Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

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Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONB.3.10 NoiseNOISEWould the project:a. Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess ofstandards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance,or applicable standards of other agencies?PotentiallySignificantImpactLess thanSignificantWithMitigationIncorporatedLess thanSignificantImpactNo Impactb. Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundbornevibration or groundborne noise levels?c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in theproject vicinity above levels existing without the project?d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noiselevels in the project vicinity above levels existing without theproject?e. For a project located within an airport land use plan or, wheresuch a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a publicairport or public use airport, would the project expose peopleresiding or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?f. For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would theproject expose people residing or working in the project area toexcessive noise levels?Significance criteria established by CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G.B.3.10.1 SettingCommunity noise levels are usually closely related to the intensity of human activity.Surrounding land uses dictate what noise levels would be considered acceptable orunacceptable. Environmental noise is composed of many frequencies, each occurringsimultaneously at its own sound pressure level. Frequency weighting combines the overallsound frequency into one sound level that simulates how an average person hears sounds. Thecommonly used frequency weighting for environmental noise is an A-weighted decibel (dBA).Noise levels are generally considered low when below 45 dBA, moderate in the 45 to 60 dBArange, and high above 60 dBA. Levels around 75 dBA are more common in busy urban areas,and levels up to 85 dBA occur near major freeways and airports. Noise levels above 45 dBA atnight can result in the onset of sleep interference. At 70 dBA, sleep interference effectsbecome considerable (U.S. EPA, 1974). The following setting focuses on specific noiseconditions in the Taylor Mountain Preserve area.Existing ConditionsThe majority of the Taylor Mountain Preserve is rural and physically separated from nearbyurban uses. Existing ambient noise levels are low, due to the current type and level of use atthe site. The northern area is near a residential neighborhood. The primary existing noisesources in the vicinity are the roadways around the perimeter of the property.Noise sensitive receptors are residences, schools, religious facilities, hospitals, and parks. Thenearest residences are over 200 feet from the area of the project site where staging areas may beFinal B-90 September 2012
Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONdeveloped. The closest school building, Sonoma Academy, is more than 500 feet from anyproposed development area on the project site.Applicable RegulationsAlthough the Preserve is outside of the City of Santa Rosa limits, it is adjacent to severalproperties within the city. The Noise and Safety Element of the Santa Rosa General Planoutlines the policies, programs, and guidelines the City follows to control noise. The City ofSanta Rosa also maintains a Noise Ordinance. According to the City Land Use CompatibilityStandards (City of Santa Rosa, 2009), a noise level of 60 dBA Ldn is acceptable at low-densityresidential areas and 70 dBA is acceptable at schools.The Sonoma County General Plan Noise Element provides guidelines for non-transportation andtransportation-related noise. Maximum allowable non-transportation exterior noise exposurelevels are listed in Table NE-2 of the County Noise Element (see below).County of Sonoma General Plan Table NE-2Maximum Allowable Exterior NoiseExposures for Non-transportation NoiseSources Hourly Noise Metric* dBADaytime(7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)Nighttime(10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)L50 (30 minutes in any hour) 50 45L25 (15 minutes in any hour) 55 50L08 (5 minutes in any hour) 60 55L02 (1 minute in any hour) 65 60* The sound level exceeded n% of the time in any hour. For example, the L50 is the valueexceeded 50% of the time or 30 minutes in any hour; this is the median noise level. The L02 isthe sound level exceeded 1 minute in any hour.According to Sonoma County General Plan Noise Element Policy NE-1b, transportation-relatednoise is subject to noise control measures when total exterior noise levels increase above 60dBA Ldn near sensitive receptors (Sonoma County, 2008).B.3.10.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measuresa. Would the project result in exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excessof standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicablestandards of other agencies?LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED. Implementation of the MasterPlan would result in both short-term and long-term noise generation. Although operation ofthe Park and Preserve would not cause noise levels to exceed local standards, noise levels couldexceed standards during construction activities.Construction. Project construction of the staging areas and other facilities would be phasedover time. Short-term use of trucks and other equipment at or around the proposed stagingarea sites would create both intermittent and continuous noises. Intermittent noise wouldresult from periodic, short-term equipment operation. Continuous noise would result fromsteady equipment operation over longer periods. Construction activities with feasible noisecontrol typically generate noise levels of 75 to 80 dBA, as measured from approximately 50 feetSeptember 2012 B-91 Final
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