SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSA. EXISTING PLANS AND POLICIESHealth and Safety ElementNoise SubtopicWith the “Open Space” designation, the Alameda Watershed area falls under the rural noisediscussion, which does not have specific state policies. In the General Plan, the “NoiseCompatibility Standards for Land Use in Santa Clara County” provide an “Open Space”designation, but no critical noise levels are listed. Homes in agricultural areas are not subject tothe residential standards. Public buildings in parks and open space areas are required to meet thenoise standards listed under “Public or Semi-Public Facilities.” For open space use, themaximum level of noise that a new land use may impose on neighboring open space shall be theupper limit of the “Satisfactory Noise Level.”Natural Hazards SubtopicPoliciesPolicy R-HS 8: Areas of persistent flooding and areas of potential inundation from dam failureshall generally be designated for agricultural land uses or other suitable open space use.Policy R-HS 10: In all hazard areas, projects shall be designed and conditioned to avoidplacement of structures and improvements where they would:! be directly jeopardized by hazards;! increase the hazard potential; and/or! increase risks to neighboring properties.Geology and Seismicity SubtopicThe Alameda Watershed is designated by the General Plan as having moderate and majorrelative seismic stability. A moderate relative seismic stability rating requires site investigationsfor development projects unless waived by the County. A major rating requires a mandatory siteinvestigation, unless detailed information permits the waiver of the investigation.PoliciesPolicy R-HS 6: Inventories and mapping of natural hazards shall be adequately maintained foruse in planning and decision-making, including:a. relative seismic stability map;b. composite geologic hazards map;c. soil creep;d. saturated, unstable soils;e. slope maps;f. flood hazards maps;g. relative fire hazard rating;h. dam failure inundation areas maps;i. airport safety zones; andj. Closed Solid Waste Disposal Sites.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.A-18 ESA / 930385January 2001