Item 18 - Appeal Application Nos. 2023-02 and 2023-03 for Cabrillo Town Center project

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Noise that would be experienced by sensitive uses due to development associated with implementation of the Overlay Zone is determined at their property lines. While the nearest sensitive uses vary at different locations in and around the Overlay Zone and as specific development plans have not yet been determined at individual sites, for the purpose of this analysis it is assumed that sensitive receptors could be as close as 50 feet from where construction would take place. Sensitive receptors in the project vicinity could experience noise levels up to 86 dBA L as a result of construction activities, or as high as 107 dBA Leq in the event that pile drivers are used. Section 18-314(e) of the Municipal Code allows for noise resulting from construction activities to be exempt from noise limits established in the Code. In accordance with the Noise Ordinance, construction activities would also be limited to the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. on Monday through Saturday, and is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays. As construction would not occur except during the times permitted in the Noise Ordinance, and as the Municipal Code, Section 18-314(e) of the Municipal Code allows construction noise in excess of standards to occur between these hours, the Overlay Zone would not violate established standards. Development within the Overlay Zone would be required to implement Mitigation Measures MM- OZ 4.9-1 through MM-OZ 4.9-4. Implementation of these mitigation measures would ensure that impacts associated with construction -related noise would be less than significant. Operation of the Overlay Zone could expose noise -sensitive land uses to noise levels that exceed the standards established by the City of Santa Ana General Plan. This is considered a potentially significant impact. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM-OZ 4.9-5 through MM-OZ 4.9-7 would reduce this impact to a less -than -significant level. Sources of noise generated by implementation of the Overlay Zone would include new stationary sources (such as rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] systems for the residential and office uses). The Overlay Zone would also introduce new activity and noise to the area as residences are included and people are attracted to the new mix of uses that would develop as part of the Overlay Zone. Noise monitoring on the project site indicates that existing noise levels on site exceed the 65 dBA "desirable maximum" noise standard for high density residential uses. Development of new residences in areas where existing noise levels are over 65 dBA would constitute a significant impact. As the noise levels monitored on -site exceed the 65 dBA thresholds, the project site would not meet acceptable noise levels for a residential use. It should be noted that some monitoring locations such as First Street between Cabrillo Park Drive and Golden Circle Drive are primarily commercial corridors hat typically do not qualify as sensitive receptors. Further, impacts related to substantial permanent increases in ambient noise levels that could potentially result with implementation of the Overlay Zone are discussed below. The City of Santa Ana General Plan states that all residential uses should be protected with sound insulation over and above that provided by normal building construction when constructed in areas exposed to greater than 60 dBA CNEL. As such, Mitigation Measures MM-OZ 4.9-5 and MM-OZ 4.9-6 shall be implemented for all residential development within the Overlay Zone Area Cabrillo Town Center City of Santa Ana Technical Memorandum August 2023 City Council 18 — 598 10/3/2023