increase in sound level to be a doubling of sound volume, but doubling the sound energy (i.e., the noise-generating activity) only results in a 3 dba increase in sound. This means that a doubling of sound wave energy (e.g., doubling the volume of traffic on a roadway) would result in a barely perceptible change in sound level to the human ear. Thus, relatively sizeable increases in baseline noise generation are not necessarily perceived as substantial noise increases by the human ear. Noise levels from a particular source generally decline as distance to the receptor increases. Other factors, such as the weather and reflective barriers, also help intensify or reduce the noise level at any given location. A commonly used rule of thumb for roadway noise is that for every doubling of distance from the source (assume a starting point of 50 feet), the noise level is reduced by about 3 dba at acoustically hard locations (i.e., the area between the noise source and the receptor is nearly complete asphalt, concrete, hard-packed soil, or other solid materials) and 4.5 dba at acoustically soft locations (i.e., the area between the source and receptor is normal earth or has vegetation, including grass). Noise from stationary or point sources is reduced by about 6 to 7.5 dba for every doubling of distance at acoustically hard and soft locations, respectively. Noise levels are also generally reduced by about 1 dba for each 1,000 feet of distance due to air absorption. Noise levels may also be reduced by intervening structures generally, a single row of buildings between the receptor and the noise source reduces the noise level by about 5 dba, while a solid wall or berm can reduce noise levels by 5 to 10 dba. The normal noise attenuation within residential structures with open windows is about 17 dba, while the noise attenuation with closed windows is about 25 dba. 1 Fundamentals of Environmental Groundborne Vibration Vibration can result from a source (e.g., train operations, motor vehicles, machinery equipment, etc.) causing the adjacent ground to move and creating vibration waves that propagate through the soil to the foundations of nearby buildings. This effect is referred to as groundborne vibration. The peak particle velocity ( PPV ) or the root mean square ( RMS ) velocity is usually used to describe vibration levels. PPV is defined as the maximum instantaneous peak of the vibration level, while RMS is defined as the square root of the average of the squared amplitude of the level. PPV is typically used for evaluating potential building damage, while RMS velocity in decibels ( VdB ) is typically more suitable for evaluating human response. The background vibration velocity level in residential areas is usually around 50 VdB. The vibration velocity level threshold of perception for humans is approximately 65 VdB. A vibration velocity level of 75 VdB is the approximate dividing line between barely perceptible and distinctly perceptible levels for many people. Most perceptible indoor vibration is caused by sources within buildings, such as the operation of mechanical equipment, movement of people, or slamming of doors. Typical outdoor sources of perceptible groundborne vibration are construction equipment, steel-wheeled trains, and traffic on rough roads. If a roadway is smooth, the groundborne vibration from traffic is rarely perceptible. The range of interest is from approximately 50 VdB, which is the typical background vibration velocity level, 1 National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 117, Highway Noise: A Design Guide for Highway Engineers, County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

4 to 100 VdB, which is the general threshold where minor damage can occur in fragile buildings, such as historic buildings. The general human response to different levels of groundborne vibration velocity levels is described in Table , Human Response to Different Levels of Groundborne Vibration. Table Human Response to Different Levels of Groundborne Vibration Vibration Velocity Level Human Perception 65 VdB Approximate threshold of perception for many people. Approximate dividing line between barely perceptible and distinctly perceptible. Many 75 VdB people find that transportation-related vibration at this level is unacceptable. 85 VdB Vibration acceptable only if there are an infrequent number of events per day. Source: Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, May ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Existing Conditions Existing Ambient Noise Levels The Project Sites consist of Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3. Site 1 is an irregularly shaped, approximately 2.5-acre site, located on the east side of Vermont Avenue, north of 6 th Street. Site 2 is a rectangular, approximately 1-acre site located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Vermont Avenue and 6 th Street. Site 3 is a rectangular, approximately 0.5-acre site, located on the west side of Vermont Avenue, north of 5 th Street. To establish baseline noise conditions, existing noise levels were monitored at locations near Sites 1, 2, and 3. The locations of the noise measurements are shown in Figure , Sites 1 & 2 Noise Monitoring and Sensitive Receptor Location Map, and Figure , Site 3 Noise Monitoring and Sensitive Receptor Location Map. 2 3 The results of the measurements are summarized in Table , Existing Ambient Noise Levels. The noise monitoring outputs are provided in Appendix to this Draft EIR. As shown in Table , the ambient recorded noise levels ( Leq ) ranged from 55.4 dba to 69.2 dba near the Project Sites. 2 The noise measurements were taken on May 10, 2017 using the 3M SoundPro SP DL-1 sound level meter, which conforms to industry standards set forth in ANSI S (R2006) Specification for Sound Level Meters/Type 1, and is consistent with the requirements specified in LAMC Section (l) that the instruments be Type S2A standard instruments or better. This instrument was calibrated and operated according to the manufacturer s written specifications. At the measurement sites, the microphone was placed at a height of approximately five feet above the ground. The sound level meter was programmed to record the average sound level (Leq) over a period of 15 minutes in accordance with LAMC Section (a). Details regarding individual noise measurements are contained in Draft EIR Appendix Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, Publication FTA-VA , May, County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

5 Shatto Place 8 S. New Hampshire Avenue W. 5th Street 7 S. Vermont Avenue 1 5 W. 5th Street S. Westmoreland Avenue Site 1 4 Site Legend W. 6th Street 10 # Noise Monitoring Locations School to the south (85 feet) Religious/School use to the east (90 feet) Residences to the west (235 feet) Residences to the south (240 feet) Residences to the northeast (280 feet) Residences to the east (300 feet) Residences to the west (300 feet) Religious use to the north (320 feet) Residences to the southwest (345 feet) Religious use to the southeast (385 feet) Hotel use to the southwest (485 feet) Source: Pomeroy Environmental Services, Aerial Source: Google Earth Approximate Scale (Feet) 500 2nd Street Sites 1 & 2 Noise Monitoring Figure and Sensitive Receptors Sensitive in the Receptor Vicinity of Location Sites 1 and Map2

6 Shatto Place 15 W. 4th Street S. New Hampshire Avenue 17 S. Berendo Street 1 S. Vermont Avenue 2 12 Site W. 5th Street # Legend Noise Monitoring Locations Adjacent residences to the west Religious use to the east (90 feet) Religious use to the northwest (270 feet) Residences to the north (300 feet) Residences to the south (335 feet) Religious use to the east (400 feet) Recreation Center to the northeast (415 feet) Source: Pomeroy Environmental Services, Aerial Source: Google Earth Approximate Scale (Feet) 500 2nd Street Site 3 Noise Monitoring Figure and Sensitive Sensitive Receptors Receptor in the Vicinity Location of Site Map3

7 Table Existing Ambient Noise Levels No. Location Primary Noise Sources Sites 1 & 2 1 East of Site 1, northeast corner of the Shatto Place and W. 5 th Traffic along Shatto Place and W. 5 Street Street, pedestrian activity, and intersection. Near residential residential activity. sensitive receptor #5. East of Site 1, across Shatto place. Near religious institution/school 2 sensitive receptor #2 and residential sensitive receptor #6. South of Site 2, across W. 6 th Street. Near school sensitive 3 receptor #1 and residential sensitive receptor #4. West of Site 2 across S. Vermont Avenue. Within a surface parking 4 lot and near commercial uses and residential sensitive receptor #3. Site 3 Northwest corner of Site 3, near 1 adjacent residential sensitive receptor #12. East of Site 3 across S. Vermont 2 Avenue, near religious institution sensitive receptor #13. Traffic along Shatto Place and W. 6 th Street, pedestrian activity, school activity. Traffic along W. 6 th Street, pedestrian activity, school activity. Parking activity, traffic along S. Vermont Avenue and W. 6 th Street. Parking activity and traffic along S. Vermont Avenue. Traffic along S. Vermont Avenue and pedestrian activity. a Noise measurements were taken on May 10, 2017 at each location for a duration of 15 minutes. Source: Pomeroy Environmental Services, See Appendix to this Draft EIR for noise data. Noise Levels a Leq L02 L08 L25 L50 Lmin Lmax Existing Roadway Noise Levels Existing roadway noise levels were calculated for roadway segments that are expected to be most directly impacted by project-related traffic, which, for the purpose of this analysis, include the roadways that are nearest to the Project Sites and had the most Project-generated trips (see Section 4.14 [Transportation and Traffic]). These roadways, when compared to roadways located farther away from the Project Sites, would experience the greatest increase in traffic generated by the Project. Calculation of the existing roadway noise levels was accomplished using the Federal Highway Administration Highway Noise Prediction Model ( FHWA-RD ) and traffic volumes from the Project traffic analysis (Section 4.14 [Transportation and Traffic]). The model calculates the average noise level at specific locations based on traffic volumes, average speeds, roadway geometry, and environmental conditions. The average vehicle noise rates (energy rates) used in the FHWA Model have been modified to reflect average vehicle noise rates identified for California by California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans ). The Caltrans data show that California automobile noise is 0.8 to 1.0 dba higher than national levels and that medium and heavy truck noise is 0.3 to 3.0 dba lower than national levels. The average daily noise levels along study area roadway segments are presented in Table , Existing Roadway Noise Levels. As shown in the Table , Vermont Avenue has an existing ambient County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

8 Table Existing Roadway Noise Levels Roadway Roadway Segment a Existing Land Uses dba CNEL Between 3 rd & 4 th Streets Commercial/Residential 69.9 Vermont Ave. Between 4 th & 5 th Streets Commercial/Residential 69.5 Between 5 th & 6 th Streets Commercial/Residential 69.3 Between 6 th St. & Wilshire Blvd. Commercial/Residential 69.3 Shatto Pl. Between 4 th & 6 th Streets Commercial/Residential th St. West of Vermont Ave. Commercial/Residential 62.8 Between Vermont Ave. & Shatto Pl. Commercial/Residential th St. West of Vermont Ave. Commercial/Residential th St. West of Vermont Ave. Commercial/Residential 70.2 Between Vermont Ave. & Shatto Pl. Commercial/Residential 70.4 a Transportation Impact Study for the Vermont Corridor Development Plan, April 2017, Gibson Transportation Consulting Inc. Source: Pomeroy Environmental Services, Data sheets provided in Appendix to this Draft EIR. noise level range of 69.3 to 69.5 CNEL, while 5 th Street has the lowest existing noise level of 61.0 CNEL, and 6 th Street has the highest existing noise level of 70.4 CNEL. These calculated levels are comparable to the measured levels in the area of the Project Sites, which range from 55.4 to 69.2 dba L eq (Table ). Existing Groundborne Vibration Levels The main sources of groundborne vibration near the Project Sites are heavy-duty vehicle travel (e.g., refuse trucks, delivery trucks, and transit buses) on local roadways. Trucks and buses typically generate groundborne vibration velocity levels of around 63 VdB at 50 feet, and these levels could reach 72 VdB where they pass over bumps in the road. 4 In terms of PPV levels, a heavy-duty vehicle traveling at a distance of 50 feet can result in a vibration level of approximately inch per second. Noise & Vibration Sensitive Land Uses Noise-sensitive land uses (also called sensitive receptors ) include residences, transient lodgings, schools, libraries, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, auditoriums, concert halls, amphitheaters, playgrounds, and parks. In addition, for purposes of this analysis, vibration-sensitive uses include historical buildings or buildings that are extremely susceptible to vibration damages, and uses that may be sensitive in terms of human perception as sensitive receptor locations and operational interference resulting from vibration. As shown in Figures and , there are 17 existing sensitive receptors within 500 feet that would have a direct line-of-sight to the Project Sites. The sensitive receptors nearest to Sites 1 and 2 are: 1. school to the south (85 feet); 2. religious/school use to the east (90 feet); 4 Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, May County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

9 3. residences to the west (235 feet); 4. residences to the south (240 feet); 5. residences to the northeast (280 feet); 6. residences to the east (300 feet); 7. residences to the west (300 feet); 8. religious use to the north (320 feet); 9. residences to the southwest (345 feet); 10. religious use to the southeast (385 feet); and, 11. hotel use to the southwest (485 feet). The sensitive receptors nearest to Site 3 are: 12. adjacent residences to the west (50 feet); 13. religious use to the east (90 feet); 14. religious use to the northwest (270 feet) 15. residences to the north (300 feet); 16. residences to the south (335 feet); 17. religious use to the east (400 feet); and, 18. recreation center to the northeast (415 feet). Regulatory Framework Federal Noise There are no federal noise standards that directly regulate environmental noise related to the construction or operation of the Project. However, the Office of Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) regulations safeguard the hearing of workers exposed to occupational noise. Vibration The Federal Transit Administration ( FTA ) has adopted vibration standards that are used to evaluate potential building damage impacts related to construction activities. The vibration damage criteria adopted by the FTA are shown in Table , Construction Vibration Damage Criteria. Table Construction Vibration Damage Criteria Building Category PPV (in/sec) I. Reinforced-concrete, steel or timber (no plaster) 0.5 II. Engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster) 0.3 III. Non-engineered timber and masonry buildings 0.2 IV. Buildings extremely susceptible to vibration damage 0.12 Source: Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, May The FTA has also adopted standards associated with human annoyance for groundborne vibration impacts for the following three land-use categories: (1) Vibration Category 1 High Sensitivity, (2) Vibration Category 2 Residential, and County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

10 (3) Vibration Category 3 Institutional. The FTA defines Category 1 as buildings where vibration would interfere with operations within the building, including vibration-sensitive research and manufacturing facilities, hospitals with vibrationsensitive equipment, and university research operations. Vibration-sensitive equipment includes, but is not limited to, electron microscopes, high-resolution lithographic equipment, and normal optical microscopes. Category 2 refers to all residential land uses and any buildings where people sleep, such as hotels and hospitals. Category 3 refers to institutional land uses such as schools, churches, other institutions, and quiet offices that do not have vibration-sensitive equipment, but still have the potential for activity interference. Under conditions where there are an infrequent number of events per day, the FTA has established standards of 65 VdB for Category 1 buildings, 80 VdB for Category 2 buildings, and 83 VdB for Category 3 buildings. Under conditions where there are an occasional number of events per day, the FTA has established thresholds of 65 VdB for Category 1 buildings, 75 VdB for Category 2 buildings, and 78 VdB for Category 3 buildings. Under conditions where there are a frequent number of events per day, the FTA has established thresholds of 65 VdB for Category 1 buildings, 72 VdB for Category 2 buildings, and 75 VdB for Category 3 buildings. 5 No thresholds have been adopted or recommended for commercial or office uses. However, the FTA standards are intended to apply to projects under the purview of the FTA (i.e., transit project), and, as such, do not directly apply to the Project. State Noise The California Department of Health Services ( DHS ) has established guidelines for evaluating the compatibility of various land uses as a function of community noise exposure. These guidelines for land use and noise exposure compatibility are shown in Table , Community Noise Exposure. In addition, Section 65302(f) of the California Government Code requires each county and city in the state to prepare and adopt a comprehensive long-range general plan for its physical development, with Section 65302(g) requiring a noise element to be included in the general plan. The noise element must: (1) identify and appraise noise problems in the community, (2) recognize Office of Noise Control guidelines, and (3) analyze and quantify current and projected noise levels. However, DHS guidelines are generalized for use throughout that state, and, as such, do not directly apply to the Project. 5 Infrequent events are fewer than 30 vibration events of the same kind per day. Occasional events are between 30 and 70 vibration events of the same source per day. Frequent events are more than 70 vibration events of the same source per day. County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

11 Table Community Noise Exposure (dba CNEL) Land Use Normally Acceptable a Conditionally Acceptable b Normally Unacceptable c Clearly Unacceptable d Single-Family, Duplex, Mobile Homes above 75 Multi-Family Homes above 75 Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes above 80 Transient Lodging Motels, Hotels above 75 Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters above 70 Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports above 75 Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks above 75 Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries above 80 Office Buildings, Business and Professional Commercial above Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture above a Normally Acceptable: Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements. b Conditionally Acceptable: New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning will normally suffice. c Normally Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. d Clearly Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally not be undertaken. Source: Office of Planning and Research, State of California General Plan Guidelines, October 2003 in coordination with the DHS; City General Plan Noise Element, adopted February Vibration The California Department of Transportation published the Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual in September The manual provides practical guidance to Caltrans engineers, planners, and consultants who must address vibration issues associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of Caltrans projects. The guidance and procedures provided in the manual should be treated as screening tools for assessing the potential for adverse effects related to human perception and structural damage. General information on the potential effects of vibration on vibration-sensitive research and advanced technology facilities is also provided, but a discussion of detailed assessment methods in this area is beyond the scope of this manual. The document is not an official policy, standard, specification, or regulation and should not be used as such. Its content is for informational purposes only. As such, this analysis includes the Caltrans standards for informational purposes. This manual provides guidelines for assessing vibration damage potential to various types of buildings, ranging from 0.08 to 0.12 inches per second for extremely fragile historic buildings, ruins, and ancient monuments, to 0.50 to 2.0 inches per second for modern industrial and commercial buildings. County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

12 Local County of Los Angeles Los Angeles County Code The County has established noise standards to control unnecessary, excessive and annoying noise. The standards are codified in Chapter (Noise Control) of the Los Angeles County Code. The standards listed in Section (Exterior Noise Standards) and are relevant to the Project. The County Code states that no person shall operate or cause to be operated, any source of sound at any location within the unincorporated county, or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the noise level, when measured on any other property either incorporated or unincorporated, to exceed any of the noise standards listed in Table , County of Los Angeles Exterior Noise Standards. Table County of Los Angeles Exterior Noise Standards Noise Zone Designated Noise Zone Land Use (Receptor Property) Time Interval Exterior Noise Level (dba) I Noise-Sensitive Area Anytime 45 II Residential Properties 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Night) 45 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Day) 50 III Commercial Properties 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Night) 55 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Day) 60 IV Industrial Properties Anytime 70 This table is used by the County to develop noise standards based on the duration of the noise source. These standards are described below. Standard No. 1 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than 30 minutes in any hour. Standard No. 1 shall be the applicable noise level; or, if the ambient L50 exceeds the forgoing level, then the ambient L50 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 1. Standard No. 2 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes in any hour. Standard No. 2 shall be the applicable noise level from Standard 1 plus 5 dba; or, if the ambient L25 exceeds the forgoing level, then the ambient L25 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 2 Standard No. 3 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than five minutes in any hour. Standard No. 3 shall be the applicable noise level from Standard 1 plus 10 dba; or, if the ambient L8.3 exceeds the forgoing level, then the ambient L8.3becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 3. Standard No. 4 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for a cumulative period of more than 1 minute in any hour. Standard No. 4 shall be the applicable noise level from Standard 1 plus 15 dba, or, if the ambient L1.7 exceeds the forgoing level, then the ambient L1.7 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 4. Standard No. 5 shall be the exterior noise level which may not be exceeded for any period of time. Standard No. 4 shall be the applicable noise level from Standard 1 plus 20 dba; or, if the ambient L0 exceeds the forgoing level, then the ambient L0 becomes the exterior noise level for Standard No. 4. County of Los Angeles Municipal Code, Section Source: Pomeroy Environmental Services, County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

13 The following are applicable provisions of the Los Angeles County Code that relate to the prevention or mitigation of excessive noise. Title 26 Building Code, Section 1207 Sound Transmission Purpose and scope. The purpose of this Section is to establish uniform minimum noise insulation performance standards to protect persons within hotels, motels, dormitories, long-term care facilities, apartment houses, dwellings, private schools, and places of worship from the effects of excessive noise, including, but not limited to, hearing loss or impairment and interference with speech and sleep. This Section shall apply to all buildings for which applications for building permits were made subsequent to August 22, Application. Consistent with local land use standards, all structures identified in Section located in noise critical areas, such as proximity to highways, county roads, city streets, railroads, rapid transit lines, airports or industrial areas, shall be designed to prevent the intrusion of exterior noises beyond prescribed levels. Proper design shall include, but shall not be limited to, orientation of the structure, setbacks, shielding, and sound insulation of the building itself Allowable interior noise levels. Interior noise levels attributable to exterior sources shall not exceed 45 dba in any habitable rooms, classrooms, and all rooms used in patient care and worship. The noise metric shall be either the day-night average sound level ( Ldn ) or the CNEL, consistent with the noise element of the local general plan Compliance. Evidence of compliance shall consist of submittal of an acoustical analysis report, prepared under the supervision of a person experienced in the field of acoustical engineering, with the application for a building permit for all structures identified in Section 1207 or the use of prescriptive standards. The report shall show topographical relationships of noise sources and dwelling sites, identification of noise sources and their characteristics, predicted noise spectra, and levels at the exterior of the proposed dwelling structure considering present and future land usage, basis for the prediction (measured or obtained from published data), noise attenuation measures to be applied, and an analysis of the noise insulation effectiveness of the proposed construction showing that the prescribed interior noise level requirements are met. Title 12 Environmental Protection, Section The County Noise Control Ordinance The County Noise Control Ordinance provides standards for both interior and exterior noise standards and sets guidelines for a variety of activities. County Code Section identifies exterior noise standards for stationary and point noise sources, specific noise restrictions, exemptions and variances for exterior point or stationary noise sources. For Noise Zone II (Residential Properties), the County Noise Control Ordinance states that exterior noise levels County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

14 caused by stationary or point noise sources shall not exceed 45 db from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 50 db from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Section of the County Code also states that interior noise levels (resulting from point or stationary sources) within residential units shall not exceed 45 db between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and 40 db between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Section of the County Code regulates noise from construction activities. Specifically, Section (A) states operating or causing the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration or demolition work between weekday hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time on Sundays or holidays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real-property line, except for emergency work of public service utilities or by variance issued by the health officer is prohibited. Section (B) further states the contractor shall conduct construction activities in such a manner that the maximum noise levels at the affected buildings will not exceed those listed in Table , County of Los Angeles Construction Noise Restrictions. Table County of Los Angeles Construction Noise Restrictions Time Period At Single-Family Residential Uses At Multi-Family Residential Uses Semiresidential/Commercial Uses For mobile equipment maximum noise level for nonscheduled, intermittent, short-term operation of mobile equipment. Daily, except Sundays and legal holidays, 75 dba 80 dba 85 dba 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Daily, 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and all day Sunday and legal holidays 60 dba 64 dba 70 dba For stationary equipment maximum noise level for repetitively scheduled and relatively long-term operation of stationary equipment Daily, except Sundays and legal holidays, 60 dba 65 dba 70 dba 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Daily, 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and all day Sunday and legal holidays 50 dba 55 dba 60 dba Note: At business structures, mobile equipment maximum noise level for nonscheduled, intermittent, short-term operation of mobile equipment operating daily, including Sunday and legal holidays, all hours: maximum of 85dBA. Source: Los Angeles County Code Section Los Angeles County General Plan The Los Angeles County 2035 General Plan was adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on October 6, The Los Angeles County 2035 General Plan contains a number of elements that address specific issues and establish various goals, policies, and objectives that pertain to the County as a whole, including noise. The Noise Element includes a broad statement of policies that do not directly pertain to the Project. However, the Noise Element includes the following goals and policies to guide County decisions and activities: Goal N 1: The reduction of excessive noise impacts Policy N 1.1: Utilize land uses to buffer noise-sensitive uses from sources of adverse noise impacts. County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

15 Policy N 1.2: Reduce exposure to noise impacts by promoting land use compatibility Policy N 1.3: Minimize impacts to noise-sensitive land uses by ensuring adequate site design, acoustical construction, and use of barriers, berms, or additional engineering controls through Best Available Technologies ( BAT ). Policy N 1.4: Enhance and promote noise abatement programs in an effort to maintain acceptable levels of noise as defined by the Los Angeles County Exterior Noise Standards and other applicable noise standards. Policy N 1.5: Ensure compliance with the jurisdictions of State Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24, California Code of Regulations and Chapter 35 of the Uniform Building Code), such as noise insulation of new multifamily dwellings constructed within the 60 db (CNEL or Ldn) noise exposure contours. Policy N 1.6: Ensure cumulative impacts related to noise do not exceed health-based safety margins. Policy N 1.7: Utilize traffic management and noise suppression techniques to minimize noise from traffic and transportation systems. Policy N 1.8: Minimize noise impacts to pedestrians and transit-riders in the design of transportation facilities and mobility networks. Policy N 1.9: Require construction of suitable noise attenuation barriers on noise sensitive uses that would be exposed to exterior noise levels of 65 dba CNEL and above, when unavoidable impacts are identified. Policy N 1.10: Orient residential units away from major noise sources (in conjunction with applicable building codes). Policy N 1.11: Maximize buffer distances and design and orient sensitive receptor structures (hospitals, residential, etc.) to prevent noise and vibration transfer from commercial/light industrial uses. Policy N 1.12: Decisions on land adjacent to transportation facilities, such as the airports, freeways and other major highways, must consider both existing and future noise levels of these transportation facilities to assure the compatibility of proposed uses. City of Los Angeles City of Los Angeles Noise Regulations The City has numerous ordinances and enforcement practices that apply to intrusive noise and that guide new construction. The City s comprehensive noise ordinance, found in Chapter XI of the LAMC, sets forth sound measurement and criteria, minimum ambient noise levels for different land use zoning classifications, sound emission levels for specific uses, hours of operation for certain uses, standards for determining when noise is deemed to be a disturbance, and legal remedies for violations. Key provisions of Chapter XI of the LAMC are discussed below. Section of the LAMC prohibits the operation of any powered equipment or powered hand tool that produces a maximum noise level exceeding the following noise limits at a distance of 50 feet from the source of the noise between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. when the source is located within 500 feet of a residential zone: County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

16 75 dba for construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery including crawler-tractors, dozers, rotary drills and augers, loaders, power shovels, cranes, derricks, motor graders, paving machines, off-highway trucks, ditchers, trenchers, compactors, scrapers, wagons, pavement breakers, compressors, and pneumatic or other powered equipment; 75 dba for powered equipment of 20 horsepower or less intended for infrequent use in residential areas, including chain saws, log chippers, and powered hand tools; or 65 dba for powered equipment intended for repetitive use in residential areas, including lawn mowers, backpack blowers, small lawn and garden tools, and riding tractors. The noise limitations above do not apply where compliance is technically infeasible, which means that the noise limitations cannot be complied with despite the use of mufflers, shields, sound barriers, and/or other noise reduction device or techniques during the operation of the equipment. The limitations apply only to land uses in or within 500 feet of residential zones. In accordance with the LAMC, a noise level increase of 5 db over the existing average ambient noise level at an adjacent property line is considered a noise violation. This standard applies to: (1) radios, television sets, and similar devices defined in LAMC Section ; (2) air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, pumping, and filtering equipment defined in LAMC Section ; (3) powered equipment intended for repetitive use in residential areas and other machinery, equipment, and devices defined in LAMC Section ; and (4) motor vehicles driven on-site as defined in LAMC Section Section of the LAMC also prohibits construction activity (including demolition) and repair work, where the use of any power tool, device, or equipment would disturb persons occupying sleeping quarters in any dwelling hotel, apartment, or other place of residence, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. Monday through Friday, and between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. on Saturday. All such activities are also prohibited on Sundays and all federal holidays. Furthermore, projects are subject to the following requirements: Compliance with the City s Noise Ordinance Nos. 144,331 and 161,574, which prohibit the emission or creation of noise beyond certain levels at adjacent uses unless technically infeasible. Compliance with the City s Building Regulations Ordinance No. 178,048, which requires provision of a construction site notice that includes the following information: job site address, permit number, name and phone number of the contractor and owner or owner s agent, hours of construction allowed by code or any discretionary approval for the site, and City telephone numbers where violations can be reported. The notice shall be posted and maintained at the construction site prior to the start of construction and displayed in a location that is readily visible to the public and approved by the City s Department of Building and Safety. Compliance with Section (Allowable Interior Noise Levels) of the LAMC, which states interior noise levels attributable to exterior sources shall not exceed 45 dba CNEL in any habitable room. City of Los Angeles General Plan Noise Element As discussed previously, California Government Code Section 65302(g) requires that a noise element be included in the general plan of each county and city in the state. The City s General Plan Noise Element identifies sources of noise and provides objectives and policies that ensure that noise from various sources County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

17 does not create an unacceptable noise environment. The Noise Element describes the noise environment (including noise sources) in the City, addresses noise mitigation, regulations, strategies, and programs as well as delineating federal, state, and City jurisdiction relative to rail, automotive, aircraft, and nuisance noise. The City s noise guidelines are correlated with land use zoning classifications in order to maintain identified ambient noise levels and to limit, mitigate, or eliminate intrusive noise that exceeds the ambient noise levels within a specified zone. The City has adopted local guidelines based, in part, on the community noise compatibility guidelines established by the DHS for use in assessing the compatibility of various land use types with a range of noise levels. These guidelines are set forth in the Noise Element and the L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide in terms of the CNEL. The noise/land use compatibility guidelines for land uses within the City are presented in Table City Groundborne Vibration The City has not adopted quantitative thresholds for construction or operational groundborne vibration. However, as it relates to potential damages to adjacent buildings from project construction vibration, the Project would be subject to Section of the LAMC (Protection of Adjoining Property). Specifically, Section (Protection Required) states adjoining public and private property shall be protected from damage during construction, remodeling and demolition work. For purposes of impact analysis, the City has incorporated the FTA standards for building damage and human annoyance as discussed above. Protection must be provided for footings, foundations, party (i.e., shared) walls, chimneys, skylights, and roofs. Provisions shall be made to control water runoff and erosion during construction or demolition activities. For excavations, adjacent property shall be protected as set forth in Section 832 of the Civil Code of California. Prior to the issuance of any permit, which authorizes an excavation where the excavation is to be of a greater depth than are the walls or foundation of any adjoining building or structure and located closer to the property line than the depth of the excavation, the owner of the site shall provide the Department of Building and Safety with evidence that the adjacent property owner or owners have been given a 30-day written notice of the intent to excavate. This notice shall state the depth to which the excavation is intended to be made and when the excavation will commence. This notice shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Methodology The primary sources of noise associated with the Project would be construction activities at the Project Sites, Project-related traffic, and new stationary sources such as regularly used outdoor spaces, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units ( HVAC ) associated with operation of the Project. The net increase in noise generated by activities at each of the Project Sites and other sources has been quantitatively estimated and compared to applicable noise standards and thresholds of significance. In addition to noise, groundborne vibration would also be generated during the construction of the Project by various activities and equipment. The groundborne vibration levels generated during construction have also been quantitatively estimated and compared to the thresholds of significance. Construction noise levels were estimated by data published by the U.S. EPA. Potential noise levels are identified for off-site locations that are sensitive to noise. These noise levels are then analyzed against County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project

18 the construction noise standards established in the LAMC and L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide to determine whether the allowable noise levels would be exceeded at off-site locations that are sensitive to noise. Groundborne vibration levels resulting from construction activities are identified for off-site locations that are sensitive to vibration, and were estimated with data published for the FTA by Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. Project Design Elements No specific design elements related to noise are included in the Project. Thresholds of Significance Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines The potential for the Project to result in impacts associated with noise is based on Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, which are addressed in this section. The significance thresholds are listed below. In accordance with Appendix G to the State CEQA Guidelines, significant impacts would occur in the event that any of the following conditions were to occur: Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airstrip, expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? or f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? An affirmative answer to any of these questions would represent a significant impact. As discussed in Section 6.5 (Effects Not Found to be Significant), the Project would have no impact with respect to Thresholds (e) and (f) listed above, because the Project Sites are not located in the vicinity of an airport or private airstrip. County of Los Angeles Noise Thresholds According to the County of Los Angeles General Plan Update EIR (June 2014), a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would result in: County of Los Angeles Page Vermont Corridor Project