HomeMy WebLinkAbout!Ch 05.05 Noise5.5 Noise
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-1
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
5.5 Noise
This section describes the existing noise environment of Village 8 West and the surrounding region and
evaluates the potential impacts associated with noise due to implementation of the SPA Plan and TM.
As stated in Section 2.3, Purpose and Legal Authority, this EIR tiers from the 2013 GPA/GDPA SEIR (09-
01). Section 5.6, Noise, of the Final SEIR for the GPA/GDPA (SEIR 09-01) analyzed the existing conditions,
potential impacts, and mitigation measures related to the proposed land uses for the GPA/GDPA area,
including Village 8 West. The GPA/GDPA SEIR identified a significant impact related to permanent
increases in traffic noise, and that mitigation would be required at the project level for this impact. The
analysis and discussion of the GPA/GDPA SEIR are incorporated by reference. Information contained in
this section is based on the Otay Ranch Village 8 West SPA Project Noise Technical Report, prepared by
Atkins in May 2013, provided as Appendix D to this EIR. This report updates the applicable information
in the previously certified SEIR.
5.5.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. Federal
a. Federal Aviation Administration Standards
Enforced by the FAA, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14, Part 150 prescribes the procedures,
standards and methodology governing the development, submission, and review of airport noise
exposure maps and airport noise compatibility programs, including the process for evaluating and
approving or disapproving those programs. Title 14 also identifies those land uses which are normally
compatible with various levels of exposure to noise by individuals. The FAA has determined that interior
sound levels up to 45 dBA Ldn (or CNEL) are acceptable within residential buildings. The FAA also
considers residential land uses to be compatible with exterior noise levels at or less than 65 dBA Ldn (or
CNEL).
b. Federal Highway Administration Standards
CFR Title 23, Part 772 sets procedures for the abatement of highway traffic noise and construction noise.
Title 23 is implemented by the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
The purpose of this regulation is to provide procedures for noise studies and noise abatement measures
to help protect the public health and welfare, to supply noise abatement criteria, and to establish
requirements for information to be given to local officials for use in the planning and design of
highways. All highway projects which are developed in conformance with this regulation shall be
deemed to be in conformance with the Department of Transportation FHWA Noise Standards. Title 23
establishes 67 dBA as the worst-case hourly average noise level standard for impacts of federal highway
projects to land uses including residences, recreational uses, hotels, hospitals, and libraries [23 CFR
Chapter 1, Part 772, Section 772.19].
c. Federal Transit Administration Standards and Federal Railroad Administration Standards
Although the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) standards are intended for federally funded mass
transit projects, the impact assessment procedures and criteria included in the FTA Transit Noise and
Vibration Impact Assessment Manual (May 2006) are routinely used for projects proposed by local
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jurisdictions. The FTA and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have published guidelines for assessing
the impacts of groundborne vibration associated with rail projects, which have been applied by other
jurisdictions to other types of projects. The FTA measure of the threshold of architectural damage for
conventional sensitive structures from groundborne vibration is 0.2 inches/second PPV.
2. State
a. California Noise Control Act of 1973
Sections 46000 through 46080 of the California Health and Safety Code, known as the California Noise
Control Act of 1973, finds that excessive noise is a serious hazard to the public health and welfare and
that exposure to certain levels of noise can result in physiological, psychological, and economic damage.
It also finds that there is a continuous and increasing bombardment of noise in the urban, suburban, and
rural areas. The California Noise Control Act declares that the State of California has a responsibility to
protect the health and welfare of its citizens by the control, prevention, and abatement of noise. It is the
policy of the state to provide an environment for all Californians free from noise that jeopardizes their
health or welfare.
b. California Noise Insulation Standards (CCR Title 24)
In 1974, the California Commission on Housing and Community Development adopted noise insulation
standards for hotels, motels, dormitories, and multi-family residential buildings (CCR Title 24, Part 2).
Title 24 establishes standards for interior room noise (attributable to outside noise sources). The
regulations also specify that acoustical studies must be prepared whenever a multi-family residential
building or structure may be exposed to exterior noise levels of 60 dBA CNEL (or Ldn) or greater. Such
acoustical analysis must demonstrate that the residence has been designed to limit intruding noise to an
interior CNEL (or Ldn) of a maximum noise level of 45 dBA [California's Title 24 Noise Standards, Chap. 2-
35].
c. 2010 California Green Building Standards Code
Section 5.507 of the California Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen) establishes requirements for
acoustical control in non-residential buildings. The standards require that wall and roof-ceiling
assemblies making up the building envelope shall have a sound transmission class value of at least 50,
and exterior windows shall have a minimum sound transmission class of 30 for any of the following
building locations: 1) within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of right of ways of freeways, 2) within 5 miles (8
kilometers) of airports serving more than 10,000 commercial jets per year, and 3) where sound levels at
the property line regularly exceed 65 dBA, other than occasional sound due to church bells, train horns,
emergency vehicles and public warning systems. Wall and floor-ceiling assemblies separating tenant
spaces and tenant spaces and public places shall have a sound transmission class of at least 40.
Additionally, Section A5.507.5 requires that classrooms have a maximum interior background noise level
of no more than 45 dBA Leq.
3. Local
a. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The Environmental Element of the Chula Vista General Plan contains goals and policies related to
environmental noise in Section 3.5, Noise. The General Plan defines noise sensitive land uses (NSLU) as
residences, schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, and places of worship. To establish the compatibility of
various land uses with exterior noise levels, the City uses CNEL in its planning guidelines. Table 5.5-1
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illustrates Chula Vista's exterior land use noise compatibility guidelines. Shading in this table represents
the maximum noise level considered compatible for each land use category. These guidelines reflect the
levels of noise exposure that are generally considered to be compatible with various types of land uses.
The City of Chula Vista states that these guidelines are to be used at the land use planning stage, for
noise impact assessments, and to determine mitigation requirements for development proposals.
As stated in the General Plan, the noise control ordinance of the CVMC, discussed below, establishes
noise level limits for individual generators. The noise control ordinance limits in the Municipal Code are
used in noise impact assessments to determine mitigation requirements for individual noise generators,
such as industrial equipment, to ensure that they will not adversely impact surrounding land uses.
Conversely, the guidelines listed in Table 5.5-1 reflect the total noise exposure that is compatible with a
particular land use, including vehicular traffic that contribute to permanent ambient noise levels that are
not regulated by the noise control ordinance.
Table 5.5-1 Exterior Land Use/Noise Compatibility Guidelines
Land Use
Annual CNEL in decibels
50 55 60 65 70 75
Residential
Schools, Libraries, Daycare Facilities, Convalescent Homes, Outdoor
Use Areas, and Other Similar Uses Considered Noise Sensitive
Neighborhood Parks, Playgrounds
Community Parks, Athletic Fields
Offices and Professional
Places of Worship (excluding outdoor use areas)
Golf Courses
Retail and Wholesale Commercial, Restaurants, Movie Theaters
Industrial, Manufacturing
Note: Shading represents the maximum noise level considered compatible for each land use category.
Source: City of Chula Vista 2005a
b. City of Chula Vista Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan
The MSCP Subarea Plan regulates impacts to sensitive biological resources, including noise impacts. In
accordance with Section 7.5.2 of the Chula Vista Subarea Plan, Adjacency Management Issues, uses in or
adjacent to the Preserve should be designed to minimize noise impacts. Berms or walls should be
constructed adjacent to commercial areas and any other use that may introduce noises that could
impact or interfere with wildlife utilization of the Preserve. Excessively noisy areas or activities adjacent
to breeding areas, including temporary grading activities, must incorporate noise reduction measures or
be curtailed during the breeding season of sensitive bird species, consistent with Table 3-5 of the MSCP
Subregional Plan, included as Appendix A to the MSCP Subarea Plan. In general, the noise threshold for
sensitive biological resources is an hourly average noise level of 60 dBA during construction and no
clearing, grubbing, and/or grading is permitted within the MSCP Preserve during the breeding season of
the sensitive species present.
c. City of Chula Vista Municipal Code
CVMC Chapter 19.68, Performance Standards and Noise Control (Noise Ordinance), establishes noise
criteria for Chula Vista. Section 19.68.030 defines exterior noise standards for various land uses. The
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November 2013
noise standards are not to be exceeded at the portion of a property used for a particular land use. For
nuisance noise, the noise standards cannot be exceeded at any time. Examples of nuisance noise
provided in the noise ordinance include pets in residential neighborhoods, private parties of limited
duration, sound amplifiers and musical instruments, and any activities in commercial areas other than
permitted uses. For environmental noise, the Leq in any one hour cannot exceed the noise standards.
These standards are shown in Table 5.5-2. The noise standards in Table 5.5-2 do not apply to
construction activities.
Table 5.5-2 Exterior Noise Limits
Receiving Land Use Category
Noise Level (dBA)(1,2,3)
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Weekdays) 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Weekdays)
10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Weekends) 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Weekends)
All residential (except multiple dwelling) 45 55
Multiple dwelling residential 50 60
Commercial 60 65
Light industry – I-R and I-L zones 70 70
Heavy Industry – I zone 80 80
(1) Environmental Noise – Leq in any hour, Nuisance Noise – not be exceeded any time
(2) According to Section 19.68.030(B)(2), if the alleged offensive noise contains a steady, audible sound such as a whine, screech
or hum, or contains a repetitive impulsive noise such as hammering or riveting, the standard limits shall be reduced by 5 dB.
(3) If the measured ambient level, measured when the alleged noise violation source is not operating, exceeds the standard
noise limit, the allowable noise exposure standard shall be the ambient noise level.
Source: City of Chula Vista 2012a
CVMC Section 19.68.050 regulates vibration from construction and operational sources. It prohibits
operating or permitting the operation of any device that creates a vibration that is above the vibration
perception threshold of any individual at or beyond the property boundary of the source if on private
property or at 150 feet from the source if on a public space or public right-of-way.
Construction noise is regulated by Section 17.24.040 of the Municipal Code. The ordinance prohibits
construction and building work in residential zones that would cause noises disturbing to the peace,
comfort, and quiet enjoyment of property of any person residing or working in the vicinity between the
hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and
8:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
B. Noise Basics
1. Quantification of Noise
Noise is commonly defined as unwanted sound. Sound pressure magnitude is measured and quantified
using a logarithmic ratio of pressures, the scale of which gives the level of sound in decibels (dB). Sound
pressures in the environment have a wide range of values and the sound pressure level was developed
as a convenience in describing this range as a logarithm of the sound pressure . The sound pressure level
is the logarithm of the ratio of the unknown sound pressure to a reference quantity of the same kind. To
account for the pitch of sounds and the corresponding sensitivity of human hearing to them, the raw
sound pressure level is adjusted with an A-weighting scheme based on frequency that is stated in units
of decibels (dBA). Typical A-weighted noise levels are listed in Table 5.5-3.
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Table 5.5-3 Typical A-Weighted Noise Levels
Common Outdoor Activities Noise Level (dBA) Common Indoor Activities
— 110 — Rock band
Jet fly-over at 1,000 feet
— 100 —
Gas lawn mower at 3 feet
— 90 —
Diesel truck at 50 feet at 50 mph Food blender at 3 feet
— 80 — Garbage disposal at 3 feet
Noisy urban area, daytime
Gas lawn mower, 100 feet — 70 — Vacuum cleaner at 10 feet
Commercial area Normal speech at 3 feet
Heavy traffic at 300 feet — 60 —
Large business office
Quiet urban daytime — 50 — Dishwasher next room
Quiet urban nighttime — 40 — Theater, large conference room (background)
Quiet suburban nighttime
— 30 — Library
Quiet rural nighttime Bedroom at night
— 20 —
Broadcast/recording studio
— 10 —
Lowest threshold of human hearing — 0 — Lowest threshold of human hearing
Source: Caltrans 1998.
A given level of noise may be more or less tolerable depending on the sound level, duration of exposure,
character of the noise sources, the time of day during which the noise is experienced, and the activity
affected by the noise. For example, noise that occurs at night tends to be more disturbing than that
which occurs during the day because sleep may be disturbed. Additionally, rest at night is a critical
requirement in the recovery from exposure to high noise levels during the day. In consideration of these
factors, different measures of noise exposure have been developed to quantify the extent of the effects
anticipated from these activities. For example, some indices consider the 24-hour noise environment of
a location by using a weighted average to estimate its habitability on a long term basis. Other measures
consider portions of the day and evaluate the nearby activities affected by it as well as the noise
sources. The most commonly used indices for measuring community noise levels are the Equivalent
Energy Level (Leq), and the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL).
Leq, the Equivalent Energy Level, is the average acoustical or sound energy content of noise,
measured during a prescribed period, such as 1 minute, 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours. It is the
decibel sound level that contains an equal amount of energy as a fluctuating sound level over a
given period of time.
CNEL, Community Noise Equivalent Level, is the average equivalent A-weighted sound level over a
24-hour period. This measurement applies weights to noise levels during evening and nighttime
hours to compensate for the increased disturbance response of people at those times. CNEL is the
equivalent sound level for a 24-hour period with a +5 dBA weighting applied to all sound occurring
between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and a +10 dBA weighting applied to all sound occurring between
10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Similar to the CNEL, Ldn, the day-night average noise level, is a 24-hour
average Leq with a +10 dBA weighting applied to noise during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Ldn and CNEL are typically within 1 dBA of each other and, for most intents and purposes, are
interchangeable.
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The decibel level of a sound decreases (or attenuates) exponentially as the distance from the source of
that sound increases. For a single point source such as a piece of mechanical equipment, the sound level
normally decreases by about 6 dBA for each doubling of distance from the source. Sound that originates
from a linear, or “line” source such as a heavily traveled traffic corridor, attenuates by approximately 3
dBA per doubling of distance, provided that the surrounding site conditions lack ground effects or
obstacles that either scatter or reflect noise. Noise from roadways in environments with major ground
effects due to vegetation and loose soils may either absorb or scatter the sound yielding attenuation
rates as high as 4.5 dBA for each doubling of distance. Other contributing factors that affect sound
reception include meteorological conditions and the presence of manmade obstacles such as buildings
and sound barriers.
2. Noise Effects
Noise has a significant effect on the quality of life. An individual’s reaction to a particular noise depends
on many factors such as the source of the noise, its loudness relative to the background noise level, and
the time of day. The reaction to noise can also be highly subjective; the perceived effect of a particular
noise can vary widely among individuals in a community. Because of the nature of the human ear, a
sound must be about 10 dBA greater than the reference sound to be judged as twice as loud . In general,
a 5 dBA change in community noise levels is clearly noticeable, and a 3 dBA change is the smallest
increment that is perceivable by most receivers. Generally, 1 to 2 dBA changes generally are not
detectable. Although the reaction to noise may vary, it is clear that noise is a significant component of
the environment, and excessively noisy conditions can affect an individual’s health and well-being. The
effects of noise are often only transitory, but adverse effects can be cumulative with prolonged or
repeated exposure. The effects of noise on a community can be organized into six broad categories:
sleep disturbance, permanent hearing loss, human performance and behavior, social interaction of
communication, extra-auditory health effects, and general annoyance.
3. Environmental Vibration Basics
Vibration is defined as any oscillatory motion induced in a structure or mechanical device as a direct
result of some type of input excitation. Vibration consists of waves transmitted through solid material.
There are several types of wave motion in solids, unlike in air, including compressional, shear, torsional,
and bending. The solid medium can be excited by forces, moments, or pressure fields. This leads to the
terminology of “structure-borne/ground-borne” vibration.
Vibration energy spreads out as it travels through the ground, causing the vibration amplitude to
decrease with distance away from the source. Soil properties also affect the propagation of vibration .
When groundborne vibration interacts with a building there is usually a ground-to-foundation coupling
loss, but the vibration can also be amplified by the structural resonances of the walls and floors.
Vibration in buildings is typically perceived as rattling of windows or items on shelves or the motion of
building surfaces. The vibration of building surfaces can also be radiated as sound and heard as a low -
frequency rumbling noise, known as groundborne noise.
Ambient and source vibration information for this study are expressed in terms of the peak particle
velocity (PPV) in inches per second (in/sec) that correlates best with human perception. The particle
velocity is the velocity of the soil particles resulting from a disturbance. Agencies such as Caltrans use
the PPV descriptor because it correlates well with damage or complaints. Caltrans estimates that the
threshold of perception is approximately 0.006 in/sec PPV and the level at which continuous vibrations
begins to annoy people is approximately 0.010 in/sec PPV.
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C. Existing Noise Environment
Existing noise sources, including transportation, operation, and construction that affect the project site
are described below.
1. Ambient Noise Levels
An ambient sound level survey was conducted on March 18, 2011, to quantify the noise environment in
Village 8 West and surrounding vicinity. A total of four measurements were taken across the project site
and one was taken in the existing residential neighborhood north of the project site in Village 7. The
measurements were taken during the daytime (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) and were 15 minutes in duration .
A Larson Davis 820 ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Type I Integrating Sound Level Meter
calibrated with a Larson Davis CAL200 calibrator was used to record ambient sound levels. Weather
conditions during the measurements were calm with a mild temperature and partly cloudy to clear
skies. Table 5.5-4 summarizes the measured Leq and noise sources for each monitoring location, and the
on-site monitoring locations are shown on Figure 5.5-1.
Table 5.5-4 Ambient Sound Level Measurements (dBA)
Site Location Daytime Noise Sources Date/Time Leq Lmax Lmin
1 Western edge of Planning Area E in the north-west
area of Village 8 West. Proposed site of multi-family
housing in Neighborhood Center Zone.
Birds, planes taking off from
Brown Field, distant traffic
3-18-2011 /
9:11 a.m.
53 68 41
2 Northern boundary of Planning Area L in the middle
of Village 8 West. Proposed site of mixed-use
development in the Town Center.
Distant construction noise and
traffic, birds, rustling grasses
3-18-2011 /
9:36 a.m.
42 55 37
3 Lot 56 in Planning Area B in the southeast area of
Village 8 West. Proposed site of single-family
development in the Neighborhood Edge Zone.
Birds, distant traffic and
construction, plane and
helicopters flyovers
3-18-2011 /
9:58 a.m.
43 50 36
4 Eastern end of Main Street on the northeast edge
of Village 8 West at the intersection of Magdalena
Avenue and Main Street.
Occasional traffic on Main Street
and Magdalena Avenue,
loudspeaker announcements at
Olympian High School, distant
noise from children playing
3-18-2011 /
12:01 p.m.
55 71 33
5 Southeast corner of Fleishbein Street and Kincaid
Avenue in the residential development northwest
of Olympian High School and Wolf Canyon
Elementary School in Village 7.
Traffic, sanitation pickup trucks,
construction
3-18-2011 /
12:25 p.m.
57 76 36
Source: Atkins 2013. Ambient measurements were 15 minutes in duration.
The results of the ambient noise survey reflect noise levels that range between 42 dBA and 55 dBA Leq
within the project site. This is consistent with the noise measurement taken along the northern border
of the project site for 2013 GPA/GDPA SEIR, which measured a noise level of 52 dBA Leq. The primary
noise sources included birds, planes and helicopters taking off from Brown Field, and distant traffic and
construction. Although the SR-125 is the closest major roadway to the project site, traffic n oise was
primarily from the I-805, located west of the project site. The measured noise level at the existing
residential development north of the project site in Village 7 was 57 dBA Leq. Noise sources in this
development include traffic, sanitation truck noise, and construction. As described previously, noise
levels up to 65 dBA CNEL are considered compatible with residential development as specified in the
Chula Vista General Plan. Based on the Chula Vista noise compatibility guidelines, ambient noise levels
measured within the project site and adjacent area would be compatible with the land uses proposed in
the SPA Plan and TM.
Source: Hale Engineering 2010
NOISE MEASUREMENT LOCATIONS
FIGURE 5.5-1
One additional noise
measurement was taken
off site at the southeast corner
of Fleishbein Street and
Kincaid Avenue.
Measured noise level was
57 dBA.
One additional noise
measurement was taken
off site at the southeast corner
of Fleishbein Street and
Kincaid Avenue.
Measured noise level was
57 dBA.
#1
53 dBA
#1
53 dBA
#2
42 dBA
#2
42 dBA
#4
55 dBA
#4
55 dBA
#3
43 dBA
#3
43 dBA
Not to Scale
OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 8 WEST EIR
±
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2. Transportation Noise Sources
a. Aviation
The nearest airport to the project site is Brown Field, located approximately 1.5 miles to the southwest
of Village 8 West. This general aviation airport is located in and operated by the City of San Diego. It
accommodates propeller and jet powered aircraft and serves as a port of entry for private ai rcraft
entering the United States from Mexico. It is also used for military and law enforcement agencies and is
classified as a “reliever airport” by the FAA. According to the ALUCP for Brown Field, the airport has an
8,000 foot long runway. The predominant runway alignments are east-west. The types of aircraft that
use the airport vary from small single-engine pistons to large corporate jets and military aircraft,
including helicopters. There were 101,117 operations at Brown Field in 2011, and 91,025 operations in
2010. Due to distance and the orientation of the runway, the project area is not located within 60 dBA
CNEL noise contour for the airport, or within the airport’s area of influence.
b. Roadways
No paved roadways currently exist on the project site. A few dirt roads are located on the project site for
occasional vehicle trips for maintenance of the City of San Diego reservoir. Vehicular traffic along
roadways in the vicinity contributes to the overall noise environment on the project site. La Media Road
currently terminates at the northerly boundary of Village 8 West, and Magdalena Avenue terminates at
the northeast corner of the Village 8 West boundary. Magdalena Avenue serves Olympian High School,
which currently generates traffic and traffic noise, particularly at the beginning and end of school days.
Major roadways in the area surrounding Village 8 West include SR-125, located approximately 0.5 mile
east of the project site, and Olympic Parkway, which is located approximately 0.75 mile north of the
project site. Table 5.5-5 shows the existing noise levels generated by the roadways surrounding the
project site. As shown in Table 5.5-5, noise levels along Olympic Parkway, Birch Road, Main Street,
Hunte Parkway, Heritage Road, La Media Road, and Eastlake Parkway currently exceed the Chula Vista
noise compatibility standard of 65 dBA CNEL for residences, schools, and other NSLU.
c. Railroads
Chula Vista is served by the San Diego trolley system, which is operated by the San Diego Metropolitan
Transit System. The San Diego Trolley Blue Line passes through the western part of Chula Vista, along
the east side of I-5, with stations at E Street, H Street, and Palomar Street. Freight trains also utilize the
same rail line during nighttime hours. Two primary rail haulers of freight, the Burlington Northern Santa
Fe (BNSF) and the San Diego and Imperial Valley (SDIV) railroads, link the San Diego County coastal
region (including Chula Vista) to the larger national railway system. The SDIV operates freight service on
the SANDAG-owned railway in the southwestern part of San Diego County, including Chula Vista, where
it is known as the San Diego and Arizona Eastern (SD&AE) Railway. The rail line is located in the coastal
area of Chula Vista near I-5, approximately 6 miles west of the project site. Due to distance, railway
noise is not audible at the project site.
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Table 5.5-5 Existing Off-Site Roadway Noise Levels
Roadway Segment
Existing Average
Daily Trips
Noise Level at 50 feet from
Roadway Centerline (dBA CNEL)
Olympic Parkway
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 47,000 75
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 48,721 75
Heritage Road to La Media Road 50,538 75
La Media Road to SR-125 Ramps 43,563 75
SR-125 Ramps to Eastlake Parkway 40,478 79
Eastlake Parkway to Hunte Parkway 13,926 70
East of Hunte Parkway 7,846 66
Birch Road
La Media Road to SR-125 11,084 69
SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway 10,250 68
Main Street
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 26,896 73
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 18,729 71
Hunte Parkway
Eastlake Parkway to Olympic Parkway 1,406 60
Olympic Parkway to Otay Lakes Road 9,580 67
Heritage Road
Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 12,383 69
Main Street to Entertainment Circle 10,035 65
Entertainment Circle to Avenida de
Las Vistas (City of San Diego) 9,846 65
La Media Road
East Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 12,658 69
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 11,037 69
Magdalena Avenue Birch Road to Main Street 9,122 64
Eastlake Parkway
Otay Lakes Road to Olympic Parkway 18,945 70
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 9,199 68
Birch Road to Main Street 1,310 59
Source: RBF 2013 (traffic data); FHWA 2004 (noise level estimates).
3. Operational Noise Sources
The project site is currently undeveloped. A City of San Diego Reservoir facility is located approximately
in the center of the site, and is a passive facility that does not generate operational noise. The lands
surrounding the project site on the south, west, and east are primarily undeveloped. Village 7, to the
north of the project site, is partially developed. Olympian High School and Magdalena Avenue border
the northeast corner of Village 8 West. Land uses north of the high school include an elementary school
and residences. The portion of Village 7 east of La Media Road and north of Village 8 West is designated
for future low density residential development. Village 7 has been planned in accordance with the
traditional village model consisting of predominantly low-medium village residential neighborhoods, a
small mixed use village core, and limited multi-family uses adjacent to SR-125.
Olympian High School is a source of operational noise. Noise sources associated with Olympian High
School includes bells, other signaling devices, and activities on the campus such as crowd noise and
loudspeakers at football games. Bells and other signaling devices are classified as stationary non-
emergency signaling devices by the city, and schools are prohibited in the noise ordinance from
sounding these devices for more than 120 seconds continually in an hourly period or intermittent
sounding over a five-minute period in any hour. Typically, the main sources of noise from high schools to
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the surrounding area are organized sports activities at the football stadium that involve amplified
speakers and crowd noise. The football field is located on the east side of the campus, approximately
0.25 mile from the project site, and is separated from the site by the campus buildings.
The Noise Technical Report for Otay Ranch Villages 2 and 3, Planning Area 1B, and a Portion of Village 4
(RECON 2005) determined that the worst-case noise level for a championship game event at the Otay
Ranch High School would be 71 dBA at a distance of 50 feet from stadium loudspeakers located
approximately 30 feet above the playing field. This type of event is considered a worst-case scenario for
game noise because championship games generally include a full stadium of spectators. Otay Ranch
High School has a maximum stadium capacity of 5,500 people. The maximum capacity of the Olympian
High School stadium is 3,071 people; therefore, this estimate is conservative for Olympian High School
(SUHSD 2011). When the speakers were not in use, crowd noise was estimated to emit a noise level of
approximately 65 dBA at 60 feet from the top of the stadium stands. Based on these estimates, football
games currently generate a noise level of 43 dBA at the Village 8 West site when speakers are in use,
and 39 dBA when crowd noise is the noise source, and thus do not exceed city noise standards.
However, large events may occasionally be audible in the northeastern area of the SPA.
Village 8 East, to the east of the site, is also planned for mixed-use and residential development in the
GDP. Future land uses planned for Village 4, to the west of the project site, include residential
development and a community park. However, these areas have not yet been developed and do not
generate operational noise. Otay Valley Regional Park and the Otay River Valley form the southerly
boundary of the project site and are proposed to remain undeveloped.
Otay Valley Rock Quarry produces rock products for construction material. Rock material is extracted on
the site and processed into several types of building material, including aggregates, fill, sand, and rip
rap. The quarry also offers an on-site recycling service for concrete and asphalt paving materials (Otay
Valley Rock, LLC 2010). The quarry is located southwest of Village 4, approximately 0.3 mile from the
project site. The project site and the quarry are separated by Rock Mountain and operation of the
quarry is generally not audible on the project site. Intermittent noise from particularly loud operations,
such as blasting, is occasionally audible on the project site. The quarry has been approved to expand
operations east to within approximately 300 feet of the Village 8 West boundary. The Otay Valley Quarry
Reclamation Plan Amendment was approved, and the accompanying EIR certified, in June 2011.
4. Noise Sensitive Land Uses
NSLUs are land uses that may be subject to stress and/or interference from excessive noise. The Chula
Vista General Plan defines NSLUs as residences, schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, places of worship,
and outdoor use areas, including outdoor dining spaces. Industrial and commercial land uses are
generally not considered sensitive to noise. There are no NSLU currently located on the project site. The
nearest NSLU to the project site is Olympian High School, located across Magdalena Avenue from the
project, approximately 150 feet east of the northeast corner of the project site. Other NSLU in the
project vicinity are the Wolf Canyon Elementary school and residences located north of the high school.
The elementary school is located approximately 875 feet (0.2 mile) northeast of the project site, and the
nearest residence is located approximately 1,500 feet (0.3 mile) northeast of the project site. Residences
are also located 1,750 feet (0.3 mile) north of the project site. The Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan
defines sensitive wildlife species as noise sensitive. MSCP Preserve area is located adjacent to the
southern boundary of Village 8 West, and approximately 50 feet west of Planning Area E.
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5. Vibration Sensitive Land Uses
Land uses in which groundborne vibration could potentially interfere with operations or equipment,
such as research, manufacturing, hospitals, and university research operations (FTA 2006) are
considered vibration-sensitive. The degree of sensitivity depends on the specific equipment that would
be affected by the groundborne vibration. Excessive levels of groundborne vibration of either a regular
or an intermittent nature can result in annoyance to residential uses. The nearest vibration sensitive
land use to the project site is the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, located approximately 2.25 miles to
the northwest of the project site on Medical Center Court.
5.5.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and the City of Chula Vista, implementation of the
project would result in a significant adverse impact if it would:
■ Threshold 1: Expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of standards established in the
Chula Vista General Plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies.
This threshold includes exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of the
interior noise standard of 45 dBA CNEL in single-family and multi-family residences, or noise
levels that violate the Chula Vista Noise Ordinance standards, shown in Table 5.5-2 (Chapter
19.68 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code).
■ Threshold 2: Expose persons to or generation of excessive ground borne vibration or ground
borne noise levels.
Excessive groundborne vibration is defined as groundborne vibration equal to or in excess of 0.2
in/sec PPV. Construction activities within 200 feet and pile driving within 600 feet of a vibration
sensitive use would be potentially disruptive to vibration-sensitive operations (Caltrans 2002).
■ Threshold 3: Result in a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project
vicinity above levels existing without the project.
A substantial permanent increase would occur if implementation of the project results in an
ambient noise level that exceeds the exterior noise limits established in the Chula Vista General
Plan, including 65 dBA CNEL for schools, recreational uses, and residences; 70 dBA CNEL for
offices, community parks and athletic fields; and 75 dBA CNEL for commercial uses. For
transportation-related noise, a significant impact would occur if the project results in a 3 dBA
CNEL or greater increase in traffic noise on a roadway segment and the resultant noise level
would exceed the General Plan exterior noise limits.
■ Threshold 4: Result in a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the
project vicinity above levels existing without the project.
Construction activity would be considered significant if it violates the limits established in
Section 17.24.040 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code. The ordinance prohibits construction and
building work between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
■ Threshold 5: For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within 2 miles of a public use airport or private airstrip, expose people residing or
working in the project area to excessive noise.
■ Threshold 6: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other objectives and policies regarding
noise, thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
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5.5.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: Expose persons to or generate noise levels in excess of standards
established in the Chula Vista General Plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies.
The project includes a range of uses that have the potential to generate noise that may affect adjacent
noise-sensitive receptors. The noise technical report prepared for the 2013 GPA/GDPA SEIR determined
that operational impacts would be less than significant with conformance to Chula Vista noise
ordinance; however, the analysis was at a programmatic level and did not take into account the specific
land uses and their placement proposed in the Village 8 West SPA Plan and TM. The following analysis
tiers from the GPA/GDPA EIR, and determines whether the proposed land uses would have the potential
to conflict with Chula Vista’s noise standards.
The project would have the potential to generate noise levels in excess of established standards by
developing new stationary sources of noise, by increasing human activity throughout the project site,
and by constructing roadways. NSLU both on and beyond the project site may be affected by the
project. Proposed NSLU associated within Village 8 West include schools, parks, and residential
development. Other NSLU, including libraries and places of worship, are permitted to be developed
throughout the project area. Potential noise-generating land uses on site include mixed-use commercial
and resident serving commercial; public or quasi-public uses including day care, schools, or parks; and a
CPF.
This section also addresses the potential for on-site sensitive receptors to be exposed to excessive noise
levels from the proposed roadways. The permanent increase in noise levels that would occur as a result
of increased traffic on roadways is addressed under Threshold 3.
1. Commercial Development and the Community Purpose Facility
Commercial development would be located throughout the Town Center. Potential operational noise
sources associated with commercial development within the project site include HVAC equipment,
commercial truck deliveries, loading docks, and parking lots. Future uses in the CPF are unknown at this
time; as such, it would speculative to analyze the potential noise generated by a specific use at the CPF
location. However, it can reasonably be assumed the CPF would include a structure for community use
that would involve HVAC equipment. Therefore, the CPF is included in the discussion of commercial
HVAC equipment below.
Mechanical HVAC equipment located on the ground or on rooftops of new buildings would have the
potential to generate noise levels which average 65 dBA at a distance of 50 feet (City of Santa Ana
2010), and may run continuously during the day and night. Depending on where it is located, HVAC
equipment could have the potential to generate noise that may exceed the city hourly noise limit for
adjacent single-family residences and NSLU (such as parks) of 55 dBA during daytime hours (45 dBA at
night), the limit for adjacent multi-family residences of 60 dBA during daytime hours (50 dBA at night),
or the limit for daytime-only NSLU (such as a school) of 55 dBA. For a single point source such as a piece
of mechanical equipment, the sound level normally decreases by about 6 dBA for each doubling of
distance from the source. Therefore, it is assumed that HVAC equipment would generate noise levels
that exceed 45 dBA within 500 feet for the equipment, 50 dBA within approximately 275 feet of the
equipment, and 55 dBA within 155 feet of the equipment. Consequently, residences or other NSLU
located in or in close proximity to a mixed-use building or other building that requires an HVAC system
could result in a potentially significant impact.
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Large commercial facilities that would require HVAC systems are only permitted in the Town Center.
Within the mixed-use Town Center, residential development and commercial development would be
located adjacent to or with the same building as each other. The proposed middle school is in the Town
Center would potentially be exposed to excessive noise form a commercial HVAC unit. Additionally,
multi-family and single-family residences or other NSLU located on the northern edge of Planning Area N
in the Neighborhood Edge Zone, and the eastern edge of Planning Areas E and I and western edge of
Planning Areas M and O in the Neighborhood Center Zone would be located adjacent to Town Center
development and may be exposed to HVAC noise. Single-family residences in the Planning Areas Q
and U, the elementary school in Planning Area S, and multi-family residences in Planning Area O would
be located near the CPF site. HVAC noise would have the potential to exceed city nighttime noise
standard of 45 dBA at single-family residences up to 500 feet from the source. Therefore, proposed
parks within 500 feet of a commercial HVAC unit, schools with 155 feet of a commercial HVAC unit,
multi-family residences within 275 feet of a commercial HVAC unit, and single-family residences within
500 feet, could be exposed to noise levels that exceed city noise standards. A potentially significant
noise impact would occur.
Olympian High School is located approximately 150 feet east of the project site, and approximately 400
feet northeast of the nearest proposed commercial land use. Schools are a daytime NSLU. As discussed
above, HVAC units have the potential to generate noise levels which average 65 dBA at a distance of 50
feet, which would attenuate to 55 dBA at approximately 155 feet from the source. Therefore, HVAC
noise would not exceed the most conservative daytime standard of 55 dBA more than 155 feet from the
source. The nearest off-site residences are located approximately 1,800 feet north of the project site on
Fleishbein Street. The project would not result in a significant noise impact to existing off-site receivers
related to on-site HVAC equipment.
In addition to HVAC systems, commercial land uses also have the potential to generate noise from truck
deliveries, such as engines idling and beeping from backing warning signals at commercial loading docks.
Truck deliveries to Village 8 West would involve deliveries of supplies to the offices and commercial
uses. State law currently prohibits heavy-duty diesel delivery trucks from idling more than five minutes,
so noise from idling trucks would be limited to five minutes. Additionally, truck trips would be periodic
throughout the Town Center and would not be concentrated in one location. Given the intermittent and
short duration of noise from truck deliveries in a given location, truck deliveries would not be a source of
excessive ambient noise. Section 3.6 of the SPA Plan, Performance Standards, includes standards for
parking and loading. This section requires loading activities to be located and operated so that they do
not disturb neighboring residences, including compliance with city noise ordinance standards.
Therefore, impacts related to truck deliveries and loading would be less than significant.
Noise sources from parking lots include car alarms, door slams, radios, tire squeals. These sources
typically range from about 30 to 66 dBA at a distance of 100 feet (Gordon Bricken & Associates 1996),
and are generally short-term and intermittent. Parking lots have the potential to generate noise levels
that exceed 65 dBA depending on the location of the source; however, noise sources from the parking
lot would be different from each other in kind, duration, and location, so that the overall effects would
be separate and in most cases would not affect noise-sensitive receptors at the same time. Therefore,
noise generated from parking lots would be less than significant.
2. Residential Development
Residences would be developed across the project site. Multi-family residential development would be
located in the northern area of the site in the Town Center and Neighborhood Center Zone. Single-
family development would be located in the southern area of the site in the Neighborhood General and
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Neighborhood Edge Zones. Noise generated from residential uses is generally described as nuisance
noise. Nuisance noise is defined as intermittent or temporary neighborhood noise from sources such as
amplified music, barking dogs, and landscape maintenance equipment that may be disturbing to other
residents. Nuisance noise impacts are more likely to occur in the more densely developed areas of the
project site (such as the Town Center and Neighborhood Center Zone) where residences would be closer
together and neighbors would be more likely to hear a neighbor’s dog or music. However, single-family
development would also likely be exposed to occasional nuisance noise. CVMC Section 19.68 prohibits
nuisance noise from exceeding the noise standards at any time. Compliance with the noise ordinance
would limit exposure to excessive nuisance noise. The Chula Vista Police Department enforces the
nuisance noise provisions of the noise ordinance. Additionally, nuisance noises would be different from
each other in kind, duration, and location, so that the overall effects would be separate and in most
cases would not affect the receptors at the same time. Therefore, nuisance noise in residential
neighborhoods would not result in significant impact.
3. Community Park
Visitors to the Community Park would participate in active and passive recreational activities. Visitors
and recreational activity participants are expected to generate a range of noise levels typical of
recreational activities. Community centers and parks would generate incidental recreational noise such
as cheering for sports activities or children at play. Potential Community Park amenities and facilities
include play equipment, seating areas, athletic fields, a skate park, sport courts, multi-purpose fields, a
gymnasium, a recreation complex building, and walking trails. Passive recreational activities such as
walking, reading, and dining in open turf areas and group picnic areas will typically generate lower noise
levels as compared to active sports play. Normal park operating hours would be daily from 6:30 a.m. to
10:30 p.m.; however, indoor use areas (such as the gymnasium or recreation complex building at the
Community Park) may be in use past 10:30 p.m.
The Community Park in the northwest area of Village 8 West is part of a larger proposed community
park. The remaining park area is located in Village 4. The EIR for the Otay Ranch Village 2, 3, and Portion
of 4 SPA Plan (SCH #2003091012) included an analysis of noise that would potentially be generated by
activity at the Community Park (City of Chula Vista 2006). The analysis determined that multi-purpose
fields would have the potential to generate noise levels of approximately 54 dBA at 50 feet, and a skate
park facility would have the potential to generate noise levels of 70 dBA at 50 feet. The locations of any
potential Community Park uses are not known at this time. However, consistent with the Community
Park analysis in the EIR for the Villages 2, 3, and Portion of 4 SPA Plan, skate park noise is considered the
worst-case noise level that could be generated at 50 feet from the Community Park. Therefore, the
Community Park would have the potential to exceed the daytime one-hour 60 dBA Leq limit if the
loudest noise sources are placed within 160 feet of the multi-family Town Center and Neighborhood
Center Zones. Potentially affected would be the residences in Planning Areas B, C, E, and F.
According to Section 2.66.270 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code, some parks in the city stay open as late
as 10:30 p.m.; therefore, the Community Park could be subject to the stricter city nighttime one-hour
noise standard of 50 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. for multi-family residential uses if noise-
generating activities are expected to operate after 10:00 p.m. However, it is reasonable to assume that
noise levels would generally be lower than 70 dBA at 50 feet between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
because activities would be winding down in anticipation of park closing, and few children would be
generating noise levels during the late evening as high as those occurring during peak afternoon skate
park hours. Therefore, noise levels from parks would not be expected to exceed nighttime noise
standards between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
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Electronic amplification equipment would not be permanently installed at the Community Park, but
temporary systems may be used in conjunction with active sport activities such as skating, softball,
soccer, court sports, and swimming. Public events may also occur that required amplified noise.
Activities that would include amplified noise or other temporary noise generating equipment would be
required to obtain a permit from the City of Chula Vista Director of Library and Recreation. If a permit is
not obtained, Section 2.66.185 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code prohibits any park or recreation center
user to operate a radio, television, stereo or any similar electronic or mechanical device capable of
producing or emitting sound at a volume where the sound is audible at a distance greater than 100 feet
from the point of emission. Activities that require permitted amplified noise would be limited to normal
park operation hours. Additionally, amplified noise would not be a continuous source of noise. Activities
would occur on various dates and times, and at varied locations. Permitted uses would still be subject to
the city hourly exterior noise level limits established in the municipal code. The Chula Vista Police
Department enforces the nuisance noise provisions of the city municipal code and the Development
Services Department enforces the remaining provisions of the noise ordinance. Therefore, nuisance
noise and permitted amplified noise from events at the Community Park would not result in significant
impact.
Scheduled maintenance by maintenance crews would occur on a daily basis at the Community Park.
Maintenance activities would include the use of gasoline-powered mowers, trimmers, blowers, and
edgers resulting in intermittent short-term temporary noise increases. Maintenance activities are
permitted uses and would be subject to the one-hour Leq noise limits of 60 dBA in multi-family
neighborhoods. Additionally, maintenance equipment would not be operating at any one location for
more than a few minutes, and all equipment would not be operating simultaneously. Due to the limited
amount of time equipment would be operating in one location, operation of landscape equipment
would generally not exceed the hourly noise level limit at a particular receptor. Therefore, landscape
maintenance would result in a less than significant impact.
4. Neighborhood Park
A Neighborhood Park is proposed in the southern area of the project site and would accommodate uses
such as athletic fields, sports courts, play equipment, and picnic areas. As discussed above under
Community Park, athletic fields would potentially generate noise levels of 54 dBA at 50 feet. Therefore,
the Neighborhood Park would generally not exceed the daytime noise limit of 55 dBA more than 45 feet
from the park. However, some residences may be located at the western edge of Planning Area T within
45 feet of the park and would have the potential to be exposed to excessive noise.
As noted earlier, some parks in the city remain open until 10:30 p.m.; therefore, the Neighborhood Park
could be subject to the stricter city nighttime one-hour noise standard of 45 dBA between 10:00 p.m.
and 10:30 p.m. for single-family residential uses if noise-generating activities from sports fields are
expected to operate after 10:00 p.m. Similar to the Community Park, it is reasonable to assume that
noise levels would generally be lower than those occurring during peak park activity hours. Therefore,
noise levels from Neighborhood Parks would not be expected to exceed nighttime noise standards
between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Similar to the Community Park, use of electronic amplification equipment would be subject to the City’s
permit and operation of landscaping equipment would be subject to the City’s one-hour noise limits.
Therefore, a significant impact would not occur as a result of these activities.
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5. Town Square and Other Recreation Facilities
A Town Square would be located in the middle of the Town Center in Planning Area G. Additional parks,
trails, and playgrounds are a permitted use throughout the SPA. The proposed trails throughout the
project site and the off-site trail connection to the Otay River Valley would be used for walking and
bicycling and would generally not support activities that would generate noise levels higher than normal
conservation. The Town Square and small playgrounds would not include athletic fields or other major
active use facilities. The Town Square and playground would generate noise levels less than the
Neighborhood Park noise level of 54.3 dBA at 50 feet. The neighborhood playgrounds would generally
not be in use after dark, and nighttime activity in the Town Square would be expected to be limited to
normal conversation levels. Therefore, these facilities would not generate noise levels that exceed the
City’s noise level limits and significant impact would not occur. Similar to the Community Park and
Neighborhood Park, use of electronic amplification equipment and maintenance activities at these
facilities would not result in a significant impact.
6. Schools
A middle school and elementary school are proposed along the eastern boundary of the project site. The
middle school would be located in Planning Area D in the Town Center, and the Elementary School
would be located in Planning Area S in the Neighborhood Center Zone. Schools may generate noise from
amplified noise such as bells and loudspeaker announcements. Bells or other announcement devices are
classified at stationary non-emergency signaling devices by the city. The noise ordinance prohibits
schools from sounding these devices for more than 120 seconds continually in an hourly period, or
intermittent sounding over a five-minute period in any hour. The middle and elementary school would
comply with city noise standards and would not result in significant impact related to bells and
loudspeaker announcements.
The middle school and elementary school would also include recreational facilities such as sports fields
at the middle school, and an elementary school playground. Noise from these facilities would be limited
to daytime hours. The level of activity at these facilities during recess and afterschool activities is
assumed to be similar to active use of the multi-purpose fields at the Neighborhood and Communities
Parks. Therefore, the schools would have the potential to generate noise levels up to 54.3 dBA at 50
feet, which would exceed the daytime noise level limit of 55 dBA at single-family residences up to 45
feet from the schools, and the daytime noise level limit of 60 dBA up to 25 feet from the school. Impacts
from the schools would generally be limited to residences located directly adjacent to the school
property. All residences would be separated from the elementary school by a roadway and would not be
exposed to excessive noise from the elementary school. The middle school site is adjacent to Planning
Area C; however, a proposed slope would provide approximately 25 feet of separation between
Planning Area C and the Middle School. A potentially significant impact would not occur. Similar to the
Community Park and Neighborhood Park, use of electronic amplification equipment and maintenance
activities at the schools would not result in a significant impact.
7. Operational Noise Associated with Infrastructure Improvements
The infrastructure improvements associated with Village 8 West include pipelines and electrical lines,
which are passive systems and would not generate operational noise. Inspection of these facilities would
not require intensive activities that would result in excessive noise levels. Occasional maintenance (2 to
4 times per year) may be required that necessitates the use of large equipment; however, such activities
would be infrequent, temporary, and limited to the area close to the maintenance site. Maintenance
equipment would be subject to the limits on operation hours in the Chula Vista Noise Ordinance for
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construction and building work in residential zones. Therefore, impacts that occur from operation of
these facilities would be less than significant.
8. Exposure to Traffic Noise
The primary way in which the project could result in the exposure of proposed NSLU to excessive noise
levels is on-site vehicular traffic noise. Acoustical calculations were made for buildout (2030) traffic
volumes along roadway segments using the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM) Version 2.5 (2004). The
modeling calculations take into account the posted vehicle speed, traffic volume, the estimated vehicle
mix, and site topography. The traffic volumes are based upon data from the traffic study prepared for
the project by RBF Consulting (2013). The Unmitigated Year 2030 scenario represents the worst-case
condition for off-site roadway noise impacts. However, the Mitigated Year 2030 scenario included in the
traffic study represents the worst-case condition for traffic that traverses the project site because of the
redistribution of regional traffic that would occur as a result of the implementation of the required
traffic measures. Therefore, this scenario was used for the analysis of long-term on-site traffic noise
impacts on proposed NSLU.
There are currently no major sources of traffic noise and no NSLU on the project site; therefore, the
Existing Plus Project scenario is not applicable for the on-site analysis relating to noise exposure of NSLU.
Table 5.5-6 includes the traffic assumptions for the on-site roadways based on the project traffic study.
Noise levels were modeled for a series of receiver locations throughout the project area to determine
the future noise traffic noise levels at locations where NSLU have been proposed according to the TM
for Village 8 West (July 2011), as shown in Figure 5.5-2. In areas where individual lots have not been
planned yet, receptor locations were placed 50 to 75 feet from the roadway centerline. Noise levels
were modeled for ground level and upper story receptors at each location. Buildings proposed within
Village 8 West range from two stories to four stories in height. The maximum floor height for the
transect zones ranges from 26 feet (zone T2) to 51 feet (zone T4).
A floor height of 26 feet was used to provide a general estimate of upper story receivers, and a distance
of 5 feet was added to the floor height to represent receiver ear height. The modeled noise level at each
receiver location is shown in Table 5.5-7. Receivers at different heights may experience higher or lower
noise levels than those provided in Table 5.5-7. Additionally, ground-level noise contours were
calculated for the primary site roadways: La Media Road, Main Street, Otay Valley Road, Street A, Street
B, and Magdalena Avenue. These contours are shown in Figure 5.5-3, and include the effects of future
grading on the property but do not take into account any noise mitigation measures or shielding
provided by the proposed buildings. Traffic noise modeling data is provided in Appendix D.
Existing measured daytime ambient noise levels on the project site range from 42 dBA to 55 dBA Leq. As
shown in Table 5.5-7, the increase in vehicular traffic on the project site would result in ambient noise
levels as high as 72 dBA (CNEL) at 50 feet from a major roadway. However, there are no existing NSLU
on the project site. Therefore, the increase in noise levels on the project site would not result in the
exposure of any on-site existing NSLU to noise levels in excess of the Chula Vista noise compatibility
guidelines. No impact related to existing on-site NSLU would occur.
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Table 5.5-6 2030 Buildout On-site Roadway Traffic Volumes
Roadway Segment
Speed
(mph)(1)
ADT
Volume(2)
Vehicle Mix
Autos MDT HDT
La Media Road Northbound, northern project boundary to northern
end of couplet 30 10,800 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Northbound, eastbound Main Street to westbound
Main Street 30 15,100 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Northbound, split to eastbound Main Street 30 17,380 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Southbound, northern project boundary to northern
end of couplet 30 12,150 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Southbound, westbound Main Street to eastbound
Main Street 30 13,940 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Southbound, eastbound Main Street to split 30 18,750 95% 3% 2%
Otay Valley Road Southern end of couplet to Street A 45 39,530 95% 3% 2%
Otay Valley Road Street A to eastern project boundary 45 35,400 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Westbound, eastern project boundary to Street A 30 21,400 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Westbound, Street A to La Media Road northbound
couplet 30 19,450 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Westbound, La Media Road northbound to
southbound couplet 30 11,500 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Westbound, southbound La Media Road couplet to
western project boundary 30 14,810 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Eastbound, western project boundary to La Media
Road southbound 30 19,560 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Eastbound, southbound La Media Road to
northbound La Media Road 30 21,120 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Eastbound, northbound La Media Road to Street A 30 21,000 95% 3% 2%
Main Street Eastbound, Street A to eastern project boundary 30 24,450 95% 3% 2%
Street A Westbound Main Street to eastbound Main Street 30 3,650 97% 2% 1%
Street A Eastbound Main Street to Street B 30 8,300 97% 2% 1%
Street A Street B to Otay Valley Road 25 13,750 97% 2% 1%
Street B Street A to eastern project boundary 25 7,900 97% 2% 1%
Magdalena Ave Santa Luna Street to Main Street 25 11,100 95% 3% 2%
La Media Road Northbound, Birch Road to northern project boundary 45 18,000 95% 3% 2%
Street A South of Otay Valley Road 25 8500 97% 2% 1%
(1) On-site roadway speed is the posted speed limit proposed for the roadway provided in the SPA Plan.
(2) ADT volumes are based on the peak hour intersection volumes provided in the TIA in Exhibits 39 and 41 (RBF 2013). ADT is
assumed to be ten times the peak hour volume.
MDT = medium duty trucks; HDT = heavy duty trucks
Note: Traffic volumes assume the future construction of the road improvements required in the implementation program
described in the project traffic study. This condition is referred to as the Year 2030 Mitigated scenario in the project traffic study.
Source: RBF 2013.
Source: Atkins 2011
NOISE RECEIVER LOCATIONS
FIGURE 5.5-2
P
V
N
DA
LI
Y
Q
S
U
T
O
J
M
OS-1
Not a Part
C
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E
F H-1G
W
B
H-2
G
Street AStreet EStreet DMain Street EB
Main Street WB
Street CStreet LOtay Va
l
l
ey RoadLa Media Road SBS tre e t I La Med
ia
RoadStreet FStreet
KStreet B Magdalena AvenueStreet ULa Media Road NBLa Media RoadMain St reet EB
Street KQ
36
5
U
8
7
9
14
2
11
15
12
13
20
19
V4
2323
N1
18
17
16
10
21
22
14
N99
N96
N49
N40
V42
P55
P29 P75
N64
N105
N109
N115
N112
P102
N102
N107
N117
City of San Diego
Reservoir
0 750
Feet
Receiver Locations
Roadways
V8W Tentative Map
Planning Areas
Transect, Zone
TC, Town Center
SD, Basin
SD, Community Purpose Facility
SD, Neighborhood Park
SD, Park
T-1, Open Space
T-1, Open Space Preserve
T-2, Neighborhood Edge
T-2, Neighborhood General
T-3, Neighborhood Center
T-4, Town Center
OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 8 WEST EIR
±
0 500 1,000 1,500250 Feet
NAP = not a part
0 500 1,000 1,500250 Feet
NAP = not a part
Source: Atkins 2011
2030 BUILDOUT NOISE CONTOURS
FIGURE 5.5-3
P
V
N
D
I
A
Y
L
Q
S
U
T
O
M
OS-1
C
J
R
E
F H-1G
W
B
H-2
G
Street AStreet
EStreet DMain Street EB
Main Street WB
Street CStreet L
Otay Valley RoadLa Media Road SBS tre et I Street FStreet KLa Media RoadStreet B Magdalena AvenueStreet ULa Media Road NBStreet KLa Media RoadMain S tree t EB
Q
36
5
U
8
7
9
14
2
11
15
12
13
20
19
V4
N1
18
17
16
10
21
22
14
N99
N96
N49
N40
V42
P55
P29 P75
N64 N105
N109
N115
N112
P102
N102
N107
N117
City of San Diego
Reservoir
Not a Part
2323
0 750
Feet
Receiver Locations
Roadways
Planning Areas
V8W Tentative Map
70 dBA CNEL
65 dBA CNEL
60 dBA CNEL
OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 8 WEST EIR
±
5.5 Noise
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-22
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Table 5.5-7 On-site 2030 Buildout Noise Levels
Receiver
Location(1)
Planning
Area Receiver Type
Acceptable
Noise
Level(2)
Ground Level
Traffic Noise
Level
(dBA CNEL)
Upper Story
Traffic Noise
Level (dBA CNEL)
Significant
Impact?
Lot N1 N Single-family Residence 65 59 59 No
Lot P29 P Single-family Residence 65 56 56 No
Lot N40 N Single-family Residence 65 59 59 No
Lot N49 N Single-family Residence 65 59 59 No
Lot N64 N Single-family Residence 65 57 57 No
Lot N96 N Single-family Residence 65 59 59 No
Lot N99 N Single-family Residence 65 61 61 No
Lot N102 N Single-family Residence 65 62 62 No
Lot N105 N Single-family Residence 65 65 65 No
Lot N107 N Single-family Residence 65 65 65 No
Lot N109 N Single-family Residence 65 66 66 Yes
Lot N112 N Single-family Residence 65 66 66 Yes
Lot N115 N Single-family Residence 65 67 67 Yes
Lot N117 N Single-family Residence 65 67 67 Yes
Lot P55 P Single-family Residence 65 56 56 No
Lot P75 P Single-family Residence 65 58 58 No
Lot P102 P Single-family Residence 65 58 58 No
Lot V4 V Single-family Residence 65 58 58 No
Lot V42 V Single-family Residence 65 59 59 No
#1 C Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 64 64 No
#2 H-1 Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 66 65 Yes
#3 L Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 67 67 Yes
#4 A Multi-family Residences, Commercial,
Community Park 65 64 64 No
#5 F Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 66 65 Yes
#6 J Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 68 67 Yes
#7 R CPF 65 72 72 Yes
#8 S Elementary School 65 72 71 Yes
#9 D Middle School 65 67 67 Yes
#10 C/D Multi-family Residences, Commercial,
Middle School 65 66 66 Yes
#11 B Multi-family Residences 65 66 66 Yes
#12 E Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 64 64 No
#13 I Multi-family Residences 65 67 66 Yes
#14 G Town Square 65 68 68 Yes
#15 L Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 66 67 Yes
#16 M Multi-family Residences 65 68 68 Yes
#17 H-2 Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 66 66 Yes
#18 L Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 64 64 No
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Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-23
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Table 5.5-7 On-site 2030 Buildout Noise Levels (continued)
Receiver
Location(1)
Planning
Area Receiver Type
Acceptable
Noise
Level(2)
Ground Level
Traffic Noise
Level
(dBA CNEL)
Upper Story
Traffic Noise
Level
(dBA CNEL)
Significant
Impact?
#19 S Elementary School and CPF 65 66 66 Yes
#20 S Multi-family Residences, Elementary
School 65 63 62 No
#21 D Middle School 65 63 62 No
#22 C Multi-family Residences, Commercial 65 68 67 Yes
#23 Q Single-family Residences 65 63 64 No
#Q Q Single-family Residences 65 70 70 Yes
#U U Single-family Residences 65 70 70 Yes
(1) Receivers #1 through 23 are located 50 feet from the roadway centerline. Receptors at Planning Areas Q and U are located 75
feet from the roadway centerline. Lot noise levels are calculated at the lot location and vary in distance from the roadway
centerline. See Figure 5.5-2 for receptor locations. Upper story receivers are assumed to be located at a floor height of
26 feet.
(2) 65 dBA CNEL is the most conservative noise level that is acceptable for the land uses associated with the receiver location.
Some land uses have an acceptable noise level higher than 65 dBA CNEL, including commercial land use.
Note: Significant impacts are shown in bold and shading.
Source: FHWA 2004. See appendix for noise model outputs.
As shown in Table 5.5-7 and on Figure 5.5-3, the ground level and upper story receivers in single-family
residential lots in Planning Area N closest to Otay Valley Road, just south of the couplet, would
potentially be exposed to noise levels in excess of 65 dBA CNEL, which is the city exterior noise level
limit for residences. Additionally, as shown in Table 5.5-7 and the noise contours in Figure 5.5-3, ground
floor and upper story multi-family residences and outdoor use areas in Planning Areas B, C, H-1, H-2, J,
and L; ground level multi-family residences and outdoor use areas in Planning Area F; the Town Square
(Planning Area G), and the middle school (Planning Area D) in the Town Center would potentially be
exposed to noise levels in excess of the city noise compatibility guidelines from north and southbound
La Media Road and east and westbound Main Street. Ground level and upper story multi-family
residences and outdoor use areas in Planning Areas I and M would potentially be exposed to excessive
noise levels from eastbound Main Street.
The elementary school (Planning Area S) and CPF (Planning Area R) would potentially be exposed to
excessive noise levels from Otay Valley Road and Street A, north of Otay Valley Road. The Neighborhood
Park (Planning Area T), which is subject to a 65 dBA CNEL standard, would potentially be exposed to
excessive noise levels from Otay Valley Road. Single-family residences and outdoor use areas in Planning
Areas Q and U along Otay Valley Road would be potentially exposed to excessive noise levels. Finally,
some office uses would be potentially located in the Town Center, which are compatible with noise
levels up to 70 dBA CNEL. As shown in Figure 5.5-3, traffic noise would not exceed 70 dBA CNEL outside
of the roadway right-of-way in the Town Center, except for along La Media Road at the southern end of
the couplet. If offices are located in this area, they may be exposed to noise levels in excess of 70 dBA
CNEL, allowing for potentially significant impacts to residences, parks, schools, and offices to occur as a
result of traffic noise that exceeds the city noise compatibility guidelines. As shown in Figure 5.5-3, noise
levels would not exceed 70 dBA CNEL at the Community Park. Therefore, a potentially significant impact
to the Community Park as a result of traffic noise would not occur.
Multi-family residences throughout the Town Center and Neighborhood Center Zone would potentially
be exposed to exterior noise levels of 65 dBA CNEL or greater from traffic noise, which would exceed the
city noise compatibility guidelines, and would also trigger the Title 24 requirement for the preparation of
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CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-24
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
acoustical studies for all multi-family residences potentially exposed to noise levels greater than 60 dBA
CNEL. Outdoor usable areas, such as outdoor dining patios, in the Town Center would also potentially be
exposed to noise levels in excess of 65 dBA CNEL from traffic noise. Additionally, as shown in Table 5.5-7
and Figure 5.5-3, single-family residences along Otay Valley Road would potentially be exposed to
exterior noise levels in excess of 60 dBA CNEL. Interior noise levels would have the potential to exceed
45 dBA CNEL in multi-family residences in the Town Center and Neighborhood Center Zone and single-
family residences along Otay Valley Road; therefore, a potentially significant impact related to interior
noise levels would also occur.
Also seen in Figure 5.5-3, Street B and Magdalena Avenue would not generate noise levels of 65 CNEL or
greater. The noise contours in Figure 5.5-3 show that traffic noise in all of the commercial areas in the
Town Center are projected to be below the 75 dBA CNEL standard for commercial uses that do not
include outdoor usable areas, and that noise levels for the Community Park would not exceed 70 dBA
CNEL. Therefore, impacts to commercial uses and the Community Park as a result of traffic noise would
be less than significant. As discussed in the previous paragraph, commercial or retail uses that include
outdoor useable space such as an outdoor dining area are compatible with noise levels up to 65 dBA
CNEL and would have the potential to be exposed to traffic noise in excess of this standard.
9. MSCP Preserve Area
Following construction, the southernmost residences in Village 8 West would be located adjacent to
MSCP Preserve area, and the off-site trail would traverse the Preserve. Residences and trails are not
sources of substantial noise. Occasional maintenance activities would be required along the trail and
edge of development, such as vegetation and sediment removal. These activities would not require
heavy construction equipment that would generate excessive noise. Occasional vehicle trips would not
result in a substantial increase in noise levels. As described in the Preserve Edge Plan in the SPA Plan, a
manual weeding program would be prepared for the Preserve edge. Occasional maintenance of the off-
site utilities may require heavy equipment; however, such activities would be infrequent and temporary.
The City’s MSCP Plan states that infrastructure repairs and maintenance are allowable as needed in the
MSCP Preserve. Maintenance would be subject to the MSCP requirement that, to the extent practicable,
access for non-emergency routine maintenance will be limited during bird breeding seasons (April 1
through June 31) in areas where breeding and/or nesting activity may occur. Therefore, impacts would
be less than significant.
Another MSCP preserve area (Wolf Canyon) is located approximately 50 feet west of the corner of
Planning Area A and E. Planning Area E is planned for residential development and would not be a
source of substantial noise. Planning Area A would be developed as a community park. The Community
Park would potentially include sports fields, playgrounds, and other uses that could generate noise
levels of 60 dBA up to 170 feet from the park. However, an energy dissipater for drainage would be
located in the southwest corner of Planning Area A, at the bottom of a steep slope, as shown on the TM
provided in Figure 3-17. No park uses would be developed on this steep slope. The steep slope and
drainage feature would provide an approximately 170 feet buffer, or more, between the Community
Park and the edge of Planning Area A closest to the Preserve. Therefore, the preserve area to the
southwest of Planning Area A would be located at least 170 feet from active park uses in the Community
Park and would not be exposed to substantial noise levels. Impacts would be less than significant.
10. Impacts from Operation of Off-site Facilities
As discussed above under existing conditions, the Otay Valley Rock Quarry is located southwest of
Village 4, approximately 0.3 mile from the project site. According to the EIR prepared for the proposed
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Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-25
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
quarry reclamation plan amendment, daytime average noise levels along the perimeter of the quarry
range from approximately 45 dBA to 55 dBA (City of Chula Vista 2011a). The project site and the quarry
are separated by Rock Mountain and operation of the quarry is generally not currently audible on the
project site, as demonstrated by the ambient noise measurements taken at the site. Intermittent noise
from particularly loud operations, such as blasting, is occasionally audible on the project site. Due to the
temporary and periodic nature of noise from the quarry operations, it would not result in a significant
impact to development in Village 8 West.
Olympian High School is a source of operational noise from bells or other signaling devices and activities
on the campus such as cheering and loudspeakers at football games. As mentioned previously, the
football field is located on the east side of campus, approximately 0.25 mile from the project site, and is
separated from the site by the campus buildings. Noise levels for a high school championship game have
been estimated to be 71 dBA at a distance of 50 feet. This estimate was used to represent the worst-
case scenario for football games at Otay Ranch High School. Otay Ranch High School has a greater
stadium capacity than Olympian High School, and therefore this estimate represents a conservative
estimate of noise generated by Olympian High School. Based on this estimate, football games currently
generate a worst-case noise level of 43 dBA at the Village 8 West boundary when speakers are in use.
The noise measurement taken outside of Olympian High School during lunchtime recess as part of this
analysis measured a noise level of 55 dBA Leq at the edge of the project area adjacent to the school,
which would not exceed the 60 dBA Leq noise limit for multi-family residences in the Town Center.
Therefore, noise from Olympian High School would not result in a significant impact to Village 8 West.
The San Diego Trolley Blue Line and SD&AE freight line pass through the western part of Chula Vista
approximately 6 miles west of the project site. No noise contours have been established for rail line
operations in Chula Vista. According to the EIR prepared for the Downtown San Diego community, noise
levels generated by railroad activity along the streets adjacent to the railroad tracks do not ex ceed 65
dBA CNEL. Due to distance, Village 8 West would not be exposed to railroad noise. No impact would
occur.
B. Threshold 2: Expose persons to or generation of excessive ground borne
vibration or ground borne noise levels.
The main concern associated with groundborne vibration from this type of project is annoyance,
however, vibration-sensitive instruments and operations, such as those found in hospitals and
laboratories, can be disrupted at much lower levels than would typically affect other uses. In extreme
cases, the vibration can cause damage to buildings, particularly those that are old or otherwise fragile.
No vibration-sensitive land uses are proposed as part of the project; however, excessive levels of
groundborne vibration may be an annoyance to residences. Some common sources of groundborne
vibration are trains, and construction activities such as blasting, pile-driving and heavy earth-moving
equipment. Vibration sensitive land uses within 600 feet of a railroad may be exposed to disruptive
vibration (FTA 2006). Beyond 600 feet, vibration impacts would not occur. Since the project is located
more than 6 miles away from the trolley and freight rail line in western Chula Vista, vibration from
railroads would not be felt at the project site. Blasting and earth moving activities occur at the Otay
Valley Rock Quarry. However, the quarry is located approximately 0.3 mile (1,600 feet) from the project
site. Vibration from quarry operations would not be felt at the project site. Therefore, the primary
source of groundborne vibration occurring as part of the project is construction activity.
Vibration-sensitive instruments and operations may require special consideration during construction.
Vibration criteria for sensitive equipment and operations are not defined and are often case specific. In
5.5 Noise
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-26
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
general, the criteria must be determined based on manufacturer specifications and recommendations
by the equipment user. As a guide, major construction activity within 200 feet and pile driving within
600 feet may be potentially disruptive to sensitive operations (Caltrans 2002). No pile driving is
anticipated to be necessary; however, construction activities on site may require blasting, which is also a
significant source of groundborne vibration.
The nearest vibration-sensitive land use to the project site is the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center,
located approximately 2.25 miles northwest of the project site on Medical Center Court. At 2.25 miles
from the nearest construction activity, the research facility would be located outside of the vibration
screening distances for major construction activity (200 feet) and pile driving (600 feet). Therefore
construction activity would not affect any off-site vibration-sensitive land use. Because construction
across the project site would be phased, new construction on the project site would have the potent ial
to expose developed on-site residences to groundborne vibration because construction activities would
likely take place within 200 feet of a residence. If blasting is required during the Orange phase, it would
occur prior to any construction on site; therefore, it would not expose any structures to groundborne
vibration. However, blasting in the Blue phase may occur after some construction in the Orange phase is
completed. It is unknown how development would be phased within each phase; therefore,
development in the Orange phase would potentially be located within 600 feet of blasting in the Blue
phase. If blasting is required, the City Engineer and Fire Marshal will require compliance with blasting
restrictions placed on grading plans.
It should be noted that ground vibrations from construction activities do not often reach the levels that
can damage structures or affect activities that are not vibration-sensitive, although the vibrations may
be felt by nearby persons in close proximity and result in annoyance (FTA 2006). Additionally, the Village
8 West development would consist of new buildings constructed in accordance with all building codes
and would not be susceptible to vibration damage. Vibration impacts would be temporary and would
cease following construction. Therefore, impacts related to groundborne vibration during construction
would be less than significant.
C. Threshold 3: Result in a substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project.
This section addresses the potential for implementation of the SPA Plan and TM to permanently
increase ambient noise levels as a result of increased traffic noise. The potential for other noise sources
associated with project implementation to result in increases in noise levels that would expose NSLU to
excessive noise levels is addressed under Threshold 1.
The noise technical report prepared for the GPA/GDPA SEIR determined that potential impacts related
to increases in traffic under the GPA/GDPA would be significant (City of Chula Vista 2013). However, the
report was based on a programmatic traffic analysis for the GPA/GDPA area. The following analysis tiers
from the GPA/GDPA EIR, and updates the noise analysis based on the project-specific traffic study
prepared for Village 8 West by RBF Consulting (RBF 2013), and the Village 8 West SPA Plan (January
2012). The potential for Village 8 West to permanently increase traffic noise is addressed under the
following scenarios: Existing Plus Project, Interim (Year 2025), and Buildout (Year 2030) with and without
implementation of the mitigation measures proposed in Section 5.3, Transportation and Traffic, to
reduce traffic congestion. The interim Year 2015 and Year 2020 traffic scenarios were not analyzed for
traffic noise because fewer trips would be generated on the study area roadways under these scenarios
compared to the Year 2025 and Year 2030 scenarios (RBF 2013). In addition, the roadways affected by
the mitigation required for the Year 2025 scenario result in lower traffic volumes than the Unmitigated
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CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-27
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Year 2025 scenario; therefore, the Mitigated Year 2025 scenario is not included in the traffic noise
analysis.
Traffic levels for each roadway are included in the appendix. Noise levels for area roadways were
calculated using standard noise modeling equations adapted from the FHWA noise prediction model.
The modeling calculations take into account the posted vehicle speed, average daily traffic volume, and
the estimated vehicle mix. Noise levels are estimated at locations 50 feet from the roadway centerline.
Noise levels at distances further from the source than the specific receptor would be lower due to
attenuation provided by increased distance from the noise source. Generally, noise from heavily
traveled roadways would experience a decrease of approximately 3 dBA for every doubling of distance
from the roadway.
1. Existing Plus Project Scenario
Existing and future increases in traffic, with and without the project, are provided in Table 5.5-8. As
shown in this table, 17 of the 22 existing roadway segments currently generate noise levels that exceed
65 dBA CNEL, without implementation of the project. In this scenario, project-related traffic noise
increases would cause noise along one roadway that currently does not exceed 65 dBA CNEL to exceed
65 dBA CNEL. Project-related traffic noise would result in an increase of three decibels or more along
three roadway segments that already exceed 65 dBA CNEL. One roadway that currently does not exist
would exceed 65 dBA CNEL with implementation of the project. Five roadway segments would result in
a significant noise impact under the Existing Plus Project scenario:
■ Birch Road, La Media Road to SR-125
■ Birch Road, SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway
■ La Media Road, Olympic Parkway to Birch Road
■ La Media Road, Birch Road to Main Street
■ Magdalena Avenue, Birch Road to Main Street
Table 5.5-8 Existing Plus Project Traffic Noise Levels
Roadway Segment
Existing Plus Project
Existing
Existing +
Project
Exceeds 65
dBA CNEL?
Increase in
Noise Level
Significant
Impact?
Olympic
Parkway
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 75 76 Yes +1 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 75 76 Yes +1 No
Heritage Road to La Media Road 75 76 Yes +1 No
La Media Road to SR-125 Ramps 75 75 Yes 0 No
SR-125 Ramps to Eastlake Parkway 79 80 Yes +1 No
Eastlake Parkway to Hunte Parkway 70 71 Yes +1 No
East of Hunte Parkway 66 67 Yes +1 No
Birch Road
La Media Road to SR-125 69 72 Yes +3 Yes
SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway 68 71 Yes +3 Yes
Main Street
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 73 73 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 71 71 Yes 0 No
Hunte
Parkway
Eastlake Parkway to Olympic Parkway 60 63 No N/A No
Olympic Parkway to Otay Lakes Road 67 68 Yes +1 No
5.5 Noise
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-28
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Table 5.5-8 Existing Plus Project Traffic Noise Levels (continued)
Roadway Segment
Existing Plus Project
Existing
Existing +
Project
Exceeds 65
dBA CNEL?
Increase in
Noise Level
Significant
Impact?
Heritage
Road
Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 69 71 Yes +2 No
Main Street to Entertainment Circle 65 65 No N/A No
Entertainment Circle to Avenida de Las
Vistas (City of San Diego) 65 65 No N/A No
La Media
Road
East Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 69 71 Yes +2 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 69 74 Yes +5 Yes
Birch Road to Main Street Does Not Exist 72 Yes N/A Yes
Magdalena
Avenue Birch Road to Main Street 64 68 Yes +4 Yes
Eastlake
Parkway
Otay Lakes Road to Olympic Parkway 70 71 Yes +1 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 68 70 Yes +2 No
Birch Road to Main Street 59 64 No N/A No
Note: Noise levels are calculated at 50 feet from roadway centerline. Noise levels are based upon traffic data provided by RBF
Consulting (2013). Traffic levels for each roadway are included in the appendix. Decibel levels are rounded to the nearest whole
number. Significant impacts shown in bold and shading. See appendix for data sheets.
2. Unmitigated Year 2025 Scenario
The Unmitigated Year 2025 scenario includes development of all proposed residential development, the
elementary school, 240,000 square feet of commercial development, and 18.6 acres of park space in
Village 8 West, as well as cumulative development anticipated by Year 2025. In addition to the existing
street network and improvements that would be implemented through the Year 2020, this scenario
assumes construction of La Media Road/Otay Valley Road to Street A and the half of the Main Street
couplet east of Otay Valley Road. Year 2025 traffic noise levels, with and without the project, are
provided in Table 5.5-9. As shown in this table, all of the 25 roadway segments that would exist by Year
2025 would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without project traffic.
In the Year 2025 scenario, project-related traffic would result in an increase of three decibels or more
along one roadway segment that would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without project traffic. This one roadway
segment would result in a significant impact under the Year 2025 scenario:
■ La Media Road, Birch Road to Main Street
3. Unmitigated Year 2030 Scenario
The Unmitigated Year 2030 scenario compares buildout (Year 2030) traf fic volumes with and without
the implementation of the project, and without implementation of the mitigation measures identified in
Section 5.3, Transportation and Traffic. This scenario assumes full buildout of the proposed Village 8
West development and circulation network, as well as cumulative development through Year 2030.
Unmitigated Year 2030 traffic noise levels, with and without the project, are provided in Table 5.5-10. As
shown in this table, 27 of the 31 roadway segments would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without project-related
traffic.
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Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
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City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Table 5.5-9 Year 2025 Traffic Noise Levels
Roadway Segment Year 2025
Year 2025 +
Project
Exceeds 65
dBA CNEL?
Increase in
Noise Level
Significant
Impact?
Olympic
Parkway
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 75 75 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 74 75 Yes +1 No
Heritage Road to La Media Road 76 76 Yes 0 No
La Media Road to SR-125 Ramps 76 76 Yes 0 No
SR-125 Ramps to Eastlake Parkway 80 80 Yes 0 No
Eastlake Parkway to Hunte Parkway 74 74 Yes 0 No
East of Hunte Parkway 69 70 Yes +1 No
Birch Road
La Media Road to SR-125 74 75 Yes +1 No
SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway 74 75 Yes +1 No
Main Street
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 74 74 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 73 73 Yes 0 No
Street A to Eastlake Parkway 72 72 Yes 0 No
Hunte
Parkway
Eastlake Parkway to Olympic Parkway 72 72 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Otay Lakes Road 69 69 Yes 0 No
Heritage
Road
Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 74 75 Yes +1 No
Olympic Pkwy to Main Street/Hunte Pkwy 73 73 Yes 0 No
Main Street to Entertainment Circle 68 68 Yes 0 No
Entertainment Circle to Avenida de Las
Vistas (City of San Diego) 68 68 Yes 0 No
La Media
Road
East Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 71 71 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 73 74 Yes +1 No
Birch Road to Main Street 70 73 Yes +3 Yes
Magdalena
Avenue Birch Road to Main Street 66 67 Yes +1 No
Eastlake
Parkway
Otay Lakes Road to Olympic Parkway 70 70 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 72 72 Yes 0 No
Birch Road to Main Street 75 76 Yes +1 No
Otay Valley
Road Village 9 Access to University Avenue Does Not Exist 64 No N/A No
Note: Noise levels are calculated at 50 feet from roadway centerline. Noise levels are based upon traffic data provided by RBF
Consulting (2013). Traffic levels for each roadway are included in the appendix. Decibel levels are rounded to the nearest whole
number. Significant impacts shown in bold and shading. See appendix for data sheets.
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City of Chula Vista
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Table 5.5-10 Unmitigated Year 2030 Traffic Noise Levels
Roadway Segment
Unmitigated
Year 2030
Unmitigated
Year 2030 +
Project
Exceeds 65
dBA CNEL?
Increase in
Noise Level
Significant
Impact?
Olympic
Parkway
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 75 75 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Ave to Heritage Rd 74 74 Yes 0 No
Heritage Road to La Media Road 73 74 Yes +1 No
La Media Road to SR-125 Ramps 75 75 Yes 0 No
SR-125 Ramps to Eastlake Pkwy 80 80 Yes 0 No
Eastlake Pkwy to Hunte Pkwy 74 74 Yes 0 No
East of Hunte Parkway 72 72 Yes 0 No
Birch Road
La Media Road to SR-125 76 76 Yes 0 No
SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway 76 76 Yes 0 No
Main Street
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 76 76 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Ave to Heritage Rd 75 75 Yes 0 No
Heritage Road to Couplet 70 71 Yes +1 No
Magdalena Avenue to SR-125 69 69 Yes 0 No
SR-125 to Street A 75 76 Yes +1 No
Street A to Eastlake Parkway 73 73 Yes 0 No
Hunte
Parkway
Eastlake Pkwy to Olympic Pkwy 74 74 Yes 0 No
Olympic Pkwy to Otay Lakes Rd 70 70 Yes 0 No
Heritage
Road
Palomar Street to Olympic Pkwy 75 75 Yes 0 No
Olympic Pkwy to Main St/Hunte Pkwy 75 75 Yes 0 No
Main St to Entertainment Circle 73 73 Yes 0 No
Entertainment Circle to Avenida de Las
Vistas (City of San Diego) 72 73 Yes +1 No
La Media
Road
East Palomar St to Olympic Pkwy 73 73 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 73 73 Yes 0 No
Birch Road to Main Street 73 73 Yes 0 No
Magdalena
Avenue Birch Road to Main Street 64 65 No N/A No
Eastlake
Parkway
Otay Lakes Road to Olympic Pkwy 71 71 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 73 73 Yes 0 No
Birch Road to Main Street 74 74 Yes 0 No
Otay Valley
Road
Street A to SR-125 62 63 No N/A No
SR-125 to Village 9 Access 62 63 No N/A No
Village 9 Access to University Avenue 64 64 No N/A No
Note: Noise levels are calculated at 50 feet from roadway centerline. Noise levels are based upon traffic data provided by RBF
Consulting (2013). Traffic levels for each roadway are included in the appendix. Decibel levels are rounded to the nearest
whole number. See appendix for data sheets.
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In the Unmitigated Year 2030 scenario, project-related traffic noise increases would not cause any
roadway segments to exceed 65 dBA CNEL or result in an increase of three decibels or more along
roadways that would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without implementation of the SPA Plan and TM. The project
would not result in any significant impacts from noise increases along roadways under the Unmitigated
Year 2030 scenario.
4. Mitigated Year 2030 Scenario
The Mitigated Year 2030 scenario compares buildout (Year 2030) traffic volumes with and without the
implementation of the project, assuming implementation of the traffic mitigation measures identified in
Section 5.3, Transportation and Traffic. This scenario assumes full buildout of the project development
and circulation network, as well as cumulative development through Year 2030. Mitigated Year 2030
traffic noise levels, with and without the project, are provided in Table 5.5-11. As shown in this table, 27
of the 31 roadway segments would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without project-related traffic.
In the Mitigated Year 2030 scenario, project-related traffic noise increases would not cause any roadway
segments to exceed 65 dBA CNEL or result in an increase of three decibels or more along roadways that
would exceed 65 dBA CNEL without implementation of the SPA Plan and TM. The project would not
result in any significant impacts from noise increases along roadways under the Mitigated Year 2030
scenario.
Table 5.5-11 Mitigated Year 2030 Traffic Noise Levels
Roadway Segment
Mitigated
Year 2030
Mitigated
Year 2030 +
Project
Exceeds
65 dBA
CNEL?
Increase
in Noise
Level
Significant
Impact?
Olympic
Parkway
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 75 75 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 74 74 Yes 0 No
Heritage Road to La Media Road 73 74 Yes +1 No
La Media Road to SR-125 Ramps 75 75 Yes 0 No
SR-125 Ramps to Eastlake Parkway 80 80 Yes 0 No
Eastlake Parkway to Hunte Parkway 74 74 Yes 0 No
East of Hunte Parkway 72 72 Yes 0 No
Birch Road
La Media Road to SR-125 72 72 Yes 0 No
SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway 74 74 Yes 0 No
Main Street
I-805 to Brandywine Avenue 76 76 Yes 0 No
Brandywine Avenue to Heritage Road 75 75 Yes 0 No
Heritage Road to Couplet 70 71 Yes +1 No
Magdalena Avenue to SR-125 70 71 Yes +1 No
SR-125 to Street A 77 77 Yes 0 No
Street A to Eastlake Parkway 75 75 Yes 0 No
Hunte
Parkway
Eastlake Parkway to Olympic Parkway 74 74 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Otay Lakes Road 70 70 Yes 0 No
Heritage
Road
Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 75 75 Yes 0 No
Olympic Pkwy to Main Street/Hunte Pkwy 75 75 Yes 0 No
Main Street to Entertainment Circle 73 73 Yes 0 No
Entertainment Circle to Avenida de
Las Vistas (City of San Diego) 72 73 Yes +1 No
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Table 5.5-11 Mitigated Year 2030 Traffic Noise Levels (continued)
Roadway Segment
Mitigated
Year 2030
Mitigated
Year 2030 +
Project
Exceeds
65 dBA
CNEL?
Increase
in Noise
Level
Significant
Impact?
La Media
Road
East Palomar Street to Olympic Parkway 73 73 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 73 73 Yes 0 No
Birch Road to Main Street 69 70 Yes +1 No
Magdalena
Avenue Birch Road to Main Street 64 65 No N/A No
Eastlake
Parkway
Otay Lakes Road to Olympic Parkway 71 71 Yes 0 No
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road 73 73 Yes 0 No
Birch Road to Main Street 72 72 Yes 0 No
Otay Valley
Road
Street A to SR-125 64 65 No N/A No
SR-125 to Village 9 Access 64 65 No N/A No
Village 9 Access to University Avenue 64 64 No N/A No
Note: Noise levels are calculated at 50 feet from roadway centerline. Noise levels are based upon traffic data provided by RBF
Consulting (2013). Traffic levels for each roadway are included in the appendix. Decibel levels are rounded to the nearest
whole number. See appendix for data sheets.
D. Threshold 4: Result in a substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project.
Construction of the development proposed in the SPA Plan and TM would generate noise that could
expose nearby receptors to elevated noise levels that may disrupt communication and routine activities.
The magnitude of the impact would depend on the type of construction activity, equipment, duration of
the construction phase, distance between the noise source and receiver, and intervening structures.
Sound levels from typical construction equipment range from 60 dBA to 90 dBA Leq at 50 feet from the
source (FHWA 2008). Noise from construction equipment generally exhibits point source acoustical
characteristics. Strictly speaking, a point source sound decays at a rate of 6 dBA per doubling of distance
from the source. The rule applies to the propagation of sound waves with no ground interaction.
Construction of the development proposed as part of the project would be completed in five phases ,
generally west to east. The final order of phasing has not been determined; however, the Orange phase
and Blue phase would be constructed first because these phases would involve blasting. The Orange
phase would involve construction of a portion of the Town Center including the Town Square, multi-
family residences, and commercial development. Multi-family and single-family residences in the
Neighborhood Commercial and Neighborhood Edge Zones would also be developed. The Blue phase
would involve construction of single-family residences in the Neighborhood General and Neighborhood
Edge Zones. The Yellow phase would involve construction of the remaining Town Center area, the
Community Park, and multi-family development in the Neighborhood Commercial Zone. The Purple
phase would involve construction of the Neighborhood Park and single-family residences in the
Neighborhood Edge and Neighborhood General Zones. The Green phase would involve construction of
multi-family residences in the Neighborhood Commercial Zone, the elementary school site, and the
Community Purpose Facility. Construction of the off-site trail and utilities would occur during one of
these phases.
The construction timeframe for the entire buildout of the project is expected to begin in 201 3 and last
for 8 to 12 years. All phases would involve grading and site preparation, as well as utilities installation,
surface improvements including paving and landscaping, building construction, and external/internal
building work. Grading for each phase would last approximately three months, utilities installation
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would take approximately two months, surface improvements would take approximately two months,
and building construction would take place over two years. The grading, utility installation, and surface
improvement activities of one phase would overlap with the last nine months of building construction in
the previous phase. Although it is unlikely, it is possible that all four categories of construction activities
could occur simultaneously on the site within different development phases. Construction of the off-site
improvements would require vegetation clearing, underground utility installation, and paving.
Standard equipment, such as dozers, loaders, scrapers, and miscellaneous trucks would be used for
construction of most of the project facilities. The grading, utility installation, and surface improvement
activities in each phase would be completed prior to any building construction. However, building
construction within each phase would not take place all at once; some areas would be completed before
other structures within the phase are under construction. Therefore, building construction activities
would have the potential to expose residents within developed, occupied buildings within an area to
construction noise in adjacent areas.
Because the order of the development phases is unknown, the estimated noise level at a particular on-
site receptor cannot be conclusively determined. However, based on the construction equipment list
provided by the applicant and typical equipment noise levels determined by the Roadway Construction
Noise Model (RCNM) (FHWA 2008), noise levels from simultaneous operation of the five noisiest pieces
of construction equipment (excavator, roller, crane, dozer, and scraper) for each construction activity
that could occur simultaneously from any development phase in the same location would have the
potential to generate noise levels of up to 87 dBA at 50 feet from the construction site. These estimates
are conservative because construction equipment for a single construction activity would be spread out
over several acres and would not be operating all at once.
The nearest existing receptor to the project site is Olympian High School, located approximately 150
west of the project site. Construction in the northeast corner of the site in the Yellow phase would
generate the greatest amount of construction noise at the school. At this distance, the worst-case
construction noise level would be approximately 77 dBA during grading operations. Simultaneous
construction activities are not likely to occur within the same phase; therefore, the high school would be
exposed to Yellow phase construction, but would not be exposed to simultaneous construction activities
from other phases. Additionally, on-site land uses would potentially be exposed to construction noise as
buildings in some areas become occupied while other areas of Village 8 West are under construction.
Although the Chula Vista exterior noise limits do not apply to construction activity, the noise level from
construction would potentially exceed the day time exterior noise standards and may be considered
disruptive to residences and the high school during construction operations.
In addition to the grading, utility installation, surface improvement, and building construction activities
required for all five phases, blasting would be required along the southwest boundary of the project site
during the grading activities of the Orange phase and Blue phase. A typical blasting operation includes
drilling a hole, filling the hole with explosive material, capping the hole, and detonating the material.
Sound levels from a rock drill have been measured at 90 to 100 dBA at 50 feet. Blasting is a short-term
event, typically lasting no more than several seconds. Additionally, a rock crushing crushing/processing
facility would be used during some construction activities in the Orange phase and Blue phase of
construction where rock removal is involved.
Noise measurements that have been conducted for portable rock crushing operations indicated that
rock crushing activity would generate a 1-hour average noise level of approximately 86 dBA at a distance
of 50 feet from the primary crusher (Dudek 2007). All blasting in the Orange phase would take place
prior to development on the project site. The nearest existing NSLU is Olympian High School, located
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approximately 2,800 feet from the blasting area, which is limited to the western edge of the project site.
At this distance, noise from the rock drill and rock crusher would be reduced to 65 dBA and 51 dBA.
Although the Chula Vista exterior noise limits do not apply to construction activity, the noise level from
rock drilling would not exceed the day time exterior noise standard for non-residential land use.
However, rock blasting during the grading phase of the Blue phase would occur during the construction
phase of the Orange phase. Some buildings in the Orange phase may be constructed and occupied prior
to blasting activities and exposed to substantial noise from rock drilling and blasting activities.
Although the on-site residences could be exposed to excessive construction noise levels, the exposure
would be short-term, and would cease upon project buildout. Additionally, construction activities
associated with buildout of the project would occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday,
which is the limit specified in the Chula Vista construction noise ordinance. Because construction would
comply with the applicable regulation for construction noise, temporary increases in noise level from
construction activities at the on-site residences would be less than significant.
Noise from construction activities would also have the potential to impact sensitive wildlife species in
the MSCP Preserve areas to the south and west of the project site. The Biological Resources Report
prepared for Village 8 West (URS 2012) determined that construction noise exceeding an hourly average
sound level of 60 dBA would potentially impact special status wildlife species by inhibiting audible
communication between potential mates and between parents and offspring. Based on the worst-case
construction noise level of 87 dBA at 50 feet, determined using the RCNM model, and an attenuation
rate of 6 dBA for every double of distance, construction activities would have the potential to exceed 60
dBA up to 1,100 feet from the source. Blasting activities would have the potential to exceed 60 dBA up
to 1,600 feet from the source. Assuming that construction noise would be emanating from a location on
the project site closest to the MSCP Preserve areas (in the southern parcels within Planning Area P, the
southern and western parcels within Planning Area V, the western portion of Planning Area E, and the
southwest area of Planning Area A), construction noise would exceed 60 dBA within the MSCP Preserve
areas and significant construction noise impact would occur.
E. Threshold 5: For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where
such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public use airport or
private airstrip, expose people residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise.
The project site is located 1.5 miles northeast of the Brown Field airport. As discussed in Section 5.5.2,
the project site is currently subject to overflights of planes and helicopters taking off from Brown Field,
which are audible on the project site. The project site is not located within the 60 dBA CNEL noise
contour of Brown Field; therefore, it would not be anticipated to be exposed to excessive noise levels
from the airport. However, overflights from Brown Field may be considered a nuisance to residents. In
accordance with standard condition #46 in Section 5-300 of the City’s Subdivision Manual, applicants are
required to record an Airport Overflight Agreement against the property to the satisfaction of the
Director of Development Services prior to recordation of any Final Map. This condition would run with
the property, and as such, potential nuisance noise from aircraft overflights would be disclosed to future
residents. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
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F. Threshold 6: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other objectives and
policies regarding noise thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
Table 5.5-12 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable General Plan policies and Table
5.5-13 evaluative the project’s consistency with the GDP. As shown in these tables, the project would be
consistent with the General Plan and GDP policies that pertain to noise.
Table 5.5-12 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Noise Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective E 21: Protect people from excessive noise through
careful land use planning and the incorporation of appropriate
mitigation techniques.
Policy E 21.1: Apply the exterior land use-noise compatibility
guidelines listed in Table 9-2 of this Environmental Element to
new development, where applicable, and in light of project-
specific considerations.
Policy E 21.2: Where applicable, the assessment and mitigation
of interior noise levels shall adhere to the applicable
requirements of the California Building Code with local
amendments and other applicable established City standards.
Policy E 21.4: Continue to implement and enforce the City’s
noise control ordinance.
Consistent. The proposed SPA Plan is consistent with these
noise policies. This noise impact analysis utilized the land use-
noise compatibility guidelines in the Environmental Element,
the Chula Vista Noise Ordinance, and CCR Title 24 as thresholds
for determining significance between different land uses. The
noise ordinance would continue to be enforced with
implementation of the SPA Plan.
As discussed under Threshold 1 and Threshold 3, the project
would have the potential to result in noise impacts that would
conflict with the noise compatibility guidelines, the noise
ordinance, and CCR Title 24; however, mitigation measures 5.5-
1 through 5.5-8, including compliance with CalGreen, and
buildout of the proposed circulation network would reduce
potential impacts to a less than significant level, consistent with
state and city standards. No significant noise impacts would
occur as a result of project construction.
Objective E 22: Protect the community from the effects of
transportation noise.
Policy E 22.1: Work to stabilize traffic volumes in residential
neighborhoods by limiting throughways and by facilitating the
use of alternative routes around, rather than through,
neighborhoods.
Policy E 22.3: Employ traffic calming measures, where
appropriate, such as narrow roadways and on-street parking, in
commercial and mixed use districts.
Policy E 22.4: Encourage walking; biking; carpooling; use of
public transit; and other alternative modes of transportation to
minimize vehicular use and associated traffic noise.
Consistent. The proposed SPA Plan is consistent with these
noise policies. Village 8 West would connect to existing arterials,
La Media Road and Main Street, and would include the Main
Street and Otay Valley Road arterial roadways that traverse the
project site. These roadways would serve as major throughways
for the site and would minimize the use of streets within the
residential districts as throughways. In addition, on-site streets
are intentionally narrow with on-site parking to encourage
slower traffic and encourage other modes of transportation
such as bus, transit, walking and bicycling. Other traffic calming
measures include bulb outs at corner sidewalks, traffic signals
and/or signs, posted speed limit signs and allowing bicycles to
share the road right-of-way. A bus rapid transit route is
provided through the SPA Plan to encourage the use of public
transit within Village 8 West as well as to/from other parts of
Otay Ranch and the city.
The mixed use nature of the project, which places residences,
employment, services and entertainment in close proximity,
would also result in a significant reduction of vehicle trips
thereby reducing vehicular traffic volumes and noise impacts.
The SPA Plan does not prohibit the use of new technologies to
minimize traffic noise. As discussed under Threshold 1 and
Threshold 3, the project would have the potential result in the
exposure of on-site and off-site receptors to excessive traffic
noise. However, mitigation measures 5.5-1 through 5.5-5 and
buildout of the proposed circulation network would reduce
potential impacts to a less than significant level.
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Table 5.5-13 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Noise Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 7 – Noise
Goal: Promote a quiet community where residents live without
noise which is detrimental to health and enjoyment of property.
Goal: Ensure residents are not adversely affected by noise.
Objective: Otay Ranch shall have a noise abatement program to
enforce regulations to control noise.
Policy: Prohibit excessive noises which are a detriment to the
health and safety of residents.
Policy: Limit noise at the source, along the path of transmission
and/or at the receiver site.
Policy: Reduce the need for noise mitigation through site and land
use planning techniques, whenever feasible.
Policy: Consider the effects of noise, especially from
transportation, in land use decisions to ensure noise compatibility.
Policy: Comply with applicable noise ordinances and performance
standards in zoning ordinances.
Policy: Use the Environmental Review Process to evaluate the
effects of noise.
Policy: Regularly review technological developments and building
techniques which decrease the project related noise impacts on-
site and off-site and specify needed noise mitigation measures.
Consistent. The Chula Vista Noise Ordinance would continue
to be enforced with implementation of the SPA Plan. As
discussed under Threshold 1 and Threshold 3, the project
would have the potential result in noise impacts that would
conflict with the noise compatibility guidelines, the noise
ordinance, and CCR Title 24; however, mitigation measures
5.5-1 through 5.5-8, including compliance with CalGreen, and
buildout of the proposed circulation network would reduce
potential impacts to a less than significant level, consistent
with state and city standards. No significant noise impacts
would occur as a result of project construction.
5.5.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. Excessive Noise Levels
Implementation of the Village 8 West SPA Plan and TM would have the potential to result in on-site
exposure of residential uses to excessive noise levels from traffic noise and operational sources
including HVAC equipment, commercial equipment, and recreational facilities.
B. Groundborne Vibration
No significant impacts related to groundborne vibration have been identified for the project.
C. Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Level
1. Existing Plus Project Scenario and Unmitigated Year 2025 Scenario
Five roadway segments would result in a significant noise impact under the Existing Plus Project
scenario: Birch Road, La Media Road to SR-125; Birch Road, SR-125 to Eastlake Parkway; La Media Road,
Olympic Parkway to Birch Road; La Media Road, Birch Road to Main Street; and Magdalena Avenue,
Birch Road to Main Street. Traffic-related noise is reduced either by constructing noise barriers, lowering
traffic speeds, or by reducing traffic. Implementation of the SPA Plan and TM would include the
construction of new roadways that would provide new connections from the project area to the regional
transportation system. These new connections would reduce long-term traffic on the roadways
surrounding the project site by routing some cumulative traffic through Village 8 West instead of the
surrounding roadways. Additionally, these connections would direct traffic generated by Village 8 West
away from the existing off-site roadways and reduce associated traffic noise.
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The 2030 buildout traffic scenario includes future roads that are proposed as part of the development
plans for other villages. However, if the equivalent dwelling unit assumption for the buildout study year
(2030) is reached prior to implementation of these roadways being open to traffic, then mitigation
measure 5.3-20 in Section 5.3, Transportation and Traffic, would be implemented to ensure that this
circulation system would be implemented concurrently with Village 8 West.
2. Unmitigated Year 2025 Scenario
One roadway segment would result in a significant impact under the Year 2025 scenario: La Media Road,
Birch Road to Main Street. As described above under the Existing Plus Project scenario, the buildout
circulation network for Village 8 West would reduce long-term traffic noise. Mitigation measure 5.3-20
would ensure that the circulation network is implemented concurrently with development.
3. Unmitigated and Mitigated Year 2030 Scenarios
In the Unmitigated and Mitigated Year 2030 (Buildout) scenarios, Village 8 West would not result in a
significant traffic noise increase on any roadway.
D. Temporary Increase in Ambient Noise Level
Construction of the project would have the potential to generative noise levels and that would
significantly impact biological resources. Mitigation measures 5.6-3, 5.6-6, 5.6-7, 5.6-8, 5.6-9, and 5.6-11
in Section 5.6, Biological Resources, would reduce noise impacts to the biological preserve areas during
construction to a less than significant level.
E. Aircraft Noise
The proposed project would not have a significant impact on airport operations, nor would the project
be exposed to excessive aircraft overflight noise levels.
F. Consistency with Applicable Noise Policies
The project would be consistent with applicable noise policies within the General Plan and GDP.
5.5.5 Mitigation Measures
A. Excessive Noise Levels
The following mitigation measures would minimize exposure to on-site NSLU from excessive traffic
noise, and minimize noise generated from operational sources including HVAC equipment, commercial
equipment, and recreational facilities.
5.5-1 Noise Attenuation in the Neighborhood Edge Zone (Planning Area N) and Neighborhood
General Zone (Planning Areas Q and U). Prior to the approval of grading permits for residential
development along Otay Valley Road within Planning Areas N, Q, and U in the Neighborhood
Edge and Neighborhood General Zones (as shown in Figure 3-3, Utilization Plan), the applicant
shall be responsible for the preparation of a subsequent acoustical study based on the final map
design and implementation of any measures recommended as a result of the analysis to the
satisfaction of the Development Services Director (or their designee). The study shall include,
but not be limited to the following:
i. Location, height, and building material of the noise barriers in accordance with Figure 5.5-4.
Heights are provided relative to final pad elevation. Required heights may be achieved
through construction of walls, berms or a wall/berm combination;
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ii. A detailed analysis which demonstrates that barriers and/or setbacks have been
incorporated into the project design, such that noise exposure to residential receivers
placed in all useable outdoor areas, including multi-family residential patios and balconies,
are at or below 65 dBA CNEL; and
iii. Should grading, lot configuration, and/or traffic assumptions change during the processing
of any final maps, the barriers shall be refined to reflect those modifications.
5.5-2 Site-Specific Acoustic Analysis – Single-family Residences. Concurrent with design review and
prior to the approval of building permits for single-family residential development where the
exterior noise level exceeds 65 dBA CNEL (Planning Areas N, Q, and U), the applicant shall
prepare an acoustical analysis ensuring that interior noise levels due to exterior noise sources
will be at or below 45 dBA CNEL. Design-level architectural plans will be available during design
review and will permit the accurate calculation of transmissions loss for habitable rooms. For
these lots, it may be necessary for the windows to be able to remain closed to ensure that
interior noise levels meet the interior standard of 45 dBA CNEL. Consequently, the design for
these units may need to include ventilation or an air conditioning system to provide a habitable
interior environment with the windows closed based on the result on the interior acoustical
analysis.
5.5-3 Site-Specific Acoustic Analysis – Multi-family Residences. Concurrent with design review and
prior to the approval of building permits for multi-family areas where first and/or second floor
exterior noise levels exceed 60 dBA CNEL and/or where required outdoor area (patios or
balconies) noise levels exceed 65 dBA CNEL (Planning Areas B, C, E, F, H1, H2, I, J, L, M, and O),
the applicant shall prepare an acoustical analysis demonstrating compliance with California’s
Title 24 Interior Noise Standards (i.e., 45 dBA CNEL) and the City’s Exterior Land Use/Noise
Compatibility Guidelines for outdoor use areas (i.e., 65 dBA CNEL). Design-level architectural
plans will be available during design review and will permit the accurate calculation of
transmissions loss for habitable rooms. For these areas, it may be necessary for the windows to
be able to remain closed to ensure that interior noise levels meet the interior standard of 45
dBA CNEL. Consequently, the design for buildings in these areas may need to include a
ventilation or air conditioning system to provide a habitable interior environment with th e
windows closed based on the result on the interior acoustical analysis.
5.5-4 Site-Specific Acoustic Analysis – Non-Residential Noise Sensitive Land Use. Concurrent with
design review and prior to the approval of building permits for any non-residential noise
sensitive land use (schools, neighborhood parks, outdoor use areas, some Community Purpose
Facility uses, etc.) area where exterior noise levels exceed 65 dBA CNEL (Planning Areas B, C, D,
F, G, H1, H2, I, J, M, L, R, S, and T), the applicant shall be responsible for the preparation of an
acoustical analysis ensuring that exterior noise levels at the boundary of the proposed noise
sensitive land use will be below 65 dBA CNEL and implementation of any measures
recommended as a result of the analysis. Measures to reduce noise levels may include, but
would not be limited to, setback of structures from the roadway, installing acoustic barriers, or
orienting outdoor activity areas away from roadways so that surrounding structures provide
noise attenuation. The analysis shall also demonstrate that barriers or setbacks have been
incorporated into the project design, such that, when considered with proposed construction
specifications, ground level and upper story interior noise levels shall not exceed 45 dBA C NEL.
Roof-ceiling assemblies making up the building envelope shall have a sound transmission class
value of at least 50, and exterior windows shall have a minimum sound transmission class of 30
in compliance with the California Green Building standards code.
0 500 1,000 1,500250 Feet
Source: Atkins 2011
APPROXIMATE NOISE BARRIER LOCATIONS
FIGURE 5.5-4
P
V
N
D
I
A
Y
L
Q
S
U
T
O
M
OS-1
C
J
R
E
F H-1G
W
B
H-2
G
Street AStre
e
t EStreet DMain Street EB
Main Street WB
Street CStreet L
Otay Valley RoadLa Media Road SBStre e t I Street FStreet KLa Medi
a RoadStreet B Magdalena AvenueStreet ULa Media Road NBStreet KLa Media RoadMain S tree t EB
Q
36
5
U
8
7
9
14
2
11
15
12
13
20
19
V4
N1
18
17
16
10
21
22
14
N99
N96
N49
N40
V42
P55
P29 P75
N64 N105
N109
N115
N112
P102
N102
N107
N117
City of San Diego
Reservoir
Not a Part
2323
0 750
Feet
Receiver Locations
Noise Barrier
Height
3 feet
6 feet
Roadways
Planning Areas
V8W Tentative Map
OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 8 WEST EIR
±
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5.5-5 Site-Specific Acoustic Analysis – Office Uses. Concurrent with design review and prior to the
approval of building permits for any office area where exterior noise levels exceed 70 dBA CNEL
(Planning Areas H2, J, and L), the applicant shall prepare an acoustical analysis, and construct
any attenuation measures identified therein, to ensure that exterior noise levels at the property
line of the proposed office building will be below 70 dBA CNEL. Measures to reduce noise levels
may include, but would not be limited to, setback of structures from the roadway, installing
acoustic barriers, or, in mixed-use buildings, orienting offices away from roadways so that
surrounding structures provide noise attenuation. .
5.5-6 HVAC Mechanical Equipment Shielding. Concurrent with design review and prior to the
approval of building permits for non-residential development requiring HVAC equipment, the
applicant shall prepare a report demonstrating that HVAC equipment is designed to ensure that
noise levels from the equipment will not exceed the Chula Vista noise ordinance standards.
Noise from HVAC equipment shall be reduced by either the installation of acoustical shielding
around all new rooftop HVAC equipment, or by placing the HVAC equipment below grade in
basement space.
5.5-7 Shielded Private Outdoor Usable Space for Town Center Residences. Private usable outdoor
space for new residential or commercial development such as patios, balconies, or outdoor
dining areas in the Town Center shall be located or protected from noise to ensure noise levels
are below 65 dB CNEL. The proposed plan for private residential open space shall be designed to
the satisfaction of the City Engineer prior to design review.
5.5-8 Site Specific Acoustic Analysis - Community Park and Neighborhood Park. Concurrent with the
preparation of site-specific plan(s) and prior to the approval of a precise grading plan for the
Community Park or Neighborhood Park, the applicant shall prepare, or in the case the City being
the lead on the preparation of the site specific plan, the applicant shall fund the preparation of
an acoustical analysis shall be conducted to ensure that noise levels generated from any active
uses at the Community Park or Neighborhood Park, such as sports fields and a skate park, do not
exceed the exterior noise limits of the receiving land use category as identified in the Chula Vista
Noise Ordinance. The applicant shall be responsible for the implementation of any measures
recommended as a result of the analysis. Measures to reduce noise levels may include, but
would not be limited to, siting of structures or buildings to provide setbacks between active
areas and adjacent noise sensitive uses or construction of a wall to provide noise attenuation.
Final noise attenuation design shall be determined by a site-specific acoustic analysis conducted
by a qualified acoustical engineer, to the satisfaction of the Development Services Director, or
their designee.
B. Groundborne Vibration
No mitigation measures are required.
C. Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Level
No mitigation measures are required.
D. Temporary Increase in Ambient Noise Level
Section 5.6, Biological Resources, identifies mitigation measures 5.6-3, 5.6-6, 5.6-7, 5.6-8, 5.6-9, and 5.6-
11 to reduce impacts to the preserve areas during construction to a less than significant level. These
measures require pre-construction surveys, acoustical analyses to demonstrate that the average hourly
5.5 Noise
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CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-41
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
60 dBA noise level standard would not be exceeded at the location of any occupied sensitive habitat
areas, and use of noise abatement methods that may include, but are not limited to, installation of noise
abatement at the source, and/or installation of noise abatement at the receiving areas . Therefore, this
impact would be reduced to a less than significant level with the implementation of the proposed
biological resources mitigation measures.
E. Aircraft Noise
No mitigation measures are required.
F. Consistency with Noise Policies
No mitigation measures are required.
5.5.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. Excessive Noise Levels
Table 5.5-14 shows on-site ground level traffic noise levels with implementation of mitigation measure
5.5-1. Table 5.5-14 applies only to the receptors that would be affected by the proposed noise wall.
Walls are not feasible along La Media Road, Main Street, Street A, or Otay Valley Road north of Planning
Area N because a wall would conflict with the Village 9 SPA policies. The SPA Plan requires frontages
along all public roads in the Town Center and Neighborhood Center Zone. These roadways include La
Media Road/Otay Valley Road (within the couplet), Main Street, and Street A (see pages 3-26 and 3-30
of the SPA Plan). Additionally, the SPA Plan requires that buildings be oriented toward the street (see
pages 4-12, 4-17, 4-18, 4-20, 4-22, and 4-38 of the SPA Plan). Noise walls would block building frontages
and views from buildings oriented toward the roadway, which would create conflicts with the SPA vision
for cohesive character, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and quality public streetscapes within Village 8
West.
Table 5.5-14 On-site 2030 Buildout Ground Level Traffic Noise Levels with Implementation of
Mitigation Measure 5.5-1
Receiver Location Receiver Type
Ground Level
Traffic Noise Level
(dBA CNEL)
Ground Level Traffic Noise
Level with Implementation
of 5.5-1 (dBA CNEL)
Significant
Impact?
Lot N109 Single-family Residence 66 62 No
Lot N112 Single-family Residence 66 62 No
Lot N115 Single-family Residence 67 61 No
Lot N117 Single-family Residence 67 61 No
Planning Area Q Single-family Residence 70 65 No
Planning Area U Single-family Residence 70 65 No
Source: FHWA 2004. See appendix for noise model outputs.
Note: As part of measure 5.5-1, the noise barrier for receivers in Lots N109-N117 is assumed to be 3 feet in height, and the
noise barrier for Planning Areas Q and U is assumed to be 6 feet in height as shown in Figure 5.5-4. Noise levels for upper level
receivers were not attenuated discernibly from the implementation of 5.5-1.
5.5 Noise
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CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.5-42
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
Walls are feasible along the portions of Otay Valley Road south of the couplet shown in Figure 5.5-4
because the residences affected by the wall would be oriented towards public residential streets and are
not required to provide frontages along Otay Valley Road. Walls are not feasible for all potential traffic
noise impacts; therefore, measures 5.5-2 through 5.5-5 are included to mitigate the traffic noise impacts
to the remaining receptors.
With implementation of the above measures (5.5-1 through 5.5-8), operational noise sources would
comply with the city noise ordinance, the General Plan noise compatibility guidelines, and CalGreen.
Operational noise impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level.
B. Permanent Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
1. Existing Plus Project Scenario and Unmitigated Year 2025 Scenario
Short-term increases in traffic noise off-site on La Media Road, Birch Road, and Magdalena Avenue
would be significant and unavoidable until the proposed roadway circulation s ystem is complete.
Completion of the off-site circulation system improvements, such as the extension of Otay Valley Road
to SR-125, would reduce project-related traffic noise increases by redistributing project-related traffic so
that it would be not concentrated on the impacted roadways. Implementation of the Village 8 West
circulation system would reduce project-generated traffic volumes on off-site roadways by providing
new transportation routes and would reduce the project’s short-term increases in noise levels during
interim years on La Media Road, Birch Road, and Magdalena Avenue to a less than significant level.
Impacts would be significant and unavoidable until the proposed circulation system is complete. With
implementation of the proposed circulation system, future and long-term traffic noise impact would be
less than significant.
2. Unmitigated and Mitigated Year 2030 Scenarios
Implementation of the project would not result in a significant traffic noise increase on any roadway in
the Unmitigated Year 2030 or Mitigated Year 2030 scenarios without mitigation.
C. Groundborne Vibration
Impacts related policy consistency would be less than significant without mitigation.
D. Temporary Increase in Ambient Noise Levels
Impacts related to temporary construction noise would be less than significant with implementation of
mitigation measures 5.6-3 and 5.6-11.
E. Aircraft Noise
Impacts related aircraft noise would be less than significant without mitigation.
F. Consistency with Applicable Noise Policies
Impacts related policy consistency would be less than significant without mitigation.