ARCHIVED REPORTS_2013_2 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

a) Development Title Section 9-1025.9(b)(2) states that proposed projects that will create new stationary noise sources or expand existing stationary noise sources shall be required to mitigate the noise levels from these stationary noise sources so as not to exceed the noise level standards specified in Development Title Table 9-1025.9. Volume III page III. D-7, of the General Plan states that in the commercial and industrial areas the noise levels are higher due to high traffic volumes from nearby major roads, parking lot activity, industrial blowers, fans and heavy equipment. The proposed project — shift hours for the Material Recovery facility are 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Noise is controlled through the proper use and maintenance of mufflers and noise suppression systems on the equipment. The majority of the site consists of a large pit approximately 30-40 feet deep, that was previously used for gravel mining operations. Additionally, the elevated roadbed and surrounding windrows should attenuate equipment noise. The closest development is 600 feet north of the site and there is one residence 1.4 miles south of the site, The closest residential subdivision is one mile north of the site along McArthur Drive. ~b -e) The proposed project expansion includes the processing of concrete and debris as well as wood grinding. An evaluation of the noise that was analyzed in the 1993 EIR (EIR-93-1) and what is being proposed was addressed in a Supplemental Noise Study (SNS) submitted by the applicant on June 20, 2011. That study is available for review. The "Noise" portions of the EIR provided the Environmental Setting, Regulatory Background, Existing Noise Environment, and the Significance Criteria. The results of the study provided the Impacts and Mitigation for the following noise sources: wood grinding, traffic noise, and construction activity. Current activity that was not part of the 1993 EIR includes concrete crushing that has been underway for years, such as occurring at the aggregate miningfinert crushing companies to the north and west. The proposed activity would be a relocation of the mixed C&D Processing Facility to the south of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). As noted the propose project site is located within a reclaimed excavated pit that is 30-40 feet in depth and which largely makes up the current 39.2 acres. The pit was created when the site was being mined for gravel in the early -70's by Lone Star Industries. The MRF will be enclosed down in the former gravel pit, where,the 1993 EIR concluded that there were no impacts and mitigation was not needed. Today, there still would oe no impacts or mitigation needed. The SNS provides a listing of the noise source and the distances to'•sensitive receptors' (residences) as follows: Operations Current Activity Proposed Activity Distance to Residencies Transfer St6tion Enclosed MRF and Expansion of enclosed 2,509feet Transfer Station MRF and Transfer Station Wood Grinding Outdoor grinding on Same 840 feet I • •• north pad - Inert Grinding Outdoor grinding on Same 1,180 feet northwest pad Mixed C&D'Processing Floor sort next to MRF Relocation to south pad 2,500'feet Facility With respect'to acceptable noise environments for each land use, the San Joaquin County General Flan' provides thresholds for noise levels that the County considers acceptable. Those standards are outlined asiivell in the Development Title Table 9-1025.9 (Part 1 & 2). The thresholds for transportation noise sources upon sensitive receptors is 65dBA, 50dBA for stationary sources at outdoor activity up to 10 pm to .Tam, near noise sensitive uses. The project operation of wood grinding' .is located 840 feet to a residers y which is greater.'fhan 600 feet, where the noise should be lower than 52dBA. In 1993 the OR noise analysis concluded that there was 73dBA at 250 feet for a wood grinder,. or 52dBA at the r'esidenclesi'b00 feet away. Based on the General Plan, 70dB is considered normally acceptable for agrici"turat4�nd industrial lands. The MRF expansion will be enclosed down in the gravel pit, where the 1993 EjR`concluded that there would be no impacts or mitigation needed for an enclosed MRF. The Mixed C&D processing operatidn of which the greater amount of noise is the wood grinding activity, viiould invol a the relocation of the Mixed C&D processing facility to the south of the MRF about 2,500 feet from th"e nearest residency" The inert processing operation includes concrete crushing that has been underway for years, such;as occurring at the aggregate mininglinert crushing companies to the north'and vgest which is 1,180 feet to the nearest residency: At the project site today; at less than SOdBA, there still would be no impacts. or mitigation needed. Inert processing equipment used at the facility mee$s•OSHA standards' -for noise and safety. Ear protection devices are worn by all employees subject to excessive noise levels at the facility. As indicated in the 1993 EIR and the SNS the facility is located 30-40 feet below the surrounding properties, and' 840 feet to 2,500 feet from any residency; the poise, groUhd vibration, impacts to those living and working within the project vicinity is expected to be less than significant.