HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvila Ranch DEIR Public Comment received 1-18-17 (Hanson HeidelbergCement (Faxed Copy))01/18/2017 09:25 INGRAM
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JAN 18 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
January 17, 2017
Doug Davidson
Deputy Director, Development Review
City of San Luis Obispo
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Avila Ranch DEIR
Dear City Planner:
PAGE 01:03
■' IRHan on
140DELBERGCEMENT Group
Lehigh Hanson West Region
Hanson Aggregates Mid -Pacific, Inc.
7675 North Ingram Ave, #104
Fresno, California 93711
Lehigh Hanson (Hanson) owns and operates the existing ready -mix concrete plant located at 131
Suburban Road San Luis Obispo, Assessor Records as APN 076-352-025. The plank has been in
operation since prior to 1973 and continues to provide valuable ready -mix concrete product
throughout the central coast. The plant is permitted to operate -24 hours/7 days a week and current
plant operations include Intermittent noise from onsite machinery and vehicles. This includes
operating into the late hours of the night and early morning depending on the delivery time of
materials to clients such as Caltrans or other infrastructure projects_ Some plant noises, such as
alarms, are required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Hanson received the notification of the Avila Ranch's 150 -acre Specific Plan and Draft Environmental
Impact Report (DEIR) and is concerned about placement of residential development in close
proximity to industrial uses. Therefore, we are submitting this comment letter to the City to enable
the project to be more compatible with the existing surrounding industrial land uses and reduce
potential complaints from future residents.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report evaluated noise levels of the existing surrounding and onsite
uses and proposed land uses. The noise assessment for existing sound levels included placing six
different noise receptor stations on the property. Station 4 appears to be the nearest station site to
the Hanson property.. Station 4 is described to be located at the Air Vol Block shared boundary;
however there does not appear to be a graphic showing the placement. Also, Air Vol Block is located
at 1 Suburban Road and its southerly property line is located 755 feet from the northwest portion of
the project site, see attached Exhibit A. Air Vol Block does not "share" a boundary with the Avila
Ranch project site. The assessment performed by the acoustics consultant indicated Station 4 had
decibel readings of up to 75 dBA. In order to know if the noise levels from the existing offsite
industrial uses are being properly identified and analyzed, we request an additional station site be
located near the corner of the Hanson property since it is approximately 200 linear feet away from the
northwestern portion of the Avila Ranch which has been identified as high density residential and
would be a noise sensitive land use. Additionally, we request that the Figure 3.9-1 of the DEIR
0111312017 09:25 INGRAM PAGE 02103
include the location of the noise stations. We believe a station situated closer to the concrete batch
plant property could provide a more accurate sound level assessment of existing surrounding
conditions beside the 52 dBA shown on Figure 3.9-1
According to Policy 1.6 New Development and Stationary Noise Sources on page 3.9-11 Section
3.9.3.3 Local "new development of noise sensitive land uses such as single and multifamily
residences, may be permitted only where the location or design allow the development to meet
standards of Table 3.9-4"_ Table 3.9-4 identifies that residences threshold be a 60 dBA level and the
Station 4 identified levels up to 75 dBA which exceeds the 60 dBA level for outdoor use areas and
the 45 dBA for interior spaces. Since this level exceeds the threshold for the high density residential,
we request additional noise attenuation measures be provided in addition to the NO -3a mitigation
measures already proposed. The following additional noise mitigation measures should be
considered:
1) Construction of noise mitigation walls/sound barriers/berms with noise reducing features
along the northwest boundary of the northerly and northwest boundary. - The barrier must
consist of massive, tight -fitting materials, such as grouted concrete or stucco wall. No
openings or gaps may be present in the wall or at the ground. Use of wood is not
acceptable.
2) Orient balconies away from the northwest property line.
3) Placement of bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms and other noise -sensitive parts of the
dwelling should be located on the side farthest from the noise source.
4) Notification to all future land owners of the surrounding land uses and the potential of
intermittent noise levels.
The noise attenuation could be a combination of measures and the developer can determine which
combination to use to best suit the project site and future users. We strongly believe this will reduce
the likelihood of impacts_
Thank you for your consideration of our comments and if you have any question please contact me at
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Sincerely,
Terry A. Marshall
Land Manager— Region West
Lehigh Hanson
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