RDA Reso 2000-004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

acceptable" while a noise environment between 55 and 65 Ldn is "conditionally acceptable." For commercial land uses, which are generally less noise-sensitive, a noise environment of 60 Ldn or less is considered cleazly acceptable, while a noise environment between 60 and 70 Ldn is considered conditionally acceptable. San Leandro also regulates noise through enforcement of city ordinances, which include a general provision against nuisance noise sources (City Code, Tit1e.N, Chapter 1, Article 5). The factors that are considered when determining whether the ordinance is violated include: a) the level, intensity, chazacter, and duration of the noise; b) the level, intensity, and chazacter of the background noise; and c) the time when, and the place and zoning district where, the noise occurred. San. Leandro's City Code has specific provisions governing use of sound amplification equipment but the provisions relate to vehicles equipped with such equipment rather than to buildings or land uses that make use of such equipment. POTENTIAL IMPACTS Significance Criteria A project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if it would increase substantially the ambient noise levels for adjoining azeas or conflict with adopted environmental plans and goals of the community (Governor's Office of Planning and Research, 1994). Generally, athree-dBA increase in ambient noise levels represents the threshold at which most people can detect a change in the noise environment3 and is applied as the significance criteria for noise impacts from motor vehicles. However, depending upon the type of noise emitted, the type of land use affECted, and the extent of noise already affecting an area, a more stringent criterion may be appropriate. I,pacts and Miti,~ation Measures Impact 1: Construction activities would intermittently and temporarily generate noise levels above existing ambient levels in the project vicinity. Construction noise levels at and neaz locations on the project site would fluctuate depending on the particulaz type, number, and duration of use of various pieces of construction equipment. The effect of construction noise would depend upon how much noise would be generated by 3 Detectable noise is a subjective characterization of a noise source. Significance of noise impacts is a conclusory determination based upon the CEQA definition of "a substantial increase in ambient noise levels". ~'~ 4