Res99 RD-99-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The City has adopted Mitigation Measures 4G-1 and 4G-2, identified on page 4G-8 of the Redevelopment EIR, to ensure potential noise impacts associated with buildout of the Second Amendment area are reduced to less than significant, and Mitigation Measures 5-1 through 5-6 of the Franklin Street Area Plan EIR, identified on pages 3-30 through 3-31 of the Initial Study, to ensure potential noise impacts of the proposed Project remain less than significant. In addition, the proposed Project includes specific design features that are intended to minimize and buffer noise impacts for new residents including the location of retail commercial uses between the noise generating traffic along E1 Camino Real and the proposed residential units, setbacks from the Southern Pacific Railroad CalTrain right-of-way, and a soundwall/berm along the railroad right-of- way. For residential buildings 2C, 2D, and 2E, the setback varies from 15 feet to 37 feet. The northeastern corner of residential building 1D will be located directly adjacent to the railroad right-of- way although the majority of the building will be set back. The proposed 5-foot berm will extend along the length of the railroad right-of-way from Jefferson Street to residential building 1D. An 8-foot sound wall will be placed on top of the berm, creating a 13-foot soundwall/berm to attenuate noise levels. Fencing and landscaping will extend along the remaining length of the railroad right-of-way from residential building 1D to Maple Street. Setbacks and landscape buffering are also provided along Jefferson Avenue to minimize traffic noise. These design features will minimize noise impacts on new residential units within the Project Site. In addition, the multi-family residential construction will be required to comply with Title 24 standards and the Uniform Building Code regulations that are designed to minimize interior noise levels. These regulations could include requiring insulation, double pane windows and other appropriate building techniques in the building design. These measures will assist in achieving the intent of mitigation measure 5-2 and will ensure no significant noise impacts occur. The effect of the mitigation measures will be to limit noise generated by at the Project Site during construction activities and following building occupation. POPULATION AND HOUSING (Section XlI) SIGNIFICANT EFFECT Impact The Redevelopment EIR evaluated the potential population, employment and housing impacts associated with redevelopment within the Second Amendment area. The Redevelopment EIR concluded that the housing demand associated with buildout of the Second Amendment area would be considered significant. The City considered the merits of the Redevelopment Plan in light of the significant housing impacts during the approval process for the Plan. The Franklin Street Area Plan EIR evaluated the potential population impacts associated with redevelopment of the Project Site. The EIR concluded that implementation of the Franklin Street Area Plan would encourage substantial growth, and that at full buildout it would result in a concentration of population within the Project area. This was identified as a significant and unavoidable impact in the EIR. The EIR concluded that even if the residential area were to be developed with a less intensive multi-family density there would still be a significant concentration of population. The City considered FRANKLIN STREET PROJECT -12- Findings RD99-21