Section 2.6 Noise - San Diego County, California · 2019-10-22 · Draft Final Environmental Impact...

Draft Final Environmental Impact Report Agriculture Promotion Project

2.6‐1 February 2017

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Section 2.6 Noise

ThissectiondescribesthegeneralnoiseconditionsintheCountyandpertinentregulationsthatgovernnoise,anddiscussesthepotentialforimpactsonnoiseasaresultofprojectimplementation.

2.6.1 Existing Conditions

Thissectiondiscussesthecharacteristicsofnoiseandvibrationandhowtheyareevaluated,anddescribestheexistingambientnoiseenvironment,includingthesourcesofnoise,intheCountyinrelationtonoise‐sensitivelanduses.AmbientnoisedataandbaselineinformationreviewedforthissectionincludetheNoiseTechnicalReportfortheCountyofSanDiegoGeneralPlanUpdate(CountyofSanDiego2009c),GeneralPlanUpdate(CountyofSanDiego2011a),CountyofSanDiegoGeneralPlan,NoiseElementBackgroundReport(CountyofSanDiego2011a),andGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificance:Noise(CountyofSanDiego2009d).

2.6.1.1 Ambient Noise Setting

TheCountyischaracterizedasaprimarilyruralenvironmentwithlow‐densitydevelopmentthatcontributestoitsperceivedqualityoflifeanditspeaceandtranquility.However,severalhigher‐densitycommunities,includingtheValledeOroCommunityPlanningArea(CPA),SpringValleyCPA,andSweetwaterCPA,alsoexist,whichhavealouderambientnoiseenvironment.Majorsourcesofnoiseincludetransportationandnon‐transportationrelatedactivities.Non‐transportation‐relatednoisegeneratorsarecommonlycalledstationary,fixed,area,orpointsourcesofnoise.Industrialprocessing;mechanicalequipment;pumpstations;andheating,ventilating,andairconditioning(HVAC)equipmentareexamplesoffixed‐location,non‐transportationnoisesourceswithintheCounty.Somenon‐transportationsourcesarenotstationarybutaretypicallyassessedaspointorareasourcesduetothelimitedareainwhichtheyoperate,suchastruckdeliveries,agriculturalfieldmachinery,andminingequipment.

2.6.1.2 Characteristics of Noise and Vibration

Noiseistypicallydefinedasunwantedsound.Soundsareperceivedbasedontheirloudness(i.e.,volumeorsoundpressurelevel)orpitch(i.e.,tonalorfrequencycontent).Thestandardunitofmeasureforsoundpressurelevelsisthedecibel(dB).Thestandardunitusedtodescribethetonalorfrequencycontentishertz(Hz).Typicalfrequencyrangesare20–20,000Hzforaudiblenoise,100–3,000Hzfornormalspeech,20–200Hzforlowfrequencysound,andlessthan20Hzforinfrasound.Table2.6‐1showsthesoundpressurelevel,indecibels,ofthecorrespondingfrequencyofinfrasoundandlowfrequencysoundnecessaryforthesoundtobeheardbytheaverageperson.Customarily,theyoung,non‐pathologicalearcanperceivesoundsrangingfrom20–20,000Hz.Infrasound,atcertainfrequenciesandathighlevels,canbeaudibletosomepeople.

Toaccountforthepitchofsoundsandthecorrespondingsensitivityofhumanhearing,therawsoundpressurelevelisadjustedwithanA‐weightingschemebasedonfrequencythatisstatedinunitsofdecibels(dBA).Table2.6‐2depictstypicalA‐weightedsoundlevelsforvariousnoisesources.A‐weightingisacceptableifthereislargelymiddleandhighfrequencynoisepresent,butifthenoiseisunusuallyhighatlowfrequencies,orcontainsprominentlowfrequencytones,theA‐

County of San Diego Section 2.6. Noise



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weightingmaynotgiveavalidmeasure.Humanhearingcausessoundsdominatedbylow‐frequencycomponentstoseemlouderthanbroadbandsoundsthathavethesameA‐weightedlevel.Therefore,otherweightingschemesareused.

Agivenlevelofnoisewouldbemoreorlesstolerabledependingonthesoundlevel,durationofexposure,characterofthenoisesources,timeofdayduringwhichthenoiseisexperienced,andactivityaffectedbythenoise.Forexample,noisethatoccursatnighttendstobemoredisturbingthanthatwhichoccursduringthedaybecausesleephasthepotentialtobedisturbed.Additionally,restatnightisacriticalrequirementintherecoveryfromexposuretohighnoiselevelsduringtheday.Inconsiderationofthesefactors,differentmeasuresofnoiseexposurehavebeendevelopedtoquantifytheextentoftheeffectsanticipatedfromtheseactivities.Forexample,someindicesconsiderthe24‐hournoiseenvironmentofalocationbyusingaweightedaveragetoestimateitshabitabilityonalong‐termbasis.Othermeasuresconsiderportionsofthedayandevaluatethenearbyactivitiesaffectedbyitaswellasthenoisesources.ThemostcommonlyusedindicesformeasuringcommunitynoiselevelsaretheEquivalentEnergyLevel(Leq),andtheCommunityNoiseEquivalentLevel(CNEL).

Thedecibellevelofasounddecreases(orattenuates)exponentiallyasthedistancefromthesourceofthatsoundincreases.Forasinglepointsourcesuchasapieceofmechanicalequipment,thesoundlevelnormallydecreasesbyabout6dBAforeachdoublingofdistancefromthesource.Soundthatoriginatesfromalinear(orline)source,suchasaheavilytraveledtrafficcorridor,attenuatesbyapproximately3dBAperdoublingofdistance,providedthatthesurroundingsiteconditionslackgroundeffectsorobstaclesthateitherscatterorreflectnoise.

Noise Effects

Noisehasanimportanteffectonthequalityoflife.Anindividual’sreactiontoaparticularnoisedependsonmanyfactors,suchasthesourceofthenoise,itsloudnessrelativetothebackgroundnoiselevel,andthetimeofday.Thereactiontonoisecanalsobehighlysubjective;theperceivedeffectofaparticularnoisecanvarywidelyamongindividualsinacommunity.Becauseofthenatureofthehumanear,asoundmustbeabout10dBAgreaterthanthereferencesoundtobejudgedastwiceasloud.Ingeneral,a3dBAchangeincommunitynoiselevelsisperceivable,while1–2dBAchangesgenerallyarenotperceived.Althoughthereactiontonoisewouldvary,itisclearthatnoiseisanimportantcomponentoftheenvironment,andexcessivelynoisyconditionscanaffectanindividual’shealthandwell‐being.Theeffectsofnoiseareoftenonlytransitory,butadverseeffectscanbecumulativewithprolongedorrepeatedexposure.Theeffectsofnoiseonacommunitycanbeorganizedintosixbroadcategories:sleepdisturbance,permanenthearingloss,humanperformanceandbehavior,socialinteractionofcommunication,extra‐auditoryhealtheffects,andgeneralannoyance.

Noise‐Sensitive Land Uses

Noise‐sensitivelandusesincludeareaswhereanexcessiveamountofnoisewouldinterferewithnormalactivities.Primarynoise‐sensitivelandusesincluderesidentialuses,publicandprivateeducationalfacilities,hospitals,convalescenthomes,hotels/motels,daycarefacilities,andpassiverecreationalparks.Sleepdisturbanceisthemostcriticalconcernforanoise‐sensitivelanduseona24‐hourbasisorlongercomparedtoactivitiesthatareoccupiedonlyaportionofaday.




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Groundborne Vibration

Groundbornevibrationpropagatesfromthesourcethroughthegroundtoadjacentbuildingsbysurfacewaves.Vibrationmaybecomposedofasinglepulse,aseriesofpulses,oracontinuousoscillatorymotion.Thefrequencyofavibratingobjectdescribeshowrapidlyitisoscillating,measuredinHz.Thenormalfrequencyrangeofmostgroundbornevibrationthatcanbefeltgenerallystartsfromalowfrequencyoflessthan1Hztoahighfrequencyofabout200Hz.Vibrationenergyspreadsoutasittravelsthroughtheground,causingthevibrationamplitudetodecreasewithdistanceawayfromthesource.Ambientandsourcevibrationareoftenexpressedintermsofthepeakparticlevelocity(PPV)orrootmeansquare(RMS)velocityininchespersecondthatcorrelatesbestwithhumanperception.TheFederalTransitAdministration(FTA)estimatesthatthethresholdofperceptionisapproximately0.0001inch/secondRMS,andthelevelatwhichcontinuousvibrationsbegintoannoypeopleisapproximately0.001inch/secondRMS(FTA2006).

Vibration Sensitive Land Uses

Groundbornevibrationcandisruptvibration‐sensitivelandusesbycausingmovementofbuildings,rattlingofwindowsanditemsinsidebuildings,rumblingsounds,andevenpropertydamage.Vibration‐sensitivelandusesincludebuildingswherevibrationwouldinterferewithoperationswithinthebuilding,suchasvibration‐sensitiveresearchandmanufacturing,hospitalswithvibration‐sensitiveequipment,anduniversityresearchoperations.Thedegreeofsensitivitytovibrationdependsonthespecificequipmentthatwouldbeaffectedbythevibration.Residentialusesarealsosensitivetoexcessivelevelsofvibrationofeitheraregularoranintermittentnature.AccordingtotheTransitNoiseandVibrationImpactAssessment(FTA2006),thebackgroundvibrationlevelinresidentialareasistypically0.00003inch/secondRMS,whichislowerthanthe0.0001inch/secondRMSthresholdofperceptionforhumans.ThereareseveralsourcesofgroundbornevibrationintheunincorporatedCounty,includingconstruction,railroadoperations,andextractiveminingoperations(seeTable2.6‐3).

Noisesassociatedwithagriculturaloperationsincludevarioustypesofheavymachineryusedforlandmanagementandoperations,suchastractorsandtrucks,aircraftusedforcropdusting,woodworkingmachinery,processingequipment,bird‐scaringdevices,grainandhaydryersandfans,andmechanicalventilationfans.MostoftheagriculturalareasintheCountyareinruralandremoteareas,andtheexistingambientnoiselevelsinagriculturalareasarerelativelylow.Duetothesizeoftheprojectarea,baselinenoisemeasurementswerenotrecorded;however,themostrecentCountywidenoisemeasurementsavailableincludea2008communitynoisesurveythatidentifiedagriculturaloperationsashavinganoiselevelrangeof44.4–68.3dBA(CountyofSanDiego2009c).Nomajorcircumstancessincethetimeofthe2008noisesurveyhaveoccurredinagriculturalareasthatwouldsubstantiallyaffectthesurveyresults.

Temporary and/or Nuisance Noise

Temporaryconstructionactivitiesaredisturbingtoresidentsbutaredifficulttoattenuateandcontrol.NoisecomplaintsoccurmorefrequentlyindenselydevelopedareasoftheunincorporatedCounty,suchastheSpringValleyCPAandValledeOroCPA,aswellasareasthatareheavilyagricultural,suchastheFallbrookCPAandValleyCenterCPA.




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Community Noise Survey

DuringFebruaryandMarch2008,PBS&Jconductednoisemeasurementswiththepurposeofestablishingbaselinesfortransportationandnon‐transportationnoisegeneratorsthroughouttheCounty.LocationsweremonitoredusingaLarson–DavisAmericanNationalStandardsInstituteTypeIIintegratingsoundlevelmetertoestablishexistingambientnoiselevels.Noisemeterlocationsvariedforeachmeasurementaccordingtositeaccessibility.Atotalof44short‐term(15‐minute)measurementswereconductedtoprovideabasisforunderstandingtheoverallexistingnoiseenvironmentoftheCounty.A15‐minutesampleisconsidereda“snapshot”ofthebaselinenoiseenvironmentatagiventime;however,thesoundlevelwouldvarydependingontime,day,orseason.

Theresultsofthecommunitynoisesurveyshowthatthelocationswiththehighestnoiselevels(between70and74dBALeq)wereroadways(includingInterstate[I]8),boulevards,aprimearterial,aSprinterpass‐byareainNorthCountyMetroSubregion,ashootingrangeinValledeOroCPA,theRamonaLandfill,andconstructioninSpringValleyCPA.Thelocationswiththelowestnoiselevels(between43and50dBA)werearesortinBorregoSprings,residentialdevelopmentsinSanDieguitoCPAandLakesideCPA,andnoise‐sensitivebiologicalresourcesinLakesideCPA,allofwhichweresubjecttolimitedtrafficnoise.OtherlandusedesignationsinthisrangewerearecreationalparkinJulianCPA,aschoolinPala/PaumaValleySubregionwithschoolbellsandchildrenatrecess,andagriculturaluseinPala/PaumaValleySubregionusingtractorsandforklifts.

Noise Contours

Noiselevelcontoursareusedasaguideforminimizingtheexposureofcommunityresidentstonoise.Noisecontoursrepresentlinesofequalnoiseexposure.Contoursareusedtoprovideageneralvisualizationofsoundlevelsandshouldnotbeconsideredasabsolutelinesofdemarcation.NoisecontoursforroadwaynoisesourcesattheCounty‐widelevelweremostrecentlydevelopedaspartoftheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdate,whichwasapprovedin2011.Assuch,existingconditionsforthisprojectrelyuponinformationgatheredandpresentedintheCounty’sGeneralPlan,whichuses2008noisemeasurementscollectedbyPBS&J.TheexistingnoisecontoursareshownintheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdateEIRasFigure2.11‐2,andnoisecontoursforfuturebuild‐outconditionsin2030areshownintheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdateEIRasFigure2.11‐3.NoisecontoursareexpressedasCNELvalues.

2.6.2 Regulatory Setting

Noiseissubjecttoregulatoryoversightatthreelevels:federal,state,andlocal.

2.6.2.1 Federal Regulations

Federal Aviation Administration Standards

EnforcedbytheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA),14CodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)150prescribestheprocedures,standards,andmethodologygoverningthedevelopment,submission,andreviewofairportnoiseexposuremapsandairportnoisecompatibilityprograms,includingtheprocessforevaluatingandapprovingordisapprovingthoseprograms.Title14alsoidentifieslandusesthatarenormallycompatiblewithvariouslevelsofexposuretonoisebyindividuals.Itprovidestechnicalassistancetoairportoperators,inconjunctionwithotherlocal,state,andfederal




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authorities,toprepareandexecuteappropriatenoisecompatibilityplanningandimplementationprograms.FAAestablishesaCNELof65dBAasthenoisestandardassociatedwithaircraftnoise.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasindicatedthatresidentialnoiseexposureof55–65dBAisacceptablewhenanalyzinglandusecompatibility(EPA1981);however,theseguidelinesarenotregulatory.Withregardtonoiseexposureandworkers,thefederalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)establishesregulationstosafeguardthehearingofworkersexposedtooccupationalnoise(29CFR1910.95).OSHAspecifiesthatsustainednoiseover85dBA(8‐hourtime‐weightedaverage)canbeathreattoworkers’hearing,andifworkerexposureexceedsthisamount,theemployermustdevelopandimplementamonitoringplan(29CFR1910.95(d)(1)).

U.S. Office of Surface and Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

TheU.S.OfficeofSurfaceMiningReclamationandEnforcement(OSM)hasestablishedguidelinesrelatedtoblastingforsurfaceminingactivities.OSMguidelinesrequiretheoperatortodistributeablastingschedule,postblastingsigns,andcontrolaccesswithintheblastingarea.OSMhasestablishedairblastandgroundvibrationlimitsatthelocationofanydwelling,publicbuilding,school,church,orcommunitybuildingoutsidethepermitarea.ThestandardPPVdamagethresholdforresidentialstructuresis2.0inchespersecond.ThisrequirementisbasedonthefindingsandrecommendationsofseveralreportsmadebytheformerU.S.BureauofMines.

2.6.2.2 State Regulations

California Noise Control Act of 1973

Sections46000through46080oftheCaliforniaHealthandSafetyCode,knownastheCaliforniaNoiseControlActof1973,findsthatexcessivenoiseisaserioushazardtothepublichealthandwelfareandthatexposuretocertainlevelsofnoisecanresultinphysiological,psychological,andeconomicdamage.Italsofindsthatthereisacontinuousandincreasingbombardmentofnoiseintheurban,suburban,andruralareas.TheCaliforniaNoiseControlActdeclaresthattheStateofCaliforniahasaresponsibilitytoprotectthehealthandwelfareofitscitizensbythecontrol,prevention,andabatementofnoise.ItisthepolicyofthestatetoprovideanenvironmentforallCaliforniansfreefromnoisethatjeopardizestheirhealthorwelfare.

California Airport Noise Standards

The1990CaliforniaAirportNoiseStandardsaredesignedtocausetheairportproprietor,aircraftoperator,localgovernments,pilots,andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation’sDivisionofAeronauticstoworkcooperativelytodiminishnoise.Theregulationsaccomplishtheseendsbycontrollingandreducingnoiseinthecommunitiesinthevicinityofairports.ThelevelofnoiseacceptabletoareasonablepersonresidinginthevicinityofanairportisestablishedasaCNELvalueof65dBA.Thelimitationsonairportnoiseinresidentialcommunitiesareestablishedasfollows.

a. ThecriterionCNELis65dBAforproposednewairportsandforactivemilitaryairportsbeingconvertedtocivilianuse.

b. ThecriterionCNELforexistingcivilianairportsis65dBA.




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California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook

TheCaliforniaAirportLandUsePlanningHandbookprovidesguidancefortheassessmentofnoisecompatibilityoflandusesnearairports.Guidanceisbasedonexistingfederalandstateregulationsandpolicies.Thehandbookstatesthat65dBAisthebasiclimitofacceptablenoiseexposureforresidentialandothernoise‐sensitivelandusesandrecommendsanannualCNELstandardof60dBAtobeusedfornewresidentialdevelopment;however,thisstandardhasbeensetwithrespecttorelativelynoisyurbanareasandmaybetoohighofanoiseleveltobeappropriateasastandardforlandusecompatibilityplanning.Thelevelofnoisedeemedacceptableinonecommunityisnotnecessarilythesameinanother.Anoiselevelabove60dBACNELmaybeconsideredincompatiblewithsomeresidentialuses.Accordingtothehandbook,noisecompatibilitystandardstypicallyplaceprimaryemphasisonresidentialareasbecauseresidentialdevelopmentisoneofthemostnoise‐sensitivelandusesandusuallycoversthegreatestproportionofurbanland.ThreeCNELsarecommonlyusedasthelimitforacceptableresidentialnoiseexposure:CNEL65,60,or55dBA.Thehandbookalsoincludesnormalizationfactorsasamethodforadjustingaircraftnoiselevelsusedfordeterminingandpredictingcommunityreactions.Becausetheacceptableresidentialnoiselevelstandardmayvarybetweencommunities,noisecompatibilityissuesareaddressedintheAirportLandUseCompatibilityPlans(ALUCPs)preparedforindividualairports.

AlllandusejurisdictionsintheCountyhaveordinancesthatregulateactivitiesinordertoreducenoiseimpacts.Asstatedpreviously,anynoisegeneratedbytheconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceofprojectsundertheproposedZoningOrdinanceAmendmentwouldberequiredtocomplywiththestandardsandregulationsgoverningnoiselimitswithintheapplicablejurisdiction.

2.6.2.3 Local Regulations

Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans

ALUCPsareplansthatguidepropertyownersandlocaljurisdictionsindeterminingwhattypesofproposednewlandusesareappropriatearoundairports.Theyareintendedtoprotectthesafetyofpeople,property,andaircraftonthegroundandintheairinthevicinityofanairport.ALUCPsarebasedonadefinedareaaroundanairportknownastheAirportInfluenceArea.ALUCPsincludepoliciesthataddressnoisecompatibilityissuesassociatedwithairportsandtheirrespectiveAirportInfluenceAreas(AIAs).

County of San Diego General Plan Update, Noise Element

TheGeneralPlanUpdateNoiseElementestablishesnoiseandlandusecompatibilitystandardsandoutlinesgoalsandpoliciestoachievethesestandards.TheCounty’sGeneralPlanNoiseElementcharacterizesthenoiseenvironmentintheCountyandprovidesthecontextfortheCounty’snoise/landusecompatibilityguidelinesandstandards.TheNoiseElementalsodescribestheCounty’sgoalsforachievingthestandardsandintroducespoliciesdesignedtoimplementthegoals.UnderimplementationoftheGeneralPlanUpdate,theCountywouldusetheNoiseCompatibilityGuidelinesandNoiseStandards(TablesN‐1andN‐2)todeterminethecompatibilityoflanduseswhenevaluatingproposeddevelopmentprojects.TheNoiseCompatibilityGuidelinesindicaterangesofcompatibilityandareintendedtobeflexibleenoughtoapplytoarangeofprojectsandenvironments.

Alanduselocatedinanareaidentifiedasacceptableindicatesthatstandardconstructionmethodswouldattenuateexteriornoisetoanacceptableindoornoiselevelandthatpeoplecancarryout




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outdooractivitieswithminimalnoiseinterference.Landusesthatfallintotheconditionallyacceptablenoiseenvironmentshouldhaveanacousticalstudythatconsidersthetypeofnoisesource,thesensitivityofthenoisereceptor,andthedegreetowhichthenoisesourcehasthepotentialtointerferewithsleep,speech,orotheractivitiescharacteristicofthelanduse.Forlandusesindicatedasconditionallyacceptable,structuresmustbeabletoattenuatetheexteriornoisetotheindoornoiselevelasindicatedintheNoiseStandards.Forlanduseswheretheexteriornoiselevelsfallwithintheunacceptablerange,newconstructiongenerallyshouldnotbeundertaken.

San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Title 3, Division 6, Chapter 4, Sections 36.401–36.435, Noise Ordinance

TheNoiseOrdinanceestablishesprohibitionsfordisturbing,excessive,oroffensivenoiseaswellasprovisionssuchassoundlevellimitsforthepurposeofsecuringandpromotingthepublichealth,comfort,safety,peace,andquietforitscitizens.Plannedcompliancewithsoundlevellimitsandotherspecificpartsoftheordinanceallowspresumptionthatthenoiseisnotdisturbing,excessive,oroffensive.Limitsarespecifieddependingonthezoningplacedonaproperty(e.g.,varyingdensitiesandintensitiesofresidential,industrial,andcommercialzones).Wheretwoadjacentpropertieshavedifferentzones,thesoundlevellimitatalocationonaboundarybetweentwopropertiesisthearithmeticmeanoftherespectivelimitsforthetwozones,exceptforextractiveindustries.The1‐houraveragesoundlevellimitapplicabletoextractiveindustries,includingbutnotlimitedtoborrowpitsandmines,wouldbe75dBAatthepropertylineregardlessofthezoneinwhichtheextractiveindustryislocated.ItisunlawfulforanypersontocauseorallowthecreationofanynoisethatexceedstheapplicablelimitsoftheNoiseOrdinanceatanypointonorbeyondtheboundariesofthepropertyonwhichthesoundisproduced.

Section36.404oftheCountyNoiseOrdinancecontainssoundlevellimitsspecifictoreceivinglanduses.Soundlevellimitsareintermsofa1‐houraveragesoundlevel.TheallowablenoiselimitsdependupontheCounty’szoningdistrictandtimeofday.TheproposedprojectwouldbelocatedinanyzonewithintheCounty.Table2.6‐4liststhesoundlevellimitsfortheCounty.Sections36.408through36.410oftheCountyNoiseOrdinancesetslimitsonthetimeofdayanddaysoftheweekthatconstructioncanoccur,aswellassettingnoiselimitsforconstructionactivities.Insummary,theordinanceprohibitsoperatingconstructionequipmentonthefollowingdaysandtimes.

MondaysthroughSaturdaysexceptbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.

Sundaysanddaysappointedbythepresident,governor,orboardofsupervisorsforapublicfast,Thanksgiving,orotherholiday.

Inaddition,Section36.409requiresthatbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.,noequipmentcanbeoperatedsoastocausean8‐houraverageconstructionnoiselevelinexcessof75dBAwhenmeasuredattheboundarylineofthepropertywherethenoisesourceislocated,oronanyoccupiedpropertywherethenoiseisbeingreceived.

San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5250‐5260, Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Use Regulations

ALUCPsestablishanAIAthatdenotesareaswherelandusesshouldbereviewedforcompatibilitywiththeairportsoperations.TheCountyofSanDiegoZoningOrdinanceincludesaSpecialAreaDesignator“C”—AirportLandUseCompatibilityPlan—thatisassignedtopropertiesintheAIAs.ThroughtheapplicationoftheSpecialAreaDesignator,newdevelopment,redevelopment,




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expansions,conversionsandotherusesoflandlocatedthatrequireCountyapprovalarerequiredtobereviewedagainsttheestablishedcriteriaandpoliciesoftheapplicableALUCP.UnlessthepropertyisalreadydevotedtotheproposedincompatibleuseortheALUCPisoverriddenbytheCountyinamannerwhichrenderstheusecompatiblewiththeALUCP,theproposal,mustcomplywiththeestablishedpoliciesandcriteriaoftheapplicableALUCP.

2.6.3 Analysis of Project Effects and Determination of Significance

TheproposedprojectconsistsofanamendmenttotheZoningOrdinancethatwouldpromoteaccessoryagriculturaloperationsthroughouttheunincorporatedCountyofSanDiego,asdescribedinChapter1,ProjectDescription,Location,andEnvironmentalSetting.ThefollowingimpactanalysisgenerallysummarizesanticipatedconstructionandoperationalnoisesthatwouldresultwithfutureimplementationoftheproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinanceandconcludeswhetherthoseincreaseswouldresultinsignificantenvironmentalimpacts.Onecommentletterthatisrelevanttonoisewasreceivedduringthe30‐daypubliccommentperiod.TheClevelandNationalForestindicatedthatnoiseisofparticularconcernfortheagencyandrequestedthattheEIRconsidereffectsofintensifiedlandusesontheforest.

2.6.3.1 Excessive Noise Levels

Guidelines for the Determination of Significance

ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheproposedprojectwould:

ResultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofnoiselevelsinexcessofstandardsestablishedbytheCounty’sGeneralPlan,County’sNoiseOrdinance,County’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,orCounty’sZoningOrdinance.

Analysis

NoiselevelsintheunincorporatedCountyareregulatedbytheCounty’sNoiseOrdinanceandtheCountyGeneralPlanNoiseElement.TheNoiseOrdinanceregulatesnoiselevelsassociatedwithongoingoperationsandtemporaryconstruction,andincludespermissiblenoiselevels(onsitenoiseimpacts).TheNoiseElementdesignatespermissiblenoiselevels(dBA)forvariouslandusezonesandregulates24‐hourtimevaryingnoisesourcessuchasvehiclenoiselevelsassociatedwithdevelopment(onsiteandoffsitenoiseimpacts).

AtrafficreportwaspreparedfortheproposedprojecttodeterminepotentialtrafficimpactsonarearoadwaysduetooperationofanincreasednumberofaccessoryagriculturaloperationsintheCounty.Oftheindividualaccessoryusesincludedaspartoftheproject,fivetypesofuseswereincludedasanticipatedtrafficgenerators,includingagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalstores,creamery/dairy,microbreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineries.Thetripsassociatedwitheachwerethenaveragedacrossallparcelswithsimilarzoning,andanoveralltripgenerationratebycommunityplanningareawasdetermined(refertoSection2.7.3.1formoreinformationonmethodologyforcalculatingtripgeneration).ThemosttripsassociatedwiththeprojectwouldoccurinValleyCenter(about4,900newtrips),representinganincreaseofabout2.2percentinthat




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community.ThelargestincreaseinpercentagewouldoccurinRainbow,wherea5.6percentincreasewouldoccurwithanadditional904trips.

General Construction Related Impacts

FutureconstructionactivitiesthatarelikelytobeassociatedwiththeaccessoryagriculturalusesthatarepromotedbytheproposedZoningOrdinanceupdateswouldgenerallyinvolveatemporaryincreaseinnoiserelatedtoconstructionequipmentandactivitiesassociatedwithlandclearing,miscellaneouslandimprovements,andtheconstructionofstructuresupto5,000squarefeet.

Noiselevelgenerationwouldchangeday‐to‐day,dependingonthelevelofactivity,duration,andthespecifictypeofconstruction.Assuch,thefollowingnoiseanalysisdoesnotincludeprecisenoiselevels,ratheraqualitativeanalysisisprovidedthatgenerallydiscussesprimarynoisegeneratorsassociatedwithbothconstructionandoperation.Relatedconstructionactivitiesthatwouldproducetemporaryincreasesinnoisewouldincludetypicalconstructionequipmentsuchastractors,loaders,backhoes,excavators,graders,forklifts,andwelders.Asummaryoftypicalconstructionequipmentnoiselevelsat50feetisprovidedinTable2.6‐5.Itisnotanticipatedthatdrillingorblastingwouldberequiredtosupporttheconstructionofanyoftheusesthatwouldbepromotedbytheproposedproject.Constructionactivitiesaretemporaryinnatureandwouldnotgenerateexcessivenoiseoveralongdurationoftime.Manyoftheaccessoryagriculturalusespromotedbytheprojectareanticipatedtoresultoflimitedconstructionequipmentoperationsastheywilllikelybelocatedonexistingdevelopedsitesorwillnotrequiresubstantialnewdevelopment,resultinginminimalornograding.

AllfutureconstructionrelatedtotheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseOrdinanceSection36.408,whichestablisheslimitsonhourofoperationforconstructionequipment,aswellasSections36.409and36.410,whichsetssoundlevellimitsonconstructionequipment(includingimpulsivetypenoisesources).Insummary,theordinanceprohibitsoperatingconstructionequipmentonthefollowingdaysandtimes.

MondaysthroughSaturdays,exceptbetweenthehoursof7a.m.and7p.m.

Sundaysoraholiday(January1,thelastMondayinMay,July4,thefirstMondayinSeptember,December25,andanydayappointedbythepresidentasaspecialnationalholidayorthegovernorofthestateasaspecialstateholiday).Apersonmay,however,operateconstructionequipmentonaSundayorholidaybetweenthehoursof10a.m.and5p.m.attheperson’sresidenceprovidedcompliancewithSections36.409and36.410oftheCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.

Thecodealsorequiresthatbetween7a.m.and7p.m.noconstructionequipmentbeoperatedsoastocausean8‐houraverageconstructionnoiselevelinexcessof75dBAwhenmeasuredattheboundarylineofthepropertywherethenoisesourceislocated,oronanyoccupiedpropertywherethenoiseisbeingreceived.Primarynoise‐generatingactivitiestypicallyoccurduringthesitepreparationandgradingphaseofaproject,whichisatemporaryactivity.Additionally,theaccessoryagriculturalusesareanticipatedtobelocatedonexistingdevelopedsites,resultinginminimalornograding.ItisexpectedthatanyfutureconstructionoftheaccessoryagricultureusesthatwouldbepromotedundertheproposedprojectwouldnotexceedtheCounty’sstandardofan8‐houraverageof75dBAatthepropertyline.Therefore,itisnotexpectedthatconstructionactivitieswouldviolatetheCounty’snoiseregulations.Constructionimpactsassociatedwiththe




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proposedprojectareconsideredtobelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasuresareincludedforconstruction.

Operational Impacts

Generally,onsiteoperationalnoisesassociatedwiththeprojectwouldconsistoftypicalagriculturalnoisesrelatedtomachinery,animals,andvehicles,allofwhichwouldbeincreasedsomewhatwithadoptionoftheproposedamendmentstotheZoningOrdinance.Projectimpactsforbothoff‐andonsitenoisesarediscussedinthissection.Operationalnoisesassociatedwithagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalstands,animalraising,andaquaponics/fishmarketsareanticipatedtobeminimalastheydonottypicallyinvolvealargeamountofnoisymachineryanddonotinvolveasubstantialamountofnewvisitororsupportingvehicletrips.Operationalcharacteristicsassociatedwithagriculturalstores,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriesareanticipatedtogeneratethemostvisitors(oftheusesassociatedwiththeproposedproject)andalsoinvolvemachineryandequipmentthatcanbeassociatedwithhigherlevelsofnoisegeneration.Thesevarioususesarediscussedfurtherbelow.

Agricultural Homestay

Agriculturalhomestayswouldinvolvesomeincrementaladditionofemployees,andwhilesomedailytripswouldincrease,theywouldnotbeexpectedtohaveaconsiderableincreaseintrafficvolumeorassociatedtrafficnoise.Operationsonanagriculturalhomestaywouldincreasesomewhatwiththeadditionofmoretemporaryworkersonagivenagriculturalproperty.Assuch,thegeneraluseoftypicalagriculturalequipment,suchastractorsandothermotorizedequipmentandvehicles,wouldincreaserelativetoexistingconditions;however,becauseagriculturalhomestayswouldincludelodginginanexistingresidenceoraseparate500‐square‐footcabin,theuseofadditionalnoise‐generatingequipmentwouldnotbeanticipatedtobenoticeablefromsurroundingpropertiesorexceedanyestablishednoisestandards,norareonsitenoisesanticipatedtobenoticeablylouderwiththepromotionofagriculturalhomestayswithinA70,A72,RR,S90,orS92zones.

Agricultural Roadside Stands

Itisnotanticipatedthatatripwouldbecreatedspecificallytovisitaroadsidestand.Instead,itismorelikelythatpatronsofaroadsidestandwouldstopalongthewaytoanotherdestination,andassuch,thepromotionofroadsidestandswouldnotresultinasignificantimpactrelatedtoeitheron‐oroffsitenoise.Also,anagriculturalstandmayrequiretheadditionofanotheremployeetooperatethestand;however,theonsitenoisesassociatedwithanadditionalemployeearenotanticipatedtoresultinaviolationofanyCountynoiserequirements,andimpactswouldremainlessthansignificant.

Agricultural Stores, Microbreweries, Cideries, and Micro‐Distilleries, and Wineries

Operationalcharacteristicsassociatedwithagriculturalstores,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriesareanticipatedtogeneratethemostvisitors(oftheusesassociatedwiththeproposedproject)duetothefactthattheywouldhavetastingroomsand/orretailareasthatwouldservevisitorsthatwouldtypicallyarrivebyapersonalvehicle.Thesetopicswerealsothefocusofthetrafficstudypreparedfortheproject(AppendixE).Furthermore,becausemostagriculturalareasareinmoreremoteorruralareas,publictransportationorothernon‐motorizedmeansoftransportation(e.g.,walkingorbicycling)arenotanticipated.Agricultural




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stores,bothsmallandlarge,aswellasagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldattractretailcustomersandcouldresultinanincreaseinoffsitetrafficnoisethatcouldexceedtheCounty’sCNELlimitsintheGeneralPlanNoiseElement;however,onsitenoiseincreasesarenotexpectedtoresultinasignificantimpact.Operationsonsitewouldincreaserelativetotheamountofvisitors/customersonthesite,andtypicalnoisessuchasdriving/parkingandcongregatingwouldsomewhatincreaseoneachindividualparcelwithasmallorlargeagriculturalstore,agriculturalmicrobrewery,cidery,ormicro‐distillery,orwinery.Theseonsiteincreasesinactivitiesarenotexpectedtoviolateanynoiseregulations.Furthermore,theproposedlanguagetotheZoningOrdinancespecificallyprohibitseventssuchasweddingsandconcertsfromoccurringinconjunctionwithasmallagriculturalstoreandprohibitsamplifiedsoundforagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineries.

Largeagriculturalstoresandlargemicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldberequiredtoobtainanAdministrativePermitandwouldhavetospecifyanyspecialeventsthatwouldoccuronthesite.Althoughsmallagriculturalstoresandsmallagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldbeallowedpursuanttoapprovalofaministerialaction(e.g.,aZoningVerificationPermit),largeagriculturalstoresandlargeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldrequireadiscretionarypermit(e.g.,AdministrativePermit).Agradingpermitisanticipatedforeithertypeofagriculturalstoreoragriculturalmicrobrewery,cidery,andmicro‐distillery(e.g.,smallandlarge).AspartoftheCounty’spermitreviewprocess,alldiscretionaryprojectsareevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsrelativetoexcessivenoiselevels.

Potentialoffsitenoisesources,includingvehiculartrafficanddeliverytrucks,couldpotentiallyresultinsignificantnoiseimpacts.Agriculturalstores,bothlargeandsmall,aswellasagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldalsogenerateadditionaltripstoagriculturalareasandresultinoperationalnoiseincreaseswhichcouldexceedtheCounty’sNoiseElementCNELdependingonhowmanyaredevelopedandwheretheyarelocated.Duringharvestperiods,operationsonsiteswithagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesandwinerieswouldinvolveadditionalnoisesassociatedwithharvestingequipment,withanincreaseinoverallactivitiesontheproperty,includingadditionalemployeesandadditionalvehicletripsthatcouldresultinsignificanton‐andoffsitenoises.

Agricultural Tourism

Agriculturaltourismwouldinvolveonsitetours,educationalactivities,andu‐pickoperations,allofwhichwouldsomewhatincreasenoiselevelsonsite.Pursuanttotheproposedregulations,noamplifiedsoundwouldbepermittedassociatedwiththeseevents,anditisanticipatedthatanyincreaseinnoisefromadditionalvisitorsandoperationoftypicalfarmequipmentwouldnotexceedanyestablishednoisestandardsintheCounty.Someadditionaltripswouldincreaserelativetoexistingconditions;however,itisnotanticipatedthatagriculturaltourismwouldresultinenoughadditionaltripstopotentiallyexceedanyCNELnoisecontoursorothernoisepoliciesincludedintheNoiseElementoftheCounty’sGeneralPlan.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.

Animal Raising

Foranimalraising,theincreaseinanimalswouldsomewhatincreaseanimalnoisesonagivensite;however,theadditionofanimalsisnotexpectedtoresultinanincreasethatwouldresultinaviolationorexceedanceofanyCounty‐establishednoiseregulationsintheZoningCodeorGeneralPlan.Also,becauseanimalraisingregulationsarenotrelatedtoanyretailorothercommercial




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activitiesthatwouldpromoteorincreasetrafficonaregularbasis,itisnotexpectedthattheproposedchangestoanimalraisingwouldresultinoffsitenoiseimpactsassociatedwithtraffic.

Aquaponics

TheoperationofaquaponicsonanagriculturalpropertywouldberequiredtocomplywithSection36.401oftheSanDiegoCountyCodeofRegulatoryOrdinancesrelatingtonoiseabatementandcontrol.Ifnecessary,applicantswouldberequiredtoinstallnoisebarriersaroundnoise‐generatingequipmenttocomplywiththeCounty’sOrdinance.Regardingoffsitenoisesassociatedwithtraffic,aquaponicsonagriculturalpropertieswouldnothavearetailcomponentasfishmarketswouldbeheldatfarmer’smarketsoncommercialorschoolproperties.Assuch,aquaponicswouldnothaveanyretailorothercommercialcomponentsthatwouldincreasetraffictoalevelthatwouldviolateanycommunitynoiselevelstandardsestablishedintheCounty’sGeneralPlan.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.

Creameries/Dairies

Implementationoftheproposedcreamery/dairyusescouldresultinindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinguptoa4,000‐square‐footbuilding;constructionofancillaryparkingareas,driveways,fences,andoutdoorseating;andanincreaseinsiteactivityrelatedtoadditionalvisitorsandnewemployees.Creamery/dairyuseswouldrequirethedevelopmentofnon‐residentialstructurestosupporttheproductionofbutter,cream,milk,orcheesewithinanenclosedbuilding,andwouldalsorequireindoorspaceforproductstorageintendedforwholesalesalesaswellasretailsales.TheproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningOrdinanceforcreameries/dairiesincludespecificlanguagethatalloperationsmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofSection36.401oftheCounty’sZoningCodeasitrelatestonoiseabatement.However,similartoagriculturalstoresandmicrobreweries,whicharediscussedabove,increasedvehicletripscouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpacts.

Fishermen’s Markets

Fishermen’smarketsinvolvetheretailsaleoffishtothegeneralpubliconatemporarybasisandincommercialorschoolareas,likelyinconjunctionwithafarmers’market.Whilesomenoiseswouldbetemporarilygeneratedrelatedtoattractingcustomersinanoutdoorsetting,thesenoiseswouldconsistofsomeadditionalvehicles,peopletalking,andemployeessettingupandbreakingdownanoutdoortentorboothstructure.Thesenoiseswouldalsooccurfromothervendorsifinconjunctionwithafarmers’market.Becausetheseincreasesinnoisewouldbetypicalofafarmers’marketandwouldconsistofpeopletalkingandemployeessettingupanoutdoorbooth,itisnotexpectedthatthepromotionoffishermen’smarketswouldexceedanylocalregulationspertainingtonoise.

Mobile Butchering

Mobilebutcheringoperationalnoiseswouldintroducenewnoisestoagriculturalareaswheninoperationassociatedwithanimalprocessingequipmentinsideamobileunit;however,theincreaseswouldbetemporaryandarenotanticipatedtoresultinnoiselevelsthatwouldexceedanyCountystandards.AsdescribedintheZoningOrdinanceupdatelanguage,severalrequirementsformobilebutcheringoperationswouldbeenforcedthatwouldreduceassociatednoises.Specifically,asstatedinproposedSection6126,setbacksrequirementswouldrequireatleast25feetfromapropertylineandhoursofoperationwouldbeduringdaytimehours,generally7a.m.–8p.m.,Mondaythrough




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Saturday,and9a.m.–6:00p.m.onSundays.Nooffsiteortraffic‐relatednoiseincreasesareassumedwithoperationofamobilebutcheringbusiness,exceptfortheindividualtripofthebutcheringvehicleitself.Assuch,on‐andoffsitenoiseimpactsduringtheoperationofmobilebutcheringactivitiesonagriculturalpropertiesareanticipatedtoremainlessthansignificantandnomitigationmeasuresarenecessary.

Summary

Insummary,theproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningOrdinanceforagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,andcreameries/dairiesincludespecificlanguagethatalloperationsmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofSection36.401oftheCounty’sZoningCodeasitrelatestonoiseabatement.However,theserequirementsintheproposedZoningOrdinanceupdatedlanguageandtheexistingNoiseOrdinancerequirementsdonotaddressvehiclenoise.Therefore,newvehiculartrafficanddeliverytrucksassociatedwiththeaccessoryusescouldcontributetoincreasesinoffsitenoise,andinsomeselectareascouldcontributetonoiselevelsthatexceedCountystandards.Becausethereisnoguaranteethatoffsitenoisesourcesrelatedtoincreasesintrafficthatwouldbegeneratedfromfuturemicrobreweries/cideries/micro‐distilleries,stores,andwineriesintheunincorporatedCountywouldnotresultinsignificantimpacts,potentialfutureoffsitenoiseimpactsduringoperationsareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactN‐1).

2.6.3.2 Excessive Groundborne Vibration


ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultiftheprojectwould:

Resultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.

Analysis

Groundbornevibrationistypicallyassociatedwithhighimpactconstructionequipment,suchasapiledriver,orwithvibrationsfromnon‐impactconstructionactivity,suchasautomobileortrucktraffic.Vibrationfromtrucktrafficistypicallybelowthethresholdofperceptionwhentheactivityismorethanabout50feetfromanoisereceptor.

Anyfuturesite‐specificprojectsthatwouldimplementtheproposedchangestotheCounty’sZoningOrdinancearenotanticipatedtorequiretheuseofhigh‐impactconstructionequipmenttoerectaccessoryagriculturalstructures,suchasanagriculturalstoreormicrobrewery.Likewiseitisnotanticipatedthatanyoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturaloperationswouldresultinadditionaltrucktrafficwithin50feetofanoisereceptor.Forprojectsthatwouldrequireadiscretionarypermit,includinglargeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,andsomeanimalraisingprojects,additionalCEQAreviewwouldberequired,whichwouldincludeconsiderationofpotentialimpactsrelatedtoexcessivegroundbornevibration.However,noneofthecomponentsoftheproposedprojectareanticipatedtoresultinsignificantimpactsrelatedtogroundbornevibrationandimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.




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2.6.3.3 Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels



Causeasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedproject.

Analysis

Vehicle Traffic Noise

Operationalvehicletrafficwouldvarydependingontheuse,andthevariousaveragedailytripratesforeachaccessoryagriculturaluseisprovidedasAppendixEandalsopresentedinSection2.7,TransportationandTraffic.Thesetripswouldconsistofemployeeandvisitortripsandalsosomedeliverytrips.Thenumberoftripswouldbegreatestfortheagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesandwineries,asthesefacilitiesareanticipatedtohavethelargestcommercialspacesandattractthemostvisitors.Employeesatthesefacilitieswouldalsolikelyoutnumberemployeesrelatedtootheraccessoryagriculturalusesincludedaspartoftheproposedproject.AsshownintheTrafficStudy,increasesinvehiclescouldrepresentasmuchasa5.6percentincrease(Rainbowcommunity)andasmuchas4,894newtrips(ValleyCentercommunity).Bothofthesecommunitiesareconsideredrural,andwiththeadditionofalargeincreaseintheRainbowcommunityandalargenumberofoveralltripsintheValleyCentercommunity,itispossiblethatasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelscouldresultinsignificantenvironmentalimpacts(ImpactN‐2).

Onsite Generated Noise

Accessoryagriculturaloperationsthatwouldbeimplementedwithadoptionoftheproposedprojectwouldresultinpermanentincreasesinlanduseactivities,therebyresultinginadditionalemployees/farmworkersandadditionalvisitorsforcommercialoperations.Permanentincreasesinnoisesrelatedtoagriculturalhomestays,agriculturaltourism,andanimalraisingwouldmostlybelimitedtosomeadditionalemployeesonaparticularproperty,andassuch,noisesassociatedwithoperatingmachineryanddrivingtractorsandtruckswouldsomewhatincrease;however,itisnotexpectedthattheseonsiteincreaseswouldexceedlimitsintheCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.Therefore,theywouldnotresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinity.

Mobilebutcheringwouldinvolvetheuseofprocessingequipment(e.g.,animalprocessingequipment),refrigerationunits,dieselgenerators,andhotwaterheaters.TheproposedamendmentlanguagetotheZoningOrdinanceasitrelatestomobilebutcheringonsiteoperationswouldrestrictoperationsfromoccurringmorethansixtimesperyearandnotmorethan3consecutivedaysonthesamepropertyorwithin1mileofanotherpropertyusedformobilebutcheringbythesameowner.Hoursofoperationwouldalsoberestrictedtodaytimehoursandoperationswouldobeyasetbackrequirementof25feetfromanypropertyline,aswellasthenoiselimitsintheNoiseOrdinance.Assuch,mobilebutcheringoperationswouldnotbepermittedtooccuronaregularorpermanentbasis,andanyincreasesinnoisewouldbetemporaryandperiodic.




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Althoughthegrowingseasonwouldnotbeyearround,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwineriescouldoperateandsellproductsonaregularbasisandresultinpermanentincreasesinonsitenoise.Agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,andwinerieswouldinvolvetheuseofprocessingequipment(e.g.,hopsseparators,grapecrushers),refrigerationunits,andpestcontroldevices,suchasbirdalarms,allofwhichareregulatedbytheNoiseOrdinanceanddiscussedabove.Largeagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,agriculturalstores,andwinerieswouldresultinadditionalcustomersonsite,andsomeincreasesinnoisewouldresultfromgeneralconversationandvehiclesparking,forexample.Smallagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldnotpermitretailsales,tastingrooms,oronsitesalesofanykind.

Theproposedprojectincludessomerequirementsforspecificusesthatwouldreducepotentialnoiseincreases.Forinstance,tastingroomswouldnotbeallowedtooperatebefore10a.m.orafterlegalsunsetandwouldnotallowevents,includingbutnotlimitedtoweddingsandparties.ApprovaloftheproposedZoningOrdinanceamendmentswouldadoptnewregulationsthatwouldpromotetheseusestobeimplementedonactiveagriculturalpropertieseitherbyright(wineries),ministerialpermitapproval(aZoningVerificationPermitforsmallmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries),oradiscretionarypermit(anAdministrativePermitforlargemicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries).Itisalsopossiblethatadiscretionarygradingpermitwouldberequiredforthedevelopmentofanyoftheseuses.Underthosecircumstanceswherefuturediscretionaryreviewisrequired,moredetailedCEQAreviewwouldalsooccuratthattime.Aspartofthisreview,eachindividualprojectwouldberequiredtodemonstratecompliancewiththeCounty’sNoiseOrdinance.Duetotheruralnatureofmostactiveagriculturalpropertiesandthepromotionofaccessoryusesontheseproperties,theincreasedonsiteoperationsthatcouldoccurmayconsiderablyincreasenoiselevelsinthevicinitytoalevelthatwouldbeconsideredsubstantial.Itisthereforeexpectedthattheincreasedonsiteactivitieswouldresultinasignificantenvironmentalimpactrelatedtoapermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactN‐3).

2.6.3.4 Temporary or Periodic Increase in Ambient Noise Levels



Causeasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedproject.

Analysis

Adoptionoftheproposedprojectisnotexpectedtoresultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinity.Constructionrelatedtotheproposedprojectwouldconsistprimarilyofbuildingstructuresupto5,000squarefeet,noneofwhichareanticipatedtoresultinsubstantialtemporaryorperiodincreasesinambientnoiselevelscomparedtoexistingnoiseconditions.Constructionactivitiesincluding,butnotlimitedto,sitegrading,truck/constructionequipmentmovement,enginenoise,androckexcavationwouldhavethepotentialtoresultintheexposureofon‐oroffsiteareastonoiseinexcessofthestandardslistedintheCountyCodeSections36.408and36.409.TypicalconstructionequipmentnoiselevelsareprovidedinTable2.6‐5.Constructionactivitieswouldgeneratesomeadditionaltemporarytrafficon




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projectarearoadwaysrelatedtoequipmentandmaterialsdeliveriesandifcontractorsorotherconstructionworkersareretainedtoconstructanystructures.Itisexpectedthatmostofthestructuresthatwouldbedevelopedassociatedwithimplementingtheproposedprojectwouldnotrequireextensiveconstructiontimeframes,andanytemporaryincreasesinnoiserelatedtoconstructionwouldremainlessthansignificant.Asstatedpreviously,mostoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturaluseswouldrequireagradingpermitandwouldprepareadditionalCEQAanalysisonaproject‐by‐projectbasisinthefuture.However,itisnotanticipatedthatanyaccessoryuseswouldresultinsignificanttemporarynoiseimpacts.Accessoryusesthatwouldnotnecessarilyinvolvestructuresincludeagriculturalhomestays(ifusingexistingstructuresforhousing),agriculturaltourism,animalraising,fishmarkets,andmobilebutcheringuses.Noperiodicincreasesinconstructionareanticipatedfortheseuses.Overall,impactsrelatedtoperiodicortemporaryincreasesinnoiseduringconstructionwouldremainlessthansignificant.

2.6.3.5 Airport‐Related Noise Exposure


PursuanttoarecentCaliforniaSupremeCourtrulingonCaliforniaBuildingIndustryAssociation(CBIA)v.BayAreaAirQualityManagementDistrict(BAAQMD)(CaseNo.S213478,December17,2015),CEQAdoesnotrequireanalysisofhowexistingenvironmentalconditionswillimpactaproject’sfutureusersorresidents.Therefore,significancethresholdsarenotestablishedforthistopic.However,PublicResourcesCodeSection21096(a)requiresthatanEIRdiscussairport‐relatednoiseproblemsiftheprojectislocatedwithin2milesofapublicuseairport.Therefore,anassessmentofairport‐relatednoiseissuesisprovidedbelow.

Analysis

SixpublicairportsarelocatedintheunincorporatedCounty:AguaCalienteAirstrip(DesertSubregion),BorregoValleyAirport(DesertSubregion),FallbrookCommunityAirpark(FallbrookCPA),JacumbaAirport(MountainEmpireSubregion),OcotilloAirstrip(DesertSubregion),andRamonaAirport(RamonaCPA).Mostoftheseincludesomeagriculturaluseswithin2milesoftheairports;thus,theproposedprojectcouldresultinnewaccessoryagriculturalusesinproximitytoexistingairports.AirportLandUseCompatibilityPlanshavebeenpreparedbytheSanDiegoRegionalAirportAuthorityforalloftheseairports.TheseALUCPsincludenoisecompatibilitypoliciesforreviewingnewdevelopmentaswellascurrentandfuturenoiselevelsthataregeneratedbytheairport.TheCountyofSanDiegohasestablishedazoningoverlaycongruentwitheachairport’sAIA,whichestablishestheCounty’sALUCPAreaRegulations.Theseregulationsrequirethat“[n]ewdevelopment,redevelopment,expansions,conversionsandotherusesoflandlocatedwithintheAIAofanadoptedALUCPforwhichCountyapprovalorpermitarerequiredshallbereviewedagainsttheestablishedcriteriaandpoliciesoftheALUCP.”Furthermore,“[u]nlessthepropertyisalreadydevotedtotheproposedincompatibleuseortheALUCPisoverriddenbytheCountyinamannerwhichrenderstheusecompatiblewiththeALUCP,theproposal,mustcomplywiththeestablishedpoliciesandcriteriaoftheapplicableALUCP.”Asaresult,potentialnoiseissueswouldbeaddressedthroughtheCounty’sreviewandapplicationoftheALUCPnoisecompatibilitypolicies,andimpactsfromairport‐relatednoiseexposurewouldbelessthansignificant.




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2.6.4 Cumulative Impacts Analysis

Thegeographicscopeofcumulativeimpactanalysisfornoiseislimitedtoareassurroundingnoise‐generatingsources,suchasroadways,agricultural,orindustrialuses,becausenoiseimpactsarelocalizedinnature.Geographicscopecanbetheentireareawithinwhichtheresourcehasthepotentialtooccur.ForthepurposeofthisEIR,thegeographicscopeforthecumulativeanalysisofnoiseimpactsincludestheSanDiegoregion.

2.6.4.1 Noise Exposure

Acumulativenoiseimpactresultingfrompastprojectswouldoccurifconstructionandoperationassociatedwithcumulativeregionallanduseprojects,suchasthoseidentifiedinadjacentcityandcountygeneralplansandregionaltransportationplans,wouldexceedthenoisecompatibilityguidelinesandstandardsoftheNoiseElement.However,developmentandconstructionproposedundermostcumulativeprojectswouldbesubjecttoregulationsthatrequirecompliancewithnoisestandards,suchasthosecontainedintheStateofCaliforniaCodeofRegulationsandthoserequiredbytheOfficeofSurfaceandMining.AlthoughtheCountyhasadoptedmeasuresandplansdesignedtoregulateandaddressnoiselevelsintheCounty,pastprojectshaveresultedinacumulativeimpact.

Asdiscussedpreviously,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapproval.Additionally,aspartoftheCounty’sdiscretionaryreviewprocess,futurediscretionaryprojectswouldbeevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsonambientnoise.However,past,present,andfutureprojectsinSanDiegoCountycouldcontinuetoresultinimmitigablenoiseimpacts.Whenthesignificantproject‐levelimpactonnoise(ImpactN‐1)isconsideredatthecumulativelevel,theproject’scontributiontoacumulativeimpactisconsideredtobesignificant(ImpactN‐4).


Acumulativegroundbornevibrationimpactwouldoccurifoneormorecumulativeprojectswouldresultintheexposureofpersonstoorgenerationofexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.Asgroundbornevibrationistypicallyassociatedwithconstruction,severalconstructionprojectswithinproximityofoneanotherwouldhavetosimultaneouslyoccurinordertocombineandcreateasignificantcumulativeimpactasaresultofgroundbornevibration.Assuch,acumulativeimpactrelatedtoexcessivegroundbornevibrationisnotpresentinthecumulativestudyarea.Attheprojectlevel,therearenospecificplansortimescalesforindividualconstructionprojects,anditisnotpossibletodetermineexactvibrationlevels,locations,ortimeperiodsforconstruction.Regardless,individualprojectswouldmostlyinvolveconstructionofstructuresnottypicallyassociatedwithgroundbornevibration.Therefore,cumulativeprojectsarenotexpectedtoresultinacumulativelyconsiderableimpact.

AllfuturedevelopmentassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapprovalandareanticipatedtomeetthevibrationlimitsshowninTables2.6‐3and2.6‐6.Therefore,implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldnotcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpactregardinggroundbornevibration.Impactswouldremainlessthansignificant.




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Acumulativenoiseimpactwouldoccurifconstructionanddevelopmentassociatedwithcumulativeregionallanduseprojects,suchasthoseidentifiedinadjacentcityandcountygeneralplansandregionaltransportationplans,whencombinedwouldresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiseintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedprojects.Forexample,theextensionofStateRoute(SR)905fromI‐805totheU.S.–MexicointernationalborderandwideningofSR‐94fromSR‐125toJamachaRoadwouldresultinapermanentincreaseinambientnoiseduetoanincreaseinroadwaynoise.Pastprojectshaveresultedinapermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevelsandacumulativelysignificantimpacthasoccurred.

FutureimplementationoftheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeCounty’sNoiseCompatibilityGuidelines,GeneralPlanNoiseElementNoiseStandards,andNoiseOrdinancepriortoapproval.Additionally,aspartoftheCounty’sdiscretionaryreviewprocess,futurediscretionaryprojectswouldbeevaluatedunderCEQAandwouldberequiredtoimplementmeasurestominimizeimpactsonambientnoise.However,largerprojects,suchastheagriculturalmicrobreweriesandwineries,couldpotentiallycontributetoanincreaseinambientnoiselevels.Becausethereisnoguaranteeonaproject‐specificlevelthatmitigationmeasureswillreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant,theproposedprojectwouldpotentiallycontributetoacumulativelyconsiderableimpact(N‐5).


Acumulativenoiseimpactwouldoccurifconstructionassociatedwithoneormoreprojectsinproximitytooneanotherwouldresultinasubstantialtemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevelsintheprojectvicinityabovelevelsexistingwithouttheproposedprojects.However,astherearenospecificplansortimescalesforindividualprojects,itisnotpossibletodetermineexactnoiselevels,locations,ortimeperiodsforconstruction.Additionally,projectswouldhavetobeconstructedclosetogethertoresultinacumulativeimpact.Constructionprojectsinincorporatedjurisdictionswouldbesubjecttonoisestandardsandlimitsforthejurisdictioninwhichtheyareproposed.ProjectsproposedontriballandswouldnotbesubjecttoCountyofSanDiegonoiseregulationsandstandards;however,potentialconstructionnoise‐relatedimpactsintheseareaswouldbetemporaryandlimitedtotheareaimmediatelysurroundingtheproject.Similarly,acumulativenuisancenoiseimpactwouldoccurifnoiseassociatedwithoneormorelandusesinanareawouldresultincombinednoiselevelsthatwouldtemporarilyincreaseambientnoiselevelsbeyondthestandardsintheCountyNoiseOrdinance.However,theseeventswouldbeshort‐termandevent‐specificinnature.Therefore,apotentiallycumulativelyconsiderableimpactassociatedwithtemporaryincreasesinambientnoiselevelsisnotanticipatedtooccur.

2.6.5 Significance of Impacts Prior to Mitigation

TheproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsrelatedtonoiselevelsinexcessofCountystandards(ImpactsN‐1,direct/indirectandN‐4,cumulative),andpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactsN‐2andN‐3,direct/indirect,andN‐5,cumulative)asaresultofaccessoryagriculturaldevelopment.Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsassociatedwithexcessivegroundbornevibrationorexcessivenoiseexposurefromairports.




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2.6.6 Mitigation Measures


TheproposedprojectwouldamendcurrentregulationsrelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalprojectsthatmaydirectlyorindirectlyresultinnoiselevelsinexcessofCountystandards(ImpactsN‐1,direct/indirectandN‐4,cumulative).Thesenoiseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedproject.Althoughthiswouldresultinareducedprojectareawithfewernewagriculturalusesreducingtheoverallnoiselevels,thereisnoguaranteethatmitigationmeasureswouldreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant.Therefore,theReducedProjectAreaAlternativewouldresultinsignificantandimmitigableimpacts.


Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsduetoexcessivegroundbornevibration,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.


Theproposedprojectwouldamendcurrentregulationsrelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalprojectsthatmaydirectlyorindirectlyresultinasubstantialpermanentincreaseinambientnoiselevels(ImpactsN‐2andN‐3,direct/indirectandN‐5,cumulative).Theseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedproject.Althoughthiswouldresultinareducedprojectareawithfewernewagriculturalusesreducingtheoverallnoiselevels,thereisnoguaranteethatmitigationmeasureswouldreduceimpactstoalevelbelowsignificant.Therefore,theReducedProjectAreaAlternativewouldresultinsignificantandimmitigableimpacts.

2.6.6.4 Temporary or Period Increase in Ambient Noise Levels

Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsduetotemporaryorperiodincreasesinambientnoiselevels,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

2.6.6.5 Airport‐Related Noise Exposure

Theprojectwouldnotresultinanysignificantimpactsrelatedtoairport‐relatednoiseexposure,andnomitigationmeasuresarerequired.

2.6.7 Conclusion


Implementationoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesundertheproposedprojectwouldresultinsignificantimpactsrelativetonoisereceptors(ImpactsN‐1andN‐4).Thesenoiseimpactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.




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Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinasignificantadverseeffectduetoexposingpeopletoorgeneratingexcessivegroundbornevibrationorgroundbornenoiselevels.


Implementationoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesundertheproposedprojectwouldresultinsignificantimpactsrelativetoapermanentincreaseinambientnoise(ImpactsN‐2,N‐3,andN‐5).


Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinasignificantadverseeffectduetotemporaryorperiodicincreaseinambientnoiselevels.




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Table 2.6‐1. Hearing Thresholds in the Infrasonic and Low Frequency Range

Frequency(Hz) 4 8 10 16 20 25 40 50 80 100 125 160 200

Soundpressurelevel(dB)

107 100 97 88 79 69 51 44 32 27 22 18 14

Table 2.6‐2. Typical A‐Weighted Sound Levels Measured in the Environment and Industry

CommonOutdoorActivitiesSoundLevel(dBA)a CommonIndoorActivities

110 Rockband

Jetflyoverat1,000feet

100

Gaslawnmowerat3feet

90

Dieseltruckat50mphat50feet Foodblenderat3feet

80 Garbagedisposalat3feet

Noisyurbanarea,daytime

Gaslawnmowerat100feet 70 Vacuumcleanerat3feet

Commercialarea Normalspeechat3feet

Heavytrafficat300feet 60

Largebusinessoffice

Quieturbanarea,daytime 50 Dishwasherinnextroom

Quieturbanarea,nighttime 40 Theater,largeconferenceroom(background)

Quietsuburbanarea,nighttime

30 Library

Quietruralarea,nighttime Bedroomatnight,concerthall(background)

Rustlingofleaves 20

Broadcast/recordingstudio

10

0

Source:Caltrans(2009).adBA=A‐WeightedDecibel




ICF 54.15

Table 2.6‐3. Guidelines for Determining the Significance of Groundborne Vibration and Noise Impacts for Special Buildings

TypeofBuildingorRoom

GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels(inches/secondRMS)

GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels(dBre20microPascals)

FrequentEventsa

OccasionalorInfrequentEventsb

FrequentEventsa


ConcertHalls,TVStudios,andRecordingStudios

0.0018 0.0018 25dBA 25dBA

Auditoriums 0.0040 0.010 30dBA 38dBA

Theatres 0.0040 0.014 35dBA 43dBASource:FTA2006aFrequentEventsisdefinedasmorethan70vibrationeventsperday.Mostrapidtransitprojectsfallintothiscategory.bOccasionalorInfrequentEventsaredefinedasfewerthan70vibrationeventsperday.Thiscombinedcategoryincludesmostcommuterrailsystems.

Table 2.6‐4. San Diego County Noise Ordinance Sound Level Limits (Table 36.404)

Zone

ApplicableLimit1‐HourAverageSoundLevel(dB)

7a.m.to7p.m. 7p.m.to10p.m. 10p.m.to7a.m.

(1) RS,RD,RR,RHM,A70,A72,S80,S81,S87,S90,S92,RV,andRUwithadensityoflessthan11dwellingunitsperacre

50 50 45

(2) RRO,RC,RM,C30,S86,V5andRVandRUwithadensityof11ormoredwellingunitsperacre

55 55 50

(3) S94,V4,andallothercommercialzones

60 60 55

(4) V1,V2 60 55 Seebelow

V1 60 55 55

V2 60 55 50

V3 70 70 65

(5) M50,M52,andM54 70 70 70

(6) S82,M56,andM58 75 75 75

(7) S88 Source:Caltrans(2009).Note:S88zonesareSpecificPlanningAreaswhichallowdifferentuses.ThesoundlevellimitsabovethatapplyinanS88zonedependontheusebeingmadeoftheproperty.Thelimitsinsubsection(1)applytopropertywitharesidential,agriculturalorcivicuse.Thelimitsinsubsection(3)applytopropertywithacommercialuse.Thelimitsinsubsection(5)applytopropertywithanindustrialusethatwouldonlybeallowedinanM50,M52,orM54zone.Thelimitsinsubsection(6)applytoallpropertywithanextractiveuseorausethatwouldonlybeallowedinanM56orM58zone.




ICF 54.15

Table 2.6‐5. Typical Construction Equipment Noise Levels

Equipment TypicalNoiseLevel(dBA)at50feetfromsource

AirCompressor 81

Backhoe 80

Compactor 82

ConcreteMixer 85

Crane,Derrick 88

Dozer 85

Grader 85

JackHammer 88

Loader 85

Paver 89

Pile‐Drive(Impact) 101

Pump 76

Roller 74

Scraper 89

Truck 88Source:CountyofSanDiego2011a:,2.11‐59.




ICF 54.15

Table 2.6‐6. Guideline for Determining the Significance of Groundborne Vibration and Noise Impacts

LandUseCategory

GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels

(inches/secondRMS)

GroundborneVibrationImpactLevels

(dBre20microPascals)

FrequentEventsa


FrequentEventsa


Category1:Buildingswherelowambientvariationisessentialforinterioroperations()researchandmanufacturingfacilitieswithspecialvibrationconstraints)

0.0018c 0.0018c N/A N/A

Category2:Residencesandbuildingswherepeoplenormallysleep(hotels,hospitals,residences,andothersleepingfacilities)

0.0040 0.010 35dBA 43dBA

Category3:Institutionallanduseswithprimarydaytimeuse(schools,churches,libraries,otherinstitutions,andquietuses)

0.0056 0.014 40dBA 48dBA

Source:FTA2006aFrequentEventsisdefinedasmorethan70vibrationeventsperday.Mostrapidtransitprojectsfallintothiscategory.bOccasionalorInfrequentEventsaredefinedasfewerthan70vibrationeventsperday.Thiscombinedcategoryincludesmostcommuterrailsystems.cThiscriterionlimitisbasedonalevelthatisacceptableformostmoderatelysensitiveequipmentsuchasopticalmicroscopes.Vibration‐sensitivemanufacturingorresearchwillrequiredetailedevaluationtodefineacceptablevibrationlevels.EnsuringlowervibrationlevelsinabuildingoftenrequiresspecialdesignonHVACsystemsandstiffenedfloors.

Section 2.6 Noise - San Diego County, California · 2019-10-22 · Draft Final Environmental Impact...

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