APPENDIX B ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE ASSESSMENT THE GREAT AMERICA THEME PARK MASTER PLAN PROJECT – NOISE STUDY SANTA CLARA, CA Draft SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 Prepared for: Judy W. Shanley Will Burns David J. Powers Assoc., Inc. 1871 The Alameda, Suite 200 San Jose, California 95126 Prepared by: Derek L. Watry Gary M. Glickman Patrick G. Faner Leisa A. Nalls Deborah A. Jue WI# 14-022 GREAT AMERICA PDZ EIR DRAFT NOISE STUDY Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2 2 Establishment of Significance Criteria ............................................................................................... 2 2.1 Environmental Noise – Fundamental Concepts ........................................................................ 2 2.2 Effects of Noise ............................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................... 4 2.3.1 State CEQA Guidelines ......................................................................................................... 4 2.3.2 Santa Clara County Airport Land Use Commission Land Use Plan .................................. 5 2.3.3 City of Santa Clara General Plan ......................................................................................... 5 2.3.4 City of Santa Clara Municipal Code .................................................................................... 6 2.4 Existing Noise in the Vicinity of Great America ........................................................................ 8 3 Noise Assessment .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.1 Existing Rides and Attractions ................................................................................................. 12 3.2 Roller Coaster Noise Measurements ........................................................................................ 12 3.3 Operational Noise ...................................................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Proposed Ride Attractions ................................................................................................ 15 3.3.2 Proposed New Live Entertainment .................................................................................. 22 3.3.3 Park Attendance ................................................................................................................ 23 3.3.4 Proposed Marketplace Area ............................................................................................. 23 3.3.5 Swim-Up Bar in Boomerang Bay ...................................................................................... 23 3.3.6 Other Amplified Entertainment .......................................................................................... 24 3.3.7 Fireworks ............................................................................................................................. 25 3.4 Construction Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................ 25 4 Potential Noise Control Measures .................................................................................................... 28 4.1 Mechanical Noise from New Rides ........................................................................................... 28 4.2 Screaming & Mechanical Noise from New Rides .................................................................... 28 4.3 Amplified Entertainment ............................................................................................................ 28 4.4 Fireworks ..................................................................................................................................... 29 5 Cumulative Noise Analyses ............................................................................................................... 29 5.1 Traffic Noise ................................................................................................................................ 29 5.2 Operational Noise ....................................................................................................................... 33 i GREAT AMERICA PDZ DEIR AFT DRAFT NOISE STUDY 6 References .......................................................................................................................................... 36 APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................................. 42 EXISTING STATISTICAL HOURLY NOISE LEVELS ........................................................................................... 42 APPENDIX B – APPROVED AND PENDING PROJECTS ................................................................................ 73 APPENDIX C – FIREWORKS NOISE MEASUREMENTS .................................................................................. 75 GA_PDZ_DEIR_Noise_Draft_2016_09_20.docx List of FiguresFigure 1 Typical Environmental Noise Levels ......................................................................37 Figure 2 Proposed Master Plan Use Zones ................................................................................................. 38 Figure 3 Photo of Typical Field Measurement Setup ................................................................................. 39 Figure 4 Noise Measurement Locations in the Vicinity of Great America ................................................. 40 Figure 5 Noise Analysis Receptor Locations in the Vicinity of Great America ........................................... 41 List of Tables Table 1 Santa Clara General Plan Noise Standards ....................................................................................... 6 Table 2 City of Santa Clara Municipal Code – Exterior Noise Limits for Fixed Sources................................ 7 Table 3 Long-Term Noise Measurement Results (Ldn) ................................................................................. 9 Table 4 Short-Term Noise Measurement Results ........................................................................................ 9 Table 5 Comparison of Existing Ldn at Measurement Locations with Park Open and Closed .................... 10 Table 6 Summary of Existing Rides and Attractions................................................................................... 12 Table 7 Rides Documented at Great America ............................................................................................ 13 Table 8 Ride Noise Measurement Results (Average and Range) ............................................................... 14 Table 9 Proposed Uses by Zone .................................................................................................................. 15 Table 10 Existing Rides with Height Greater than 45 feet ......................................................................... 16 Table 11 Day-Night Average Noise Level Assessment: More Rides Only ................................................. 17 Table 12 Day-Night Average Noise Level Assessment: More Rides, Extended Season (Same Hours) ...... 18 Table 13 Day-Night Average Noise Level Assessment: More Rides, Extended Season, Extended Hours . 19 Table 14 Establishment of Significance Thresholds for Maximum Noise Levels ....................................... 21 Table 15 Maximum Noise Level Assessment ............................................................................................. 22 Table 16 Construction Noise Estimates ..................................................................................................... 26 Table 17 Construction Noise: Hourly Average Level Comparison............................................................. 27 Table 18 Construction Noise: Maximum Level Comparison ..................................................................... 28 Table 19 Categorical Traffic Volumes – Peak AM Hour ............................................................................ 30 Table 20 Categorical Traffic Volumes – Peak PM Hour ............................................................................. 30 Table 21 Total Traffic Volumes – AM Peak Hour ...................................................................................... 31 Table 22 Total Traffic Volumes – PM Peak Hour ....................................................................................... 31 Table 23 Changes in Traffic Noise Levels – AM Peak Hour ...................................................................... 32 Table 24 Changes in Traffic Noise Levels – PM Peak Hour ...................................................................... 32 Table 25 Day-Night Average Noise Level Assessment: More Rides, Extended Season, Extended Hours With Other Projects (No Fireworks, No Levi’s Stadium Event) ................................................................... 34 ii GREAT AMERICA PDZ DEIR AFT DRAFT NOISE STUDY Table 26 Changes in Day-Night Average Noise Levels: More Rides, Extended Season, Extended Hours With Other Projects (No Fireworks, No