NOISE AND VIBRATION TECHNICAL REPORT

Transcription

1 NOISE AND VIBRATION TECHNICAL REPORT For the Proposed Culver City, CA Prepared for: Platform Hayden Tract III, LLC 9900 Culver Boulevard, 1A Culver City, CA Prepared by: 233 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 150 Santa Monica, CA TEL FAX February 2017

2

3 Table of Contents ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ES-1 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND EXISTING NOISE SETTING Project Location Existing Site Conditions Project Description Noise and Vibration Descriptors Noise Vibration Existing Noise Environment Regulatory Setting City of Culver City Ground-Borne Vibration Guidelines THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE IMPACT ANALYSIS Methodology On-Site Construction Noise Off-Site Roadway Noise (Construction and Operations) Stationary Point-Source Noise (Operations) Ground-Borne Vibration (Construction and Operations) Construction Noise Impacts On-Site Construction Noise Off-Site Construction Noise Project-related Traffic Noise impacts Impacts Under Existing Traffic Baseline Conditions On-Site Operational Noise impacts Fixed Mechanical Equipment Parking Facility Site Compatibility (Proposed On-Site Noise-Sensitive Uses) Ground-Borne Vibration impacts Construction Vibration Operational Vibration MITIGATION MEASURES Construction Noise and Vibration Operational Noise and Vibration CONCLUSIONS Construction Operation Page Noise and Vibration Technical Report i

4 Table of Contents (Continued) Page APPENDICES Appendix A On-Site Construction Noise Calculations Appendix B Off-Site Construction Traffic Noise Calculations Appendix C Off-Site Traffic Noise Calculations List of Figures Page 1 Regional and Project Vicinity Locations Site Plan Common Noise Levels Noise Measurement Locations... 9 List of Tables Page 1 Summary of Short-Term Noise Measurements City of Culver City Interior and Exterior Noise Standards CNEL (dba) Noise and Land Use Compatibility Matrix - California Human Response to Transient Vibration... Error! Bookmark not defined. 5 Ground-Borne Vibration Impact Criteria for Structure Damage Construction Equipment and Estimated Noise Levels (Leq) Off-Site Traffic Noise Impacts Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment Noise and Vibration Technical Report ii

5 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Acronym Caltrans CNEL db dba FTA L eq L max PPV TeNS Description California Department of Transportation Community Noise Equivalent Level decibel A-weighted db scale Federal Transit Administration Equivalent Sound Level Maximum Noise Level peak particle velocity Caltrans Technical Noise Supplement Noise and Vibration Technical Report 1

6

7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this Noise and Vibration Technical Report is to assess and discuss the impacts of potential noise and vibration impacts that may occur with the implementation of the proposed mixed-use development ( Synapse at Platform or the project ). The project is proposing a mix of retail, restaurant, and office uses within a 4-story building (up to 56 feet). The retail and restaurant uses would be located on the Ground Level. On Levels 2 through 4, the project would include office uses. Parking for the proposed uses would be provided on site on the Ground Level and within a 3-level subterranean automated parking structure. The analysis describes the existing noise environment in the project area, estimates future noise and vibration levels at surrounding land uses resulting from construction and operation of the project, and identifies the potential for significant noise impacts based on applicable noise and vibration threshold of significance. Noise worksheets and technical data used in this analysis are provided in Appendices A-C. The findings of the analyses are as follows: Construction activities would be required to comply with Culver City s allowable construction hours of 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. Mondays through Friday; 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Saturdays; 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Sundays, and would be temporary in nature. Through compliance with Culver City s allowable construction hours, construction related noise impacts would be less than significant at noise sensitive receptor locations. The construction noise levels would substantially increase noise levels at off-site noise-sensitive receptors in the project area. Therefore, the construction noise would be considered significant impact. Mitigation Measures NOISE-2 through NOISE-4 are recommended, which would result in a less than significant impact. Off-site haul truck trip would not substantially increase noise levels over the ambient condition. In addition, construction activities would occur only during daytime hours within the allowable hours specified in the City s Municipal Code. Therefore, noise impacts from off-site construction traffic would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. The maximum off-site traffic noise increment increase would not be greater than the applicable threshold of 5 dba. As such, operational traffic noise impacts would be less than significant. The compatibility of siting a mix of retail, restaurant, and office uses within a built, urban environment was assessed. Based on the ambient noise monitoring data, the project site is considered Conditionally Acceptable for the proposed development. Conventional construction, with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. Temporary construction-related vibration would exceed the established threshold for structure damage and human annoyance to the adjacent residential uses south of the project site. However, vibration generated by on-site construction activities would have a less than significant impact on surrounding uses with incorporation of Mitigation Measure NOISE-5. Noise and Vibration Technical Report ES-1

8 Executive Summary February 2017 This page intentionally blank. Noise and Vibration Technical Report ES-2

9 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND EXISTING NOISE SETTING has conducted an acoustical study with respect to potential noise and vibration impacts from construction activities, surface transportation, and other aspects of project operations that are noise and vibration intensive and that have the potential to impact neighboring noise sensitive land uses. The objectives of this noise study are to: a. Quantify the existing ambient noise environment at the project site; b. Evaluate construction related noise and vibration impacts and the traffic and operational noise and vibration impacts to noise sensitive receptors; c. Provide, if needed, noise mitigation measures as required to meet applicable noise regulations and standards including interior sound level standards as specified by Culver City (City). In addition, the compatibility of siting new noise- and vibration-sensitive land uses within a built, urban environment was assessed. If needed, performance measures will be specified to demonstrate the project s ability to meet the applicable noise and vibration standards. 1.1 PROJECT LOCATION The project site is located on the south side of Washington Boulevard between Higuera Street and Landmark Street within Culver City s Washington/National Transit Oriented District (TOD). Downtown Culver City is located approximately 0.5 miles to the west. The San Diego Freeway Interstate 405 (I-405) is located approximately two miles west of the project site and the Santa Monica Freeway Interstate 10 (I-10) is less than 0.5-mile north of the project site. Figure 1, Regional and Project Vicinity Locations, illustrates the location of the project site from a regional and local perspective. 1.2 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS The project site is currently improved with a single-story auto repair shop building occupied by ICC Collision Center and asphalt-paved surface parking lot and storage area. The 18-vehicular space gated surface parking lot is located adjacent to Washington Boulevard with the vehicular storage area located directly behind the lot separated by a 12-foot metal wall. The auto repair shop is located on the western portion of the site with the surface parking lot and storage area located on the eastern portion. Ingress/egress to the project site is available via a curb cut driveway directly into the central portion of the auto repair shop building along Washington Boulevard and two curb cut driveways into the surface parking lot in the eastern portion of the site along Washington Boulevard. 1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project is proposing a mix of retail, restaurant, and office uses within a 4-story building (up to 56 feet). The retail and restaurant uses would be located on the Ground Level. On Levels 2 through 4, the project Noise and Vibration Technical Report 1

10 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 would include office uses. Parking for the proposed uses would be provided on site on the Ground Level and within a 3-level subterranean automated parking structure. Figure 2, Site Plan, illustrates the site plan for the project. It is anticipated that construction activities would commence as early as May 2017 and occur over approximately 18 months until November Full build-out and occupancy could occur in late NOISE AND VIBRATION DESCRIPTORS Noise Noise is most often defined as unwanted sound. Although sound can be easily measured, the perceptibility of sound is subjective and the physical response to sound complicates the analysis of its impact on people. People judge the relative magnitude of sound sensation in subjective terms such as noisiness or loudness. Sound pressure magnitude is measured and quantified using a logarithmic ratio of pressures, the scale of which gives the level of sound in decibels (db). The human hearing system is not equally sensitive to sound at all frequencies. Therefore, to approximate the human, frequency-dependent response, the A-weighted filter system is used to adjust measured sound levels. The A-weighted sound level (dba) de-emphasizes low frequencies to which human hearing is less sensitive and focuses on mid- to high-range frequencies. The range of human hearing is approximately 3 to 140 dba, with 110 dba considered intolerable or painful to the human ear. In a non-controlled environment, a change in sound level of 3 db is considered just perceptible, a change in sound level of 5 db is considered clearly noticeable, and a change in 10 db is perceived as a doubling of sound volume. 1 A comparison of types of commonly experienced environmental noise is provided in Figure 3, Common Noise Levels. Although the A-weighted scale accounts for the range of people s response, and is therefore commonly used to quantify individual event or general community sound levels, the degree of annoyance or other response effects also depends on several other factors. These factors include: Ambient (background) sound level; Magnitude of sound event with respect to the background noise level; Duration of the sound event; Number of event occurrences and their repetitiveness; and Time of day that the event occurs. In an outdoor environment, sound levels attenuate with distance. Such attenuation is called distance loss or geometric spreading and is influenced by the noise source configuration (i.e., point source or line source). For a point source, such as stationary equipment, the rate of sound attenuation is usually 6 db per doubling of distance from the noise source at urban, acoustically hard sites, or highly acoustically reflective settings that preserve sound energy (water, asphalt, and concrete). Within such environments, a sound level 1 Engineering Noise Control, Bies & Hansen, Noise and Vibration Technical Report 2

11 PROJECT SITE PROJECT SITE Project Boundary 0 1,500 Feet SOURCE: Mapbox, Synapse at Platform Figure 1 Regional and Project Vicinity Locations

12 Ground Floor Restaurant Levels 2-4 Office New Building Summary 4 Story Structure (Up To 56 Feet) Ground Floor Retail - Eastern Portion (2,878 SF) Ground Floor Restaurant - Western Portion ( 3,184 SF) Levels Office (59,325 SF) All Parking to be Provided in 3-Level Subterranean Automated Parking Structure Ground Floor Retail Levels 2-4 Office SOURCE: Abramson Teiger Architects, 2017 Synapse at Platform Figure 2 Site Plan

13 Noise Level (dba) 110 Common Indoor Noise Levels Rock Band Common Outdoor Noise Levels Inside Subway Train Food 3 feet Garbage 3 feet 3 feet Vacuum 10 feet Normal 3 feet Large Business Office Dishwasher next room Small Theater/Conference Room (background) Library Bedroom at Night Concert Hall (background) Broadcast & Recording Studio Jet 1,000 feet Gas Lawn 3 feet Diesel 50 feet Noisy Urban Daytime Gas Lawn 100 feet Commercial Area Heavy 300 feet Quiet Urban Daytime Quiet Urban Nightime Quiet Suburban Nightime Quiet Rural Nightime 10 0 Threshold of Hearing SOURCE: Caltrans Noise Manual, California Department of Transportation, Synapse at Platform Figure 3 Common Noise Levels

14 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 This page intentionally blank. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 6

15 February Project Description and Existing Noise Setting of 50 dba at a distance of 25 feet from the noise source would attenuate to 44 dba at a distance of 50 feet. The equation presented below. 2 Where: NR = noise reduction d1 = distance from sound source at one location d2 = distance from sound source at another location For a line source within an acoustically hard environment, such as a roadway with a constant flow of traffic, the rate of sound attenuation is 3 db per doubling of distance. The equation presented below. 3 Where: NR log(d2/d1) NR = noise reduction d1 = distance from sound source at one location d2 = distance from sound source at another location In addition, structures (e.g., buildings and solid walls) and natural topography (e.g., hills) that obstruct the line-of-sight between a noise source and a receptor further reduce the noise level if the receptor is located within the shadow of the obstruction, such as behind a sound wall. This type of sound attenuation is known as barrier insertion loss. If a receptor is located behind the wall but still has a view of the source (i.e., line-of-sight not fully blocked), some barrier insertion loss would still occur, but to a lesser extent. A receptor located on the same side of the wall as a noise source may actually experience an increase in the perceived noise level as the wall reflects noise back to the receptor, thereby compounding the noise. Noise barriers can provide noise level reductions ranging from approximately 5 dba (where the barrier just breaks the line-of-sight between the source and receiver) up to 20 dba with a more substantial barrier. 4 Community noise levels usually change continuously during the day. The equivalent sound level (L eq) is normally used to describe community noise. The L eq is the equivalent steady-state A-weighted sound level that would contain the same acoustical energy as the time-varying A-weighted sound level during the same time interval. For intermittent noise sources, the maximum noise level (L max) is normally used to represent the maximum noise level measured during the measurement. Maximum and minimum noise levels, as compared to the L eq, are a function of the characteristics of the noise source. As an example, sources such as generators have maximum and minimum noise levels that are similar to L eq since noise levels for steadystate noise sources do not substantially fluctuate. However, as another example, vehicular noise levels along local roadways result in substantially different minimum and maximum noise levels when compared to the L eq since noise levels fluctuate during pass-by events. The Culver City Noise Ordinance uses the L eq for the evaluation of noise violations. To assess noise levels over a given 24-hour time period, the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) descriptor is used in land use planning. CNEL is the time average of all A-weighted sound levels for a Laymond N. Miller, Noise Control for Buildings and Manufacturing Plants, Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Caltrans, Technical Noise Supplement (TeNS), Ibid. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 7

16 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 hour period with a 10 dba adjustment (upward) added to the sound levels which occur in the night (10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.) and a 5 dba adjustment (upward) added to the sound levels which occur in the evening (7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.). These penalties attempt to account for increased human sensitivity to noise during the quieter nighttime periods, particularly where sleep is the most probable activity. CNEL has been adopted by the State of California to define the community noise environment for development of a community noise element of a General Plan and is also used by the Culver City for land use planning in the City s General Plan Noise Element (Noise Element) Vibration Vibration is an oscillatory motion through a solid medium in which the motion s amplitude can be described in terms of displacement, velocity, or acceleration. The response of humans, buildings, and equipment to vibration is more accurately described using velocity or acceleration. 6 Vibration amplitudes are usually described in terms of peak levels, as in peak particle velocity (PPV). The peak level represents the maximum instantaneous peak of the vibration signal. In addition, vibrations can be measured in the vertical, horizontal longitudinal, or horizontal transverse directions. Ground vibrations are most often greatest, and can damage buildings, when they propagate in the vertical direction. 7 Therefore, the analysis of ground-borne vibration associated with the project was evaluated in the vertical direction. Typically, ground-borne vibration generated by man-made activities attenuates rapidly with distance from the source of the vibration. Manmade vibration issues are therefore usually confined to short distances from the source (i.e., 50 feet or less). Vibration attenuation equation presented below. PPV equip = PPV ref (25/D) n where PPV ref = reference source vibration D = Distance n =factor for soil attenuation. 1.5 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT The project site is immediately surrounded by office, commercial, and light industrial uses to the north and east; light industrial and residential uses to the south; and light industrial uses to the west. Figure 4, Noise Measurement Locations, presents noise measurement locations utilized in the noise impact analyses below, in addition to identifying surrounding land uses. Existing noise sensitive uses within 500 feet of the project site include: Multi-family residential uses adjacent south of the project site along Lindblade Street (identified as R2 on Figure 4), Park Center School located approximately 215 feet east of the project site along Landmark Street (identified as R3), State of California, General Plan Guidelines, Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, page 7-3, May California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Transportation Related Earthborne Vibrations, page 4, February Noise and Vibration Technical Report 8

17 ra Ve Project Boundary Commercial Light Industrial Light Industrial/Commercial Residential Mixed-Use/Residential Commercial/Manufacturing School en Av ue 10 Ivy St ree t rts Cu I-1 0 e nu Ra m p e Av A Ro be r El lis tso n Av e nu Bl vd e n Ve ic ou eb ar l ev Noise Measurement Locations s Wa d Na tio na lb ou le v ar d ulevard Robertson Bo A hin g to r va t R1 s Wa le ou nb e re Expo Line Culver City Metro Station St Access Culver City Site R4 A g to l ey es W Ivy Station Site hin Metro Platfo rm d Platform R3 A Landmark Stree t R2 Hi gu er a d Lin St re e t R5 bla S de tre et A PROJECT SITE A Feet SOURCE: Google Map, 2015 (Aerial). Synapse at Platform Figure 4 Noise Measurement Locations le ou nb r va d

18 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 This page intentionally blank. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 10

19 February Project Description and Existing Noise Setting Future site of the Ivy Station Mixed-Use Project is located approximately 450 feet northeast of the project site along Washington Boulevard (identified as R4), and Single- and multi-family residential uses are located south of the project site along Krueger Street and Poinsettia Court, at varying distances from approximately 250 feet to 400 feet, respectively. Noise measurement location R5 is representative of noise levels along Poinsettia Court. The results of ambient sound measurements taken to establish the existing environmental setting are summarized in Table 1, Summary of Ambient Noise Measurements. As shown in Table 1, noise measurements were also during daytime only since Project-related construction activities which may generate noise would be limited by the City s noise ordinance as discussed above. The measured noise levels range from 61 dba, L eq at R2 to 70 dba at the R1 and R4 off-site sensitive receptor locations. Monitoring demonstrated that the primary source of noise in the immediate area of the project site was traffic on Washington Boulevard. Table 1 Summary of Short-Term Noise Measurements Location Date and Time Period Leq dba Noise Sources R1. Northern boundary of the project site along Washington Boulevard R2. Multi-family residential uses located south of the project site along Lindblade Street R3. School uses located east of the project site along Landmark Street R4. Future Mixed uses located northeast of the project site along Washington Boulevard R5. Residential uses located southwest of the project site, along Poinsettia Court 9/16/16 9:23 a.m. 9:38 a.m. 9/16/16 10:19 a.m. 10:34 a.m. 9/16/16 10:42 a.m. 10:57 a.m. 9/16/16 9:40 a.m. 9:55 a.m. 9/16/16 10:03 a.m. 10:18 a.m. 70 Traffic on Washington Boulevard. 61 Traffic on Lindblade Street 66 Traffic on Landmark Street 70 Traffic from Washington Boulevard as dominant source 64 Traffic on Poinsettia Court SOURCE:, REGULATORY SETTING City of Culver City The City of Culver City Noise Standards are developed from those of several Federal and State agencies including the Federal Highway Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the American National Standards Institute, and the State of California Noise and Vibration Technical Report 11

20 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 Department of Health Services. These standards set limits on the noise exposure level for various land uses. Table 2, City of Culver City Interior and Exterior Noise Standards, lists interior and exterior noise level standards and the type of occupancy to which they should be applied. Table 2 City of Culver City Interior and Exterior Noise Standards Zone Interior Standard dba (CNEL) Exterior Standard dba (CNEL) Residential Commercial Retail Office Building Open Space Parks Source: City of Culver City Noise Element. Table 3, CNEL (dba): Noise and Land Use Compatibility Matrix California, illustrates land use compatibility with regard to noise. These standards and criteria will be incorporated into the land use planning process to reduce future noise and land use incompatibilities. This table is the primary tool that allows the City of Culver City to ensure integrated planning for compatibility between land uses and outdoor noise. Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) for specific land uses are classified into four categories: (1) Clearly Compatible (2) Compatible with Mitigation (3) Normally Incompatible and (4) Clearly Incompatible. Policy 2.A Create a comprehensive ordinance establishing noise regulation criteria, and standards for noise sources and receptors to include but not be limited to the following: Noise reduction features during site planning to mitigate anticipated noise impacts on affected noise sensitive land uses, such as schools, hospitals, convalescent homes, and libraries. Temporary sound barrier installation at construction site if construction noise is impacting nearby noise sensitive land uses. Noise abatement and acoustical design criteria for construction and operation of any new development. Chapter 9.07 of the City of Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) provides specific noise restrictions and exemptions for noise sources within Culver City. Several of these requirements are applicable to the proposed project and are discussed below. Culver City s noise regulation states that construction activity shall be prohibited, except between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. Mondays through Fridays; 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Saturdays; 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. Sundays. It is prohibited for any person to operate any radio, disc player or cassette player or similar device at a construction site in a manner that results in noise levels that are audible beyond the construction site property line. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 12

21 February Project Description and Existing Noise Setting Table 3 CNEL (dba) Noise and Land Use Compatibility Matrix - California Land Use Category Residential Low density, Single-Family, Duplex, Mobile Homes Normally Acceptable Conditionally Acceptable Normally Unacceptable Clearly Unacceptable Residential Multiple Family Transient Lodging Motel, Hotels Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters NA NA Sports Arenas, Outdoor Spectator Sports NA NA Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks NA Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries Office Buildings, Business Commercial and Professional Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture NA NA NA Normally Acceptable Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements. Conditionally Acceptable New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice. Normally Unacceptable New construction or development should be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Clearly Unacceptable New construction or development should generally not be undertaken. NA: Not Applicable Source: Office of Planning and Research, State of California General Plan Guidelines, October Table 3, CNEL (dba): Noise and Land Use Compatibility Matrix California, illustrates the State guidelines established by the State Department of Health Services for acceptable noise levels for counties and cities. These standards and criteria will be incorporated into the land use planning process to reduce future noise and land use incompatibilities. This table is the primary tool that allows Culver City to ensure integrated planning for compatibility between land uses and outdoor noise. Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) noise levels for specific land uses are classified into four categories: (1) normally acceptable (2) conditionally acceptable (3) normally unacceptable and (4) clearly unacceptable. 8 A CNEL value of 70 8 CNEL is the time average of all A-weighted sound levels for a 24-hour period with a 10 dba adjustment (upward) added to the sound levels which occur in the night (10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.) and a 5 dba adjustment (upward) added to the sound levels which occur in the evening (7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.). These penalties attempt to account for increased human sensitivity to noise during the quieter nighttime periods, particularly where sleep is the most probable activity. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 13

22 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 dba is considered the dividing line between a conditionally acceptable and normally unacceptable noise environment for noise sensitive land uses, including residences, transient lodgings, schools, and library. The City s General Plan Noise Element includes Policy 2.A, pertaining to stationary noise sources, as follows: Policy 2.A Create a comprehensive ordinance establishing noise regulation criteria, and standards for noise sources and receptors to include but not be limited to the following: Noise reduction features during site planning to mitigate anticipated noise impacts on affected noise sensitive land uses, such as schools, hospitals, convalescent homes, and libraries. Temporary sound barrier installation at construction site if construction noise is impacting nearby noise sensitive land uses. Noise abatement and acoustical design criteria for construction and operation of any new development. Chapter 9.07 of the City of Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) provides specific noise restrictions and exemptions for noise sources within Culver City. Culver City s noise regulations state that construction activity shall be prohibited, except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Saturdays; 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sundays. It is prohibited for any person to operate any radio, disc player or cassette player or similar device at a construction site in a manner that results in noise levels that are audible beyond the construction site property line Ground-Borne Vibration Guidelines Culver City has not adopted policies or guidelines relative to ground-borne vibration. However, Caltrans has produced a guidance manual for evaluating potential vibration impacts ( Transportation- and Construction- Induced Vibration Guidance Manual dated June 2004). The manual gathers data from multiple sources including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The manual provides thresholds for potential impacts on human comfort and damage to buildings, as well as guidance for reducing potential vibration impacts and addressing vibration issues. The potential for annoyance from vibration activity is measured in inches per second peak particle velocity (PPV). For example, transient vibration of inches per second (in/sec) PPV is identified as a level that is barely perceptible, 0.24 is distinctively perceptible, 0.9 in/sec PPV is identified strongly perceptible, and 2.0 is severe. 9 Continuous vibration from traffic at 0.1 in/sec PPV begins to annoy. This FTA document is used to identify the impacts for this project. Table 4 and 5 include the vibration impact criteria for human annoyance and for structure damage. 9 Transient vibration is defined as a temporarily sustained vibration of a mechanical system. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 14

23 February Project Description and Existing Noise Setting Table 4 Caltrans Vibration Annoyance Potential Criteria Maximum PPV (in/sec) Continuous/Frequent Intermittent Structure and Condition Transient Sources Sources Barely perceptible Distinctly perceptible Strongly perceptible Severe Note: Transient sources create a single isolated vibration event, such as blasting or drop balls. Continuous/frequent intermittent sources include impact pile drivers, pogo-stick compactors, crack and-seat equipment, vibratory pile drivers, and vibratory compaction equipment. Source: Caltrans, Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual. September, Table 5 Ground-Borne Vibration Impact Criteria for Structure Damage Building Class Continuous Source PPV (in/sec) Class I: buildings in steel or reinforced concrete, such as factories, retaining wall, bridges, steel towers, open channels, underground chambers, and tunnels with 0.5 and without concrete alignment Class II: buildings with foundation walls and flows in concrete, walls in concrete or masonry, stone masonry retaining walls, underground chambers and tunnels 0.3 with masonry alignments, conduits in loose material Class III: buildings as mentioned above but with wooden ceilings and walls in 0.2 masonry Class IV: construction very sensitive to vibration; objects of historic interest 0.12 Source: Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, FTA, Noise and Vibration Technical Report 15

24 1. Project Description and Existing Noise Setting February 2017 This page intentionally blank. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 16

25 2. THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines provides a set of screening questions that address impacts with regard to Noise Impacts. These questions are as follows: Would the project result in: Construction activities that expose noise sensitive uses to noise levels in excess of standards established and during the hours designated in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project above levels existing without the project? A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? The following significance thresholds evaluate potential noise and vibration impacts of the project based on the regulatory framework described above. The project would result in potentially significant impacts under the following circumstances: Noise 1 Noise 2 Noise 3 Project construction activities occur between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. Monday through Friday; 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 A.M. on Saturdays; 7:00 P.M. and 10:00 A.M. on Sundays The Project-related operations would cause ambient noise levels to increase by 5 dba, L eq or more. Potential Building Damage - Project construction activities cause ground-borne vibration levels to exceed 0.2 inch-per-second PPV at the nearest buildings. Noise 4 Potential Human Perception - Project construction activities cause ground-borne vibration levels to exceed inch-per-second PPV at the nearest residential buildings. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 17

26 2. Thresholds of Significance February 2017 This page intentionally blank. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 18

27 3. IMPACT ANALYSIS 3.1 METHODOLOGY On-Site Construction Noise On-site construction noise impacts were evaluated by determining the noise levels generated by the different types of construction activity anticipated, calculating the construction-related noise level at nearby sensitive receptor locations, and comparing these construction-related noise levels to existing ambient noise levels (i.e., noise levels without construction noise) at those receptors. More, specifically, the following steps were undertaken to assess construction-period noise impacts. 1. Ambient noise levels at surrounding sensitive receptor locations were estimated based on field measurement data (see Table 1); 2. Typical noise levels for each type of construction equipment were obtained from the Federal Highway Administration roadway construction noise model; 3. Distances between construction site locations (noise sources) and surrounding sensitive receptors were measured using project architectural drawings and site plans and Google Earth; 4. The construction noise level was then calculated, in terms of hourly Leq, for sensitive receptor locations based on the standard point source noise-distance attenuation factor of 6.0 dba for each doubling of distance; and 5. Construction noise levels were then compared to the construction noise significance thresholds identified above Off-Site Roadway Noise (Construction and Operations) Roadway noise impacts have been evaluated using the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Technical Noise Supplement (TeNS) methodology based on the roadway traffic volume data provided in the Traffic Study prepared for the project. 10 This methodology allows for the definition of roadway configurations, barrier information (if any), and receiver locations. Roadway noise attributable to project development was calculated and compared to baseline noise levels that would occur under the Without Project condition Stationary Point-Source Noise (Operations) Stationary point-source noise impacts were evaluated by identifying the noise levels generated by outdoor stationary noise sources, such as rooftop mechanical equipment and loading area activity, calculating the hourly L eq noise level from each noise source at sensitive receptor property lines, and comparing such noise 10 Ivy Station, Culver City, Mixed-Use Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at Washington Blvd. and National Blvd. Traffic Impact Analysis, prepared by Kimley Horn, dated October 2015 (provided under separate cover available at the Culver City Planning Division). Noise and Vibration Technical Report 19

28 3. Impact Analysis February 2017 levels to existing ambient noise levels. More specifically, the following steps were undertaken to calculate outdoor stationary point-source noise impacts: 1. Ambient noise levels at surrounding sensitive receptor locations were estimated based on field measurement data (see Table 1); 2. Distances between stationary noise sources and surrounding sensitive receptor locations were measured using project architectural drawings, Google Earth, and site plans; 3. Stationary-source noise levels were then calculated for each sensitive receptor location based on the standard point source noise-distance attenuation factor of 6.0 dba for each doubling of distance; 4. Noise level increases were compared to the stationary source noise significance thresholds identified below; and 5. For outdoor mechanical equipment, the maximum allowable noise emissions from any and all outdoor mechanical equipment were specified such that noise levels would not exceed the significance threshold identified above Ground-Borne Vibration (Construction and Operations) Ground-borne vibration impacts were evaluated by identifying potential vibration sources, measuring the distance between vibration sources and surrounding structure locations, and making a significance determination based on the significance thresholds described above. 3.2 CONSTRUCTION NOISE IMPACTS It is anticipated that construction activities would commence as early as March 2017 with full build-out and occupancy beginning in September The project would comply with the City s allowable construction hours of: Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM through 8:00 PM Saturdays: 9:00 AM through 7:00 PM Sundays: 10:00 AM through 7:00 Any work outside of the above hours would require consultation and approval with pertinent the City departments prior to any works being scheduled. Dirt hauling and construction material deliveries or removal would not be allowed during morning (7:00 AM 9:00 AM) and afternoon (4:00 PM 6:00 PM) peak traffic periods. It should be noted that this requirement will have the effect of prolonging overall construction time. The assessments include construction noise impact to the noise sensitive receivers in the vicinity of the project site due to the operation of construction equipment (on-site construction activities) and due to haul truck activities (off-site construction activities). Noise and Vibration Technical Report 20

29 February Impact Analysis On-Site Construction Noise Noise from construction activities would be generated by vehicles and equipment involved during various stages of construction operations: demolition, grading, excavation, foundation construction, and building construction. The noise levels created by construction equipment would vary depending on factors such as, the type of equipment, the specific model, the operation being performed and the condition of the equipment. Construction noise associated with the Proposed Project was analyzed using a mix of typical construction equipment, estimated durations and construction phasing. Table 6 presents the list of construction equipment and approximate quantities per construction phase with reference noise levels. Table 6 Construction Equipment and Estimated Noise Levels (Leq) Construction Equipment Demolition Noise Level at 50 ft (dba) Usage Factor (%) Hourly Quantity Rubber Tired Dozer Excavator Dump/Haul Truck Site Prep/Grading/Excavation Excavator Grader Rubber Tired Dozer Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes Paving Cement and Mortar Mixers Paver Paving Equipment Rollers Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes Building Construction Air Compressors Generator Sets Tractors/Loaders/Backhoes Cranes Forklifts Welders Estimated Hourly Noise Level at 50 ft (dba) Note: Noise Levels at 50 ft and Usage Factor are derived from Federal Highway Administration s Roadway Construction Noise Model User s Guide. Source:, 2016 Noise and Vibration Technical Report 21

30 3. Impact Analysis February 2017 These noise levels account for the Project contractor(s) equipping construction equipment, fixed or mobile, with properly operating and maintained noise mufflers, consistent with manufacturers standards. The estimated noise levels represent a conservative scenario because construction activities are analyzed as if some of them were occurring along the perimeter of the construction area, whereas construction would typically occur throughout the site, further from noise-sensitive receptors. The multi-family residential building (R2) adjacent to the south is approximately 15 feet from the project site. During the grading and paving, the noise level would be approximately 95 dba at 15 feet at the multifamily residential building (R2). As it is described in Threshold NOISE 1, project construction would be limited to between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, which complies with Title 9: General Regulations, Chapter 9.07: Noise Regulations, Section : Construction, of the CCMC. However, the construction noise level would temporarily increase greater than 5 dba over ambient condition, as the daytime noise level at R2 is 61 dba L eq. Therefore, the construction noise would be considered a potentially significant impact. Incorporation of Mitigation Measures NOISE-1 through NOISE-5 are recommended, which would reduce potentially significant impacts to a less than significant level. Implementation of the prescribed mitigation measures would reduce construction noise between approximately 30 dba Off-Site Construction Noise A haul route would be utilized to remove exported soil and debris materials from the project site during construction activities. During the grading phase, there would be up to approximately 70 haul truck trips per day. Haul trucks would access the project site via I-10 using the Robertson Boulevard exit. From the westbound exit, trucks would proceed left on South Robertson Boulevard which becomes Robertson Place, then turn left onto Exposition Boulevard. From the eastbound exit, trucks would proceed to Exposition Boulevard. From Exposition Boulevard, haul trucks would cross Venice Boulevard and then merge back onto South Robertson Boulevard to Washington Boulevard. Haul trucks would then turn left onto Washington Boulevard and be positioned to enter the project site without crossing oncoming traffic or having to make a U-turn. Haul trucks exiting the project site would proceed northeast on Washington Boulevard and turn left onto the National Boulevard truck route. Haul trucks would proceed on National Boulevard to the I-10 East freeway on-ramp. For access to I-10 West, haul trucks would proceed on National Boulevard and make a left onto Venice Boulevard. From Venice Boulevard, the trucks would make a right onto Robertson Boulevard and continue to the freeway on-ramp. The project s truck trips would generate noise levels of approximately 53.3 dba, CNEL at 25 feet distance along Robertson Boulevard, 53.9 dba along Exposition Boulevard, and 53.1 dba along Washington Boulevard and National Boulevard. As shown in Table 7, Off-Site Traffic Noise Impact, the existing noise levels along the haul route streets are approximately 71.2 dba, CNEL at 25 feet distance along Robertson Boulevard, 73.0 dba, CNEL along Exposition Boulevard, 70.7 dba, CNEL along Washington Boulevard, and 71.6 dba, CNEL along National Boulevard. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 22

31 February Impact Analysis Construction traffic noise levels generated by truck trips would increase traffic noise levels along Robertson Boulevard, Exposition Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, and National Boulevard up to 0.1 dba. This would result in a in a negligible noise level increase and would not increase noise levels by 5 dba over the ambient condition. Construction activities would occur only during daytime hours within the allowable hours specified in the City s Municipal Code. Therefore, off-site construction traffic noise impacts would be less than significant no mitigation measures are required. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 23

32 February Impact Analysis Table 7 Off-Site Traffic Noise Impacts Roadway Segment Washington Boulevard Between Ince Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard Between Robertson Boulevard and Landmark Street Between Landmark Street and National Boulevard Between National Boulevard and Wesley Street Between Wesley Street and Helms Avenue Between Helms Avenue and Cattaraugus Avenue Between Cattaraugus Avenue and La Cienega Avenue Between La Cienega Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard National Boulevard Between I-10 EB On Ramp and Venice Boulevard Between Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard Between Washington Boulevard and Wesley Street Between Wesley Street and Hayden Avenue Between Hayden Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard Venice Boulevard Between National Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard Between Robertson Boulevard and Culver Boulevard Robertson Boulevard Between I-10 EB On Ramp and National Boulevard Calculated Traffic Noise Levels at 25 feet from Roadway CNEL (dba) Existing Future No Project Future with Project Project Increment Cumulative Increment Noise and Vibration Technical Report 24

33 February Impact Analysis Roadway Segment Between National Boulevard and I-10 WB On Ramp Calculated Traffic Noise Levels at 25 feet from Roadway CNEL (dba) Existing Future No Project Future with Project Project Increment Cumulative Increment East of I-10 WB On Ramp Culver Boulevard Between Venice Boulevard and Washington Boulevard Between Washington Boulevard and Main Street Exposition Boulevard Between Robertson Boulevard and Venice Boulevard a Based on noise levels at 25 feet distance from the roadway and residential uses if residential uses are shown along roadways. Source:, PROJECT-RELATED TRAFFIC NOISE IMPACTS The existing noise environment in the project vicinity is dominated by traffic noise from nearby roadways, as well as nearby commercial and residential activities. Long-term operation of the project would have a minimal effect on the noise environment in proximity to the project site. Noise generated by the project would result primarily from off-site traffic, normal operation of the building mechanical equipment, on-site uses which generate noise, parking activities, and loading areas. Each is discussed separately below Impacts Under Existing Traffic Baseline Conditions Vehicle trips attributed to operation of the project would increase traffic volumes along the major thoroughfares within the project vicinity. This increase in roadway traffic volumes was analyzed to determine if any traffic-related noise impacts would result from project development. Table 7, Off-Site Traffic Noise Impacts, shows the change in traffic volumes resulting from project implementation. It should be noted that in order to increase noise level by 3 dba due to the increase of the traffic, the traffic volumes would need to be doubled (100% increase). Table 7 compares traffic volumes in the vicinity of the project site. With the project completion, the traffic volume would not be doubled in the vicinity of the project site. Therefore, the operational noise level increase would not be greater than 5 dba CNEL, the Noise 2 Threshold. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are necessary. Noise and Vibration Technical Report 25