III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS H. NOISE A noise study for the Proposed Project was prepared by Martin Newson and Associates in April, 2002 A summary of the noise study is provided below. The complete noise study is included in Technical Appendix F to the EIR. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Introduction - What is Noise and How is it Quantified? Noise is commonly defined as unwanted sound. Noise is characterized as a function of its sound pressure level, its frequency (as measured in cycles per second, or Hertz), and its duration. In particular, the sound pressure level has become the most common descriptor used to characterize the loudness of an ambient sound level. The unit of sound pressure ratioed to an assumed zero sound level is called a decibel (dB). The “pitch” of a sound is determined by the frequency. Since the human ear is not equally sensitive to all sound frequencies within the entire spectrum, noise levels at maximum human sensitivity are factored more heavily into sound descriptions in a process called “A-weighting”, written as dBA. All further references to decibel (dB) levels in this section should be taken to refer to A-weighted decibel levels, i.e., dBA levels. Time variations in noise exposure are typically expressed in terms of a steady-state energy level equal to the energy content of the time varying noise source (called Leq). Because community receptors such as residential uses are more sensitive to unwanted noise intrusion during the evening and at night, a 24- hour noise descriptor called the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) has been developed. In this noise rating system, an artificial dB increment is added to quiet-time noise levels (5dB for evening hours and 10 dB for nighttime noise levels). CNEL is used in the City of Los Angeles Noise Element to specify maximum acceptable noise exposure levels for various land use categories. For the purposes of assessing potential project related impacts, noise can be broken down into two categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term noise is primarily associated with on-site construction activities and haul-truck traffic, while long-term noise is generally associated with off-site motor vehicle traffic and on-site activities (e.g., mechanical equipment, trash-pick-up and truck deliveries). Both short-term and long-term effects from the proposed project on the noise environment are addressed in this section. Hollywood Redevelopment Plan Amendment Noise Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 1985052903) Page III.H-1 PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT ~ Work In Progress Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles February 2003 This section predicts and discusses specific noise levels. In order to provide the reader with some reference to specific decibel levels, Figure III.H-1 shows the sound levels typically produced by a variety of common indoor and outdoor noise sources. Existing Noise Setting Existing noise levels within the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area derive mainly from vehicular sources on the roadways in the area. Other potential sources of noise include operation of building equipment such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment, loading docks and associated truck activities, music from stores and gatherings of people, although these sources rarely generate sufficient noise levels to rise above the prevailing traffic noise. Existing land uses within the Project Area boundaries consist of residential and commercial developments. In order to better define the existing noise environment within the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area, a noise survey was conducted on Wednesday April 3rd and Thursday April 4th 2002, between 4 PM and 6 PM. Noise levels were measured using a Bruel & Kjaer Type 2236 sound level meter approved by ANSI. The eleven different measurement locations are shown in Figure III.H-2. The measurement locations were selected based upon locations of residential communities within the Project Area, the need to measure evenly across the Project Area, and locations where the traffic report predicted no impact for the No Project scenario, but did predict an impact for the Minimum Project scenario. The measurement position for each location was on the far side of the sidewalk from the street (i.e., closest point to adjacent uses). The measurement results are shown in Table III.H-1. At all measurement positions, the noise levels were dominated by road traffic noise. Further details of the noise survey are provided in Appendix B to the complete Noise Report (Appendix F to the EIR). In general, the highest existing noise levels within the Project Area can be found along major thoroughfares (Hollywood Boulevard, La Brea Avenue) in the northern portion of the Project Area. Most of the predominantly residential areas within the Project Area presently experience ambient noise levels less than 70 dBA, which is generally considered to be the maximum compatible noise level for residential uses (see discussion of Community Compatibility Noise Criteria below). Hollywood Redevelopment Plan Amendment Noise Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 1985052903) Page III.H-2 PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT ~ Work In Progress Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles February 2003 Common Noise Levels (Caltrans Noise Manual, California Department of Transportation, March 1980) Noise Level Common Indoor Noise Levels Common Outdoor Noise Levels (dBA) 110 Rock Band Jet Flyover @ 1,000 feet 100 Inside Subway Train Gas Lawn Mower @ 3 feet Diesel Truck @ 50 feet 90 Food Blender @ 3 feet Noisy Urban Daytime Garbage Disposal @ 3 feet 80 Shouting @ 3 feet Gas Lawn Mower @ 100 feet 70 Vacuum Cleaner @ 10 feet Commercial Area Normal Speech @ 3 feet Heavy Traffic @ 300 feet 60 Large Business Office 50 Dishwasher next room Quiet Urban Daytime Small Theater/Conference Room Quiet Urban Nightime 40 (background) Quiet Suburban Nightime Library 30 Bedroom at Night Concert Hall (background) Quiet Rural Nightime 20 Broadcast & Recording Studio 10 Threshold of Hearing 0 Figure III.H-1 Common Noise Levels H-1 Source: Caltrans Noise Manual, California Department of Transportation, March 1980. Hollywood Redevelopment Plan Amendment Noise Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 1985052903) Page III.H-3 PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT ~ Work In Progress 2 12 1 8 3 9 6 10 5 4 7 11 Source: Martin Newson & Associates LLC, April 11, 2002. Christopher A. Joseph & Associates Figure III.H-2 environmental planning and research Roadway Segments Selected for Road Traffic Noise Analysis Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles February 2003 Table III.H-1 Existing Measured Noise Levels SEGMENT MEASURED NOISE ROAD SEGMENT DESCRIPTION NUMBER LEVEL (dBA Leq) 1 Franklin Ave, west of Highland 68 2 Franklin Ave, west of Wilcox 68 3 Hollywood Blvd, east of Wilton 72 4 Fountain Ave, west of Highland 67 5 Fountain Ave, east of Western 66 6 Bronson Ave, north of Sunset 66 7 Cahuenga Blvd, north of Fountain 68 8 Wilcox Ave, north of Hollywood 66 9 Orange Dr, north of Sunset 65 10 La Brea Ave, north of Fountain 73 11 Wilton Pl, north of Santa Monica 70 Source: Martin Newson & Associates Regulatory Environment Construction Noise City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance Section 41.40 of the City of Los Angeles Municipal Code explicitly forbids construction of any type between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Monday to Friday. On other days it states that no construction work can be carried out within 500 feet of residences “before 8:00 am or after 6:00 pm on any Saturday or national holiday nor at any time on a Sunday.” In addition, Section 112.05 of the Municipal Code designates maximum noise levels for powered equipment and hand tools: “Between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm, in any residential zone of the City or within 500 feet thereof, no person shall operate or cause to be operated any powered equipment or powered hand Hollywood Redevelopment Plan Amendment Noise Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 1985052903) Page III.H-5 PRELIMINARY WORKING DRAFT ~ Work In Progress Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles February 2003 tool that produces a maximum noise level exceeding the following noise limits at a distance of 50 feet there from: • 75dBA for construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery including crawler-tractors, dozers, rotary drills and augers, loaders, power shovels, cranes, derricks, motor graders, paving machines, off-highway trucks, ditchers, trenchers, compactors, scrapers, wagons, pavement breakers, compressors and pneumatic or other powered equipment; Long-Term Operational Noise City of Los Angeles Noise Ordinance The City of Los Angeles Municipal Code (Chapter XII, Noise Regulation) sets technical noise standards that are applicable to noise sources such as HVAC systems and places of public entertainment. As such, all on site operational noise sources associated with the development are required to be controlled in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance. City of Los Angeles General Plan, Noise Element The City, in its General Plan Noise Element, provides maximum acceptable exterior noise exposure levels for various land use categories. The City has included in the Noise Element a chart displaying which CNEL levels are Normally Acceptable and Clearly Unacceptable (see Table III-H-2). These CNEL noise limits are applicable in the assessment of the noise impact upon a proposed noise sensitive development. Normally Acceptable – Specified Land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements. Conditionally Acceptable – New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning will normally suffice. Normally Unacceptable – New construction or development should generally be discouraged.