HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/20/2022 Item 6a, Novak
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Hanh, Hannah
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:55 AM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:FW: USE-0103-2022 (1701 Monterey) - Tentative Appeal Hearing for The Hub
Attachments:45dBLetter_TheHub.pdf
Good morning,
I am forwarding comments and an attachment received for the appeal (APPL-0262-2022) scheduled on the
th
September 6 Council hearing.
Sincerely,
Hannah Hanh
Associate Planner
Community Development
919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
E hhanh@slocity.org
T 805.781.7432
slocity.org
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From: Hana Novak <hanamom310@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 12:27 PM
To: Hanh, Hannah <hhanh@slocity.org>
Subject: Re: USE-0103-2022 (1701 Monterey) - Tentative Appeal Hearing for The Hub
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Hi Hannah,
Attached is a noise study prepared by 45dB acoustics- Please attach it to the agenda and the staff report for the City
Council review and consideration.
The San Luis Drive neighbors requested a noise study to be prepared by the applicant from the beginning of the project’s
conception, but that was not required by staff nor recommended by the Planning Commission. We feel strongly about
the potential noise effects of this project and that our concerns are not being taken seriously that we paid to have a
noise study done for the project.
1
We hope the noise study will be taken seriously and the mitigation measures recommended will be implemented.
That’s all we are asking for and feel that we are being reasonable.
Once upon a time the City’s priorities were about neighborhood wellness and mitigating impacts of incompatible land
uses. Now it seems like the priorities are more about revenue generators at the expense of neighborhood wellness.
Please forward this email and my comments to the City Council.
Best,
Hana Novak- Neighborhood Chair of the San Luis Drive Neighborhood Association
2
45dB Acoustics, LLC
www.45dB.com
(805) 250 -1566
PO Box 1717
Buellton, CA 93427
page 1 of 3 noise management : room acoustics : environmental impact www.45dB.com
August 16, 2022
Re: “The Hub”, 1701 Monterey Street
File No.: USE-0103-2022
To the City of San Luis Obispo Planning Commissioners:
On behalf of 45dB Acoustics, LLC, I have reviewed the Planning Commission Agenda Report dated May
11, 2022 regarding the Minor Use Permit (MUP) Application for the proposed project located at 1701
Monterey Street. I understand that the permit has been granted to the applicants. This letter is provided to
express my professional concerns regarding potential noise nuisance and lack of noise mitigation required
for the project, as well as to provide some suggested effective mitigations for the project as it is described
in the Agenda Report.
Sounds vary widely in their “character”. Although sounds from commercial operations such as hotels
along Monterey Street already exist, there are sounds that will or may be associated with a project such as
this that can create a new type of noise source for the nearby area. Of particular concern is the outdoor
axe throwing noise, which may be likened to hammering noise during a roofing project, with a highly
impulsive sound when the axes impact the target boards. Outdoor games that also may include pickleball,
ping pong, cornhole and the like, are apt to encourage cheering and yelling of brewing company patrons.
Pickleball creates recurring, impulsive sounds when paddles hit the ball and have been of particular
concern; acoustics consultants are receiving inquiries regarding pickleball and the potential for municipal
codes to specifically limit or control that use. The brewery, restaurant, and other business operations may
very well include early-morning deliveries, of kegs for example, which can create high-level impulsive
banging noises along with the large trucks’ idling noise.
Although these sounds may not rise to the level of exceedance of the Municipal Code at nearby residential
properties, these sounds may be audible at the back yards of the residential properties to the south across
the creek, along San Luis Drive. Having new impulsive, audible sounds introduced into what was
previously a quiet area of residential back yards has a rather high probability of creating a noise nuisance
for those residents. Considering the character or “sound signature” of these types of noise, it seems
appropriate and proactive to serve the nearby residents by proactively requiring the applicants to
incorporate some fairly straightforward mitigation within the conditions of approval for this project.
Rather than risk unhappy residents, a potential Code violation requiring City follow-up, time and expense
of professional acoustic measurement, there is a proactive approach that can be taken that I would
recommend the Planning Commission consider incorporating into this MUP. In this manner, new types of
noise sources can be mitigated, so that the nearby residents can be assured that the City has attempted to
protect residential land uses from imposing nuisance noise produced by nearby commercial land uses.
Please consider requiring the incorporation of the following mitigating measures into this project:
• Fences, including wrought iron, have gaps and do not provide noise reduction and are not
effective noise barriers. Additionally, noise barriers are ineffective when placed far away from
the noise sources. As such, sections of solidly constructed noise barriers—such as stucco, CMU,
or other masonry—are recommended at strategic locations near the outdoor game and commerce
45dB Acoustics, LLC The Hub SLO
page 2 of 3 noise management : room acoustics : environmental impact www.45dB.com
areas of the project, as shown in green in Figure 1. These wall sections would replace the
ineffective fences either existing or proposed within the site plan included in the plan materials.
• It is understood that no amplified music or speech is to be included in The Hub project. Prohibit
amplified music (from loudspeakers) in outdoor areas of the project, unless it is studied by a
qualified acoustics consultant.
• Prohibit any truck deliveries to/from this project to the daytime hours of 7am to 10pm. No truck
deliveries or idling trucks should occur before 7am.
Please contact me with any questions.
for 45dB Acoustics, LLC:
Sarah Taubitz, Full Member INCE, ASA
Owner and Principal Consultant, 45dB Acoustics LLC
(805) 250-1566
ST@45dB.com
45dB Acoustics, LLC The Hub SLO
page 3 of 3 noise management : room acoustics : environmental impact www.45dB.com
Figure 1: Suggested Noise Barrier Wall Section Locations