Reso25 16295 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

113 Housing Component: a. Noise in Redwood City is regulated by the City’s Noise Ordinance (Chapter 24 of the Municipal Code). In addition, the Noise Element of the City’s General Plan enumerates noise policies. More specifically, excessive and unreasonable noise levels are defined as noise levels generated by construction activities, including demolition; alteration, repair or remodeling of existing structures; and construction of new structures, on property within the City at more than 110 decibels (dB) measured at any point within a residential district of the City and outside of the plane of the property. Construction noise is required to be less than 110 dB within residential districts or within 500 feet of a residential district in the City, and no construction noise is permitted between the hours of 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM the following day. The General Plan requires all exterior noise sources (e.g., construction operations, air compressors, pumps, fans, and leaf blowers) to use available noise suppression devices and techniques to bring exterior noise down to acceptable levels compatible with adjacent land uses. The primary sources of noise from the Housing Component would be temporary construction noise and ongoing operational noise. Construction noise is largely a function of the construction equipment used, the location and sensitivity of nearby land uses, and the timing and duration of the noise-generating activities. Construction noise levels would vary depending on construction phase, equipment type and duration of use, distance between the noise source and receptor, and presence or absence of barriers between the noise source and receptor. According to the Focused GPU program EIR (p. 4.13-28), “The City’s existing Municipal Code requirements and General Plan policies would ensure construction activities do not occur during the most sensitive time periods (e.g., evening and nighttime periods) and require future discretionary projects to assess and minimize construction noise levels consistent with City goals, policies, and code standards.” The Redwood City General Plan Public Safety Element includes the following applicable program: “Program PS‐61: Acoustical Analyses. Require acoustical analyses, as appropriate, for proposed stand‐alone residential development within the 60 dB CNEL or higher contour, as shown in Figure PS‐12. Require incorporation of mitigation measures as necessary to reduce noise levels to levels deemed appropriate by the City.” The Housing Component site is located within the 60-65 dB contour of Figure PS- 12 and therefore an acoustical analysis, with mitigation recommendations as necessary, has been prepared, as discussed below. Consistent with the previously certified Focused GPU program EIR, a site-specific noise study was prepared for the Housing Component (“920 Shasta Street Noise and Vibration Assessment, Redwood City, California,” Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc., April 5, 2024). To implement the EIR requirement, the Noise and Vibration study concluded:  With incorporation of the City’s standard construction noise controls, temporary construction noise effects on existing noise-sensitive land uses would not result in a temporary increase in ambient noise levels that exceed the City’s applicable threshold. These measures included in Program PS-63 of the Redwood City General Plan and in the Municipal Code require standard construction noise controls that should be incorporated into every construction project as follows: • Per the City of Redwood City Municipal Code, construction hours are limited to 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Mondays to Friday, and no construction is allowed on weekends unless authorized by the Building Official. • Control noise from construction workers’ radios to the point where they are not audible at existing residences that border the project site. • Equip all internal combustion engine-driven equipment with mufflers that are in good condition and appropriate for the equipment. • Utilize quiet models of air compressors and other stationary noise sources where technology exists. • Locate stationary noise-generating equipment as far as possible from sensitive receptors when sensitive receptors adjoin or are near a construction project area. • Prohibit unnecessary idling of internal combustion engines. • Notify residents adjacent to the project site of the construction schedule in writing. (Illingworth & Rodkin, pp. 22-28) In addition, Illingworth & Rodkin (p. 28) identified the following two additional implementation actions for the City to require of the Housing Component applicant: • Designate a “disturbance coordinator” who shall be responsible for responding to any complaints about construction noise. The disturbance coordinator shall determine the cause of the noise complaint (e.g., bad ATTY/RESO.0028/CC RESO CEQA GUIDLINES (920 SHASTA) - EXHIBIT A REV: 04-22-25 VR Page 113 of 148