HomeMy WebLinkAboutGPA 09-07; Palomar Commons; General Plan Amendment (GPA) (7)NOISE STUDY
Palomar Airport Commons
Development
CARLSBAD CA
Project Proponent:
Mr. Mark Radelow
Sudberry Properties, Inc.
5465 Morehouse Drive, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92121
Prepared by:
Jeremy Louden
Ldn ConetdUng, inc
446 Crestcourt Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
760-473-1253
May 20, 2010 (Revised)
April 9,2010 (Revised)
January 25, 2010 (Original)
Project: 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS II
LIST OF FIGURES II
LIST OF TABLES 11
GLOSSARY OF TERMS Ill
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IV
1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY 1
1.2 PROJECT LOCATION 1
1.3 PROJEa SETTING 1
2.0 ACOUSTICAL FUNDAMENTALS 4
3.0 SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS AND STANDARDS 6
4.0 NOISE ENVIRONMENT 8
4.1 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT ONSITE 8
4.2 AIRPORT RELATED NOISE 10
4.3 OUTDOOR PATIO NOISE LEVELS 10
5.0 OPERATIONAL NOISE LEVELS 12
5.1 REFERENCE NOISE LEVELS 12
5.2 CUMULATIVE PROJECT NOISE LEVELS 16
5.3 FINDINGS AND MITIGATION 18
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1-1: PROJECT VICINITY MAP 2
FIGURE 1-2: PROJECT SITE PLAN 3
FIGURE 4-1: AMBIENT MONITORING LOCATIONS 9
FIGURE 4-2: PALOMAR AIRPORT NOISE CONTOURS 11
FIGURE 4-3: PROPOSED PASSIVE PATIO AREAS 11
FIGURE 5-1: NOISE SOURCE LOCATIONS 13
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 4-1: MEASURED AMBIENT NOISE LEVELS 8
TABLE 5-1: CUMULATIVE NOISE LEVELS FOR THE LARGE RETAIL FACILITY 17
TABLE 5-2: CUMUUTIVE NOISE LEVELS FOR THE CAR WASH AND BANK TABLE 18
II
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): a ratio of one sound pressure to a reference pressure (Uef) of
20 pPa. Because of the dynamic range of the human ear, the ratio is calculated logarithmically
by 20 log (L/Uf)
A-weighted Sound Pressure Level (dBA): Some frequencies of noise are more noticeable
than others. To compensate for this fact, different sound frequencies are weighted more.
Minimum Sound Level (Lmin): Minimum SPL or the lowest SPL measured over the time
interval using the A-weighted network and slow time weighting.
Maximum Sound Level (Lmax): Maximum SPL or the highest SPL measured over the time
interval the A-weighted network and slow time weighting.
Equivalent sound level (Leq): the true equivalent sound level measured over the run time.
Leq is the A-weighted steady sound level that contains the same total acoustical energy as the
actual fluctuating sound level.
Day Night Sound Level (LDN): Representing the Day/Night sound level, this measurement is
a 24 -hour average sound level where 10 dB is added to all the readings that occur between 10
pm and 7 am. This is primarily used in community noise regulations where there is a 10 dB
"Penalty" for night time noise. Typically LDN's are measured using A weighting.
Community Noise Exposure Level (CNEL): The accumulated exposure to sound measured
in a 24-hour sampling interval and artificially boosted during certain hours. For CNEL, samples
taken between 7 pm and 10 pm are boosted by 5 dB; samples taken between 10 pm and 7 am
are boosted by 10 dB.
Octave Band: An octave band is defined as a frequency band whose upper band-edge
frequency is twice the lower band frequency.
Third-Octave Band: A third-octave band is defined as a frequency band whose upper band-
edge frequency is 1.26 times the lower band frequency.
Response Time (F,S,I): The response time is a standardized exponential time weighting of
the input signal according to fast (F), slow (S) or impulse (I) time response relationships. Time
response can be described with a time constant. The time constants for fast, slow and impulse
responses are 1.0 seconds, 0.125 seconds and 0.35 milliseconds, respectively.
Ill
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This noise study has been completed to determine the noise impacts associated with
daily operations of the proposed commercial project and the affects Palomar Airport has
on the project site. The project known as "Palomar Airport Commons" consists of the
development of a large retail or home improvement center, a drug store, pet store, gas
station with a car wash and two additional smaller commercial pads having a total of
approximately 152,000 square-feet of commercial space. The approximate 16.3-acre
project site is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Palomar Airport
Road and El Camino Real in Carlsbad, CA.
Airport Noise Levels
The McClellan-Palomar Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) adopted March 4,
2010 was compared to the project site location. According to adopted ALUCP a portion
of the project site is located between the 65 dBA CNEL and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours
from the airport. Most of the site is outside the 65 dBA CNEL contour. The project has
two passive outdoor patio areas that would be considered acceptable due to infrequent
use and the anticipated noise levels.
In order to reduce the airport noise levels from the worst-case airport related 70 dBA
CNEL to the commercial 50 dBA CNEL interior standard, a 20 dBA CNEL reduction is
required. With a "windows closed" condition, requiring a means of mechanical ventilation
and standard windows with a STC rating 26 or higher, and installation as part of a typical
roof assembly the interior noise levels will be reduced at least 20 dBA CNEL. Therefore
with no addition mitigation or building material applications the interior commercial uses
will be below the City of Carlsbad's 50 dBA CNEL interior noise level standard.
Operational Noise Levels
Based upon the property line noise levels determined none of the proposed noise
sources directly or cumulatively exceeds the property line standards and will be below
the "normally acceptable" standard at the outdoor uses to the south. The operational
noise levels at the adjacent habitat area were also found to be below the 60 dBA Leq
standard and no impacts are anticipated and no project mitigation measures are
required.
IV
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1.0 Proiect Introduction
1.1 Purpose of this Study
The purpose of this Noise study is to determine potential operational noise impacts (if
any) created from the proposed project to the surrounding uses and the noise exposure
from nearby Palomar Airport. Should impacts be determined, the intent of this study
would be to recommend suitable mitigation measures to bring those impacts to a level
that would be considered less then significant.
1.2 Project Location
The proposed project Is located within the City of Carlsbad, CA. More specifically, the
project is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Palomar Airport Road
and El Camino Real. The main access to the project site is from Palomar Airport Road. A
general project vicinity map is shown in Figure 1-1 on the following page.
1.3 Project Setting
The proposed project consists of a large retail or home improvement center, a drug
store, pet store, gas station with a car wash and two additional smaller commercial
pads having a total of 152,000 square-feet of commercial space. The project also
includes two passive outdoor patios on approximately 16.3-acres. The existing site
conditions are characterized as fully disturbed land with existing structures from the
precious Olympic Hotel site, now approved for the Western Athletic Club. The project is
proposing a General Plan Amendment from Travel/Recreation Commercial (TR) to
General Commercial; a Zone Change from Tourist Commercial, Qualified Development
Overlay Zone (CT-Q) to General Commercial with a Qualified Development Overlay
Zone (C-2-Q). The applicant is also applying for a Site Development Plan, Special Use
Permit and a Conditional Use Permit. Planned and existing industrial uses surround the
proposed development area. A project site plan is shown in Figure 1-2 on Page 3 of
this report.
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Figure 1-1: Project Vicinity Map
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PROIECT SUMMARY
WEST PARCEL SUMMARY
SITE AREA (NET); 4.75 AC
BUILDING AREA 31.270 SF
PARKING: ISI STALLS (4.13/1 MO)
EAST PARCEL SUMMARY
SITE AREA (NET): 11.90 AC
BUILDING AREA; 153,974 SF
PARKING; SOS STALLS (3,3/1.000)
GARDEN CENTER 31.716 SF
TOTAL SITE SUMMARY
TOTAL SITt AREA (NET): 16.65 AC
TOTAL BUILDING AREA- 185.244 Sf
TOTAL PARKING; 659 CTALLS (3,56/1.000 SF)
TYPICAL PARKING STALL
ST/WslD/«lD: 9X19
COMPACT: 9X1S
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SifE PLAN
PALOMAR COMMONS
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
May 11, 2010
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2.0 ACOUSTICAL FUNDAMENTALS
Noise is defined as unwanted or annoying sound which interferes with or disrupts
normal activities. Exposure to high noise levels has been demonstrated to cause hearing
loss. The individual human response to environmental noise is base on the sensitivity of
that individual, the type of noise that occurs and when the noise occurs.
Sound is measured on a logarithmic scale consisting of sound pressure levels known as
a decibel (dB). The sounds heard by humans typically do not consist of a single
frequency but of a broadband of frequencies having different sound pressure levels.
The method for evaluating all the frequencies of the sound is to apply an A-weighting to
reflect how the human ear responds to the different sound levels at different
frequencies. The A-weighted sound level adequately describes the instantaneous noise
whereas the equivalent sound level depicted as Leq represents a steady sound level
containing the same total acoustical energy as the actual fluctuating sound level over a
given time interval.
The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is the 24 hour A-weighted average for
sound, with corrections for evening and nighttime hours. The corrections require an
addition of 5 decibels to sound levels in the evening hours between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
and an addition of 10 decibels to sound levels at nighttime hours between 10 p.m. and
7 a.m. These additions are made to account for the increased sensitivity during the
evening and nighttime hours when sound appears louder.
A vehicles noise level is from a combination of the noise produced by the engine,
exhaust and tires. The cumulative traffic noise levels along a roadway segment are
based on three primary factors: the amount of traffic, the travel speed of the traffic,
and the vehicle mix ratio or number of medium and heavy trucks. The intensity of
traffic noise is increased by higher traffic volumes, greater speeds and increased
number of trucks.
Because mobile/traffic noise levels are calculated on a logarithmic scale, a doubling of
the traffic noise or acoustical energy results in a noise level increase of 3 dBA.
Therefore the doubling of the traffic volume, without changing the vehicle speeds or
mix ratio, results in a noise increase of 3 dBA. Mobile noise levels radiant in an almost
oblique fashion from the source and drop off at a rate of 3 dBA for each doubling of
distance under hard site conditions and at a rate of 4.5 dBA for soft site conditions.
Ldn Consulting, Inc. 5/18/10 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
Hard site conditions consist of concrete, asphalt and hard pack dirt while soft site
conditions exist in areas having slight grade changes, landscaped areas and vegetation.
On the other hand, fixed/point sources radiate outward uniformly as it travels away
from the source. Their sound levels attenuate or drop off at a rate of 6 dBA for each
doubling of distance.
The most effective noise reduction methods consist of controlling the noise at the
source, blocking the noise transmission with barriers or relocating the receiver. Any or
all of these methods may be required to reduce noise levels to an acceptable level.
Ldn Consulting, Inc. 5/18/10 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
3.0 SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS AND STANDARDS
Transportation Related Noise
The City of Carlsbad's Noise Guidelines Manual (1995) requires that all exterior sensitive
areas shall limit noise exposure. For noise sensitive commercial land uses, the City has
adopted a policy which has established a "normally acceptable" exterior noise level goal
of 65 dBA CNEL for the outdoor areas and an interior noise level of less than 55 dBA
CNEL. However, the City has also established a "conditionally acceptable" policy goal of
up to 75 dBA CNEL. The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for McClellan-Palomar
Airport, amended October 2004, established a 50 dBA CNEL interior standard for
commercial uses. This is the most restrictive standard and will be utilized in this analysis.
Construction Noise
Chapter 8.48 of the City of Carlsbad Municipal Code addresses Noise. Section 8.48.010
limits disturbing or offensive construction noise to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and
sunset on weekdays and between 8:00 a.m. and sunset on Saturdays, and prohibits
such noise on Sundays and on 7 major holidays. Section 8.48.020 allows the city
manager to permit exceptions to these limits in nonresidential zones where there are no
Inhabited dwellings within 1,000 feet of the source of noise.
Operational Noise
The generation of noise for certain types of land uses could cause potential land use
incompatibility. Noise generating uses or devices should be considered during normal
project review. The following requirements should ensure that noise generated from
specific land uses or devices will be compatible with adjacent land uses.
Prior to approval of any permits, an Acoustical Analysis Report and appropriate plans
shall be submitted describing the noise generation potential of the proposed project,
and proposed noise attenuation measures to assure that an environment which is free
from excessive or harmful noise is achieved and maintained. The report shall be
prepared under the supervision of a certified acoustical consultant and submitted to the
Planning Director for review and approval.
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The approved attenuation features shall be incorporated into the plans and
specifications of the proposed project. Prior to approval of the proposed project or
issuance of any permit, a Noise Report shall be submitted to the City, which illustrates
the feasibility of the exterior mitigation measures required to achieve City Noise
Standards.
The City of Carlsbad does not identify any specific property line noise level standards.
Historically, the City has utilized a project's specific plan noise limits at adjacent
residential uses, if any, and the County of San Diego's Noise Ordinance noise limits for
all other projects. The applicable County of San Diego property line noise limits are
provided below.
County of San Dieao Guidelines for the Determination of Significance
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow the creation of any noise to the
extent that the one-hour average sound level, at any point on or beyond the boundaries
of the property exceeds the applicable limits. For industrial uses the County has
established a 70 dBA Leq limit for both the daytime and nighttime hours.
Biological Noise Limits
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recommended that hourly noise levels not
exceed 60 dBA Leq, or ambient conditions, whichever is greater; to protect the
Gnatcatcher and other endangered bird species. The City of Carlsbad has adopted this
standard for all sensitive species. Therefore, the 60 dBA Leq or ambient will be used as
the noise criteria to assess noise impacts on sensitive wildlife both on and off site.
Ldn Consulting, Inc. 5/18/10 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
4.0 NOISE ENVIRONMENT
4.1 Existing Noise Environment Onsite
Noise measurements were taken using a Larson-Davis Model LxT Type 1 precision
sound level meter, programmed, in "slow" mode, to record noise levels in "A" weighted
form. The sound level meter and microphone were mounted on a tripod, five feet
above the ground and equipped with a windscreen during all measurements. The
sound level meter was calibrated before and after the monitoring using a Larson-Davis
calibrator. Model CAL 150.
Monitoring location 1 (Ml) was located roughly 25-feet from Palomar Airport Road
down slope 450-feet from the intersection of El Camino Real. Monitoring location 2
(M2) was located at the southern property line of the project roughly 400-feet from El
Camino Real directly in line with the outdoor use area of the parcel to the south. The
noise monitoring locations are provided graphically in Figure 4-1 on the following page.
The results of the noise level measurements are presented in Table 4-1. The noise
measurements were monitored for a time period of 15 minutes. The existing noise
levels in the project area consisted primarily of traffic along Palomar Airport Road, El
Camino Real, and airport traffic and to a lesser extent the background noise from the
adjacent parking lot activities to the south. The ambient Leq noise levels measured in
the area of the project during the afternoon hour were found to be between 56 dBA
Leq and 65 dBA Leq. The statistical indicators Lmax, Lmin, LIO, L50 and L90, are given
for the monitoring location.
Table 4-1: Measured Ambient Noise Levels
Measurement
Identification
Noise Levels (dBA)
Description
Leq Lmax Lmin LIO LSO L90
Ml Palomar Airport Rd 2:45-3:00 p.m. 64.8 80.3 48.8 67.9 61.7 54.1
M2 Southern PL 3:10-3:25 p.m. 56.2 71.6 45.6 58.5 54.8 50.4
Source; Ldn Consulting, Inc. January 14, 2010
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0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
3
PROJECT SUMMARY
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SrTEAMACNeT); 4.75AC
BUILDING AREA 3U70SF
PAMCING: 151 STALLS (4J3/IA10)
iAST PARCB. SUMMARY
SITE AREA (NETV II.90AC
BULOING AREA IS3.774SF
PARKING: SOB STAUS (JJ/IMD)
GARDEN CENTER 3I.7ISSF
TOTAL sm SUMMARY
TOTAL SITS AREA (NET): H6SAC
TOTAL SLHIDING AREA: IBSJ44SF
TOTAL PARKING: 659 STAUS (U</IMO SF)
TYnCALPAR^
STANDARD: 9X19
COMPACT: 9X15
GPA 09-07/2C 09-08/SOP 09-05/CuP 09-C7/SUP 06-06
SifE PLAN
PALOMAR COMMONS
CARUBAD, CALIFORNIA
May 11,2010
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4.2 Airport Related Noise
To determine the airport related noise environment and impact potentials the Palomar
Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was compared to the project site location.
According to the CLUP adopted for the Palomar Airport on October 4, 2004, a portion of
the project site is located between the 65 dBA CNEL and 70 dBA CNEL noise contours
from the airport. Most of the site is outside the 65 dBA CNEL contour. For the
purposes of this analysis the worst case 70 dBA CNEL noise level was utilized. The
project site and future noise contours are provided graphically in Figure 4-2 below.
In order to reduce the airport noise levels from 70 dBA CNEL to the commercial 50 dBA
CNEL interior standard, a 20 dBA CNEL reduction is required (Source: Figure 3 of the
Airport Land Use Compatibiiity Plan for McCieilan-Paiomar Airport). Typical building
construction will provide a noise reduction of approximately 12-15 dBA with "windows
open" and a minimum 20 dBA noise reduction with "windows closed". New construction
with the windows closed will generally produce a noise reduction ranging from 25 dBA to
30 dBA. With a "windows closed" condition, requiring a means of mechanical ventilation
and standard windows with a STC rating 26 or higher, and installation as part of a typical
roof assembly the interior noise levels will be reduced at least 20 dBA CNEL. Therefore
with no addition mitigation or building material applications the interior commercial uses
will be below the City of Carlsbad's 50 dBA CNEL interior noise level standard.
4.3 Outdoor Patio Noise Levels
The project is proposing two outdoor patio areas, one near the proposed two-story Bank
building and the other between the retail buildings on the southern portion of the site.
The proposed patio areas can be seen on the project site plan as shown in Figure 4-1
above. The patio areas are considered passive outdoor patio areas that would not be
considered noise sensitive due to infrequent use. The patio area near the proposed bank
is in between the 65 and 70 dBA CNEL contours and the patio area on the southern
portion of the site is outside the 65 dBA CNEL contour. In addition, the City has also
established a "conditionally acceptable" policy goal of up to 75 dBA CNEL for outdoor
commercial uses and therefore no impacts would be anticipated.
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Figure 4-2: Palomar Airport Noise Contours
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Project Site
Figure 4-3: Proposed Passive Patio Areas
< - -r. > SITE PLAN lA-l
PALOMAR COMMONS
CARLS&Afi, CAUFORNIA
Moy 11.2010
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0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
5.0 OPERATIONAL NOISE LEVELS
This section examines the potential stationary noise source levels associated with the
development and operation of the proposed project. Noise from a fixed or point source
drops off at a rate of 6 dBA for each doubling of distance. Which means a noise level
of 70 dBA at 5-feet would be 64 dBA at 10-feet and 58 dBA at 20-feet. A review of the
proposed project indicates that noise sources such as delivery trucks, trash compactors,
truck loading/unloading, a car wash and the mechanical ventilation system (HVAC) are
the primary sources of stationary noise. The locations of these noise sources are
shown in Figure 5-1. The nearest property line to the operational noise sources, by
distance and orientation, is to the south. The section will analyze the southern property
line to determine the worst case noise levels. All other property lines are located
further from the noise sources and will have lower associated noise levels and should
meet the property line standards.
5.1 Reference Noise Levels
This section provides a detailed description of the reference noise level measurement
results. It is important to note that the following projected noise levels assume the
worst-case noise environment with the delivery trucks, trash compactors, car wash
activities and roof-top mounted mechanical ventilation all occurring at the same time.
In reality, these noise levels will vary throughout the day. The mechanical ventilation
may operate during nighttime hours and the delivery trucks may arrive during evening
or morning hours.
The industrial use daytime and nighttime standard of 70 dBA will be utilized in this
analysis along with the "normally acceptable" 65 dBA standard at the outdoor use at
the parcel to the south. The outdoor use area is located 110-feet from the southern
property line and the additional distance will further reduce the noise levels from the
Palomar Commons operations. Southwest of the project site is a potential sensitive
habitat area and a 60 dBA Leq, or ambient, standard will be applied. Each anticipated
noise source is provided in more detail below to determine if direct noise impacts will
occur. A cumulative noise level analysis of the proposed uses located near the southern
property line is provided at the end of this section.
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Figure 5-1: Noise Source Locations 2 "te f •i' I I
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0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
Deliverv Trucks
In order to evaluate the truck delivery noise impacts, the analysis utilized reference
noise level measurements taken at an Albertson's Shopping Center in Ladera Ranch,
California in 2001. The measurements include truck drive-by noise, truck
loading/unloading and truck engine noise. The unmitigated exterior noise levels for
truck drive-by noise and truck engine noise were measured at 66.5 dBA Leq at a
distance of 25-feet from the loading dock.
There is one loading dock with three truck bays proposed at the large retail facility
approximately 70-feet from the southern property line. A truck will take approximately
5 minutes to drive in the site and position itself into a bay, 30-45 minutes to be
unloaded or loaded, and another 5 minutes to exit the bay secure doors, complete
necessary paperwork and drive out of the site. This equates to 40-55 minutes it would
take for one truck to complete a delivery or pickup, therefore one truck at the most
could deliver to each bay in one hour. Since there are 3 bays on the project site, a total
of 3 trucks at a time may be operating on the site. This is very unlikely to occur but
would be considered a worst case scenario for this project. The cumulative noise levels
of three trucks would be 71.3 at a distance of 25-feet. The loading dock is 70-feet from
the southern property line and the noise level reduction due to distance would be -8.9
dBA. This would result in an unshielded noise level of 62.4 dBA Leq which is below the
70 dBA Leq property line standard.
Trash Compactors
To assess the potential trash compactor noise level impacts, reference noise level
measurements were taken at the Walgreens store in 2008. The trash compactor noise
level represents the worst-case noise impact with the trash compactor in continuous
operation. In practice the trash compactor will operate on a limited basis throughout
the day. At a distance of 3-feet, the Walgreens trash compactor produced a reference
noise level of 72 dBA Leq. The nearest property line is located approximately 145 feet
from the trash compactor. The trash compactor is 120-feet from the southern property
line and the noise level reduction due to distance would be -32.0 dBA. This would result
in an unshielded noise level of 40.0 dBA Leq which is below the 70 dBA Leq standard.
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Air Conditioning Units
Rooftop mechanical ventilation units will be installed on the proposed buildings. The
large retail store, the bank and convenience store are located closest to the property
line. All other proposed commercial buildings are located on the northern portion of the
project site. The specific uses of all these commercial buildings are not significant
compared to the location and lot size of the large commercial building. To assess the
mechanical ventilation system noise impacts, typical outdoor sound power levels were
provided by the Target Developer Guide, Edition 2.7. The noise ratings provided by the
guide Indicated that rooftop mechanical units for a Target store will produce an
unmitigated noise levels 58 dBA when measured at a distance of 15-feet.
To predict the worst-case future noise environment, a continuous reference noise level
of 58 dBA at 15-feet was used to represent the roof-top mechanical ventilation system.
Even though the mechanical ventilation system will cycle on and off throughout the
day, this approach presents the worst-case noise condition. In addition, these units are
designed to provide cooling during the peak summer daytime periods, and it is unlikely
that all the units will be operating continuously throughout the nighttime periods.
The large retail store will have as many as seven temperature control units located
along the southern portion of the building at a distance of 75-feet. The remainder of
the units will be located further from the property line and each other that the noise
levels would not increase the cumulative levels by more than 1 dBA. The cumulative
noise levels of seven units would be 66.5 dBA at a distance of 15-feet, At 70-feet from
the southern property line the noise level reduction due to distance would be -14.0 dBA.
This would result in an unshielded noise level of 52.5 dBA Leq and 53.5 dBA Leq
(adding the 1 dBA for the additional units) for all the units which is below the 70 dBA
Leq standard.
The retail stores located near the southern property line are anticipated to have two
units each which would result in a property line noise level of 55.0 dBA Leq at 30-feet
and 52.5 dBA Leq at 40-feet, respectively. The cumulative noise level from all four
HVAC units would be 56.9 dBA Leq. The noise levels associated with the rooftop
mechanical ventilation units will meet the standards at the nearest property line without
mitigation. The air conditioning units of all other proposed buildings are independent of
the retail buildings and will not cumulatively add to each other because of the distance
separation.
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Car Wash
In order to examine the potential stationary noise source impacts associated with the
operation of the proposed self service carwash, sound level measurements of a similar
existing carwash in Oceanside were taken. The short-term noise measurements were
taken at a distance of four-feet from the vacuum motors and the air drying equipment.
The noise measurements were taken using a Larson-Davis Model LxT Type 1 precision
sound level meter, programmed, in "slow" mode, to record noise levels in "A" weighted
form. The sound level meter and microphone were mounted on a tripod, five feet
above the ground and equipped with a windscreen during all measurements. The
sound level meter was calibrated before and after the monitoring using a Larson-Davis
calibrator. Model CAL 200.
The resulting noise levels for the Vacuum was 73.6 dBA and for the Air Dryer was 85.7
dBA during the duration of the measurements taken, the total run time for the similar
drive thru car wash was approximately 3 minutes. The air dryer was running for
approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds of this total time while the enclosed vacuum
motor would operate for 2 minutes of every cycle. The worst case amount of car wash
uses in a peak hour would be 20. In order to determine the worst case condition, the
car wash was analyzed as a continuous operation although this will likely not occur.
The air dryer is located 280-feet from the northern property line and over 320-feet from
the southern property line. The vacuums are located 155-feet from the northern
property line and 430-feet from the southern property line. The property line noise
level from the air dryer will be 48.8 dBA Leq and 41.8 dBA Leq for the vacuum at the
northern property line. The noise level at the southern property line would be 43.6 dBA
Leq for the air dryer and 32.8 dBA Leq for the vacuum. Cumulatively this results in a
property line noise level of 49.6 dBA Leq to the north and 44.0 to the south, both of
which comply with the standards.
5.2 Cumulative Project Noise Levels
It is possible to calculate the cumulative noise levels from the proposed project along
the southern property line from each of the proposed uses. Although not all the noise
sources are close enough to each other in distance or sound level to create a
cumulative effect this method is considered ultra conservative in determining impact
potential. For example: the loading docks at the large retail facility are 500-feet from
the car wash noise sources and are shielded by the proposed building. The air
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Ldn Consulting, Inc. 5/18/10 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
condition unit noise levels on the large retail facility are well below the noise levels from
the car wash and will not cumulatively add to them. Thus, the noise levels from the
large retail facility are analyzed separately and the car wash and bank were analyzed
together.
Large Retail Facility
Table 5-1 presents the worst case unshielded noise levels at the southern property line
from the proposed large retail facility. These projections include the delivery truck
noise, trash compactor noise and noise from the mechanical ventilation systems. The
unshielded cumulative noise level at the southern property line is projected to be below
62.9 dBA Leq. Additionally, no shielding from the proposed buildings, parapets or
increased distances was taken into account. Cumulatively the large retail facility related
operational noise levels will meet the 70 dBA Leq property line noise standard. The
cumulative noise at the outdoor use to the south, located 110-feet from the property
line would be reduced to 54.6 dBA due to distance as can be seen in Table 5-1 below.
Therefore the operational noise levels will meet the 65 dBA "normally acceptable"
outdoor use standards to the south.
Table 5-1: Cumulative Noise Levels for the Large Retail Facility
Noise Source Noise Level @ Property Line (dBA)
Truck Deliveries 62.4
Trash Compactor 40.0
Air Conditioning Units 53.5
Cumulative Levels @ Property Line (dBA) 62.9
Distance To Outdoor Use Area 110
Noise Reduction Due To Distance -8.2^
Cumulative Levels @ Outdoor Use (dBA) 54.7
' Noise reduction of 6 dBA per doubling of distance
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Ldn Consulting, Inc. 5/18/10 0945-04 Palomar Commons Noise Report
Car Wash and Retail Facilities
Table 5-2 presents the worst case unshielded noise levels at the southern property line
from the combined carwash and southern retail facilities. These projections include the
air dryer noise, vacuum noise and noise from the mechanical ventilation systems. The
unshielded cumulative noise level at the southern property line is projected to be below
58.9 dBA Leq. Additionally, no shielding from the proposed buildings, parapets or
increased distances was taken into account. Cumulatively the large retail facility related
operational noise levels will meet the 70 dBA Leq property line noise standard, the 65
dBA "normally acceptable" outdoor use standards to the south and the biological 60
dBA Leq, or ambient, standard at the potential habitat corridor to the southwest.
Table 5-2: Cumulative Noise Levels for the Car Wash and Bank Table
Noise Source Noise Level @ Property Line (dBA)
Air Dryer 43.6
Vacuum 32.8
Air Conditioning Units (Small Retail Store) 55.0
Air Conditioning Units (Larger Retail Store) 52.5
Cumulative Levels @ Property Line (dBA) 57.2^
' Below the 60 dBA Leq biological standard
5.3 Findings and Mitigation
Based upon the property line noise levels determined above none of the proposed noise
sources directly or cumulatively exceeds the property line standards and will be below
the "normally acceptable" standard at the outdoor uses to the south. The operational
noise levels at the adjacent habitat area were found to be below the 60 dBA Leq
standard and no impacts are anticipated and no project mitigation measures are
required. Additionally, the carwash operational noise levels at the proposed outdoor
patio of the canwash facility are anticipated to be below 60 dBA Leq and will comply
with the "normally" acceptable outdoor commercial standard of 65 dBA.
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