section 2.6 noise - san diego county, california · 2019-10-22 · draft final environmental impact...
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Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
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Section 2.6 Noise
ThissectiondescribesthegeneralnoiseconditionsintheCountyandpertinentregulationsthatgovernnoise,anddiscussesthepotentialforimpactsonnoiseasaresultofprojectimplementation.
2.6.1 Existing Conditions
Thissectiondiscussesthecharacteristicsofnoiseandvibrationandhowtheyareevaluated,anddescribestheexistingambientnoiseenvironment,includingthesourcesofnoise,intheCountyinrelationtonoise‐sensitivelanduses.AmbientnoisedataandbaselineinformationreviewedforthissectionincludetheNoiseTechnicalReportfortheCountyofSanDiegoGeneralPlanUpdate(CountyofSanDiego2009c),GeneralPlanUpdate(CountyofSanDiego2011a),CountyofSanDiegoGeneralPlan,NoiseElementBackgroundReport(CountyofSanDiego2011a),andGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificance:Noise(CountyofSanDiego2009d).
2.6.1.1 Ambient Noise Setting
TheCountyischaracterizedasaprimarilyruralenvironmentwithlow‐densitydevelopmentthatcontributestoitsperceivedqualityoflifeanditspeaceandtranquility.However,severalhigher‐densitycommunities,includingtheValledeOroCommunityPlanningArea(CPA),SpringValleyCPA,andSweetwaterCPA,alsoexist,whichhavealouderambientnoiseenvironment.Majorsourcesofnoiseincludetransportationandnon‐transportationrelatedactivities.Non‐transportation‐relatednoisegeneratorsarecommonlycalledstationary,fixed,area,orpointsourcesofnoise.Industrialprocessing;mechanicalequipment;pumpstations;andheating,ventilating,andairconditioning(HVAC)equipmentareexamplesoffixed‐location,non‐transportationnoisesourceswithintheCounty.Somenon‐transportationsourcesarenotstationarybutaretypicallyassessedaspointorareasourcesduetothelimitedareainwhichtheyoperate,suchastruckdeliveries,agriculturalfieldmachinery,andminingequipment.
2.6.1.2 Characteristics of Noise and Vibration
Noiseistypicallydefinedasunwantedsound.Soundsareperceivedbasedontheirloudness(i.e.,volumeorsoundpressurelevel)orpitch(i.e.,tonalorfrequencycontent).Thestandardunitofmeasureforsoundpressurelevelsisthedecibel(dB).Thestandardunitusedtodescribethetonalorfrequencycontentishertz(Hz).Typicalfrequencyrangesare20–20,000Hzforaudiblenoise,100–3,000Hzfornormalspeech,20–200Hzforlowfrequencysound,andlessthan20Hzforinfrasound.Table2.6‐1showsthesoundpressurelevel,indecibels,ofthecorrespondingfrequencyofinfrasoundandlowfrequencysoundnecessaryforthesoundtobeheardbytheaverageperson.Customarily,theyoung,non‐pathologicalearcanperceivesoundsrangingfrom20–20,000Hz.Infrasound,atcertainfrequenciesandathighlevels,canbeaudibletosomepeople.
Toaccountforthepitchofsoundsandthecorrespondingsensitivityofhumanhearing,therawsoundpressurelevelisadjustedwithanA‐weightingschemebasedonfrequencythatisstatedinunitsofdecibels(dBA).Table2.6‐2depictstypicalA‐weightedsoundlevelsforvariousnoisesources.A‐weightingisacceptableifthereislargelymiddleandhighfrequencynoisepresent,butifthenoiseisunusuallyhighatlowfrequencies,orcontainsprominentlowfrequencytones,theA‐
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weightingmaynotgiveavalidmeasure.Humanhearingcausessoundsdominatedbylow‐frequencycomponentstoseemlouderthanbroadbandsoundsthathavethesameA‐weightedlevel.Therefore,otherweightingschemesareused.
Agivenlevelofnoisewouldbemoreorlesstolerabledependingonthesoundlevel,durationofexposure,characterofthenoisesources,timeofdayduringwhichthenoiseisexperienced,andactivityaffectedbythenoise.Forexample,noisethatoccursatnighttendstobemoredisturbingthanthatwhichoccursduringthedaybecausesleephasthepotentialtobedisturbed.Additionally,restatnightisacriticalrequirementintherecoveryfromexposuretohighnoiselevelsduringtheday.Inconsiderationofthesefactors,differentmeasuresofnoiseexposurehavebeendevelopedtoquantifytheextentoftheeffectsanticipatedfromtheseactivities.Forexample,someindicesconsiderthe24‐hournoiseenvironmentofalocationbyusingaweightedaveragetoestimateitshabitabilityonalong‐termbasis.Othermeasuresconsiderportionsofthedayandevaluatethenearbyactivitiesaffectedbyitaswellasthenoisesources.ThemostcommonlyusedindicesformeasuringcommunitynoiselevelsaretheEquivalentEnergyLevel(Leq),andtheCommunityNoiseEquivalentLevel(CNEL).
Thedecibellevelofasounddecreases(orattenuates)exponentiallyasthedistancefromthesourceofthatsoundincreases.Forasinglepointsourcesuchasapieceofmechanicalequipment,thesoundlevelnormallydecreasesbyabout6dBAforeachdoublingofdistancefromthesource.Soundthatoriginatesfromalinear(orline)source,suchasaheavilytraveledtrafficcorridor,attenuatesbyapproximately3dBAperdoublingofdistance,providedthatthesurroundingsiteconditionslackgroundeffectsorobstaclesthateitherscatterorreflectnoise.
Noise Effects
Noisehasanimportanteffectonthequalityoflife.Anindividual’sreactiontoaparticularnoisedependsonmanyfactors,suchasthesourceofthenoise,itsloudnessrelativetothebackgroundnoiselevel,andthetimeofday.Thereactiontonoisecanalsobehighlysubjective;theperceivedeffectofaparticularnoisecanvarywidelyamongindividualsinacommunity.Becauseofthenatureofthehumanear,asoundmustbeabout10dBAgreaterthanthereferencesoundtobejudgedastwiceasloud.Ingeneral,a3dBAchangeincommunitynoiselevelsisperceivable,while1–2dBAchangesgenerallyarenotperceived.Althoughthereactiontonoisewouldvary,itisclearthatnoiseisanimportantcomponentoftheenvironment,andexcessivelynoisyconditionscanaffectanindividual’shealthandwell‐being.Theeffectsofnoiseareoftenonlytransitory,butadverseeffectscanbecumulativewithprolongedorrepeatedexposure.Theeffectsofnoiseonacommunitycanbeorganizedintosixbroadcategories:sleepdisturbance,permanenthearingloss,humanperformanceandbehavior,socialinteractionofcommunication,extra‐auditoryhealtheffects,andgeneralannoyance.
Noise‐Sensitive Land Uses
Noise‐sensitivelandusesincludeareaswhereanexcessiveamountofnoisewouldinterferewithnormalactivities.Primarynoise‐sensitivelandusesincluderesidentialuses,publicandprivateeducationalfacilities,hospitals,convalescenthomes,hotels/motels,daycarefacilities,andpassiverecreationalparks.Sleepdisturbanceisthemostcriticalconcernforanoise‐sensitivelanduseona24‐hourbasisorlongercomparedtoactivitiesthatareoccupiedonlyaportionofaday.
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Groundborne Vibration
Groundbornevibrationpropagatesfromthesourcethroughthegroundtoadjacentbuildingsbysurfacewaves.Vibrationmaybecomposedofasinglepulse,aseriesofpulses,oracontinuousoscillatorymotion.Thefrequencyofavibratingobjectdescribeshowrapidlyitisoscillating,measuredinHz.Thenormalfrequencyrangeofmostgroundbornevibrationthatcanbefeltgenerallystartsfromalowfrequencyoflessthan1Hztoahighfrequencyofabout200Hz.Vibrationenergyspreadsoutasittravelsthroughtheground,causingthevibrationamplitudetodecreasewithdistanceawayfromthesource.Ambientandsourcevibrationareoftenexpressedintermsofthepeakparticlevelocity(PPV)orrootmeansquare(RMS)velocityininchespersecondthatcorrelatesbestwithhumanperception.TheFederalTransitAdministration(FTA)estimatesthatthethresholdofperceptionisapproximately0.0001inch/secondRMS,andthelevelatwhichcontinuousvibrationsbegintoannoypeopleisapproximately0.001inch/secondRMS(FTA2006).
Vibration Sensitive Land Uses
Groundbornevibrationcandisruptvibration‐sensitivelandusesbycausingmovementofbuildings,rattlingofwindowsanditemsinsidebuildings,rumblingsounds,andevenpropertydamage.Vibration‐sensitivelandusesincludebuildingswherevibrationwouldinterferewithoperationswithinthebuilding,suchasvibration‐sensitiveresearchandmanufacturing,hospitalswithvibration‐sensitiveequipment,anduniversityresearchoperations.Thedegreeofsensitivitytovibrationdependsonthespecificequipmentthatwouldbeaffectedbythevibration.Residentialusesarealsosensitivetoexcessivelevelsofvibrationofeitheraregularoranintermittentnature.AccordingtotheTransitNoiseandVibrationImpactAssessment(FTA2006),thebackgroundvibrationlevelinresidentialareasistypically0.00003inch/secondRMS,whichislowerthanthe0.0001inch/secondRMSthresholdofperceptionforhumans.ThereareseveralsourcesofgroundbornevibrationintheunincorporatedCounty,includingconstruction,railroadoperations,andextractiveminingoperations(seeTable2.6‐3).
Noisesassociatedwithagriculturaloperationsincludevarioustypesofheavymachineryusedforlandmanagementandoperations,suchastractorsandtrucks,aircraftusedforcropdusting,woodworkingmachinery,processingequipment,bird‐scaringdevices,grainandhaydryersandfans,andmechanicalventilationfans.MostoftheagriculturalareasintheCountyareinruralandremoteareas,andtheexistingambientnoiselevelsinagriculturalareasarerelativelylow.Duetothesizeoftheprojectarea,baselinenoisemeasurementswerenotrecorded;however,themostrecentCountywidenoisemeasurementsavailableincludea2008communitynoisesurveythatidentifiedagriculturaloperationsashavinganoiselevelrangeof44.4–68.3dBA(CountyofSanDiego2009c).Nomajorcircumstancessincethetimeofthe2008noisesurveyhaveoccurredinagriculturalareasthatwouldsubstantiallyaffectthesurveyresults.
Temporary and/or Nuisance Noise
Temporaryconstructionactivitiesaredisturbingtoresidentsbutaredifficulttoattenuateandcontrol.NoisecomplaintsoccurmorefrequentlyindenselydevelopedareasoftheunincorporatedCounty,suchastheSpringValleyCPAandValledeOroCPA,aswellasareasthatareheavilyagricultural,suchastheFallbrookCPAandValleyCenterCPA.
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Community Noise Survey
DuringFebruaryandMarch2008,PBS&Jconductednoisemeasurementswiththepurposeofestablishingbaselinesfortransportationandnon‐transportationnoisegeneratorsthroughouttheCounty.LocationsweremonitoredusingaLarson–DavisAmericanNationalStandardsInstituteTypeIIintegratingsoundlevelmetertoestablishexistingambientnoiselevels.Noisemeterlocationsvariedforeachmeasurementaccordingtositeaccessibility.Atotalof44short‐term(15‐minute)measurementswereconductedtoprovideabasisforunderstandingtheoverallexistingnoiseenvironmentoftheCounty.A15‐minutesampleisconsidereda“snapshot”ofthebaselinenoiseenvironmentatagiventime;however,thesoundlevelwouldvarydependingontime,day,orseason.
Theresultsofthecommunitynoisesurveyshowthatthelocationswiththehighestnoiselevels(between70and74dBALeq)wereroadways(includingInterstate[I]8),boulevards,aprimearterial,aSprinterpass‐byareainNorthCountyMetroSubregion,ashootingrangeinValledeOroCPA,theRamonaLandfill,andconstructioninSpringValleyCPA.Thelocationswiththelowestnoiselevels(between43and50dBA)werearesortinBorregoSprings,residentialdevelopmentsinSanDieguitoCPAandLakesideCPA,andnoise‐sensitivebiologicalresourcesinLakesideCPA,allofwhichweresubjecttolimitedtrafficnoise.OtherlandusedesignationsinthisrangewerearecreationalparkinJulianCPA,aschoolinPala/PaumaValleySubregionwithschoolbellsandchildrenatrecess,andagriculturaluseinPala/PaumaValleySubregionusingtractorsandforklifts.
Noise Contours
Noiselevelcontoursareusedasaguideforminimizingtheexposureofcommunityresidentstonoise.Noisecontoursrepresentlinesofequalnoiseexposure.Contoursareusedtoprovideageneralvisualizationofsoundlevelsandshouldnotbeconsideredasabsolutelinesofdemarcation.NoisecontoursforroadwaynoisesourcesattheCounty‐widelevelweremostrecentlydevelopedaspartoftheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdate,whichwasapprovedin2011.Assuch,existingconditionsforthisprojectrelyuponinformationgatheredandpresentedintheCounty’sGeneralPlan,whichuses2008noisemeasurementscollectedbyPBS&J.TheexistingnoisecontoursareshownintheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdateEIRasFigure2.11‐2,andnoisecontoursforfuturebuild‐outconditionsin2030areshownintheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdateEIRasFigure2.11‐3.NoisecontoursareexpressedasCNELvalues.
2.6.2 Regulatory Setting
Noiseissubjecttoregulatoryoversightatthreelevels:federal,state,andlocal.
2.6.2.1 Federal Regulations
Federal Aviation Administration Standards
EnforcedbytheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA),14CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)150prescribestheprocedures,standards,andmethodologygoverningthedevelopment,submission,andreviewofairportnoiseexposuremapsandairportnoisecompatibilityprograms,includingtheprocessforevaluatingandapprovingordisapprovingthoseprograms.Title14alsoidentifieslandusesthatarenormallycompatiblewithvariouslevelsofexposuretonoisebyindividuals.Itprovidestechnicalassistancetoairportoperators,inconjunctionwithotherlocal,state,andfederal
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authorities,toprepareandexecuteappropriatenoisecompatibilityplanningandimplementationprograms.FAAestablishesaCNELof65dBAasthenoisestandardassociatedwithaircraftnoise.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasindicatedthatresidentialnoiseexposureof55–65dBAisacceptablewhenanalyzinglandusecompatibility(EPA1981);however,theseguidelinesarenotregulatory.Withregardtonoiseexposureandworkers,thefederalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)establishesregulationstosafeguardthehearingofworkersexposedtooccupationalnoise(29CFR1910.95).OSHAspecifiesthatsustainednoiseover85dBA(8‐hourtime‐weightedaverage)canbeathreattoworkers’hearing,andifworkerexposureexceedsthisamount,theemployermustdevelopandimplementamonitoringplan(29CFR1910.95(d)(1)).
U.S. Office of Surface and Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
TheU.S.OfficeofSurfaceMiningReclamationandEnforcement(OSM)hasestablishedguidelinesrelatedtoblastingforsurfaceminingactivities.OSMguidelinesrequiretheoperatortodistributeablastingschedule,postblastingsigns,andcontrolaccesswithintheblastingarea.OSMhasestablishedairblastandgroundvibrationlimitsatthelocationofanydwelling,publicbuilding,school,church,orcommunitybuildingoutsidethepermitarea.ThestandardPPVdamagethresholdforresidentialstructuresis2.0inchespersecond.ThisrequirementisbasedonthefindingsandrecommendationsofseveralreportsmadebytheformerU.S.BureauofMines.
2.6.2.2 State Regulations
California Noise Control Act of 1973
Sections46000through46080oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,knownastheCaliforniaNoiseControlActof1973,findsthatexcessivenoiseisaserioushazardtothepublichealthandwelfareandthatexposuretocertainlevelsofnoisecanresultinphysiological,psychological,andeconomicdamage.Italsofindsthatthereisacontinuousandincreasingbombardmentofnoiseintheurban,suburban,andruralareas.TheCaliforniaNoiseControlActdeclaresthattheStateofCaliforniahasaresponsibilitytoprotectthehealthandwelfareofitscitizensbythecontrol,prevention,andabatementofnoise.ItisthepolicyofthestatetoprovideanenvironmentforallCaliforniansfreefromnoisethatjeopardizestheirhealthorwelfare.
California Airport Noise Standards
The1990CaliforniaAirportNoiseStandardsaredesignedtocausetheairportproprietor,aircraftoperator,localgovernments,pilots,andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation’sDivisionofAeronauticstoworkcooperativelytodiminishnoise.Theregulationsaccomplishtheseendsbycontrollingandreducingnoiseinthecommunitiesinthevicinityofairports.ThelevelofnoiseacceptabletoareasonablepersonresidinginthevicinityofanairportisestablishedasaCNELvalueof65dBA.Thelimitationsonairportnoiseinresidentialcommunitiesareestablishedasfollows.
a. ThecriterionCNELis65dBAforproposednewairportsandforactivemilitaryairportsbeingconvertedtocivilianuse.
b. ThecriterionCNELforexistingcivilianairportsis65dBA.
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California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook
TheCaliforniaAirportLandUsePlanningHandbookprovidesguidancefortheassessmentofnoisecompatibilityoflandusesnearairports.Guidanceisbasedonexistingfederalandstateregulationsandpolicies.Thehandbookstatesthat65dBAisthebasiclimitofacceptablenoiseexposureforresidentialandothernoise‐sensitivelandusesandrecommendsanannualCNELstandardof60dBAtobeusedfornewresidentialdevelopment;however,thisstandardhasbeensetwithrespecttorelativelynoisyurbanareasandmaybetoohighofanoiseleveltobeappropriateasastandardforlandusecompatibilityplanning.Thelevelofnoisedeemedacceptableinonecommunityisnotnecessarilythesameinanother.Anoiselevelabove60dBACNELmaybeconsideredincompatiblewithsomeresidentialuses.Accordingtothehandbook,noisecompatibilitystandardstypicallyplaceprimaryemphasisonresidentialareasbecauseresidentialdevelopmentisoneofthemostnoise‐sensitivelandusesandusuallycoversthegreatestproportionofurbanland.ThreeCNELsarecommonlyusedasthelimitforacceptableresidentialnoiseexposure:CNEL65,60,or55dBA.Thehandbookalsoincludesnormalizationfactorsasamethodforadjustingaircraftnoiselevelsusedfordeterminingandpredictingcommunityreactions.Becausetheacceptableresidentialnoiselevelstandardmayvarybetweencommunities,noisecompatibilityissuesareaddressedintheAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlans(ALUCPs)preparedforindividualairports.
AlllandusejurisdictionsintheCountyhaveordinancesthatregulateactivitiesinordertoreducenoiseimpacts.Asstatedpreviously,anynoisegeneratedbytheconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceofprojectsundertheproposedZoningOrdinanceAmendmentwouldberequiredtocomplywiththestandardsandregulationsgoverningnoiselimitswithintheapplicablejurisdiction.
2.6.2.3 Local Regulations
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans
ALUCPsareplansthatguidepropertyownersandlocaljurisdictionsindeterminingwhattypesofproposednewlandusesareappropriatearoundairports.Theyareintendedtoprotectthesafetyofpeople,property,andaircraftonthegroundandintheairinthevicinityofanairport.ALUCPsarebasedonadefinedareaaroundanairportknownastheAirportInfluenceArea.ALUCPsincludepoliciesthataddressnoisecompatibilityissuesassociatedwithairportsandtheirrespectiveAirportInfluenceAreas(AIAs).
County of San Diego General Plan Update, Noise Element
TheGeneralPlanUpdateNoiseElementestablishesnoiseandlandusecompatibilitystandardsandoutlinesgoalsandpoliciestoachievethesestandards.TheCounty’sGeneralPlanNoiseElementcharacterizesthenoiseenvironmentintheCountyandprovidesthecontextfortheCounty’snoise/landusecompatibilityguidelinesandstandards.TheNoiseElementalsodescribestheCounty’sgoalsforachievingthestandardsandintroducespoliciesdesignedtoimplementthegoals.UnderimplementationoftheGeneralPlanUpdate,theCountywouldusetheNoiseCompatibilityGuidelinesandNoiseStandards(TablesN‐1andN‐2)todeterminethecompatibilityoflanduseswhenevaluatingproposeddevelopmentprojects.TheNoiseCompatibilityGuidelinesindicaterangesofcompatibilityandareintendedtobeflexibleenoughtoapplytoarangeofprojectsandenvironments.
Alanduselocatedinanareaidentifiedasacceptableindicatesthatstandardconstructionmethodswouldattenuateexteriornoisetoanacceptableindoornoiselevelandthatpeoplecancarryout
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outdooractivitieswithminimalnoiseinterference.Landusesthatfallintotheconditionallyacceptablenoiseenvironmentshouldhaveanacousticalstudythatconsidersthetypeofnoisesource,thesensitivityofthenoisereceptor,andthedegreetowhichthenoisesourcehasthepotentialtointerferewithsleep,speech,orotheractivitiescharacteristicofthelanduse.Forlandusesindicatedasconditionallyacceptable,structuresmustbeabletoattenuatetheexteriornoisetotheindoornoiselevelasindicatedintheNoiseStandards.Forlanduseswheretheexteriornoiselevelsfallwithintheunacceptablerange,newconstructiongenerallyshouldnotbeundertaken.
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Sections 36.401–36.435, Noise Ordinance
TheNoiseOrdinanceestablishesprohibitionsfordisturbing,excessive,oroffensivenoiseaswellasprovisionssuchassoundlevellimitsforthepurposeofsecuringandpromotingthepublichealth,comfort,safety,peace,andquietforitscitizens.Plannedcompliancewithsoundlevellimitsandotherspecificpartsoftheordinanceallowspresumptionthatthenoiseisnotdisturbing,excessive,oroffensive.Limitsarespecifieddependingonthezoningplacedonaproperty(e.g.,varyingdensitiesandintensitiesofresidential,industrial,andcommercialzones).Wheretwoadjacentpropertieshavedifferentzones,thesoundlevellimitatalocationonaboundarybetweentwopropertiesisthearithmeticmeanoftherespectivelimitsforthetwozones,exceptforextractiveindustries.The1‐houraveragesoundlevellimitapplicabletoextractiveindustries,includingbutnotlimitedtoborrowpitsandmines,wouldbe75dBAatthepropertylineregardlessofthezoneinwhichtheextractiveindustryislocated.ItisunlawfulforanypersontocauseorallowthecreationofanynoisethatexceedstheapplicablelimitsoftheNoiseOrdinanceatanypointonorbeyondtheboundariesofthepropertyonwhichthesoundisproduced.
Section36.404oftheCountyNoiseOrdinancecontainssoundlevellimitsspecifictoreceivinglanduses.Soundlevellimitsareintermsofa1‐houraveragesoundlevel.TheallowablenoiselimitsdependupontheCounty’szoningdistrictandtimeofday.TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedinanyzonewithintheCounty.Table2.6‐4liststhesoundlevellimitsfortheCounty.Sections36.408through36.410oftheCountyNoiseOrdinancesetslimitsonthetimeofdayanddaysoftheweekthatconstructioncanoccur,aswellassettingnoiselimitsforconstructionactivities.Insummary,theordinanceprohibitsoperatingconstructionequipmentonthefollowingdaysandtimes.
MondaysthroughSaturdaysexceptbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.
Sundaysanddaysappointedbythepresident,governor,orboardofsupervisorsforapublicfast,Thanksgiving,orotherholiday.
Inaddition,Section36.409requiresthatbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.,noequipmentcanbeoperatedsoastocausean8‐houraverageconstructionnoiselevelinexcessof75dBAwhenmeasuredattheboundarylineofthepropertywherethenoisesourceislocated,oronanyoccupiedpropertywherethenoiseisbeingreceived.
San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5250‐5260, Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Use Regulations
ALUCPsestablishanAIAthatdenotesareaswherelandusesshouldbereviewedforcompatibilitywiththeairportsoperations.TheCountyofSanDiegoZoningOrdinanceincludesaSpecialAreaDesignator“C”—AirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan—thatisassignedtopropertiesintheAIAs.ThroughtheapplicationoftheSpecialAreaDesignator,newdevelopment,redevelopment,
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expansions,conversionsandotherusesoflandlocatedthatrequireCountyapprovalarerequiredtobereviewedagainsttheestablishedcriteriaandpoliciesoftheapplicableALUCP.UnlessthepropertyisalreadydevotedtotheproposedincompatibleuseortheALUCPisoverriddenbytheCountyinamannerwhichrenderstheusecompatiblewiththeALUCP,theproposal,mustcomplywiththeestablishedpoliciesandcriteriaoftheapplicableALUCP.
2.6.3 Analysis of Project Effects and Determination of Significance
TheproposedprojectconsistsofanamendmenttotheZoningOrdinancethatwouldpromoteaccessoryagriculturaloperationsthroughouttheunincorporatedCountyofSanDiego,asdescribedinChapter1,ProjectDescription,Location,andEnvironmentalSetting.ThefollowingimpactanalysisgenerallysummarizesanticipatedconstructionandoperationalnoisesthatwouldresultwithfutureimplementationoftheproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinanceandconcludeswhetherthoseincreaseswouldresultinsignificantenvironmentalimpacts.Onecommentletterthatisrelevanttonoisewasreceivedduringthe30‐daypubliccommentperiod.TheClevelandNationalForestindicatedthatnoiseisofparticularconcernfortheagencyandrequestedthattheEIRconsidereffectsofintensifiedlandusesontheforest.
2.6.3.1 Excessive Noise Levels
Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheproposedprojectwould:
ResultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofnoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedbytheCounty’sGeneralPlan,County’sNoiseOrdinance,County’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,orCounty’sZoningOrdinance.
Analysis
NoiselevelsintheunincorporatedCountyareregulatedbytheCounty’sNoiseOrdinanceandtheCountyGeneralPlanNoiseElement.TheNoiseOrdinanceregulatesnoiselevelsassociatedwithongoingoperationsandtemporaryconstruction,andincludespermissiblenoiselevels(onsitenoiseimpacts).TheNoiseElementdesignatespermissiblenoiselevels(dBA)forvariouslandusezonesandregulates24‐hourtimevaryingnoisesourcessuchasvehiclenoiselevelsassociatedwithdevelopment(onsiteandoffsitenoiseimpacts).
AtrafficreportwaspreparedfortheproposedprojecttodeterminepotentialtrafficimpactsonarearoadwaysduetooperationofanincreasednumberofaccessoryagriculturaloperationsintheCounty.Oftheindividualaccessoryusesincludedaspartoftheproject,fivetypesofuseswereincludedasanticipatedtrafficgenerators,includingagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalstores,creamery/dairy,microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineries.Thetripsassociatedwitheachwerethenaveragedacrossallparcelswithsimilarzoning,andanoveralltripgenerationratebycommunityplanningareawasdetermined(refertoSection2.7.3.1formoreinformationonmethodologyforcalculatingtripgeneration).ThemosttripsassociatedwiththeprojectwouldoccurinValleyCenter(about4,900newtrips),representinganincreaseofabout2.2percentinthat
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community.ThelargestincreaseinpercentagewouldoccurinRainbow,wherea5.6percentincreasewouldoccurwithanadditional904trips.
General Construction Related Impacts
FutureconstructionactivitiesthatarelikelytobeassociatedwiththeaccessoryagriculturalusesthatarepromotedbytheproposedZoningOrdinanceupdateswouldgenerallyinvolveatemporaryincreaseinnoiserelatedtoconstructionequipmentandactivitiesassociatedwithlandclearing,miscellaneouslandimprovements,andtheconstructionofstructuresupto5,000squarefeet.
Noiselevelgenerationwouldchangeday‐to‐day,dependingonthelevelofactivity,duration,andthespecifictypeofconstruction.Assuch,thefollowingnoiseanalysisdoesnotincludeprecisenoiselevels,ratheraqualitativeanalysisisprovidedthatgenerallydiscussesprimarynoisegeneratorsassociatedwithbothconstructionandoperation.Relatedconstructionactivitiesthatwouldproducetemporaryincreasesinnoisewouldincludetypicalconstructionequipmentsuchastractors,loaders,backhoes,excavators,graders,forklifts,andwelders.Asummaryoftypicalconstructionequipmentnoiselevelsat50feetisprovidedinTable2.6‐5.Itisnotanticipatedthatdrillingorblastingwouldberequiredtosupporttheconstructionofanyoftheusesthatwouldbepromotedbytheproposedproject.Constructionactivitiesaretemporaryinnatureandwouldnotgenerateexcessivenoiseoveralongdurationoftime.Manyoftheaccessoryagriculturalusespromotedbytheprojectareanticipatedtoresultoflimitedconstructionequipmentoperationsastheywilllikelybelocatedonexistingdevelopedsitesorwillnotrequiresubstantialnewdevelopment,resultinginminimalornograding.
AllfutureconstructionrelatedtotheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseOrdinanceSection36.408,whichestablisheslimitsonhourofoperationforconstructionequipment,aswellasSections36.409and36.410,whichsetssoundlevellimitsonconstructionequipment(includingimpulsivetypenoisesources).Insummary,theordinanceprohibitsoperatingconstructionequipmentonthefollowingdaysandtimes.
MondaysthroughSaturdays,exceptbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.
Sundaysoraholiday(January1,thelastMondayinMay,July4,thefirstMondayinSeptember,December25,andanydayappointedbythepresidentasaspecialnationalholidayorthegovernorofthestateasaspecialstateholiday).Apersonmay,however,operateconstructionequipmentonaSundayorholidaybetweenthehoursof10a.m.and5p.m.attheperson’sresidenceprovidedcompliancewithSections36.409and36.410oftheCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.
Thecodealsorequiresthatbetween7a.m.and7p.m.noconstructionequipmentbeoperatedsoastocausean8‐houraverageconstructionnoiselevelinexcessof75dBAwhenmeasuredattheboundarylineofthepropertywherethenoisesourceislocated,oronanyoccupiedpropertywherethenoiseisbeingreceived.Primarynoise‐generatingactivitiestypicallyoccurduringthesitepreparationandgradingphaseofaproject,whichisatemporaryactivity.Additionally,theaccessoryagriculturalusesareanticipatedtobelocatedonexistingdevelopedsites,resultinginminimalornograding.ItisexpectedthatanyfutureconstructionoftheaccessoryagricultureusesthatwouldbepromotedundertheproposedprojectwouldnotexceedtheCounty’sstandardofan8‐houraverageof75dBAatthepropertyline.Therefore,itisnotexpectedthatconstructionactivitieswouldviolatetheCounty’snoiseregulations.Constructionimpactsassociatedwiththe
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proposedprojectareconsideredtobelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasuresareincludedforconstruction.
Operational Impacts
Generally,onsiteoperationalnoisesassociatedwiththeprojectwouldconsistoftypicalagriculturalnoisesrelatedtomachinery,animals,andvehicles,allofwhichwouldbeincreasedsomewhatwithadoptionoftheproposedamendmentstotheZoningOrdinance.Projectimpactsforbothoff‐andonsitenoisesarediscussedinthissection.Operationalnoisesassociatedwithagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalstands,animalraising,andaquaponics/fishmarketsareanticipatedtobeminimalastheydonottypicallyinvolvealargeamountofnoisymachineryanddonotinvolveasubstantialamountofnewvisitororsupportingvehicletrips.Operationalcharacteristicsassociatedwithagriculturalstores,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriesareanticipatedtogeneratethemostvisitors(oftheusesassociatedwiththeproposedproject)andalsoinvolvemachineryandequipmentthatcanbeassociatedwithhigherlevelsofnoisegeneration.Thesevarioususesarediscussedfurtherbelow.
Agricultural Homestay
Agriculturalhomestayswouldinvolvesomeincrementaladditionofemployees,andwhilesomedailytripswouldincrease,theywouldnotbeexpectedtohaveaconsiderableincreaseintrafficvolumeorassociatedtrafficnoise.Operationsonanagriculturalhomestaywouldincreasesomewhatwiththeadditionofmoretemporaryworkersonagivenagriculturalproperty.Assuch,thegeneraluseoftypicalagriculturalequipment,suchastractorsandothermotorizedequipmentandvehicles,wouldincreaserelativetoexistingconditions;however,becauseagriculturalhomestayswouldincludelodginginanexistingresidenceoraseparate500‐square‐footcabin,theuseofadditionalnoise‐generatingequipmentwouldnotbeanticipatedtobenoticeablefromsurroundingpropertiesorexceedanyestablishednoisestandards,norareonsitenoisesanticipatedtobenoticeablylouderwiththepromotionofagriculturalhomestayswithinA70,A72,RR,S90,orS92zones.
Agricultural Roadside Stands
Itisnotanticipatedthatatripwouldbecreatedspecificallytovisitaroadsidestand.Instead,itismorelikelythatpatronsofaroadsidestandwouldstopalongthewaytoanotherdestination,andassuch,thepromotionofroadsidestandswouldnotresultinasignificantimpactrelatedtoeitheron‐oroffsitenoise.Also,anagriculturalstandmayrequiretheadditionofanotheremployeetooperatethestand;however,theonsitenoisesassociatedwithanadditionalemployeearenotanticipatedtoresultinaviolationofanyCountynoiserequirements,andimpactswouldremainlessthansignificant.
Agricultural Stores, Microbreweries, Cideries, and Micro‐Distilleries, and Wineries
Operationalcharacteristicsassociatedwithagriculturalstores,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriesareanticipatedtogeneratethemostvisitors(oftheusesassociatedwiththeproposedproject)duetothefactthattheywouldhavetastingroomsand/orretailareasthatwouldservevisitorsthatwouldtypicallyarrivebyapersonalvehicle.Thesetopicswerealsothefocusofthetrafficstudypreparedfortheproject(AppendixE).Furthermore,becausemostagriculturalareasareinmoreremoteorruralareas,publictransportationorothernon‐motorizedmeansoftransportation(e.g.,walkingorbicycling)arenotanticipated.Agricultural
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stores,bothsmallandlarge,aswellasagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldattractretailcustomersandcouldresultinanincreaseinoffsitetrafficnoisethatcouldexceedtheCounty’sCNELlimitsintheGeneralPlanNoiseElement;however,onsitenoiseincreasesarenotexpectedtoresultinasignificantimpact.Operationsonsitewouldincreaserelativetotheamountofvisitors/customersonthesite,andtypicalnoisessuchasdriving/parkingandcongregatingwouldsomewhatincreaseoneachindividualparcelwithasmallorlargeagriculturalstore,agriculturalmicrobrewery,cidery,ormicro‐distillery,orwinery.Theseonsiteincreasesinactivitiesarenotexpectedtoviolateanynoiseregulations.Furthermore,theproposedlanguagetotheZoningOrdinancespecificallyprohibitseventssuchasweddingsandconcertsfromoccurringinconjunctionwithasmallagriculturalstoreandprohibitsamplifiedsoundforagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineries.
Largeagriculturalstoresandlargemicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldberequiredtoobtainanAdministrativePermitandwouldhavetospecifyanyspecialeventsthatwouldoccuronthesite.Althoughsmallagriculturalstoresandsmallagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldbeallowedpursuanttoapprovalofaministerialaction(e.g.,aZoningVerificationPermit),largeagriculturalstoresandlargeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldrequireadiscretionarypermit(e.g.,AdministrativePermit).Agradingpermitisanticipatedforeithertypeofagriculturalstoreoragriculturalmicrobrewery,cidery,andmicro‐distillery(e.g.,smallandlarge).AspartoftheCounty’spermitreviewprocess,alldiscretionaryprojectsareevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsrelativetoexcessivenoiselevels.
Potentialoffsitenoisesources,includingvehiculartrafficanddeliverytrucks,couldpotentiallyresultinsignificantnoiseimpacts.Agriculturalstores,bothlargeandsmall,aswellasagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldalsogenerateadditionaltripstoagriculturalareasandresultinoperationalnoiseincreaseswhichcouldexceedtheCounty’sNoiseElementCNELdependingonhowmanyaredevelopedandwheretheyarelocated.Duringharvestperiods,operationsonsiteswithagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesandwinerieswouldinvolveadditionalnoisesassociatedwithharvestingequipment,withanincreaseinoverallactivitiesontheproperty,includingadditionalemployeesandadditionalvehicletripsthatcouldresultinsignificanton‐andoffsitenoises.
Agricultural Tourism
Agriculturaltourismwouldinvolveonsitetours,educationalactivities,andu‐pickoperations,allofwhichwouldsomewhatincreasenoiselevelsonsite.Pursuanttotheproposedregulations,noamplifiedsoundwouldbepermittedassociatedwiththeseevents,anditisanticipatedthatanyincreaseinnoisefromadditionalvisitorsandoperationoftypicalfarmequipmentwouldnotexceedanyestablishednoisestandardsintheCounty.Someadditionaltripswouldincreaserelativetoexistingconditions;however,itisnotanticipatedthatagriculturaltourismwouldresultinenoughadditionaltripstopotentiallyexceedanyCNELnoisecontoursorothernoisepoliciesincludedintheNoiseElementoftheCounty’sGeneralPlan.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.
Animal Raising
Foranimalraising,theincreaseinanimalswouldsomewhatincreaseanimalnoisesonagivensite;however,theadditionofanimalsisnotexpectedtoresultinanincreasethatwouldresultinaviolationorexceedanceofanyCounty‐establishednoiseregulationsintheZoningCodeorGeneralPlan.Also,becauseanimalraisingregulationsarenotrelatedtoanyretailorothercommercial
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activitiesthatwouldpromoteorincreasetrafficonaregularbasis,itisnotexpectedthattheproposedchangestoanimalraisingwouldresultinoffsitenoiseimpactsassociatedwithtraffic.
Aquaponics
TheoperationofaquaponicsonanagriculturalpropertywouldberequiredtocomplywithSection36.401oftheSanDiegoCountyCodeofRegulatoryOrdinancesrelatingtonoiseabatementandcontrol.Ifnecessary,applicantswouldberequiredtoinstallnoisebarriersaroundnoise‐generatingequipmenttocomplywiththeCounty’sOrdinance.Regardingoffsitenoisesassociatedwithtraffic,aquaponicsonagriculturalpropertieswouldnothavearetailcomponentasfishmarketswouldbeheldatfarmer’smarketsoncommercialorschoolproperties.Assuch,aquaponicswouldnothaveanyretailorothercommercialcomponentsthatwouldincreasetraffictoalevelthatwouldviolateanycommunitynoiselevelstandardsestablishedintheCounty’sGeneralPlan.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.
Creameries/Dairies
Implementationoftheproposedcreamery/dairyusescouldresultinindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinguptoa4,000‐square‐footbuilding;constructionofancillaryparkingareas,driveways,fences,andoutdoorseating;andanincreaseinsiteactivityrelatedtoadditionalvisitorsandnewemployees.Creamery/dairyuseswouldrequirethedevelopmentofnon‐residentialstructurestosupporttheproductionofbutter,cream,milk,orcheesewithinanenclosedbuilding,andwouldalsorequireindoorspaceforproductstorageintendedforwholesalesalesaswellasretailsales.TheproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningOrdinanceforcreameries/dairiesincludespecificlanguagethatalloperationsmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofSection36.401oftheCounty’sZoningCodeasitrelatestonoiseabatement.However,similartoagriculturalstoresandmicrobreweries,whicharediscussedabove,increasedvehicletripscouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpacts.
Fishermen’s Markets
Fishermen’smarketsinvolvetheretailsaleoffishtothegeneralpubliconatemporarybasisandincommercialorschoolareas,likelyinconjunctionwithafarmers’market.Whilesomenoiseswouldbetemporarilygeneratedrelatedtoattractingcustomersinanoutdoorsetting,thesenoiseswouldconsistofsomeadditionalvehicles,peopletalking,andemployeessettingupandbreakingdownanoutdoortentorboothstructure.Thesenoiseswouldalsooccurfromothervendorsifinconjunctionwithafarmers’market.Becausetheseincreasesinnoisewouldbetypicalofafarmers’marketandwouldconsistofpeopletalkingandemployeessettingupanoutdoorbooth,itisnotexpectedthatthepromotionoffishermen’smarketswouldexceedanylocalregulationspertainingtonoise.
Mobile Butchering
Mobilebutcheringoperationalnoiseswouldintroducenewnoisestoagriculturalareaswheninoperationassociatedwithanimalprocessingequipmentinsideamobileunit;however,theincreaseswouldbetemporaryandarenotanticipatedtoresultinnoiselevelsthatwouldexceedanyCountystandards.AsdescribedintheZoningOrdinanceupdatelanguage,severalrequirementsformobilebutcheringoperationswouldbeenforcedthatwouldreduceassociatednoises.Specifically,asstatedinproposedSection6126,setbacksrequirementswouldrequireatleast25feetfromapropertylineandhoursofoperationwouldbeduringdaytimehours,generally7a.m.–8p.m.,Mondaythrough
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Saturday,and9a.m.–6:00p.m.onSundays.Nooffsiteortraffic‐relatednoiseincreasesareassumedwithoperationofamobilebutcheringbusiness,exceptfortheindividualtripofthebutcheringvehicleitself.Assuch,on‐andoffsitenoiseimpactsduringtheoperationofmobilebutcheringactivitiesonagriculturalpropertiesareanticipatedtoremainlessthansignificantandnomitigationmeasuresarenecessary.
Summary
Insummary,theproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningOrdinanceforagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,andcreameries/dairiesincludespecificlanguagethatalloperationsmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofSection36.401oftheCounty’sZoningCodeasitrelatestonoiseabatement.However,theserequirementsintheproposedZoningOrdinanceupdatedlanguageandtheexistingNoiseOrdinancerequirementsdonotaddressvehiclenoise.Therefore,newvehiculartrafficanddeliverytrucksassociatedwiththeaccessoryusescouldcontributetoincreasesinoffsitenoise,andinsomeselectareascouldcontributetonoiselevelsthatexceedCountystandards.Becausethereisnoguaranteethatoffsitenoisesourcesrelatedtoincreasesintrafficthatwouldbegeneratedfromfuturemicrobreweries/cideries/micro‐distilleries,stores,andwineriesintheunincorporatedCountywouldnotresultinsignificantimpacts,potentialfutureoffsitenoiseimpactsduringoperationsareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactN‐1).
2.6.3.2 Excessive Groundborne Vibration
Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:
Resultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.
Analysis
Groundbornevibrationistypicallyassociatedwithhighimpactconstructionequipment,suchasapiledriver,orwithvibrationsfromnon‐impactconstructionactivity,suchasautomobileortrucktraffic.Vibrationfromtrucktrafficistypicallybelowthethresholdofperceptionwhentheactivityismorethanabout50feetfromanoisereceptor.
Anyfuturesite‐specificprojectsthatwouldimplementtheproposedchangestotheCounty’sZoningOrdinancearenotanticipatedtorequiretheuseofhigh‐impactconstructionequipmenttoerectaccessoryagriculturalstructures,suchasanagriculturalstoreormicrobrewery.Likewiseitisnotanticipatedthatanyoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturaloperationswouldresultinadditionaltrucktrafficwithin50feetofanoisereceptor.Forprojectsthatwouldrequireadiscretionarypermit,includinglargeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,andsomeanimalraisingprojects,additionalCEQAreviewwouldberequired,whichwouldincludeconsiderationofpotentialimpactsrelatedtoexcessivegroundbornevibration.However,noneofthecomponentsoftheproposedprojectareanticipatedtoresultinsignificantimpactsrelatedtogroundbornevibrationandimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.
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2.6.3.3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:
Causeasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedproject.
Analysis
Vehicle Traffic Noise
Operationalvehicletrafficwouldvarydependingontheuse,andthevariousaveragedailytripratesforeachaccessoryagriculturaluseisprovidedasAppendixEandalsopresentedinSection2.7,TransportationandTraffic.Thesetripswouldconsistofemployeeandvisitortripsandalsosomedeliverytrips.Thenumberoftripswouldbegreatestfortheagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesandwineries,asthesefacilitiesareanticipatedtohavethelargestcommercialspacesandattractthemostvisitors.Employeesatthesefacilitieswouldalsolikelyoutnumberemployeesrelatedtootheraccessoryagriculturalusesincludedaspartoftheproposedproject.AsshownintheTrafficStudy,increasesinvehiclescouldrepresentasmuchasa5.6percentincrease(Rainbowcommunity)andasmuchas4,894newtrips(ValleyCentercommunity).Bothofthesecommunitiesareconsideredrural,andwiththeadditionofalargeincreaseintheRainbowcommunityandalargenumberofoveralltripsintheValleyCentercommunity,itispossiblethatasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelscouldresultinsignificantenvironmentalimpacts(ImpactN‐2).
Onsite Generated Noise
Accessoryagriculturaloperationsthatwouldbeimplementedwithadoptionoftheproposedprojectwouldresultinpermanentincreasesinlanduseactivities,therebyresultinginadditionalemployees/farmworkersandadditionalvisitorsforcommercialoperations.Permanentincreasesinnoisesrelatedtoagriculturalhomestays,agriculturaltourism,andanimalraisingwouldmostlybelimitedtosomeadditionalemployeesonaparticularproperty,andassuch,noisesassociatedwithoperatingmachineryanddrivingtractorsandtruckswouldsomewhatincrease;however,itisnotexpectedthattheseonsiteincreaseswouldexceedlimitsintheCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.Therefore,theywouldnotresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinity.
Mobilebutcheringwouldinvolvetheuseofprocessingequipment(e.g.,animalprocessingequipment),refrigerationunits,dieselgenerators,andhotwaterheaters.TheproposedamendmentlanguagetotheZoningOrdinanceasitrelatestomobilebutcheringonsiteoperationswouldrestrictoperationsfromoccurringmorethansixtimesperyearandnotmorethan3consecutivedaysonthesamepropertyorwithin1mileofanotherpropertyusedformobilebutcheringbythesameowner.Hoursofoperationwouldalsoberestrictedtodaytimehoursandoperationswouldobeyasetbackrequirementof25feetfromanypropertyline,aswellasthenoiselimitsintheNoiseOrdinance.Assuch,mobilebutcheringoperationswouldnotbepermittedtooccuronaregularorpermanentbasis,andanyincreasesinnoisewouldbetemporaryandperiodic.
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Althoughthegrowingseasonwouldnotbeyearround,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriescouldoperateandsellproductsonaregularbasisandresultinpermanentincreasesinonsitenoise.Agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldinvolvetheuseofprocessingequipment(e.g.,hopsseparators,grapecrushers),refrigerationunits,andpestcontroldevices,suchasbirdalarms,allofwhichareregulatedbytheNoiseOrdinanceanddiscussedabove.Largeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,agriculturalstores,andwinerieswouldresultinadditionalcustomersonsite,andsomeincreasesinnoisewouldresultfromgeneralconversationandvehiclesparking,forexample.Smallagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldnotpermitretailsales,tastingrooms,oronsitesalesofanykind.
Theproposedprojectincludessomerequirementsforspecificusesthatwouldreducepotentialnoiseincreases.Forinstance,tastingroomswouldnotbeallowedtooperatebefore10a.m.orafterlegalsunsetandwouldnotallowevents,includingbutnotlimitedtoweddingsandparties.ApprovaloftheproposedZoningOrdinanceamendmentswouldadoptnewregulationsthatwouldpromotetheseusestobeimplementedonactiveagriculturalpropertieseitherbyright(wineries),ministerialpermitapproval(aZoningVerificationPermitforsmallmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries),oradiscretionarypermit(anAdministrativePermitforlargemicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries).Itisalsopossiblethatadiscretionarygradingpermitwouldberequiredforthedevelopmentofanyoftheseuses.Underthosecircumstanceswherefuturediscretionaryreviewisrequired,moredetailedCEQAreviewwouldalsooccuratthattime.Aspartofthisreview,eachindividualprojectwouldberequiredtodemonstratecompliancewiththeCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.Duetotheruralnatureofmostactiveagriculturalpropertiesandthepromotionofaccessoryusesontheseproperties,theincreasedonsiteoperationsthatcouldoccurmayconsiderablyincreasenoiselevelsinthevicinitytoalevelthatwouldbeconsideredsubstantial.Itisthereforeexpectedthattheincreasedonsiteactivitieswouldresultinasignificantenvironmentalimpactrelatedtoapermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactN‐3).
2.6.3.4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:
Causeasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedproject.
Analysis
Adoptionoftheproposedprojectisnotexpectedtoresultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinity.Constructionrelatedtotheproposedprojectwouldconsistprimarilyofbuildingstructuresupto5,000squarefeet,noneofwhichareanticipatedtoresultinsubstantialtemporaryorperiodincreasesinambientnoiselevelscomparedtoexistingnoiseconditions.Constructionactivitiesincluding,butnotlimitedto,sitegrading,truck/constructionequipmentmovement,enginenoise,androckexcavationwouldhavethepotentialtoresultintheexposureofon‐oroffsiteareastonoiseinexcessofthestandardslistedintheCountyCodeSections36.408and36.409.TypicalconstructionequipmentnoiselevelsareprovidedinTable2.6‐5.Constructionactivitieswouldgeneratesomeadditionaltemporarytrafficon
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projectarearoadwaysrelatedtoequipmentandmaterialsdeliveriesandifcontractorsorotherconstructionworkersareretainedtoconstructanystructures.Itisexpectedthatmostofthestructuresthatwouldbedevelopedassociatedwithimplementingtheproposedprojectwouldnotrequireextensiveconstructiontimeframes,andanytemporaryincreasesinnoiserelatedtoconstructionwouldremainlessthansignificant.Asstatedpreviously,mostoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturaluseswouldrequireagradingpermitandwouldprepareadditionalCEQAanalysisonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinthefuture.However,itisnotanticipatedthatanyaccessoryuseswouldresultinsignificanttemporarynoiseimpacts.Accessoryusesthatwouldnotnecessarilyinvolvestructuresincludeagriculturalhomestays(ifusingexistingstructuresforhousing),agriculturaltourism,animalraising,fishmarkets,andmobilebutcheringuses.Noperiodicincreasesinconstructionareanticipatedfortheseuses.Overall,impactsrelatedtoperiodicortemporaryincreasesinnoiseduringconstructionwouldremainlessthansignificant.
2.6.3.5 Airport‐Related Noise Exposure
Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
PursuanttoarecentCaliforniaSupremeCourtrulingonCaliforniaBuildingIndustryAssociation(CBIA)v.BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD)(CaseNo.S213478,December17,2015),CEQAdoesnotrequireanalysisofhowexistingenvironmentalconditionswillimpactaproject’sfutureusersorresidents.Therefore,significancethresholdsarenotestablishedforthistopic.However,PublicResourcesCodeSection21096(a)requiresthatanEIRdiscussairport‐relatednoiseproblemsiftheprojectislocatedwithin2milesofapublicuseairport.Therefore,anassessmentofairport‐relatednoiseissuesisprovidedbelow.
Analysis
SixpublicairportsarelocatedintheunincorporatedCounty:AguaCalienteAirstrip(DesertSubregion),BorregoValleyAirport(DesertSubregion),FallbrookCommunityAirpark(FallbrookCPA),JacumbaAirport(MountainEmpireSubregion),OcotilloAirstrip(DesertSubregion),andRamonaAirport(RamonaCPA).Mostoftheseincludesomeagriculturaluseswithin2milesoftheairports;thus,theproposedprojectcouldresultinnewaccessoryagriculturalusesinproximitytoexistingairports.AirportLandUseCompatibilityPlanshavebeenpreparedbytheSanDiegoRegionalAirportAuthorityforalloftheseairports.TheseALUCPsincludenoisecompatibilitypoliciesforreviewingnewdevelopmentaswellascurrentandfuturenoiselevelsthataregeneratedbytheairport.TheCountyofSanDiegohasestablishedazoningoverlaycongruentwitheachairport’sAIA,whichestablishestheCounty’sALUCPAreaRegulations.Theseregulationsrequirethat“[n]ewdevelopment,redevelopment,expansions,conversionsandotherusesoflandlocatedwithintheAIAofanadoptedALUCPforwhichCountyapprovalorpermitarerequiredshallbereviewedagainsttheestablishedcriteriaandpoliciesoftheALUCP.”Furthermore,“[u]nlessthepropertyisalreadydevotedtotheproposedincompatibleuseortheALUCPisoverriddenbytheCountyinamannerwhichrenderstheusecompatiblewiththeALUCP,theproposal,mustcomplywiththeestablishedpoliciesandcriteriaoftheapplicableALUCP.”Asaresult,potentialnoiseissueswouldbeaddressedthroughtheCounty’sreviewandapplicationoftheALUCPnoisecompatibilitypolicies,andimpactsfromairport‐relatednoiseexposurewouldbelessthansignificant.
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2.6.4 Cumulative Impacts Analysis
Thegeographicscopeofcumulativeimpactanalysisfornoiseislimitedtoareassurroundingnoise‐generatingsources,suchasroadways,agricultural,orindustrialuses,becausenoiseimpactsarelocalizedinnature.Geographicscopecanbetheentireareawithinwhichtheresourcehasthepotentialtooccur.ForthepurposeofthisEIR,thegeographicscopeforthecumulativeanalysisofnoiseimpactsincludestheSanDiegoregion.
2.6.4.1 Noise Exposure
Acumulativenoiseimpactresultingfrompastprojectswouldoccurifconstructionandoperationassociatedwithcumulativeregionallanduseprojects,suchasthoseidentifiedinadjacentcityandcountygeneralplansandregionaltransportationplans,wouldexceedthenoisecompatibilityguidelinesandstandardsoftheNoiseElement.However,developmentandconstructionproposedundermostcumulativeprojectswouldbesubjecttoregulationsthatrequirecompliancewithnoisestandards,suchasthosecontainedintheStateofCaliforniaCodeofRegulationsandthoserequiredbytheOfficeofSurfaceandMining.AlthoughtheCountyhasadoptedmeasuresandplansdesignedtoregulateandaddressnoiselevelsintheCounty,pastprojectshaveresultedinacumulativeimpact.
Asdiscussedpreviously,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapproval.Additionally,aspartoftheCounty’sdiscretionaryreviewprocess,futurediscretionaryprojectswouldbeevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsonambientnoise.However,past,present,andfutureprojectsinSanDiegoCountycouldcontinuetoresultinimmitigablenoiseimpacts.Whenthesignificantproject‐levelimpactonnoise(ImpactN‐1)isconsideredatthecumulativelevel,theproject’scontributiontoacumulativeimpactisconsideredtobesignificant(ImpactN‐4).
2.6.4.2 Excessive Groundborne Vibration
Acumulativegroundbornevibrationimpactwouldoccurifoneormorecumulativeprojectswouldresultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.Asgroundbornevibrationistypicallyassociatedwithconstruction,severalconstructionprojectswithinproximityofoneanotherwouldhavetosimultaneouslyoccurinordertocombineandcreateasignificantcumulativeimpactasaresultofgroundbornevibration.Assuch,acumulativeimpactrelatedtoexcessivegroundbornevibrationisnotpresentinthecumulativestudyarea.Attheprojectlevel,therearenospecificplansortimescalesforindividualconstructionprojects,anditisnotpossibletodetermineexactvibrationlevels,locations,ortimeperiodsforconstruction.Regardless,individualprojectswouldmostlyinvolveconstructionofstructuresnottypicallyassociatedwithgroundbornevibration.Therefore,cumulativeprojectsarenotexpectedtoresultinacumulativelyconsiderableimpact.
AllfuturedevelopmentassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapprovalandareanticipatedtomeetthevibrationlimitsshowninTables2.6‐3and2.6‐6.Therefore,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactregardinggroundbornevibration.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.
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2.6.4.3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Acumulativenoiseimpactwouldoccurifconstructionanddevelopmentassociatedwithcumulativeregionallanduseprojects,suchasthoseidentifiedinadjacentcityandcountygeneralplansandregionaltransportationplans,whencombinedwouldresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiseintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedprojects.Forexample,theextensionofStateRoute(SR)905fromI‐805totheU.S.–MexicointernationalborderandwideningofSR‐94fromSR‐125toJamachaRoadwouldresultinapermanentincreaseinambientnoiseduetoanincreaseinroadwaynoise.Pastprojectshaveresultedinapermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsandacumulativelysignificantimpacthasoccurred.
FutureimplementationoftheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapproval.Additionally,aspartoftheCounty’sdiscretionaryreviewprocess,futurediscretionaryprojectswouldbeevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsonambientnoise.However,largerprojects,suchastheagriculturalmicrobreweriesandwineries,couldpotentiallycontributetoanincreaseinambientnoiselevels.Becausethereisnoguaranteeonaproject‐specificlevelthatmitigationmeasureswillreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant,theproposedprojectwouldpotentiallycontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpact(N‐5).
2.6.4.4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Acumulativenoiseimpactwouldoccurifconstructionassociatedwithoneormoreprojectsinproximitytooneanotherwouldresultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedprojects.However,astherearenospecificplansortimescalesforindividualprojects,itisnotpossibletodetermineexactnoiselevels,locations,ortimeperiodsforconstruction.Additionally,projectswouldhavetobeconstructedclosetogethertoresultinacumulativeimpact.Constructionprojectsinincorporatedjurisdictionswouldbesubjecttonoisestandardsandlimitsforthejurisdictioninwhichtheyareproposed.ProjectsproposedontriballandswouldnotbesubjecttoCountyofSanDiegonoiseregulationsandstandards;however,potentialconstructionnoise‐relatedimpactsintheseareaswouldbetemporaryandlimitedtotheareaimmediatelysurroundingtheproject.Similarly,acumulativenuisancenoiseimpactwouldoccurifnoiseassociatedwithoneormorelandusesinanareawouldresultincombinednoiselevelsthatwouldtemporarilyincreaseambientnoiselevelsbeyondthestandardsintheCountyNoiseOrdinance.However,theseeventswouldbeshort‐termandevent‐specificinnature.Therefore,apotentiallycumulativelyconsiderableimpactassociatedwithtemporaryincreasesinambientnoiselevelsisnotanticipatedtooccur.
2.6.5 Significance of Impacts Prior to Mitigation
TheproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsrelatedtonoiselevelsinexcessofCountystandards(ImpactsN‐1,direct/indirectandN‐4,cumulative),andpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactsN‐2andN‐3,direct/indirect,andN‐5,cumulative)asaresultofaccessoryagriculturaldevelopment.Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsassociatedwithexcessivegroundbornevibrationorexcessivenoiseexposurefromairports.
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2.6.6 Mitigation Measures
2.6.6.1 Excessive Noise Levels
TheproposedprojectwouldamendcurrentregulationsrelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalprojectsthatmaydirectlyorindirectlyresultinnoiselevelsinexcessofCountystandards(ImpactsN‐1,direct/indirectandN‐4,cumulative).Thesenoiseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedproject.Althoughthiswouldresultinareducedprojectareawithfewernewagriculturalusesreducingtheoverallnoiselevels,thereisnoguaranteethatmitigationmeasureswouldreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant.Therefore,theReducedProjectAreaAlternativewouldresultinsignificantandimmitigableimpacts.
2.6.6.2 Excessive Groundborne Vibration
Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsduetoexcessivegroundbornevibration,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.
2.6.6.3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Theproposedprojectwouldamendcurrentregulationsrelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalprojectsthatmaydirectlyorindirectlyresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactsN‐2andN‐3,direct/indirectandN‐5,cumulative).Theseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedproject.Althoughthiswouldresultinareducedprojectareawithfewernewagriculturalusesreducingtheoverallnoiselevels,thereisnoguaranteethatmitigationmeasureswouldreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant.Therefore,theReducedProjectAreaAlternativewouldresultinsignificantandimmitigableimpacts.
2.6.6.4 Temporary or Period Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsduetotemporaryorperiodincreasesinambientnoiselevels,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.
2.6.6.5 Airport‐Related Noise Exposure
Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsrelatedtoairport‐relatednoiseexposure,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.
2.6.7 Conclusion
2.6.7.1 Excessive Noise Levels
Implementationoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesundertheproposedprojectwouldresultinsignificantimpactsrelativetonoisereceptors(ImpactsN‐1andN‐4).Thesenoiseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.
County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise
Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
2.6‐20 February 2017
ICF 54.15
2.6.7.2 Excessive Groundborne Vibration
Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinasignificantadverseeffectduetoexposingpeopletoorgeneratingexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.
2.6.7.3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Implementationoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesundertheproposedprojectwouldresultinsignificantimpactsrelativetoapermanentincreaseinambientnoise(ImpactsN‐2,N‐3,andN‐5).
2.6.7.4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinasignificantadverseeffectduetotemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevels.
County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise
Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
2.6‐21 February 2017
ICF 54.15
Table 2.6‐1. Hearing Thresholds in the Infrasonic and Low Frequency Range
Frequency(Hz) 4 8 10 16 20 25 40 50 80 100 125 160 200
Soundpressurelevel(dB)
107 100 97 88 79 69 51 44 32 27 22 18 14
Table 2.6‐2. Typical A‐Weighted Sound Levels Measured in the Environment and Industry
CommonOutdoorActivitiesSoundLevel(dBA)a CommonIndoorActivities
110 Rockband
Jetflyoverat1,000feet
100
Gaslawnmowerat3feet
90
Dieseltruckat50mphat50feet Foodblenderat3feet
80 Garbagedisposalat3feet
Noisyurbanarea,daytime
Gaslawnmowerat100feet 70 Vacuumcleanerat3feet
Commercialarea Normalspeechat3feet
Heavytrafficat300feet 60
Largebusinessoffice
Quieturbanarea,daytime 50 Dishwasherinnextroom
Quieturbanarea,nighttime 40 Theater,largeconferenceroom(background)
Quietsuburbanarea,nighttime
30 Library
Quietruralarea,nighttime Bedroomatnight,concerthall(background)
Rustlingofleaves 20
Broadcast/recordingstudio
10
0
Source:Caltrans(2009).adBA=A‐WeightedDecibel
County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise
Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
2.6‐22 February 2017
ICF 54.15
Table 2.6‐3. Guidelines for Determining the Significance of Groundborne Vibration and Noise Impacts for Special Buildings
TypeofBuildingorRoom
GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels(inches/secondRMS)
GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels(dBre20microPascals)
FrequentEventsa
OccasionalorInfrequentEventsb
FrequentEventsa
OccasionalorInfrequentEventsb
ConcertHalls,TVStudios,andRecordingStudios
0.0018 0.0018 25dBA 25dBA
Auditoriums 0.0040 0.010 30dBA 38dBA
Theatres 0.0040 0.014 35dBA 43dBASource:FTA2006aFrequentEventsisdefinedasmorethan70vibrationeventsperday.Mostrapidtransitprojectsfallintothiscategory.bOccasionalorInfrequentEventsaredefinedasfewerthan70vibrationeventsperday.Thiscombinedcategoryincludesmostcommuterrailsystems.
Table 2.6‐4. San Diego County Noise Ordinance Sound Level Limits (Table 36.404)
Zone
ApplicableLimit1‐HourAverageSoundLevel(dB)
7a.m.to7p.m. 7p.m.to10p.m. 10p.m.to7a.m.
(1) RS,RD,RR,RHM,A70,A72,S80,S81,S87,S90,S92,RV,andRUwithadensityoflessthan11dwellingunitsperacre
50 50 45
(2) RRO,RC,RM,C30,S86,V5andRVandRUwithadensityof11ormoredwellingunitsperacre
55 55 50
(3) S94,V4,andallothercommercialzones
60 60 55
(4) V1,V2 60 55 Seebelow
V1 60 55 55
V2 60 55 50
V3 70 70 65
(5) M50,M52,andM54 70 70 70
(6) S82,M56,andM58 75 75 75
(7) S88 Source:Caltrans(2009).Note:S88zonesareSpecificPlanningAreaswhichallowdifferentuses.ThesoundlevellimitsabovethatapplyinanS88zonedependontheusebeingmadeoftheproperty.Thelimitsinsubsection(1)applytopropertywitharesidential,agriculturalorcivicuse.Thelimitsinsubsection(3)applytopropertywithacommercialuse.Thelimitsinsubsection(5)applytopropertywithanindustrialusethatwouldonlybeallowedinanM50,M52,orM54zone.Thelimitsinsubsection(6)applytoallpropertywithanextractiveuseorausethatwouldonlybeallowedinanM56orM58zone.
County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise
Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
2.6‐23 February 2017
ICF 54.15
Table 2.6‐5. Typical Construction Equipment Noise Levels
Equipment TypicalNoiseLevel(dBA)at50feetfromsource
AirCompressor 81
Backhoe 80
Compactor 82
ConcreteMixer 85
Crane,Derrick 88
Dozer 85
Grader 85
JackHammer 88
Loader 85
Paver 89
Pile‐Drive(Impact) 101
Pump 76
Roller 74
Scraper 89
Truck 88Source:CountyofSanDiego2011a:,2.11‐59.
County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise
Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project
2.6‐24 February 2017
ICF 54.15
Table 2.6‐6. Guideline for Determining the Significance of Groundborne Vibration and Noise Impacts
LandUseCategory
GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels
(inches/secondRMS)
GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels
(dBre20microPascals)
FrequentEventsa
OccasionalorInfrequentEventsb
FrequentEventsa
OccasionalorInfrequentEventsb
Category1:Buildingswherelowambientvariationisessentialforinterioroperations()researchandmanufacturingfacilitieswithspecialvibrationconstraints)
0.0018c 0.0018c N/A N/A
Category2:Residencesandbuildingswherepeoplenormallysleep(hotels,hospitals,residences,andothersleepingfacilities)
0.0040 0.010 35dBA 43dBA
Category3:Institutionallanduseswithprimarydaytimeuse(schools,churches,libraries,otherinstitutions,andquietuses)
0.0056 0.014 40dBA 48dBA
Source:FTA2006aFrequentEventsisdefinedasmorethan70vibrationeventsperday.Mostrapidtransitprojectsfallintothiscategory.bOccasionalorInfrequentEventsaredefinedasfewerthan70vibrationeventsperday.Thiscombinedcategoryincludesmostcommuterrailsystems.cThiscriterionlimitisbasedonalevelthatisacceptableformostmoderatelysensitiveequipmentsuchasopticalmicroscopes.Vibration‐sensitivemanufacturingorresearchwillrequiredetailedevaluationtodefineacceptablevibrationlevels.EnsuringlowervibrationlevelsinabuildingoftenrequiresspecialdesignonHVACsystemsandstiffenedfloors.
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