Reso PC17-07 0032 PC Reso Approving CEQA - 860 Charter St

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. SEPTEMBER 2016 ROCKETSHIP REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION P:\RWC1401B Rocketship School\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\Rocketship Public Review 09-29-16.docx (09/29/16) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 72 levels less than 55 dBA on the project site. Therefore, the project site would meet the noise standards for new school development as defined in the City of Redwood City’s General Plan. Long-Term Noise Impacts. The project would generate long-term noise impacts from both traffic and stationary noise sources, as discussed below. Traffic Noise Impacts. Implementation of the proposed project would result in an increase in vehicle trips in the vicinity of the project site which could result in an increase in traffic noise along roadway segments in the project vicinity. Based on the project trip generation estimates, the project would generate approximately 1,201 daily trips per day which would be distributed on various vicinity roadways.101 Average daily traffic on Bay Road, east of the project site is 3,390 vehicles, while average daily traffic west of the project site is approximately 35,000 vehicles. Project trips would generate less than 500 daily trips on either of these roadway segments. A doubling of traffic volumes would result in a 3 dBA increase in traffic noise. Traffic associated with the project represents a small portion of daily trips in the project vicinity and therefore, the project would not substantially increase traffic noise in the project vicinity. Stationary Noise Impacts. Implementation of the proposed project could result in an increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project site with the use of the proposed outdoor play and assembly areas. The project would utilize a public address system, which typically generate maximum noise levels of 85 dBA Lmax. The closest residential receptors are located approximately 630 feet from the proposed outdoor active use areas, which would provide a minimum of 22 dBA reduction in noise levels due to distance. Additionally, the existing building would shield the residences located south of the project site providing an approximate 10 dBA noise reduction. Therefore, maximum noise levels generated by the school would be approximately 53 dBA. The dominant noise source in the project vicinity is from traffic noise. Vehicle passing on roadways result in approximately 65 dBA Lmax, while truck pass-bys typically generate noise levels of 80 dBA Lmax. Therefore, noise levels associated with the project, including public address system and outdoor active use areas would not be substantially greater than existing noise sources. Further, installation of the active sub-slab depressurization system, which would include continuous operation of internal fans, would not result in a substantial increase in ambient noise levels as they would be completely enclosed. Therefore, the project would not result in substantial increases in noise at noise sensitive land uses due to distance attenuation and shielding; therefore, this impact would be less than significant. Short-Term Noise Impacts. Project implementation would include demolition of the existing storage shed and surface parking area and renovations to the interior and exterior of the existing building. Two types of short-term noise impacts would occur during project construction. The first type would result from the increase in traffic flow on local streets, associated with the transport of workers, equipment, and materials to and from the project site. Heavy equipment for construction is expected to be moved to the site and remain for the duration of the demolition and construction phases. There would be short-term intermittent high noise levels associated with trucks arriving at and 101 Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc., 2016, op. cit. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 80 of 124