Subject: Feather Acres Acoustical Assessment Report

Transcription

1 October 15, 2015 Mr. C. Blair Pruett Mana NSPP FA, LLC 5927 Balfour Court, Suite 208 Carlsbad, California Subject: Feather Acres Acoustical Assessment Report Dear Mr. Pruett: Dudek has completed this acoustical assessment report for the Feather Acres Project (proposed project), located in the City of Solana Beach. The proposed project involves the construction of six new custom single-family residences on an approximately 3.57-acre site. 1 REGIONAL AND LOCAL SETTING The project site is located at 980 Avocado Place in the City of Solana Beach (City) in north coastal San Diego County (County), California (see Figures 1 and 2). The project site encompasses approximately 3.57 acres (Assessor s Parcel Numbers ). The proposed project is located in an urban setting and is surrounded by single-family residential to the north, south, east and west. Major circulation corridors surrounding the project in less than a mile radius include Interstate 5 (I-5) directly west 0.2 mile, Via De La Valle 0.3 mile south, Lomas Santa Fe 0.7 mile north, and San Andres Drive 0.2 mile east. In a regional setting, the proposed project is approximately 1.4 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, approximately 4 miles south of the neighboring City of Encinitas, and approximately 3.5 miles west of the Fairbanks Ranch community. In relation to circulation, Amtrak provides the Surfliner rail service, which stops in the City and downtown San Diego to the south and destinations to the north, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. The NCTD COASTER commuter train also has a station in the City. The NCTD COASTER runs north south through San Diego County, serving eight stations between Oceanside and downtown San Diego. The proposed project site is currently occupied by existing permanent and temporary structures including stables, equestrian barns, storage sheds and a single-family residence. The site is 1 October 2015

2 currently utilized as a potted plant nursery and equestrian/farm animal facility. The project site is currently zoned for ER-2b (Estate Residential) at one to two dwelling units per acre. 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed project involves demolition of the existing structures on site, which include stables, miscellaneous equestrian barns and sheds, and construction of six new custom singlefamily residences (also referred to as lot) on an approximately 3.57-acre site. The site would be subdivided into a total of seven lots to include 0.52 acre for the existing single-family residence that would remain. Six new lots would be developed, consistent with the existing site zoning. The existing single-family residence would be retained on site. The proposed lots would range in size from a minimum of 20,015 square feet to a maximum of 25,525 square feet. Each lot would have a front yard setback of 25 feet, rear yard setback of 40 feet, street side yard setback of 10 feet, and an interior side yard setback of 10 feet. Water service for the proposed project would be provided by Santa Fe Irrigation District, wastewater service would be provided by the City of Solana Beach, and fire service by the Solana Beach Fire Protection District. The project does not propose any internal streets; each lot would have its own street frontage onto Avocado Place. The front façade of Lot 1, 4, and 6 would face west, Lot 2 would face north, and Lot 3, 5, and 7 would face east. Avocado Place exits north onto Highland Drive (an east west road). Highland Dive east bound runs to the main north-south road of San Andres Drive, which connects Via De La Valle and Lomas Santa Fe. There is minimal sidewalk access on Avocado Place and surrounding streets due to the existing rural nature of the neighborhood. Construction The construction equipment mix used for estimating the construction emissions of the project is based on information provided by the applicant and is shown in Table 1, Construction Scenario Assumptions. The equipment mix is meant to represent a reasonably conservative estimate of construction activity. 2 October 2015

3 Table 1 Construction Scenario Assumptions Construction Phase Equipment Quantity Usage Hours Demolition Rubber Tired Loaders 1 8 Skid Steer Loaders 1 8 Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 1 8 Site Preparation Rubber Tired Dozers 1 8 Rubber Tired Loaders 1 8 Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 1 8 Grading Crawler Tractors 1 4 Rubber Tired Dozers 1 8 Scrapers 1 6 Skid Steer Loaders 1 4 Trenching Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 1 8 Trenchers 1 8 Building Construction Cranes 1 7 Forklifts 3 8 Generator Sets 1 4 Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes 3 7 Welders 1 8 Architectural Coating Air Compressors 1 6 Paving Pavers 1 8 Source: Mana NSPP FA, LLC Paving Equipment 2 6 Rollers 1 6 Following demolition, there would be 1 day of site preparation before the 20-day grading period. Earthwork for the project would result in 8,000 cubic yards of cut and 9,400 cubic yards of fill, with 1,400 cubic yards of import. Building construction would take approximately 9 months to complete. Trenching, including retaining wall construction would take approximately 30 days, and architectural coatings would take approximately 30 days. There are no interior streets or offsite paving proposed, however, paving of residential frontage would be completed along with 3 October 2015

4 grading and would take approximately 5 days. Construction of the project is not anticipated to be phased, and start to finish is estimated to take approximately 12 months. 3 REGULATORY SETTING Federal Federal Transit Administration Standards and Federal Railroad Administration Standards Although the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) standards are intended for federally funded mass transit projects, the impact assessment procedures and criteria included in the FTA Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual (FTA 2006) are routinely used for projects proposed by local jurisdictions which do not have vibration impact standards. The FTA and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have published guidelines for assessing the impacts of groundborne vibration associated with rail projects, which have been applied by other jurisdictions to other types of projects. The FTA measure of the threshold of architectural damage for conventional sensitive structures from groundborne vibration is 0.2 inches/second PPV. State California Noise Control Act of 1973 Sections through of the California Health and Safety Code, known as the California Noise Control Act of 1973, state that excessive noise is a serious hazard to the public health and welfare and that exposure to certain levels of noise can result in physiological, psychological, and economic damage. It also state that there is a continuous and increasing level of noise in urban, suburban, and rural areas. The California Noise Control Act declares that the State of California has a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of its citizens by the control, prevention, and abatement of noise. It is the policy of the state to provide an environment for all Californians free from noise that jeopardizes their health or welfare. California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) sets standards which new development in California must meet. According to Title 24, interior noise levels are not to exceed 45 db CNEL for new multi-family residences, hotels and other attached residences. Title 24 also requires that an interior acoustical study demonstrating that interior noise levels due to exterior sources will be less than or equal to 45 CNEL be performed for affected multi-family structures that are exposed to exterior noise levels in excess of 60 CNEL. 4 October 2015

5 2013 California Green Building Standards Code Section of the California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) establishes requirements for acoustical control in non-residential buildings. The standards require that wall and roof-ceiling assemblies making up the building envelope shall have a sound transmission class value of at least 50, and exterior windows shall have a minimum sound transmission class of 40 for building locations within the 65 db CNEL noise contour of an airport or of a freeway or expressway, railroad, industrial source or fixed-guideway source as determined by the Noise Element of the General Plan. Wall and floor-ceiling assemblies separating tenant spaces and tenant spaces and public places shall have a sound transmission class of at least 40. Local Solana Beach General Plan The Solana Beach General Plan Noise Element establishes noise criteria for various land uses (City of Solana Beach 1988). The maximum allowable exterior noise level at outdoor usable areas for new residential development is a CNEL of 65 db. For residential development, the City typically applies the noise criteria at the backyards of single-family homes and at private patios, exterior balconies, and exterior common use areas of multi-family developments. The interior noise standard is 45 db CNEL. Solana Beach Noise Ordinance The City s Municipal Code Noise Ordinance (Chapter 7.34, Noise Abatement and Control) is a quantitative noise ordinance to control excessive noise generated in the City from stationary (i.e., non-transportation) sources. The noise ordinance limits are in terms of a 1-hour average sound level. The allowable noise limits depend upon the land use zone, time of day, and duration of the noise. The applicable noise limits for residential development are shown below in Table 2. Table 2 Applicable City of Solana Beach Noise Ordinance Limits Land Use Time of Day 1-Hour Average Sound Level (db) ER1, ER2, LR, LMR, MR (Residential) 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m :00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 45 Source: City of Solana Beach 2009 The City also regulates noise associated with construction activities (Section , Construction Hours and Noise Levels Limited). Construction is permitted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 5 October 2015

6 p.m. on Saturday, with the exception of legal holidays. However, construction noise levels are not permitted to exceed 75 decibels for more than eight hours [Leq (8)] during any 24-hour period at or within residential land uses. 4 ANALYSIS Construction Noise Please refer to Section 2 for a description of construction activities associated with the proposed project. Construction noise would primarily result from the use of motorized construction equipment. Other short-term impacts from construction noise could result from construction traffic, including materials delivery. Noise impacts would be most noticeable in the residential neighborhood surrounding the project site. Noise levels would vary depending on the type of equipment used, how it is operated, and how well it is maintained. Standard construction equipment such as loaders, backhoes, dozers, cranes, and forklifts would be used (refer to Table 1 for more detailed information). The range of maximum noise levels for various types of construction equipment at a distance of 50 feet is listed in Table 3. The noise values represent maximum noise generation, or full-power operation of the equipment. As one increases the distance between equipment, or separation of areas with simultaneous construction activity, dispersion and distance attenuation reduce the effects of separate noise sources added together. Also, typical operating cycles may involve 2 minutes of full power operation, followed by 3 or 4 minutes at lower levels. The average noise level during construction activities is generally lower, since maximum noise generation may only occur up to 50% of the time. Table 3 Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels Equipment Typical Sound Level (dba) 50 Feet from Source Air compressor 81 Backhoe 80 Compactor 82 Concrete mixer 85 Concrete pump 82 Concrete vibrator 76 Crane, mobile 83 Dozer 85 Generator 81 Grader 85 Impact wrench 85 6 October 2015

7 Table 3 Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels Equipment Typical Sound Level (dba) 50 Feet from Source Jackhammer 88 Loader 85 Paver 89 Pneumatic tool 85 Pump 76 Roller 74 Saw 76 Truck 88 Source: FTA Noise levels from conventional construction activities (with a typical number of three to four pieces of equipment operational on the site) range from 78 to 89 dba Leq at a distance of 50 feet (EPA 1971). The typically quieter phase of construction for similar projects is associated with constructing foundations (78 dba Leq at a distance of 50 feet), and the typically louder phases, producing 89 dba Leq at 50 feet, are those associated with excavation, grading, and finishing activities. Noise levels from construction activities generally decrease at a rate of 6 db per doubling of distance away from the activity (or conversely increase at the same rate as distance is diminished). The closest off-site sensitive receptors to the project are residential land uses to the north, south, west and east are located within approximately 30 to 50 feet of the project boundaries. A construction noise level of 89 dba Leq at 50 feet would attenuate to approximately 85 dba Leq at 30 feet. This noise level is substantially higher than the typical ambient daytime noise levels measured in the area. Noise levels of this magnitude would be readily audible and would dominate the noise environment in the area during construction operations, and would result in a potentially significant impact. However, with implementation of standard construction noise mitigation measures (refer to Section 5), this impact can be controlled to a less than significant impact level. Construction Vibration The heavier pieces of construction equipment used at this site could include loaders, backhoes, dozers, cranes, and forklifts. Pile drivers, blasting equipment, vibrating compactors, or the like are not anticipated to be needed or used for this project. Groundborne vibration information related to construction activities has been collected by the California Department of Transportation. Based on published vibration data, the anticipated construction equipment would generate a peak particle velocity of approximately 0.09 inch/second or less at a distance of 25 feet (FTA 2006). Information from Caltrans indicates that continuous vibrations with a 7 October 2015

8 peak particle velocity of approximately 0.1 inch/second begin to annoy people. The criteria for potential damage to structures of non-engineered timber or masonry structures is 0.2 inch/second. Therefore, construction activities are anticipated to result in vibration below levels that typically annoy people or have the potential for structural damage, and the vibration impact would be less than significant. Operational Noise - Traffic Development of the proposed project will result in the removal of the existing farm and nursery uses. The net residential traffic is 60 average daily trips (ADT), which is less than the 90 ADT/acre generated by the existing nursery (LLG 2015). The net site traffic under the proposed project is therefore lower than the existing conditions, and as a result traffic-related noise impacts would not occur. Mechanical Equipment Noise Noise from stationary mechanical equipment associated with operation of the project (such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, pool pumps, and exhaust fans) have the potential to exceed City s Municipal Code noise limits at residential land uses. HVAC equipment noise would vary depending on the locations, brands, and models of equipment selected. Typical HVAC equipment can result in noise levels that average between 50 and 65 dba Leq at 50 feet (City of Santa Ana 2010). Noise from pool pumps, fans, or other stationary noise sources would vary depending upon the noise emission level, proximity to boundary lines, and enclosures. While not shown in the current set of plans because the project is at a preliminary stage, when the project is submitted for building plan approval, mechanical equipment associated with the project should comply with the property line noise level limits contained within the City s Municipal Code, including at adjoining single-family property boundaries within the proposed project. Noise from mechanical equipment associated with the project should be evaluated as part of the building plan submittal to ensure compliance with the City s noise limits. To avoid potential impacts related to mechanical equipment noise, mitigation is provided (refer to Section 5). 5 MITIGATION Construction Noise Mitigation The following mitigation measure would reduce construction noise-related impacts to a level below significance: 8 October 2015

9 MM NOI-1 Prior to issuance of the construction permits, the applicant shall ensure the following, to the satisfaction of the City of Solana Beach Community Development Department: All construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers. Construction noise reduction methods, such as shutting off idling equipment, installing temporary acoustic barriers around stationary construction noise sources, maximizing the distance between construction equipment staging areas and occupied residential areas, and use of electric air compressors and similar power tools rather than diesel equipment, shall be used where feasible. During construction, stationary construction equipment shall be placed such that emitted noise is directed away from or shielded from sensitive noise receivers. During construction, stockpiling and vehicle staging areas shall be located as far as practical from noise-sensitive receptors. The project shall limit construction activities, including grading, to the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. Mechanical Equipment Noise MM NOI-2 Noise from mechanical equipment associated with the project (mechanical ventilation/air conditioning, ventilation fans, pool pumps, or other equipment as applicable) shall be evaluated as part of the building plan submittal to ensure compliance with the applicable noise limits of the City s Municipal Code at the project site boundaries, as well as at on-site single-family residential lot-line boundaries. 9 October 2015

10 This completes Dudek s acoustical assessment report for the subject project. Should you have any questions regarding the information in this report, please call me at Sincerely, Brian Grover Environmental Specialist/Project Manager cc: Mike Greene, Dudek Att.: Figures 1 2 Attachment 1 Definitions REFERENCES City of Santa Ana City of Santa Ana Transit Zoning Code (SD 84A and SD 84B) Final Environmental Impact Report. SCH no Prepared by PBS&J. Los Angeles, California: PBS&J. May City of Solana Beach. Solana Beach Municipal Code. Chapter 7.34, Noise Abatement and Control. City of Solana Beach Solana Beach General Plan Noise Element. html FTA (Federal Transit Administration) Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. FTA- VA Prepared under contract by Harris, Miller, Miller and Hanson. Burlington, Massachusetts: Harris, Miller, Miller and Hanson. May EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Noise from Construction Equipment and Operations, Building Equipment and Home Appliances. Prepared under contract by Bolt, Beranek & Newman. Boston, Massachusetts: Bolt, Beranek & Newman. LLG (Linscott, Law & Greenspan) Traffic Impact Analysis Feather Acres. Solana Beach, California. August 5, October 2015

11 San Diego County Imperial County Highlands 1 San Juan Capistrano Dana Point San Clemente Orange County San Diego County Temecula Rainbow 371 Riverside County San Diego County S a l t o n S e a 5 Camp Pendleton North Fallbrook Bonsall Camp Pendleton South Oceanside Vista Hidden Meadows Valley Center Borrego Springs Carlsbad San Marcos Escondido Santa Ysabel P a c i f i c Encinitas Project Site 56 Poway 67 Ramona San Diego Country Estates 78 Julian O c e a n Coronado San Diego Lemon Grove La Mesa National City Bonita Santee El Cajon Spring Valley Lakeside Rancho San Diego Jamul Harbison Canyon Alpine 8 Pine Valley Boulevard 8 98 Z:\Projects\j860701\MAPDOC\DOCUMENT\Figure2_Regional.mxd 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 Meters Miles Imperial Beach Chula Vista 905 Feather Acres Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Technical Report 94 Campo M E X I C O Jacumba Copyright: 2014 Esri FIGURE 1 Regional Map

12 Project Site 5 0 1,000 2,000 Feet SOURCE: USGS 7.5-Minute Series Del Mar Quadrangle. Copyright: 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed FIGURE 2 Vicinity Map 9074 Feather Acres Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Technical Report

13 ATTACHMENT 1 Definitions

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15 ATTACHMENT 1 Definitions TERM Ambient Noise Level A-Weighted Sound Level, (dba) Community Equivalent Sound Level (CNEL) Decibel, (db) Equivalent Sound Level DEFINITION The composite of noise from all sources near and far. The normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location. The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound-level meter using the A-weighted filter network. The A-weighting filter de-emphasizes the very low and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar to the frequency response of the human ear and correlates well with CNEL is the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound exposure (CNEL) level for a 24-hour period with a 10 db adjustment added to sound levels occurring during the nighttime hours (10 p.m. 7 a.m.) and 5 db added to the sound during the evening hours (7 p.m. 10 p.m.). A unit for measuring sound pressure level and is equal to 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the measured sound pressure squared to a reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals. L eq is the sound level corresponding to a steady statesound level and containing the same total energy as a time varying signal over a given sample period. Leq is designed to average all of the loud and quiet sound levels occurring over a specific time period. 1-1 October 2015

16 ATTACHMENT 1 (Continued) INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 1-2 October 2015