environmental impact analysis g. noise and vibration

CityofLosAngeles 1020S.FigueroaStreetProjectSCHNo.2016021013 4.G‐1

4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS G. NOISE AND VIBRATION

1. INTRODUCTION

ThissectionanalyzespotentialnoiseandvibrationimpactsthatwouldresultfromtheProject.TheanalysisdescribestheexistingnoiseenvironmentintheProjectarea,estimatesfuturenoiseandvibrationlevelsatsurroundinglandusesresultingfromconstructionandoperationoftheProject,andidentifiesthepotentialforsignificantimpacts. AnevaluationoftheProject’scontributiontopotentialcumulativenoiseimpactsisalsoprovided.NoiseworksheetsandtechnicaldatausedinthisanalysisareprovidedinAppendixGNoiseandVibrationTechnicalReport,ofthisDraftEIR.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a. Noise and Vibration Basics

(1) Noise

Noiseismostoftendefinedasunwantedsound.Althoughsoundcanbeeasilymeasured,theperceptibilityofsound is subjective and the physical response to sound complicates the analysis of its impact on people.Peoplejudgetherelativemagnitudeofsoundsensationinsubjectivetermssuchas“noisiness”or“loudness.”Soundpressuremagnitude ismeasuredandquantifiedusinga logarithmic ratioofpressures, the scaleofwhichgivesthelevelofsoundindecibels(dB).Thehumanhearingsystemisnotequallysensitivetosoundat all frequencies. Therefore, to approximate the human, frequency‐dependent response, the A‐weightedfiltersystemisusedtoadjustmeasuredsoundlevels.TheA‐weightedsoundlevel(dBA)de‐emphasizeslowfrequencies towhichhumanhearing is less sensitive and focusesonmid‐ tohigh‐range frequencies. Therangeofhumanhearingisapproximately3to140dBA,with110dBAconsideredintolerableorpainful tothe human ear. Another commonly used scale is the C‐weighted sound level (dBC),which includes low‐frequency noise. In a non‐controlled environment, a change in sound level of 3 dB is considered “justperceptible,” a change in sound level of 5 dB is considered “clearly noticeable,” and a change in 10dB isperceivedas adoublingof soundvolume.1A comparisonof typesof commonlyexperiencedenvironmentalnoiseisprovidedinFigure4.G‐1,CommonNoiseLevels.

AlthoughtheA‐weightedscaleaccountsfortherangeofpeople’sresponse,andisthereforecommonlyusedtoquantifyindividualeventorgeneralcommunitysoundlevels,thedegreeofannoyanceorotherresponseeffectsalsodependsonseveralotherfactors.Thesefactorsinclude:

Ambient(background)soundlevel;

Magnitudeofsoundeventwithrespecttothebackgroundnoiselevel;

Durationofthesoundevent;

Numberofeventoccurrencesandtheirrepetitiveness;and

Timeofdaythattheeventoccurs.1 EngineeringNoiseControl,Bies&Hansen,1988.

4.G. Noise and Vibration September 2016


Inanoutdoorenvironment,soundlevelsattenuatewithdistance.Suchattenuationiscalled“distanceloss”or “geometric spreading” and is influenced by the noise source configuration (i.e., point source or linesource).Forapointsource,suchasstationaryequipment,therateofsoundattenuationisusually6dBperdoublingofdistancefromthenoisesourceaturban,acoustically“hard”sites,orhighlyacousticallyreflectivesettingsthatpreservesoundenergy(water,asphalt,andconcrete).Withinsuchenvironments,asoundlevelof50dBAatadistanceof25feetfromthenoisesourcewouldattenuateto44dBAatadistanceof50feet.Foralinesourcewithinanacousticallyhardenvironment,suchasaroadwaywithaconstantflowoftraffic,therateofsoundattenuation is3dBperdoublingofdistance.2 Inaddition,structures(e.g.,buildingsandsolidwalls)andnaturaltopography(e.g.,hills)thatobstructtheline‐of‐sightbetweenanoisesourceandareceptorfurtherreducethenoiselevelifthereceptorislocatedwithinthe“shadow”oftheobstruction,suchasbehindasoundwall.Thistypeofsoundattenuationisknownas“barrierinsertionloss.”Ifareceptorislocatedbehindthewallbutstillhasaviewofthesource(i.e., line‐of‐sightnotfullyblocked),somebarrierinsertionlosswouldstilloccur,buttoalesserextent. Areceptorlocatedonthesamesideofthewallasanoisesourcemayactuallyexperienceanincreaseintheperceivednoiselevelasthewallreflectsnoisebacktothereceptor,therebycompoundingthenoise. Noisebarrierscanprovidenoiselevelreductionsrangingfromapproximately5dBA(wherethebarrierjustbreakstheline‐of‐sightbetweenthesourceandreceiver)upto20dBAwithamoresubstantialbarrier.3

Community noise levels usually change continuously during the day. The equivalent sound level (Leq) isnormallyusedtodescribecommunitynoise. TheLeqistheequivalentsteady‐stateA‐weightedsoundlevelthatwouldcontainthesameacousticalenergyasthetime‐varyingA‐weightedsoundlevelduringthesametimeinterval.Forintermittentnoisesources,themaximumnoiselevel(Lmax)isnormallyusedtorepresentthe maximum noise level measured during the measurement. Maximum and minimum noise levels, ascomparedtotheLeq,areafunctionofthecharacteristicsofthenoisesource.Asanexample,sourcessuchasgeneratorshavemaximumandminimumnoise levels that are similar to Leq sincenoise levels for steady‐statenoisesourcesdonotsubstantiallyfluctuate.However,asanotherexample,vehicularnoiselevelsalonglocalroadwaysresultinsubstantiallydifferentminimumandmaximumnoiselevelswhencomparedtotheLeqsincenoiselevelsfluctuateduringpass‐byevents. TheCityofLosAngeles(City)NoiseOrdinanceusestheLeqfortheevaluationofnoiseviolations.

To assess noise levels over a given 24‐hour time period, the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)descriptor isused in landuseplanning. CNELis thetimeaverageofallA‐weightedsoundlevels fora24‐hourperiodwitha10dBAadjustment(upward)addedtothesoundlevelswhichoccurinthenight(10:00P.M. to7:00A.M.)anda5dBAadjustment (upward)added to thesound levelswhichoccur in theevening(7:00P.M.to10:00P.M.).Thesepenaltiesattempttoaccountforincreasedhumansensitivitytonoiseduringthequieternighttimeperiods,particularlywheresleepisthemostprobableactivity.CNELhasbeenadoptedbytheStateofCaliforniatodefinethecommunitynoiseenvironmentfordevelopmentofacommunitynoiseelementofaGeneralPlanand isalsoused for landuseplanning in theCity’sGeneralPlanNoiseElement(NoiseElement).4

2 Caltrans,TechnicalNoiseSupplement(TeNS),2013.3 Ibid.4 StateofCalifornia,GeneralPlanGuidelines,2002.

P C R

FIGURECommon Noise Levels

1020 S. Figueroa Street Project 4.G-1Source: Caltrans Noise Manual, California Department of Transporta on, 1980.

Noise Level(dBA)

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Common Indoor Noise Levels

Rock Band

Inside Subway Train

Food Blender @ 3 feetGarbage Disposal @ 3 feet

Shouting @ 3 feet

Vacuum Cleaner @ 10 feet

Normal Speech @ 3 feet

Large Business Office

Dishwasher next room

Small Theater/Conference Room(background)

Library

Bedroom at NightConcert Hall (background)

Broadcast & Recording Studio

Threshold of Hearing

Common Outdoor Noise Levels

Jet Flyover @ 1,000 feet

Gas Lawn Mower @ 3 feetDiesel Truck @ 50 feet

Gas Lawn Mower @ 100 feet

Commercial Area

Quiet Urban Daytime

Quiet Urban Nightime

Quiet Suburban Nightime

Noisy Urban Daytime

Heavy Traffic @ 300 feet

Quiet Rural Nightime



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September 2016 4.G. Noise and Vibration


(2) Vibration

Vibrationisanoscillatorymotionthroughasolidmediuminwhichthemotion’samplitudecanbedescribedin termsof displacement, velocity, or acceleration. The responseof humans,buildings, andequipment tovibration is more accurately described using velocity or acceleration.5 Vibration amplitudes are usuallydescribedintermsofpeaklevels,asinpeakparticlevelocity(PPV).Thepeaklevelrepresentsthemaximuminstantaneouspeakofthevibrationsignal.Inaddition,vibrationscanbemeasuredinthevertical,horizontallongitudinal,orhorizontaltransversedirections.Groundvibrationsaremostoftengreatest,andcandamagebuildings,whentheypropagateintheverticaldirection.6Therefore,theanalysisofground‐bornevibrationassociated with the Project was evaluated in the vertical direction. Typically, ground‐borne vibrationgeneratedbyman‐madeactivitiesattenuatesrapidlywithdistancefromthesourceofthevibration. Man‐madevibrationissuesarethereforeusuallyconfinedtoshortdistancesfromthesource(i.e.,50feetorless).

b. Existing Conditions

(1) Noise‐Sensitive Receptor Locations

Some land uses are considered more sensitive to noise than others due to noise exposure and types ofactivities conductednear thenoise‐sensitive receptor location. TheL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuidestates thatresidences, schools,motelsandhotels, libraries, religious institutions,hospitals,nursinghomes,andparksaregenerallymoresensitivetonoisethancommercialandindustriallanduses.Existingnoise‐sensitiveusesinthevicinityoftheProjectSitearesummarizedbelow:

LA LIVE: Sensitive land uses includeMicrosoft Plaza, the Ritz‐Carlton Hotel, and the Ritz‐CarltonResidences.Theseusesare locatedacrossfromS.FigueroaStreet,westof theProjectSite(rangingfrom240to600feetfromtheboundariesoftheProjectSite).

Hotel:HotelFigueroaislocatedapproximately180feetnorthwestoftheProjectSite.

Multi‐FamilyResidentialDwellings:Severalhighrisemixed‐useresidentialbuildingsare locatedtothe north of the Project Site across fromW. Olympic Boulevard. Mid‐ and high‐rise multi‐familyresidential are also located east of the Project Site fronting S. Flower Street. Existing high‐riseresidential buildings are located approximately300 feet south of theProject Site across from11thStreet.

FutureResidentialUses:Mixed‐useprojectsthatincorporateresidentialusesincludetheOceanwidePlazaprojectandtheCircaproject.Theseprojectsarecurrentlyunderconstructionandarelocatedapproximately80feetand700feetthesouthoftheProjectSiterespectively.

Future Residential Uses: Mixed‐use project that incorporates residential uses at the proposedOlympic Tower project. The proposed project is not currently under construction and is locatedapproximately140feetnorthoftheProjectSite.

Allothernoise‐sensitiveusesregulatedbytheCityarelocatedatgreaterdistancesfromtheProjectSite,andwouldbenotbeimpactedbypotentialProjectnoise.Thefollowingimpactsarequantifiedonlyfortheabovedescribed sensitive uses. The Noise Monitoring Locations are shown onFigure4.G‐2,NoiseMonitoringLocations.5 FederalTransitAdministration,TransitNoiseandVibrationImpactAssessment,page7‐3,May2006.6 CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation(Caltrans),TransportationRelatedEarthborneVibrations,page4,February2002.



(2) Ambient Noise Levels

The predominant existing noise sources in the Project vicinity include roadway noise from W. OlympicBoulevard to thenorth, S. Figueroa Street to thewest, S. Flower Street to the east, and11th Street to thesouth. Secondarynoisesourcesincludeactivitiesrelatedtotheoperationofcommercialbusinessesintheareaandincludeloadingarea/deliverytruckactivities,trashcompaction,andrefusecollection.

Ambient noise measurements were conducted at seven locations representing the residential sensitivereceptors and hotel uses in the immediate Project vicinity, as indicated on Figure 4.G‐2, from Thursday,January 14, through Tuesday, January 19, 2016. The receptors are described below. Both long‐term andshort‐termmeasurementswereconducted. Long‐termmeasurementswereconductedat locationsR2andR3, on the Project Site’s property line, for four days, and short‐term (15‐minute) measurements wererecordedatlocationsR1,andfromR4throughR7.

TheambientnoisemeasurementswereconductedusingtheLarson‐Davis820Precision IntegratedSoundLevelMeter(SLM).TheLarson‐Davis820SLMisaType1standardinstrumentasdefinedintheAmericanNationalStandardInstituteS1.4. Allinstrumentswerecalibratedandoperatedaccordingtotheapplicablemanufacturerspecification. Themicrophonewasplacedataheightof5 feetabove the localgrade,at thefollowinglocationsasshowninFigure4.G‐2:

MeasurementLocationR1: This location represents theexistingnoise environmentof theProjectSite. Thesound levelmeterwasplacedon thenorthwesternboundaryof theProjectSitealongS.FigueroaStreet.

MeasurementLocationR2:ThislocationrepresentstheexistingnoiseenvironmentalongtheProjectSiteandthemulti‐familyresidentialusesacrossW.OlympicBoulevardnortheastoftheProjectSite.ThesoundlevelmeterwasplacedonthenorthcorneroftheProjectSiteonthesoutheasterncornerofW.OlympicBoulevardandS.FigueroaStreet.

MeasurementLocationR3: This location represents theexistingnoise environmentof theProjectSiteandmulti‐familyresidentialusesacrossS.FlowerStreetsoutheastoftheProjectSite.ThesoundlevelmeterwasplacedonsoutheasterncorneroftheProjectSitealongS.FlowerStreet.

Measurement Location R4: This location represents the existing noise environment of themulti‐family residential uses on the northeastern corner ofW. Olympic Boulevard and S. Flower Street.The sound level meter was placed along S. Flower Street in front of the multi‐family residentialbuilding.

MeasurementLocationR5: This locationrepresentstheexistingnoiseenvironmentof theexistinghotel uses on the northwestern corner of W. Olympic Boulevard and S. Figueroa Street and theproposedOlympicTowerproject(mixed‐useresidentialdevelopment). Thesoundlevelmeterwasplaced along S. Figueroa Street near the existing hotel building and the east side of the proposedOlympicTowerprojectsite.

MeasurementLocationR6: This locationrepresentstheexistingnoiseenvironmentof theexistingmulti‐familyresidentialusesandfutureresidential/hotelusestothesouthoftheProjectSite. ThesoundlevelmeterwasplacedalongS.FlowerStreetinfrontofthemulti‐familyresidentialbuilding.

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Olympic Boulevard

W 11th Street

W 12th Street

S Fig

ueroa

Stree

t

W 9th Street

¬«110

S Flo

wer St

reet

Staples Center

MicrosoftTheater

LA LIVE

LA LIVE

The Ritz-Carlton Residences and

JW Marriott (Hotel/Residences)

Construction

Construction

Multi-Family

Multi-Family Multi-

Family

Commercial

Retail/Parking

Multi-Family

Multi-Family Multi-

Family

Multi-Family

Multi-Family

OfficePetroliumBuilding/Office

Restaurant

Mixed Use/Multi-Family

Park

Multi-FamilyMixed Use/

Multi-family

Multi-Family

ParkingHotel

OfficeOffice

MedicalOffice

Multi-Family

Salvation ArmyDepartment

of Water and Power

ProposedMixed Use/Multi-family

HotelR7

R6

R5

R4

R3

R2

R1

FIGURE

Source: Google Maps, 2015 (Aerial); PCR Services Corporation, 2016.

0 300 600 Feet1020 S. Figueroa Street Project

Noise Measurement Locationso 4.G-2

Project SiteA Noise Measurement Location



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Measurement Location R7: This location represents the existing noise environment of the Ritz‐CarltonHotelandtheRitz‐CarltonResidenceswestof theProjectSite. Thesound levelmeterwasplacedalongW.OlympicBoulevardinfrontoftheRitz‐CarltonHotelandtheRitz‐CarltonResidences.

AsummaryofnoisemeasurementdataisprovidedinTable4.G‐1,SummaryofAmbientNoiseMeasurements.AsshowninTable4.G‐1,theexistingambientdaytimeandnighttimenoiselevelsatallofthenoise‐sensitiveresidentialreceptorsmeasuredalreadyexceedtheCity’spresumedambientnoiselevelsforresidentialareasof50dBAduringthedaytimeand40dBAduringthenighttime.TheambientnoiselevelsintheimmediateProjectvicinityarerepresentativeofanoisyurbanarea.

CNELlevelsforeachroadwaysegmentintheProjectvicinitywerecalculatedusinganoisepredictionmodelwhich was developed based on methodologies provided in the California Department of Transportation

Table 4.G‐1

Summary of Ambient Noise Measurements

Location, Duration, Existing Land Uses and, Date of Measurements

Measured Ambient Noise Levels,a (dBA)

Daytime (7 A.M. to 10 P.M.)

Hourly Leq

Nighttime(10 P.M. to 7 A.M.)

Hourly Leq

R11/14/1610A.M.to11A.M./Thursday

75b N/A

R21/15/16(full24hours)/Friday1/16/16(full24hours)/Saturday1/17/16(full24hours)/Sunday1/18/16(full24hours)/Monday1/18/16(full24hours)/Tuesday

68–7366–7163–7266–7566–76

59–7361–7260–7362–7159–70

Average: 69 67R31/15/16(full24hours)/Friday1/16/16(full24hours)/Saturday1/17/16(full24hours)/Sunday1/18/16(full24hours)/Monday1/18/16(full24hours)/Tuesday

65–6862–6861–6663–6761–66

56–6656–6457–7156–6655–65

Average 65 63

R41/14/1611A.M.to12P.M./Thursday

73b N/A

R51/14/1611A.M.to12P.M./Thursday 71b N/A



a Detailed measured noise data, including hourly Leq levels, are included in Appendix G b Daytime Noise Measurement c Nighttime Noise Measurement Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016.



(Caltrans) Technical Noise Supplement (TeNS) document and traffic data provided by the Project trafficconsultant. The roadwaynoise calculationproceduresprovided in theCaltransTeNSare consistentwithFederalHighwayAdministrationRD‐77‐108 roadwaynoise predictionmethodologies. Thismethodology,consideredanindustrystandard,allowsforthedefinitionofroadwayconfigurations,barrierinformation(ifany),andreceiverlocations.Atrafficmodelcalibrationtestwasperformedtoestablishthenoisepredictionmodel'saccuracybetween10A.M.and12P.M.onThursday,January14,2016.TheroadsegmentsincludedinthecalibrationtestswereS.FigueroaStreet,betweenW.OlympicBoulevardand11thStreet,S.FlowerStreet,between11th Street and12th Street, andW.OlympicBoulevard, betweenS. Figueroa Street andS. FlowerStreet.Inthesenotedlocations,15‐minutenoiserecordingsweremadewhileloggingactualtrafficvolumesandauto fleetmix(i.e., standardautomobile,mediumdutytruck,orheavyduty truck). Thetrafficcountswereentered into thenoisemodelalongwith theobservedspeed, laneconfiguration,anddistance to theroadwaytocalculatethetrafficnoiselevels.TheresultsofthetrafficnoisemodelcalibrationareprovidedinTable4.G‐2,TrafficNoiseModelCalibrationResults. Asindicated,thenoisemodelresultsarewithin1dBAofthemeasurednoiselevels,whichiswithintheindustrystandardtoleranceofthenoisepredictionmodel.Therefore, the Project‐specific traffic noise prediction model is considered accurate and reflective of theProject’sphysicalsetting.

Because the monitoring data validates the use of a Project‐specific traffic noise prediction model, theambientnoiseenvironmentoftheProjectvicinitycanbecharacterizedby24‐hourCNELlevelsattributabletoexistingtrafficonlocalroadways. As indicatedinTable4.G‐3,PredictedExistingVehicularTrafficNoiseLevels, the calculated CNEL (at a distance of 25 feet from the roadway right‐of‐way) from actual existingtrafficvolumesontheanalyzedroadwaysegmentsrangedfrom56.5dBAto71.0dBAforresidentialareas,hoteluses,andcommercialareas.

(3) Vibration‐Sensitive Receptor Locations

Typically,ground‐bornevibrationgeneratedbyman‐madeactivities(i.e.,railandroadwaytraffic,operationofmechanical equipment and typical construction equipment) diminishes rapidlywith distance from thevibrationsource.TheFederalTransitAdministration(FTA)usesascreeningdistanceof100feetforhighlyvibration‐sensitivebuildings(e.g.,hospitalswithvibrationsensitiveequipment)and50feet forresidential

Table 4.G‐2

Traffic Noise Model Calibration Results

Road Segment/ Noise Measurements Locations

Traffic Counts during noise readings, 15 minutes Measured

Traffic Noise Levels,

Leq (dBA)

Project Traffic Noise Model

Predicted Noise Levels,

Leq (dBA)

Difference between Predicted

and Measured Levels, dBA Autos

Medium Trucks a

Heavy Trucks b

S.FigueroaStreet 880 36 40 75.4 76.0 ‐0.6S.FlowerStreet 720 8 20 72.5 73.3 ‐0.8W.OlympicBoulevard 1480 12 12 75.1 75.7 ‐0.6

a Medium Truck – 2 axle trucks based on field observations. b Heavy Truck – 3 or more axle trucks and buses based on field observations.

Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016.



Table 4.G‐3

Predicted Existing Vehicular Traffic Noise Levels

Adjacent Existing Noise Exposure

Compatibility b

Existing CNEL (dBA) at Referenced Distances from

Roadway Right‐of‐Way a

Roadway Segment Land Use Category 25 Feet

S.FigueroaStreetBetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard

CommercialConditionallyAcceptable

69.4

BetweenJamesM.WoodBoulevard/W.9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard

Residential/Commercial

ConditionallyAcceptable 69.3

BetweenOlympicBoulevardandW.11thStreet

Commercial/Hotel


BetweenW.11thStreetandW.12thStreet CommercialConditionallyAcceptable 70.1

BetweenW.12thStreetandW.PicoBoulevard Commercial


S.FlowerStreet BetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard/W.9thStreet


68.1



67.2


Residential/Hotel

ConditionallyAcceptable

65.5

BetweenW.11thStreetandW.12thStreetResidential/Commercial


66.7

BetweenW.12thStreetandW.PicoBoulevard



68.2

W. Olympic Boulevard

BetweenGeorgiaStreetandFranciscoStreet CommercialConditionallyAcceptable 71.0

BetweenFranciscoStreetandS.FigueroaStreet



69.9

BetweenS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet

Commercial/Hotel


69.5

BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet Residential/Commercial


69.3

BetweenS.HopeStreetandS.GrandAvenue Residential/Commercial


68.9

S. Grand Avenue BetweenOlympicBoulevardandW.11thStreet



66.2

BetweenW.11thStreetandW.12thStreetResidential/Commercial


65.3



65.2

BetweenW.PicoBoulevardandVeniceBoulevard




Table 4.G‐3 (Continued)

Predicted Existing Vehicular Traffic Noise Levels


Adjacent Existing Noise Exposure

Compatibility b

Existing CNEL (dBA) at Referenced Distances from

Roadway Right‐of‐Way a

Roadway Segment Land Use Category 25 Feet

W. 11thStreet BetweenL.A.LiveWayandS.FigueroaStreet Commercial NormallyAcceptable 62.2BetweenS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet

Commercial NormallyAcceptable 66.2

BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet Commercial NormallyAcceptable 62.4BetweenS.HopeStreetandS.GrandAvenue Commercial NormallyAcceptable 62.3

W.9thStreet

BetweenGeorgiaStreetandFranciscoStreet CommercialConditionallyAcceptable

69.4

BetweenFranciscoStreetandS.FigueroaStreet


68.7



68.5

BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreetResidential/Commercial


65.4

S.HopeStreet

BetweenW.9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard Residential/Commercial


65.2



NormallyAcceptable 63.1

W.12thStreet BetweenS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet


BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.GrandAvenue


W.8thStreet BetweenFranciscoStreetandS.FigueroaStreet

Commercial ConditionallyAcceptable

68.7


Commercial ConditionallyAcceptable

68.0

W.PicoBoulevard BetweenS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet



68.4

BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.GrandAvenue



68.0

a Calculatedbasedonexistingtrafficvolumes.b Basedonnoiselevelsat25feetdistancefromtheroadwayandresidentialusesifresidentialusesareshownalongroadways.Source:PCR Services Corporation 2016.



uses andhistoricbuildings. Whenvibration‐sensitiveuses arewithin thesedistances fromaProject Site,vibration impact analysis is required. Vibration‐sensitive receptors generally include historic buildings,buildingsinpoorstructuralcondition,andusesthatrequireprecisioninstruments(e.g.,hospitaloperatingroomsorscientificresearchlaboratories).

ThePetroleumBuildingislocatedimmediatelyeastoftheProjectSite,frontingW.OlympicBoulevard.ThePetroleum Building is a designated City Cultural‐Historic Monument and could be affected by vibrationcausedbyshort‐termProjectconstructionandlong‐termProjectoperations.

c. Regulatory Framework

(1) Los Angeles Municipal Code

TheCity’sNoiseRegulation isprovided inChapterXIof theLosAngelesMunicipalCode (LAMC). Section111.02oftheLAMCprovidesproceduresandcriteriaforthemeasurementofthesoundlevelof“offending”noise sources. In accordance with the LAMC, a noise level increase of 5 dBA over the existing averageambient noise level at an adjacent property line is considered a noise violation. To account for people’sincreased tolerance for short‐durationnoise events, theNoiseRegulationprovides a5dBAallowance fornoiseoccurringmorethanfivebutlessthanfifteenminutesinanyone‐hourperiodandanadditional5dBAallowance(totalof10dBA)fornoiseoccurringfiveminutesorlessinanyone‐hourperiod.7

TheLAMCindicatesthatincaseswheretheactualambientconditionsarenotknown,theCity’spresumeddaytime(7:00A.M. to10:00P.M.)andnighttime(10:00P.M. to7:00A.M.)minimumambientnoise levelsasdefinedinSection111.02oftheLAMCshouldbeused.ThepresumedambientnoiselevelsfortheseareasassetforthintheLAMCSections111.02and112.05areprovidedinTable4.G‐4,CityofLosAngelesPresumedAmbientNoiseLevels. Forresidential‐zonedareas, thepresumedambientnoise level is50dBAduringthedaytime and 40 dBA during the nighttime. Section 112.02 limits increases in noise levels from airconditioning,refrigeration,heating,pumpingandfilteringequipment.Suchequipmentmaynotbeoperatedin suchmanner as to create any noise which would cause the noise level on the premises of any otheroccupied property, or, if a condominium, apartment house, duplex, or attached business, within anyadjoiningunit,toexceedtheambientnoiselevelbymorethanfive(5)decibels.

Section112.05oftheLAMCsetsamaximumnoiselevelforconstructionequipmentof75dBAatadistanceof 50 feet when operated within 500 feet of a residential zone. Compliance with this standard is onlyrequiredwhere“technicallyfeasible.”8Section41.40oftheLAMCprohibitsconstructionbetweenthehoursof9:00P.M.and7:00A.M.MondaythroughFriday,6:00P.M.and8:00A.M.onSaturday,andatanytimeonSunday(i.e.,construction isallowedMondaythroughFridaybetween7:00A.M. to9:00P.M.;andSaturdaysandNationalHolidays between 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.). In general, the City’s Department of Building andSafety enforces noise ordinance provisions relative to equipment and the Los Angeles PoliceDepartmentenforcesprovisionsrelativetonoisegeneratedbypeople.

Section 113.01 of LAMC prohibits collecting or disposing of rubbish or garbage, to operate any refusedisposal truck, or to collect, load, pick up, transfer, unload, dump, discard, or dispose of any rubbish or

7 LAMC,ChapterXI,ArticleI,Section111.02‐(b).

8 InaccordancewiththeCity’sNoiseOrdinances,“technicallyfeasible”meansthattheestablishednoise limitationscanbecompliedwithataprojectsite,withtheuseofmufflers,shields,soundbarriers,and/orothernoisereductiondevicesortechniquesemployedduringtheoperationofequipment.



garbage, as such terms are defined in Section 66.00 of LAMC,within 200 feet of any residential buildingbetweenthehoursof9:00P.M.and6:00A.M.of the followingday,unlessapermitthereforehasbeendulyobtainedbeforehandfromtheBoardofPoliceCommissioners.

(2) Guidelines for Noise‐Compatible Land Uses

The City has adopted local guidelines based, in part, on the community noise compatibility guidelinesestablishedbytheStateDepartmentofHealthServicesforuseinassessingthecompatibilityofvariouslandusetypeswitharangeofnoiselevels.TheseguidelinesaresetforthintheCityofL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuideintermsoftheCNEL.CNELguidelinesforspecificlandusesareclassifiedintofourcategories:(1)“normallyacceptable,” (2)“conditionallyacceptable,” (3)“normallyunacceptable,”and(4)“clearlyunacceptable.” Asshown inTable4.G‐5,CityofLosAngelesLandUseCompatibility forCommunityNoise, a CNELvalueof 70dBAistheupperlimitofwhatisconsidereda“conditionallyacceptable”noiseenvironmentformulti‐familyresidential uses, although the upper limit of what is considered “normally acceptable” for multi‐familyresidential uses is set at 65 dBA CNEL.9 New development should generally be discouraged within the“normallyunacceptable”or“clearlyunacceptable”categories.However,ifnewdevelopmentdoesproceed,adetailedanalysisof thenoise reduction requirementsmustbemadeandneedednoise insulation featuresincludedinthedesign.

(3) Ground‐Borne Vibration Guidelines

The City has not adopted policies or guidelines relative to ground‐borne vibration, and defers to otherauthoritativesourcesforevaluatingthis.Caltranshasproducedaguidancemanualforevaluatingpotentialvibration impacts (“Transportation‐ and Construction‐Induced Vibration Guidance Manual” dated June2004).Themanualprovidesthresholdsforpotentialimpactsonhumancomfortanddamagetobuildings,aswell as guidance for reducing potential vibration impacts and addressing vibration issues. The manualgathersdatafrommultiplesources,includingtheFTA.Tables4,5and6withinthemanualprovidecriteriafor identifying potential annoyance from vibration activity, as measured in inches per second PPV. Forexample, 0.035 inches per second PPV is identified as a level that is “distinctly“ or “barely” perceptible,0.08/0.1 as identified “readily” or “strongly”perceptible. Levels above this range are levels that begin toannoyhumanbeings.

9 CityofL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuide,SectionI.2,2006.

Table 4.G‐4

City of Los Angeles Presumed Ambient Noise Levels

Zone

Daytime Hours

(7 A.M. to 10 P.M.) dBA (Leq)

Nighttime Hours

(10 P.M. to 7 A.M.) dBA (Leq)

Residential 50 40Commercial 60 55Manufacturing(M1,MR1,andMR2) 60 55HeavyManufacturing(M2andM3) 65 65

Source: LAMC, Section 111.03.



Tables9 through15providecriteria for identifyingpotentialdamage tobuildings. Again, thevaluesvarygreatly depending on assumptions and the types and conditions of buildings considered. Per thoseguidelinesbuildingsthatareextremelyoldandfragilecanbesubjecttodamagefromvibrationlevelsaslowas0.1 inchesper second. Generally, the levels forwell‐constructed,more substantialbuildings fall in therangeof1.0 to2.0 inchespersecondPPV. Notably,Table10,basedonFTAdata,providesaconservativeestimateforwell‐constructedbuildingsof0.5inchespersecondPPVwhileTables9,14,and15assignthe0.5standardtoresidentialstructuresandsomeolderbuildingsandlevelsof1.0to2.0inchespersecondPPVfornewer,moresubstantial,better‐engineeredbuildings.

Table 4.G‐5

City of Los Angeles Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise

Community Noise Exposure CNEL (dBA)

Land Use Normally

Acceptable Conditionally Acceptable

Normally Unacceptable

Clearly Unacceptable

Single‐Family,Duplex,MobileHomes

50to60 55to70 70to75 Above70

Multi‐FamilyHomes 50to65 60to70 70to75 Above70

Schools,Libraries,Churches,Hospitals,NursingHomes

50to70 60to70 70to80 Above80

TransientLodging—Motels,Hotels 50to65 60to 70 70to80 Above80

Auditoriums,ConcertHalls,Amphitheaters

— 50to70 — Above65

SportsArena,OutdoorSpectatorSports

— 50to75 — Above70

Playgrounds,NeighborhoodParks 50to70 — 67to75 Above72

GolfCourses,RidingStables,WaterRecreation,Cemeteries

50to75 — 70to80 Above80

OfficeBuildings,BusinessandProfessionalCommercial

50to70 67to77 Above75 —

Industrial,Manufacturing,Utilities,Agriculture

50to75 70to80 Above75 —

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. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

Clearly Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.

Source: City of L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide, 2006.



3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

a. Methodology

(1) On‐Site Construction Noise

On‐siteconstructionnoiseimpactswereevaluatedbydeterminingthenoiselevelsgeneratedbythedifferenttypesofconstructionactivityanticipated,calculatingtheconstruction‐relatednoiselevelatnearbysensitivereceptor locations, and comparing these construction‐relatednoise levels to existing ambient noise levels(i.e.,noiselevelswithoutconstructionnoise)atthosereceptors.More,specifically,thefollowingstepswereundertakentoassessconstruction‐periodnoiseimpacts.

1. Ambientnoise levelsatsurroundingsensitivereceptor locationswereestimatedbasedonfieldmeasurementdata(seeTable4.G‐1)

2. Typical noise levels for each type of construction equipment were obtained from the FederalHighwayAdministrationroadwayconstructionnoisemodel;

3. Distances between construction site locations (noise sources) and surrounding sensitivereceptorsweremeasuredusingProjectarchitecturaldrawingsandsiteplansandGoogleEarth;

4. Theconstructionnoise levelwasthencalculated, in termsofhourlyLeq, forsensitivereceptorlocations based on the standard point source noise‐distance attenuation factor of 6.0 dBA foreachdoublingofdistance;and

5. Constructionnoiselevelswerethencomparedtotheconstructionnoisesignificancethresholdsidentifiedbelow.

(2) Off‐Site Roadway Noise (Construction and Operations)

RoadwaynoiseimpactshavebeenevaluatedusingtheCaltransTeNSmethodbasedontheroadwaytrafficvolumedataprovidedintheTrafficStudypreparedfortheProjectandincludedinAppendixGofthisDraftEIR. This method allows for the definition of roadway configurations, barrier information (if any), andreceiver locations. Roadway noise attributable to Project development was calculated and compared tobaselinenoiselevelsthatwouldoccurunderthe“WithoutProject”condition.

(3) Stationary Point‐Source Noise (Operations)

Stationarypoint‐sourcenoiseimpactswereevaluatedbyidentifyingthenoiselevelsgeneratedbyoutdoorstationary noise sources, such as rooftopmechanical equipment and loading area activity, calculating thehourlyLeqnoiselevelfromeachnoisesourceatsensitivereceptorpropertylines,andcomparingsuchnoiselevelstoexistingambientnoise levels. Morespecifically, the followingstepswereundertakentocalculateoutdoorstationarypoint‐sourcenoiseimpacts:

1. Ambientnoise levelsatsurroundingsensitivereceptor locationswereestimatedbasedonfieldmeasurementdata(seeTable4.G‐1);

2. Distancesbetweenstationarynoise sourcesandsurrounding sensitive receptor locationsweremeasuredusingProjectarchitecturaldrawings,GoogleEarth,andsiteplans;



3. Stationary‐sourcenoiselevelswerethencalculatedforeachsensitivereceptorlocationbasedonthe standard point source noise‐distance attenuation factor of 6.0dBA for each doubling ofdistance;

4. Noise level increases were compared to the stationary source noise significance thresholdsidentifiedbelow;and

5. For outdoormechanical equipment, themaximumallowable noise emissions from any and alloutdoor mechanical equipment were specified such that noise levels would not exceed thesignificancethresholdidentifiedbelow.

(4) Ground‐Borne Vibration (Construction and Operations)

Ground‐borne vibration impactswere evaluatedby identifyingpotential vibration sources,measuring thedistance between vibration sources and surrounding structure locations, and making a significancedeterminationbasedonthesignificancethresholdsdescribedbelow.

b. Thresholds of Significance

Appendix G of the StateCEQAGuidelines provides a set of screening questions that address impactswithregardtonoiseandvibration.Thesequestionsareasfollows:

Wouldaprojectresultin:

Exposureofpersonstoorgenerationofnoise levels inexcessofstandardsestablished in the localgeneralplanornoiseordinance,orapplicablestandardsofotheragencies;

Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noiselevels;

Asubstantialpermanent increase inambientnoise levels inthevicinityof theprojectabove levelsexistingwithouttheProject;

A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity abovelevelsexistingwithouttheproject.

(1) Construction

The City of L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide defines the following significance thresholds for constructionactivitieslastingmorethan10daysinathreemonthperiodoroccurringduringthehoursof9:00P.M.and7:00A.M.MondaythroughFriday,before8:00A.M.orafter6:00P.M.onSaturday,oranytimeonSunday:

NOISE‐1 On‐siteProjectconstructionactivitiescausetheexteriorambientnoiseleveltoincreaseby5dBAormoreatanoise‐sensitiveuse,asmeasuredatthepropertylineofanysensitiveuse.

NOISE‐2 Off‐site Project construction traffic causes the exterior ambient noise level to increase by5dBACNELormoreatanoise‐sensitiveuse,asmeasuredatthepropertylineofanysensitiveuse.



(2) Operations

NOISE‐3 TheProjectwouldcauseanyambientnoiselevelstoincreaseby5dBA,CNELormoreandtheresulting noise falls on a noise‐sensitive land use within an area categorized as either“normallyacceptable”or“conditionallyacceptable”(seeTable4.G‐5fordescriptionofthesecategories); or cause ambient noise levels to increase by 3dBA, CNEL or more and theresulting noise falls on a noise‐sensitive land use within an area categorized as either“normallyunacceptable”or“clearlyunacceptable.”

NOISE‐4 Project‐related operational (i.e., non‐roadway) noise sources such as outdoor activities,building mechanical/electrical equipment, etc., increase ambient noise level by 5 dBA,causingaviolationoftheCityNoiseOrdinance.

NOISE‐5 Themaximum noise level (Lmax) generated from the operation of the loading dock, refusecollectionarea,orparkingstructure(i.e.,caralarm)exceedstheaverage(Leq)ambientnoiselevelby10dBA.

TheCityofL.A.CEQAThresholdsGuidedoesnotrecommendasignificancethresholdfor interiorresidentialnoise levels. However, the City’s Building Code states that the interior noise level for residential unitsattributabletoexteriornoiseshallnotexceedamaximumof45dBA,CNEL.Therefore,asignificantinteriornoiseimpactwouldresultif:

NOISE‐6: TheProject’sresidentialusesareexposedtoanexteriornoise levelofgreater than65dBACNELforoutdoorlivingareas(excludingbalconies)oraninteriornoiselevelofgreaterthan45dBACNEL.

(3) Ground‐Borne Vibration

The City of Los Angeles has not adopted a significance threshold to assess vibration impacts duringconstruction. Thus, the FTA standards described above are used to evaluate potential impacts related toProjectconstructionandoperation.

NOISE‐7 Potential Building Damage ‐ Project construction activities cause ground‐borne vibrationlevels to exceed 0.5‐inch‐per second PPV at the nearest off‐site residential buildings orhistoricbuildings.

NOISE‐8 Potential Human Annoyance ‐ Project construction and operation activities cause ground‐bornevibrationlevelstoexceed0.035‐inch‐per‐secondPPVatnearbyresidentialuses.

c. Project Characteristics and Project Design Features

(1) Project Characteristics

SeveralProjectcharacteristicshavethepotentialtoreducenoiseandvibrationgenerationandweretakenintoaccountintheanalysisofpotentialimpacts.InaccordancewithLAMCrequirements,constructionhoursfor exterior construction andhauling activitieswouldoccurbetween the hoursof 7:00 A.M. and9:00 P.M.,



MondaythroughFriday,and8:00A.M.and6:00P.M.onSaturday.TheProjectcontractor(s)wouldequipallconstructionequipment,fixedormobile,withproperlyoperatingandmaintainednoisemufflers,consistentwithmanufacturers’standards.Finally,existingregulationslimitengineidlingfromconstructionequipmentsuch as bulldozers and haul trucks. With respect to Project operation, all building outdoor mountedmechanical and electrical equipment would be designed to meet the requirements of LAMC Chapter XI,Section 112.02. Section 112.02 of the LAMC requires that any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system within any zone of the City not cause an increase in ambient noise levels on any otheroccupiedpropertyorifacondominium,apartmenthouse,duplex,orattachedbusiness,withinanyadjoiningunittoexceedtheambientnoise levelbymorethanfive(5)decibels. Loadingareaactivitieswouldoccurduringthehoursof7:30A.M.to10:00P.M.

(2) Project Design Features

ThefollowingProjectDesignFeatureswouldreducenoisefromtheProject:

PDF‐NOISE‐1: Equipment Noise Control: The Project contractor(s) shall equip all constructionequipment,fixedormobile,withproperlyoperatingandmaintainednoisemufflers,consistentwithmanufacturers’standards.

PDF‐NOISE‐2: On‐siteconstructionequipmentstagingareashallbelocatedasfarasfeasiblefromon‐sitesensitiveuses.

PDF‐NOISE‐3: Engineidlingfromconstructionequipmentsuchasbulldozersandhaultrucksshallbe limited nomore than fiveminutes in compliancewith applicable CaliforniaAirResourcesBoardregulations.

PDF‐NOISE‐4: Effectivenoisebarrierswillbedesignedanderectedasneededtoshieldon‐siteusesfromexcessiveconstruction‐relatednoise.

PDF‐NOISE‐5: Futureon‐siteresidentswillbenotifiedpriortopurchase/leasethatconstructionisplannedwithincloseproximitytoon‐siteresidentialuses.

PDF‐NOISE‐6: Airconditioners,fans,generators,andrelatedequipmentwillbedesignedtonottoexceedtheambientnoiselevelsbymorethanfive(5)dBAatoffsiteresidentialuses.

d. Project Impacts

(1) Construction

(a) On‐site Construction Noise

ThresholdNOISE‐1:A significant impactwouldoccur if Project construction activities cause the exteriorambientnoiseleveltoincreaseby5dBAormoreatanoise‐sensitiveuse,asmeasuredatthepropertylineofanyexistingandfuturesensitiveuses.

ImpactStatementNOISE‐1:Constructionactivitieswouldincreasenoiselevelsatoff‐siteexistingandfuturenoise‐sensitivereceptorsintheProjectAreainexcessoftheapplicablethresholds.Impactsduetonoise



from on‐site construction activitywould be potentially significant at off‐site sensitive use locations.Evenwith implementation of the prescribedmitigation, noise impactswould exceed the applicablethresholds.Thus,constructionnoiseimpactswouldbesignificantandunavoidableattheadjacentnoisesensitiveresidentialuses.

The Project would be constructed in two phases. Construction of Phase 1 of the Project is expected tocommenceinthethirdquarterof2017andwouldbecompletedinthesecondquarterof2020.ConstructionofPhase2oftheProjectwouldbeginimmediatelyafterPhase1andwouldbecompletedinthefirstquarterof2023.

Noise impacts fromconstructionactivitiesaregenerally a functionof the typeof constructionequipment,equipmentlocations,thesensitivityofnearbylanduses,andthetiminganddurationofthenoise‐generatingactivities. Each phase of construction is typically undertaken in five stages: (1) site preparation; (2)demolition; (3) grading; (4) foundation; and (5) building construction. Each stage involves the use ofdifferent kinds of construction equipment and, therefore, has its own distinct noise characteristics. Sitepreparation typically involves the use of a tractor/loader/backhoe and rubber tired dozer. Demolitiontypicallyinvolvestheuseofconcretesaw,dozer,andtractor/loader/backhoe.Gradingtypicallyinvolvestheuse of a drill rig, excavator, tractor/loader/backhoe, grader, rubber tired dozer, and scraper. Foundationtypicallyinvolvestheuseofatractor/loader/backhoeandpump.Buildingconstructiontypicallyinvolvestheuseofcranes,aforklift,tractor/loader/backhoe,welders,ageneratorset,pump,aircompressor,pavementequipment,paver,androller.TheProjectwouldbeconstructedusingtypicalconstructiontechniques.

Projectconstructionwouldrequiretheuseofmobileheavyequipmentwithhighnoise‐levelcharacteristics.Even with implementation of the Project characteristics cited above, individual pieces of constructionequipmentanticipatedduringProjectconstructioncouldproducemaximumnoiselevelsof74dBAto90dBAatareferencedistanceof50feet fromthenoisesource,asshown inTable4.G‐6,ConstructionEquipmentNoiseLevels. Thesemaximumnoise levelswould occurwhen equipment is operating at full power. Theestimated usage factor for the equipment is also shown in Table 4.G‐6. The usage factors are based onFHWA’s Roadway Construction Noise Model User’s Guide.10 To more accurately and conservativelycharacterize construction‐period noise levels, the average (Hourly Leq) noise level associated with eachconstructionstage is calculatedbasedon thequantity, type, andusage factors foreach typeof equipmentusedduringeachconstructionstageandrepresentmultiplepiecesofequipmentoperatingsimultaneously.

Constructionnoiselevelswereestimatedbasedonanindustrystandardsoundattenuationrateof6dBperdoublingofdistance(fromthe50‐footreferencedistance)forpointsources(e.g.,constructionequipment).Forpurposesofanalysis,allconstructionequipmentwasassumedtooperatesimultaneouslyinthelocationclosesttopotentiallyaffectedresidentialreceptors,andnoisefromdifferentconstructionstagesthatcouldreasonablybeexpected tooccur simultaneouslywascombined todevelopacompositeconstructionnoiselevel.Theseassumptionsresultinaconservativenoisescenario,sinceallconstructionequipmentusedinagivenphasewouldnottypicallyoperateconcurrentlyandatfullpower,andactivitiesareroutinelyspreadacrosstheconstructionsite,ratherthanconcentratedclosetothenearestnoise‐sensitivereceptors.

10 FederalHighwayAdministration,RoadwayConstructionNoiseModelUser’sGuide,2006.



A summaryof constructionnoise impactsat thenearbyexistingnearbysensitive receptors isprovided inTable 4.G‐7, Estimate of Phase 1 Construction Noise Levels (Leq) at Existing Off‐Site Sensitive ReceiverLocationsandTable4.G‐8, EstimateofPhase2ConstructionNoiseLevels (Leq)atExistingOff‐SiteSensitiveReceiverLocations.DetailednoisecalculationsforconstructionactivitiesareprovidedinAppendixGofthisDraftEIR.AsshowninTable4.G‐7,constructionnoiselevelsatthenearestsensitivereceptorsareestimatedtoreachamaximumof83dBAatthenearestsensitivereceptor,themulti‐familyresidentialusesacrossS.FlowerStreet(R3)andfuturemulti‐familyresidentialusesacrossfromW.11thStreet(R6),duringPhase1.AsshowninTable4.G‐8,constructionnoiselevelswouldreach79dBAatthemulti‐familyresidences(R2)acrossW. Olympic Boulevard and 78 dBA at the future residential uses (Olympic Tower project) duringPhase2.Thiswouldexceedthe70dBAsignificancethresholdatR3duringPhase1and74dBAsignificancethresholdatR2and76dBAsignificant thresholdatR5duringPhase2(averagedaytimenoise levelof65dBAatR369dBAatR2,and71dBAatR5asshowninTable4.G‐1plus5dBA).

Assuch,theProjectwouldhaveasignificantconstructionnoiseimpactonthemulti‐familyresidentialusesacrossfromS.FlowerStreet(R3)andthefutureresidential/hoteluses(R6)duringPhase1andthemulti‐familyresidentialuses(R2)acrossW.OlympicBoulevardandthefutureresidences(OlympicTowerproject,R5)duringPhase2. Mitigationmeasuresarethereforeprescribedtoreduceconstructionnoiseimpactstothesesensitivenoisereceptors,aspresentedinsubsection4.MitigationMeasures,below.

Table 4.G‐6

Construction Equipment Noise Levels

Equipment Estimated Usage Factor,

% Maximum Noise Level at 50 feet from

Equipment, dBA (Lmax)

AirCompressor 50 78ConcreteSaw 20 90Crane 40 81DrillRigTruck 20 79Excavator 40 81Forklift 10 75GeneratorSet 50 81Grader 40 85PavementEquipment 20 90Paver 50 77Pump 50 81Roller 20 80RubberTiredDozer 40 82Scraper 40 84Tractor/Loader/Backhoe 25 80Welder 40 74

Source: FHWA Roadway Construction Noise Model User’s Guide, 2006.



Table 4.G‐7

Estimate of Phase 1 Construction Noise Levels (Leq) at Existing Off‐Site Sensitive Receiver Locations

Noise‐Sensitive Receptor Construction Phases

Distance between Nearest Receptor and Construction

Site (feet)

Estimated Construction Noise Levels at the Noise‐Sensitive

Receptor by Construction Phase,a

Hourly Leq (dBA)

Project’s Significance Threshold d

(dBA)

Exceeds Significance Threshold?

R2bMulti‐familyResidentialUsesacrossOlympicBlvd.

SitePreparationDemolitionGradingFoundationBuildingConstruction

450450450450450

5561625563

74

NoNoNoNoNo

R3Multi‐familyResidentialUsesacrossS.FlowerSt.


8080808080

7581827583

70

YesYesYesYesYes

R4bResidentialUsesNortheasterncornerofOlympicBlvd.andS.FlowerSt.


500500500500500

5460615462

78

NoNoNoNoNo

R5FutureResidential(OlympicTowerproject)andexistingHotelUsesbNorthwesterncornerofOlympicBoulevardandS.FigueroaStreet


410e/470f410e/470f410e/470f410e/470f410e/470f

56e/55f61e/60f63e/61f56e/55f64e/62f

76

Noe/NofNoe/NofNoe/NofNoe/NofNoe/Nof

R6bExistingMulti‐familyResidentialUses/FutureResidential/HotelUsesSouthoftheProjectSite.


300g/80h300g/80h300g/80h300g/80h300g/80h

59g/75h64g/81h65g/82h59g/75h66g/83h

73

Nog/YeshNog/YeshNog/YeshNog/YeshNog/Yesh

R7cRitz‐CarltonHotelandtheRitz‐CarltonResidenceswestoftheProjectSite


600600600600600

4853544855

80

NoNoNoNoNo

a Estimated construction noise levels represent the most conservative condition when noise generators are located closest to the receptors

and are expected to last the entire construction duration. b Receptors are partially shielded from the construction site by existing buildings; such shielding is incorporated into analysis as a 5‐dBA

reduction in noise levels. c Receptors are fully shielded from the construction site by existing buildings; such shielding is incorporated into analysis as a 10‐dBA

reduction in noise levels. d Significance Thresholds are the average measured daytime noise levels shown in Table 4.G‐1 plus 5 dBA. e Future Residential (Olympic Tower project) Northwest of the Project Site f Existing Hotel Uses Northwest of the Project Site g Existing Multi‐family Residential Uses South of the Project Site. h Future Residential Hotel Uses South of the Project Site Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016



Table 4.G‐8

Estimate of Phase 2 Construction Noise Levels (Leq) at Existing Off‐Site Sensitive Receiver Locations

Noise‐Sensitive Receptor Construction Phases

Distance between Nearest Receptor and Construction

Site (feet)

Estimated Construction Noise Levels at the Noise‐

Sensitive Receptor by Construction Phase,a

Hourly Leq (dBA)

Project’s Significance Threshold d

(dBA)

Exceeds Significance Threshold?

R2Multi‐familyResidentialUsesacrossOlympicBlvd.


120120120120120

7278787279

74

NoYesYesNoYes

R3Multi‐familyResidentialUsesacrossS.FlowerSt.


250250250250250

6066676068

70

NoNoNoNoNo

R4bResidentialUsesNortheasterncornerofOlympicBlvd.andS.FlowerSt.


300300300300300

5965655966

78

NoNoNoNoNo

R5FutureResidential(OlympicTowerproject)andexistingHotelUsesbNorthwesterncornerofOlympicBoulevardandS.FigueroaStreet


140e/180f140e/180f140e/180f140e/180f140e/180f

71e/63f76e/69f77e/70f70e/63f78e/71f

76

Noe/NofYese/NofYese/NofNoe/NofYese/Nof

R6bExistingMulti‐familyResidentialUses/FutureResidential/HotelUsesSouthoftheProjectSite.


500g/250h500g/250h500g/250h500g/250h500g/250h

49g/60h55g/66h56g/67h49g/60h57g/68h

73

Nog/NohNog/NohNog/NohNog/NohNog/Noh

R7cRitz‐CarltonHotelandtheRitz‐CarltonResidencesWestoftheProjectSite


600600600600600

4854544855

80

NoNoNoNoNo

a Estimated construction noise levels represent the most conservative condition when noise generators are located closest to the receptors and are expected to last the entire construction duration.

b Receptors are partially shielded from the construction site by existing buildings; such shielding is incorporated into analysis as a 5‐dBA reduction in noise levels.

c Receptors are fully shielded from the construction site by existing buildings; such shielding is incorporated into analysis as a 10‐dBA reduction in noise levels.

d Significance Thresholds are the average measured daytime noise levels shown in Table 4.G‐1 plus 5 dBA. e Future Residential (Olympic Tower project) Northwest of the Project Site f Existing Hotel Uses Northwest of the Project Site g Existing Multi‐family Residential Uses South of the Project Site. h Future Residential Hotel Uses South of the Project Site Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016



(b) Off‐Site Construction Noise

ThresholdNOISE‐2 A significant impact would occur if Project off‐site construction traffic causes theexteriorambientnoiseleveltoincreaseby5dBA,CNELormoreatanoise‐sensitiveuse,asmeasuredatthepropertylineofanysensitiveuse.

ImpactStatementNOISE‐2: Projectoff‐siteconstructiontrafficwouldincreasenoiselevelsatnoise‐sensitiveusesintheProjectarea. However,increasestoambientnoise levelsatresidentialusesalongthehaulroutewouldnotincreaseby5dBAormoreduetoconstructiontraffic.Becausethenoiselevelswouldnotexceedtheestablishedthresholds,constructiontrafficnoiseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

Delivery truck trips would occur throughout the construction period. Trucks traveling to and from theProject Site would be required to travel along the haul route approved by the City for the Project. It isanticipatedthatoutboundtrafficwouldexittheProjectSitefromW.11thStreetorFigueroaStreettoW.8thStreettoHarborFreeway(I‐110).InboundtrafficwouldcomefromHarborFreeway(I‐110)toexitatW.9thStreet, right on S. Flower Street, right on W. 11th to the Project Site. An estimated maximum ofapproximately210haultrucktripsand12workertripswouldoccurperdayduringPhase2.DetailednoisecalculationsforconstructiontrafficareprovidedinAppendixGofthisDraftEIR.TheProject’sconstructionrelatedtraffictripswouldgeneratenoiselevelsofapproximately57.6dBA,CNELat25feetdistancealongW.11thStreet,56.5dBAalongS.FigueroaStreet,and57.6dBAalongW.8thStreet,W.9thStreet,andS.FlowerStreet.As shown inTable4.G‐3, the existingnoise levels along streets are66.2dBA,CNEL alongW.11thStreet,69.3dBAalongS.FigueroaStreet,68.4alongW.8thStreet,68.7dBAalongW.9thStreet,and65.5dBAalongS.FlowerStreet.

Construction traffic noise levels generatedby truck tripswould increase traffic noise levels alongW.11thStreetbyupto0.6dBA,alongS.FigueroaStreetbyupto0.2dBA,alongW.8thStreetbyupto0.3dBA,alongW.9th Streetbyup to0.3dBA,andalongS.FlowerStreetbyup to0.7dBA. Thenoise level increasesbyconstruction related traffic tripswould be below the significance threshold of 5 dBA. Therefore, off‐siteconstructiontrafficnoiseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant

(c) On‐Site Sensitive Receptors

The effects of the Project to on‐site sensitive receptors are not considered an impact to the environmentunder CEQA. However, due to the sensitivity of on‐site receptors, the potential for construction noise toaffect on‐site sensitive receptors is disclosed herein. As discussed above, construction activities wouldtemporarilyincreasetheexistingambientnoiseincloseproximityoftheconstructionsitewithintheProjectareas.ExistinghotelusesandResidentialTower1completedduringConstructionofPhase1wouldbenoisesensitivereceptorsduringconstructionof theProject. Theexistingon‐sitehotelusesandresidentialandhotelusescompletedduringConstructionofPhase1arenoise‐sensitive. Atvarious timesthroughout theconstructionphases,useofheavydutyconstructionequipmentcouldbecloserthan100feettooccupiedon‐sitehabitableroomsanditwillincreasetheambientnoiselevelsaton‐sitenoisesensitiveuses.PDF‐NOISE‐1,PDF‐NOISE‐2,andPDF‐NOISE‐3aredesignedtominimizethegenerationofon‐sitenoise. PDFNOISE‐4has been included to ensure appropriate noise barriers are designed and erected when construction isplannedwithincloseproximitytoon‐sitenoise‐sensitiveusestominimizeeffectstoon‐sitenoisesensitiveuses. PDF‐NOISE‐5hasbeenincludedtonotifyfutureon‐siteresidentialusesthatconstructionisplannedwithincloseproximity.



(2) Operations

ThresholdNOISE‐3: TheProjectwouldhaveasignificantimpactifitwouldcauseambientnoiselevelstoincreaseby5dBA,CNELormoreandtheresultingnoise fallsonanoise‐sensitive landusewithinanareacategorizedaseither “normallyacceptable”or “conditionallyacceptable”;orcauseambientnoise levels toincreaseby3dBA,CNELormoreandtheresultingnoise fallsonanoise‐sensitive landusewithinanareacategorizedaseither“normallyunacceptable”or“clearlyunacceptable.”

ImpactStatementNOISE‐3: Projectoperationaltrafficwould increasenoise levelsatoff‐sitenoise‐sensitiveusesintheProjectarea.However,increasesinambientnoiselevelsduetooperationaltrafficwouldnotexceed the established thresholds. Operational traffic‐related noise impacts would be less thansignificant.

(a) Impacts Under Existing Traffic Baseline Conditions

Future roadway noise levels were calculated along various arterial segments adjacent to the Project.RoadwaynoiseattributabletoProjectdevelopmentwascalculatedusingthetrafficnoisemodelpreviouslydescribedandwascomparedtobaselinenoiselevelsthatwouldoccurunderthe“NoProject”condition.

Project impacts are shown in Table 4.G‐9, Off‐SiteTrafficNoise Impacts‐ExistingBaselineConditions. Asindicated,themaximumincreaseinProject‐relatedtrafficnoiselevelsoverexistingtrafficnoiselevelswouldbe1.2dBA,CNEL,whichwouldoccuralongW.11thStreet,betweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet.Thisincreaseinsoundlevelwouldnotexceedthethethresholdofa5dBACNELincreaseinanareacharacterizedbynormallyacceptableandconditionallyacceptablenoise levels(seeTable4.G‐3). The increase insoundlevelwouldbesubstantiallylowerattheremainingroadwaysegmentsanalyzed.TheProject‐relatednoiseincreaseswouldbelessthanthethresholdandthereforelessthansignificant,andnomitigationmeasureswouldberequired.

Table 4.G‐9

Off‐Site Traffic Noise Impacts – Existing Baseline Conditions

Roadway Segment

Calculated Traffic Noise Levels at 25 feet from Roadway, CNEL (dBA)

Exceed Threshold?

Existing a (A)

Existing with Project

b (B)

Project Increment

(B ‐ A)

S.FigueroaStreet

BetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard 69.4 69.5 0.1 No


69.3 69.4 0.1No

BetweenOlympicBoulevardandW.11thStreet 70.0 70.3 0.3 No

BetweenW.11thStreetandW.12thStreet 70.1 70.1 0.0 No

BetweenW.12thStreetandW.PicoBoulevard 70.0 70.1 0.1 No

S.FlowerStreet

BetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard/W.9thStreet

68.1 68.2 0.1 No





Roadway Segment


Exceed Threshold?

Existing a (A)

Existing with Project b

(B)

Project Increment

(B ‐ A)

BetweenJamesM.WoodBoulevard/W.9th StreetandOlympicBoulevard

67.2 67.5 0.3 No




Olympic Boulevard

BetweenGeorgiaStreetandFranciscoStreet 71.0 71.2 0.2 No

BetweenFranciscoStreetandS.FigueroaStreet 69.9 70.1 0.2 No

BetweenS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet 69.5 69.8 0.3 No

BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet 69.3 69.4 0.1 No

BetweenS.HopeStreetandS.GrandAvenue 68.9 68.9 0.0 No

S. Grand Avenue




BetweenW.PicoBoulevardandVeniceBoulevard 66.7 66.9 0.2 No

W. 11thStreet

BetweenL.A.LiveWayandS.FigueroaStreet 62.2 62.2 0.0 No




W.9thStreet





S.HopeStreet

BetweenW.9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard 65.2 65.2 0.0 No


W.12thStreet


BetweenS.FlowerStreetandS.GrandAvenue 59.2 59.9 0.7 No

W.8thStreet



W.PicoBoulevard







Roadway Segment


Exceed Threshold?

Existing a (A)

Existing with Project b

(B)

Project Increment

(B ‐ A)

a Existing data is taken from Table 4.G‐3. Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016

(b) Impacts Under Future Traffic Baseline Conditions

FutureroadwaynoiselevelswerealsocalculatedalongvariousarterialsegmentsadjacenttotheProjectascompared to 2023 baseline traffic noise levels that would occur with implementation of the cumulativeprojects. Project impacts are shown in Table 4.G‐10, Off‐SiteTrafficNoiseLevels–Future2023ProjectIncrement. Asindicated,themaximumincreaseinProject‐relatedtrafficnoiselevelsoverthefuturetrafficnoiselevelswouldbe0.7dBA,CNEL,whichwouldoccuralongW.11thStreet,betweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet. Thisincreaseinsoundlevelwouldbelessthanthethresholdofa5dBACNELincreaseinanareacharacterizedbynormallyacceptableandconditionallyacceptablenoiselevels(seeTable4.G‐3),suchaspredictedtooccuralongW.11thStreet,betweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreetin2023.TheincreaseinsoundduetotheProjectwouldbesubstantially lowerat theremainingroadwaysegmentsanalyzed,asvehicle volumes are lower along the remaining segments. The Project‐related noise increases, whenmeasuredagainstthe2023baselineconditions,wouldbelessthanonefifthofthethresholdandthereforelessthansignificant.

Threshold NOISE‐4: A significant impact would occur if Project‐related operational (i.e., non‐roadway)noise sources such as outdoor activities, buildingmechanical/electrical equipment, etc. increase ambientnoiselevelby5dBA,causingaviolationoftheCityNoiseOrdinance.

Impact StatementNOISE‐4: Project implementationwould increasenoise levelsatadjacentnoise‐sensitivereceptors in theProject vicinity. However,Project‐relatedoperationalnoise levelswouldnot exceedestablishedthresholds;therefore,noiseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

(c) Open Space

Akeyfeatureofthedesignistheprovisionofa5,000sfpublicoutdoorplazaalongS.FigueroaStreetthatwouldsupportconnectivitybetweentheProjectandLALIVEwhilealsoencouragingpedestrianactivityandanactivestreet front. Theoutdoorplazawould incorporate landscape features, seating,andpotential forpublicartdisplayareaswithinthisspace. Behindandadjacenttotheoutdoorplazawouldbecommercialusesthatwouldhelpactivatethestreetedgeandpromotepedestrianactivity.Becauseofitsorientationanddistancefromresidentialusestothesouthandeast,noiseassociatedwiththeuseofthispublicplazawouldbelessthansignificant..TheProjectwouldprovideopenspaceamenities includingapublicplaza,Podium



Table 4.G‐10

Off‐Site Traffic Noise Levels – Future 2023 Project Increment

Roadway Segment


Future Project

Increment

(B‐A)

Exceed

Threshold?

Future No Project

(2023)

(A)

Future with Project

(2023 Full Buildout)a

(B)

FigueroaStreet Between8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard 70.0 70.1 0.1 No

BetweenJamesM.WoodBoulevard/9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard 69.9 70.0 0.1 No

BetweenOlympicBoulevardand11thStreet 71.0 71.3 0.3 No

Between11thStreetand12thStreet 70.5 70.8 0.3 No

Between12thStreetandPicoBoulevard 70.5 70.8 0.3 No

FlowerStreet

Between8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard/9thStreet 69.5 69.6 0.1 No

BetweenJamesM.WoodBoulevard/9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard 67.9 68. 0.2 No




Olympic Boulevard


BetweenFranciscoStreetandFigueroaStreet 71.7 71.9 0.2 No

BetweenFigueroaStreetandFlowerStreet 71.2 71.3 0.1 No

BetweenFlowerStreetandHopeStreet 70.9 71.0 0.1 No

BetweenHopeStreetandGrandAvenue 70.5 70.6 0.1 No

Grand Avenue




BetweenPicoBoulevardandVeniceBoulevard 67.7 67.8 0.1 No

11thStreet

BetweenL.A.LiveWayandFigueroaStreet 62.6 62.6 0.0 No



Off‐Site Traffic Noise Impacts – Future 2023 Increment


Roadway Segment


Future Project

Increment

(B‐A)

Exceed

Threshold?

Future No Project

(2023)

(A)

Future with Project

(2023 Full Buildout)a

(B)



BetweenHopeStreetandGrandAvenue 65.9 66.0 0.1 No

9thStreet





HopeStreet

Between9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard 66.1 66.1 0.0 No


12thStreet


BetweenFlowerStreetandGrandAvenue 60.1 60.6 0.5 No

8thStreet



PicoBoulevard


BetweenFlowerStreetandGrandAvenue 69.8 69.8 0.0 No

a Include future growth plus cumulative projects and proposed project traffic. Source: PCR Services Corporation 2016.



GardenTerrace,HotelRooftopAmenityDeck,androoftopamenitydecksfortheresidentialtowersasshowninFigure2‐3,inChapter2,ProjectDescription.

Public Plaza on S. Figueroa Street

Thenearestnoise‐sensitiveusefromthepublicplazaspaceonS.FigueroaStreetistheexistingresidentialmulti‐familyuses, (R2) locatedapproximately250 feetnorthof theProjectSite. Theseoff‐siteresidenceswill be partially shielded by Residential Tower 2. Under a conservative scenario, there could be up toapproximately150visitors to theplazaatone time. Noise fromhumanconversation isapproximately55dBAatadistanceof3feet. 11Assuming75visitorstalkingsimultaneously(thehalfofmaximum150visitors,thecontinuousnoiselevelwouldbeupto74dBAat3feet. Thisequatestoanoiselevelof36dBAat250feet.Anoiselevelof36dBAwouldreachthepropertylineofthenoisesensitivereceptors,R2tothenorthalong W. Olympic Boulevard, and this would not increase ambient noise levels of 67 dBA during thenighttime. Therefore, impacts associated with outdoor noise within the public plaza would be less thansignificant.

Podium Garden Terrace

ThePodiumGardenTerracewould serve each of the three towers forProject residents, guests andhotelpatrons.ThePodiumGardenTerracewouldfeatureabaranddiningareaneartheHotelTower,openareasforadultandchildrenrecreationalactivities,pools,strolling/exerciseareasforpets,andquiet/passiveareaswithshadedzones.

Thenearestnoise‐sensitiveuses fromthePodiumGardenTerraceare the futureresidencesalongW.11thStreet(OceanwidePlaza).Theseresidenceswillbelocatedascloseasapproximately80feettothesouthernedgeofthePodiumGardenTerrace.Underaconservativescenario,therecouldbeuptoapproximately150visitorstothePodiumGardenTerraceatonetime.Noisefromhumanconversationisapproximately55dBAatadistanceof3feet. 12Assuming75visitorstalkingsimultaneously(thehalfofmaximum150visitorsfromthePodiumGardenTerrance),thecontinuousnoiselevelwouldbeupto74dBAat3feet.Thisequatestoanoiselevelof44dBAat80feet. Anoiselevelof44dBAwouldreachthepropertylineofthefuturenoisesensitivereceptorstothesouthofthePodiumGardenTerrance,andthiswouldnotincreaseambientnoiselevelsof68dBA.Therefore,impactsassociatedwithoutdoornoisewithinthePodiumGardenTerracewouldbelessthansignificantatthefutureresidencesalongW.11thStreet(OceanwidePlaza).

ThePodiumGardenTerrancewouldbelocatedinthemiddleoftheproposedHotelTowerandResidentialTowers1and2,andwouldbepartiallyshieldedfromoff‐sitenoisesensitivereceptorstothenorthandeastby Residential Tower 1 and 2. Therefore, due to orientation, shielding, distances to the existing noisesensitivereceptorstothenorth(R2,R4andR5)andeast(R3),andnoiseassociatedwithoutdooractivitiesatthePodiumGardenTerracewouldbelessthansignificantattheexistingnoisesensitivereceptorstothenorth(R2,R4andR5)andeast(R3).

Hotel Rooftop Amenity Deck

Thetop/penthouseleveloftheHotelTowerwouldincludeaRooftopAmenityDeckwithapool,bar,lounge,and green space areas for hotel patrons and visitors. The future residences along W. 11th Street (theOceanwidePlazaproject)wouldbe located as close as approximately80 feet to the southern edgeof the

11 AmericanJournalofAudiologyVol.721‐25October1998.doi:10.1044/1059‐0889(1998/012)12 AmericanJournalofAudiologyVol.721‐25October1998.doi:10.1044/1059‐0889(1998/012)



rooftop amenity deck. Under a conservative scenario, there could be up to approximately 80 attendeesvisitorstotherooftopamenitydeckatonetimeonapeakweekendday.Noisefromhumanconversationisapproximately55dBAatadistanceof3feet. 13Assuming40visitorstalkingsimultaneously,thecontinuousnoiselevelwouldbeupto71dBAat3feet.Thisequatestoanoiselevelof42dBAat80feet.Anoiselevelof42 dBA would reach the property line of the future noise sensitive receptors to the south of the HotelRooftop Amenity Deck, and this would not increase ambient noise levels of 68 dBA. Therefore, impactsassociatedwithoutdoornoisewithintheHotelRooftopAmenityDeckwouldbelessthansignificantatthefutureresidencesalongW.11thStreet(OceanwidePlaza).

Residential Tower 1 Rooftop Amenity Deck

The top level of Residential Tower 1 would include a Rooftop Amenity Deck for use by residents. TheRooftop Amenity Deck on the top level of Residential Tower 1would be located approximately 490 feetaboveground.Thenearestexistingresidentialuses(R3)wouldbelocatedapproximately400lateralfeettothe eastern edge of the rooftop amenity deck. TheRooftopAmenityDeck on the top level ofResidentialTower 1would serve as a potential noise source for the nearby existing sensitive receptors, R3. Under aconservativescenario, therecouldbeuptoapproximately15visitors to theRooftopAmenityDeckatonetimeonapeakdayforResidentialTower1.Becauseofitsdistancefromtheexistingresidentialusestotheeast,R3,noiseassociatedwiththeuseofRooftopAmenityDeckofResidentialTower1wouldbelessthansignificant.

Residential Tower 2 Rooftop Amenity Deck

TherooftopamenitydeckonthetoplevelofResidentialTower2wouldbelocatedapproximately540feetaboveground. Thenearestexistingresidentialuses(R2)alongW.OlympicBoulevardwouldbelocatedascloseasapproximately120feettotheedgeoftheRooftopAmenityDeck.Therooftopamenitydeckonthetop level ofResidentialTower2would serve as apotential noise source for thenearbyexisting sensitivereceptors, R2 along W. Olympic Boulevard. Under a conservative scenario, there could be up toapproximately 15 visitors to the Rooftop Amenity Deck at one time on a peak day. Noise from humanconversationisapproximately55dBAatadistanceof3feet. 14Assuming15visitorstalkingsimultaneously,thecontinuousnoiselevelwouldbeupto67dBAat3feet. Thisequatestoanoiselevelof35dBAat120feet. Anoise level of35dBAwould reach theproperty lineof the futurenoise sensitive receptors to thenorthoftheRooftopAmenityDeckofResidentialTower2,andthiswouldnotincreaseambientnoiselevelsof68dBAattheexistingsensitiveuses,(R2)andimpactsassociatedwithoutdoornoisewithintheRooftopAmenityDeckwouldbelessthansignificant.

(d) Fixed Mechanical Equipment

The operation ofmechanical equipment typically installed for developments like the Project, such as airconditioners,fans,generators,andrelatedequipment,maygenerateaudiblenoiselevels.Projectmechanicalequipment including air conditioning condensers would be installed on the building rooftop, with otherequipment containedwithin the building. Per the LAMC, rooftopmechanical equipment is required to bephysically shielded from nearby land uses to attenuate noise and avoid conflicts with adjacent uses. AllProjectmechanical equipment would be designedwith appropriate noise control devices, such as soundattenuators,acousticlouvers,orsoundscreens/parapetwallstocomplywithnoiselimitationrequirements

13 ibid14 ibid



provided in Section112.02 of the LAMC,whichprevents thenoise from such equipment fromcausing anincreaseintheambientnoiselevelofmorethanfivedecibels. Toensuretheabilitytomeetthisstandard,PDF Noise‐6 has been included. Therefore, operation of rooftop mechanical equipment on the ProjectbuildingwouldnotexceedtheCity’sthresholdsofsignificanceandimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

ThresholdNOISE‐5: A significant impact would occur if the maximum noise (Lmax) generated from theoperationoftheloadingarea,refusecollectionarea,orparkingstructure(i.e.,caralarm)exceedstheaverage(Leq)ambientnoiselevelby10dBA.

Impact StatementNOISE‐5: Project loadingarea, refuse collectionarea,andparkingactivitieswouldnotsubstantially increase existing noise levels at adjacent noise‐sensitive receptors in the Project area.Therefore,impactsinthisregardwouldbelessthansignificant.

(e) Loading and Refuse Collection Areas

Loading for service vehicles and refuse collection areas related to hotel, residential and commercial useswouldbeon the ground levelwithin thePodium. Deliveryand refuse servicevehicleswouldhavedirectaccesstothisareafromW.OlympicBoulevardandS.FlowerStreet.Loadingdockandrefuseservice‐relatedactivitiessuchastruckmovements/idlingandloading/unloadingoperationsgeneratenoiselevelsthathaveapotentialtoadverselyimpactadjacentlandusesduringlong‐termProjectoperations. However,becausethe loadingareaswouldbefullyenclosedandshieldedfromsurroundingoff‐sitedevelopment,noise fromthese areas would not increase noise levels at off‐site sensitive receptor locations. Therefore, noiseassociatedwithloading,refusecollection,andrelatedactivitieswouldbelessthansignificant.

(f) Parking Structure

Vehicular access into the Podiumwould be fromW.Olympic Boulevard, S. Flower Street and 11th Street.ParkingaccesstothePodiumforresidencesandcommercialvisitorswouldbefromW.OlympicBoulevard.Forresidentsonly,adrivewaywouldbeprovidedfrom11thStreet.AvehicleentrywaytothePodiumfromS.FlowerStreetwouldprovideaccessforcommercialvisitorsandservicevehicles.

For hotel visitors, a separate hotel‐only motor‐court drop off area would be provided off of 11th Street.Parking for the hotel guests and visitors would be located in the four levels of subterranean parking. Aseparate valet gatewithin the property at the interior of themotor‐court areawould provide access forvalets toparkhotel guest vehiclesdirectly into the first level of subterraneanparking. Parking forhotel,commercialandresidentialuseswouldbeprovidedinuptofoursubterraneanlevels.

AutomobilemovementswithinparkingstructuresrepresentthemostcontinuousnoisesourceandgeneratenoiselevelswiththepotentialtoadverselyimpactadjacentlandusesduringProjectoperations. However,because parking for the hotel guests, visitors, commercial, and residential uses would be located insubterraneanlevelsofthePodium,ResidentialTower1,andResidentialTower2,whicharefullyenclosedandcontainnounobstructedopeningsthatfacetowardthenearbynoisesensitiveuses,thenoisewouldbefully buffered from neighboring sensitive uses. As such, impacts would be less than significant, and nomitigationmeasuresarerequired.



(g) Composite Noise Level Impacts from Project Operations

An evaluation of the combinednoise from the Project’s various operational noise sources (i.e., compositenoise level)was conducted to conservatively ascertain the potentialmaximumProject‐related noise levelincrease that may occur at the noise‐sensitive receptors considered in this analysis. Noise sourcesassociatedwiththeProjectincludeloadingandrefuseserviceareaactivities,trafficonnearbyroadways,on‐sitemechanicalequipment,andopenspace‐relatedactivities.

Based on a review of the noise‐sensitive receptors and Project noise sources, the only existing noise‐sensitivelocationsatwhichcompositenoiseimpactscouldoccurarethemulti‐familyresidences,R3,locatedto the east of the Project Site across S. Flower Street. The predominant Project noise source that couldpotentiallyaffectthesereceptorswouldbetrafficnoise.

Basedonthetrafficnoiseanalysisabove,Project‐generatedtrafficisexpectedtoincreasethetraffic‐relatednoisebyamaximumof0.8dBA(CNEL)alongS.FlowerStreet,betweenW.OlympicBoulevardandW.11thStreet, which is represented by the receptor R3. Noise associated with activities in the Project parkingstructureandattheloadingandrefusecollectionareaswouldnotincreasetheoverallambientnoiselevelsintheProjectvicinity.Mechanicalrelatednoiseisexpectedtobeaminimumof10dBAbelowtheambientnoiselevels,whichwouldhaveacontributionofapproximately0.4dBAtothecompositenoiselevel.15Noiserelated to theuseof on‐siteopen spacewouldnot increase theoverall ambientnoise level in theProjectvicinity. Overall, relative to theexistingnoiseenvironment,combinednoiseassociatedwith theProject isestimated to increase the ambient noise level by approximately 1.1 dBA at the nearest noise‐sensitivereceptors (LocationsR3), or substantially less than the significance threshold of 5 dBA. Composite noiselevel increases at all other receptor locations are expected to be less than significant aswell, given theirdistancefromtheProjectSiteandthepresenceofinterveningstructures.Assuch,thecompositenoiselevelimpactduetotheProject’sfutureoperationswouldbelessthansignificant.

(3) Site Compatibility (Proposed On‐Site Noise‐Sensitive Uses)

ThresholdNoise 6: The Project would have a significant impact if residential uses are exposed to anexteriornoiselevelofgreaterthan65dBACNELforoutdoorlivingareas(excludingbalconies)oraninteriornoiselevelofgreaterthan45dBACNEL.

Impact Statement NOISE‐6: Project impacts to on‐sitenoise‐sensitiveuseswould be less than significant.Sound levels for future Project residences would fall within the residential development standardsestablishedbytheCityofLosAngeleswiththeincorporationofrequirednoiseinsulationfeatures.

The Project would locate new noise‐sensitive uses on the Project site in an existing urban setting. Asindicated by the predicted vehicular traffic noise levels presented in Table 4.G‐8, the Project’s westernperimeteratthegroundlevelalongS.FigueroaStreetwouldbeexposedtomaximumambientnoiselevelsup to 70.0 dBA, CNEL at 25 feet from S. Figueroa Street, 69.5 dBA, CNEL at 25 feet from W. OlympicBoulevard,and66.2dBA,CNELat25feetfromW.11thStreet.TheCity’slandusecompatibilitystandardfor“normallyacceptable”is65dBA,CNELformulti‐familyresidentialuses.

15 EngineeringNoiseControl,Bies&Hansen,1988.



The proposed residential useswould be located from the 3rd floor and above in the Podium, ResidentialTower 1, and Residential Tower 2, whichwould be located approximately 44 feet above ground from S.FigueroaStreet,W.11thStreet,andW.OlympicBoulevard. Therefore,anoise levelof70.0dBAat25 feetfromS.FigueroaStreet,69.5dBAat25feetfromW.OlympicBoulevard,and66.2dBAat25feetfromW.11thStreetwould be reduced to 65 dBA, CNEL at 44 feet from S. Figueroa Street, 64.6 dBA, 44 feet fromW.OlympicBoulevard,and61.3dBAat44feet fromW.11thStreet,respectively,whichwouldmeettheCity’slandusecompatibilitystandardof65dBA,CNEL.TheproposedresidentialusesinthePodium,ResidentialTower1,andResidentialTower2wouldbeexposedtomaximumambientnoiselevelsupto65dBA,CNELwhichwouldmeettheCity’slandusecompatibilitystandardof65dBA,CNEL.Therefore,sitecompatibilityimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.


Threshold NOISE‐7: Potential Building Damage ‐ A significant impact would occur if the Projectconstruction activities cause ground‐borne vibration levels to exceed 0.50‐inch‐per second PPV at thenearestoff‐siteresidentialbuildingsandhistoricbuildings.

Impact Statement NOISE‐7: Construction activitieswould result in sporadic, temporary vibration effectswhichcouldadverselyaffectthePetroleumBuilding.Impactsduetovibrationfromon‐siteconstructionactivity would be potentially significant for the Petroleum Building; therefore, implementation ofmitigationmeasuresisrequired.

Construction activities can generate varying degrees of ground vibration, depending on the constructionproceduresandequipmentused.Theoperationofconstructionequipmentgeneratesvibrationthatspreadsthrough the ground and diminishes in amplitudewith distance from the source. The effect on buildingslocatedinthevicinityoftheconstructionsitevaries,dependingonsoiltype,groundstrata,andconstructioncharacteristicsofthereceptorbuildings.Theresultsfromvibrationcanrangefromnoperceptibleeffectsatthe lowestvibration levels, to lowrumblingsoundsandperceptiblevibrationatmoderate levels, toslightdamageatthehighestlevels.Ground‐bornevibrationfromconstructionactivitiesrarelyreacheslevelsthatdamage structures. The Caltrans guidance manual incorporates FTA standard vibration velocities forconstructionequipmentoperations(Table18of theCaltransguidancemanual). ThePPVforconstructionequipment pieces anticipated to be used during Project construction are listed in Table 4.G‐11, TypicalVibrationVelocitiesforPotentialProjectConstructionEquipment.

Construction of the Project would generate ground‐borne construction vibration during site clearing,grading, andshoringactivities. Basedon thevibrationdataprovided inTable4.G‐11,vibrationvelocitiesfrom operation of construction equipment would range from approximately 0.003 to 0.089 inches persecondPPVat25feetfromthesourceofactivity.

As discussed previously, the Petroleum Building adjacent to the Project site is considered a vibration‐sensitive receptor. The Petroleum Building would be located approximately 18 inches east of thesubterraneanPhase2parkingstructureandthereforewouldbetheclosestvibrationsensitivereceptor.Atamaximum,thePetroleumBuildingcouldbeexposedtovibrationvelocitiesupto1.965inchespersecond.16

16 VibrationsestimatesarebasedonguidanceintheTransportation‐andConstruction‐InducedVibrationGuidanceManual,California

Department of Transportation, Environmental Program, Environmental Engineering, Noise, Vibration, and Hazardous Waste



This value would exceed the 0.50 inches per second PPV significance threshold for potential damage ofhistoricbuildings.Therefore,impactswouldbesignificantandmitigationmeasureswouldberequired.

Themulti‐familyapartmentbuildingsacrossS.FlowerStreet(R3)arelocatedapproximately80feeteastofthe Project Site. At the maximum, the multi‐family residential buildings would be exposed to vibrationvelocities of up to 0.016 inches per second, 17 which would not exceed the 0.50 inches per second PPVsignificancethresholdforpotentialbuildingdamageforawell‐builtresidentialbuilding.Therefore,impactsonthesebuildingswouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationmeasureswouldberequired.

Threshold NOISE‐8: Potential Human Annoyance ‐ A significant impact would occur if the Projectconstructionandoperationactivitiescauseground‐bornevibrationlevelstoexceed0.035‐inch‐per‐secondPPVatnearbyresidentialuses.

ImpactStatementNOISE‐8: Projectconstructionandoperationwouldnotgenerateexcessivevibrationlevelsatnearbysensitivereceptor locations. Thus,temporaryconstruction‐relatedvibrationand long‐termvibrationimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

(a) Construction

The L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide identifies residences, schools, motels and hotels, libraries, religiousinstitutions,hospitals,nursinghomes,andparksassensitiveuses.Off‐sitenon‐residentialusessuchasretailand commercial uses arenot consideredvibration sensitive receptors forhuman annoyanceunderCEQA.TheonlyusesintheProjectvicinitythataresensitiveusesareresidentialuses.Thenearestexistingoff‐siteresidential structures aremulti‐family residential buildings located across S. Flower Street approximately80feet east of the construction site. These structures would be exposed to vibration velocities fromconstruction activities thatwould range from approximately from 0.001 to 0.016 inches per second PPV

ManagementOffice,June2004:PPVequip=PPVref(25/D)n;wherePPVref=referencesourcevibration,D=Distance,n=factorforsoilattenuation.

17 Ibid.

Table 4.G‐11

Typical Vibration Velocities for the Project Construction Equipment

Equipment

Reference Vibration Velocity Levels at 25 ft, inch/second

PPVa,b

Largebulldozer 0.089Caissondrilling 0.089Loadedtrucks 0.076SmallBulldozer 0.003

a PPV=Peak particle velocity. b FTA’s “Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment”, Table 12‐2.

Source: USDOT Federal Transit Administration, 2006.



during construction, which would not exceed the 0.035inches per second (PPV) perception threshold.Therefore, human annoyance from vibration at residential receptors would be less than significant. Nomitigationmeasureswouldberequired.

(b) Operation

The Project’s operations would include typical commercial‐grade stationary mechanical and electricalequipment, such as air handling units, condenser units, and exhaust fans, which would produce somevibration.However,theprimarysourceoftransientvibrationincludespassengervehiclecirculationwithinthe proposed parking area. Ground‐borne vibration generated by each of the above‐mentioned activitieswould generate approximately up to 0.005 inches per second PPV adjacent to the Project Site. 18 Thepotential vibration levels from all Project operational sources at the closest existing and future sensitivereceptor locations would be less than the significance threshold of 0.035 inches per second PPV forperceptibility. As such, vibration impacts associated with operation of the Project would be below thesignificance threshold and impacts would be less than significant. No mitigation measures would berequired.

The effects of the Project to on‐site sensitive receptors are not considered an impact to the environmentunderCEQA.However,duetothesensitivityofon‐sitereceptors,thepotentialforconstructionvibrationtoaffecton‐sitesensitivereceptorsisdisclosedherein.Existingandfutureon‐sitenoisesensitiveuses,suchastheexistinghotelusesandfuturehotelusesandresidentialusescompletedduringtheconstructionofPhase1,arevibration‐sensitive.AtvarioustimesthroughouttheconstructionoftheproposedProject,useofheavydutyconstructionequipmentcouldbeascloseas45feettooccupiedhabitableroomsanditwillincreasetheambient vibration levels at on‐site sensitiveuses. PDF‐NOISE‐5has been included tonotify futureon‐siteresidentialusesthatconstructionisplannedwithincloseproximity.

e. Cumulative Impacts

Thegeographiccontextfortheanalysisofcumulativenoiseimpactsdependsontheimpactbeinganalyzed.Noiseisbydefinitionalocalizedphenomenon,andsignificantlyreducesinmagnitudeasthedistancefromthesourceincreases.Assuch,onlyprojectsandgrowthduetooccurintheimmediateProjectvicinitywouldbe likely to contribute to cumulative noise impacts. However, the cumulative impacts on roadway noisewouldbeaffectedbytrafficfromallofthecumulativeprojectsthroughoutalargervicinity.

As discussed in Chapter 3.0,GeneralDescriptionofEnvironmentalSetting, of this Draft EIR, there are 116cumulativeprojectsidentifiedinthevicinityoftheProject.Thesevenclosestcumulativeprojects,situatedapproximately 80 feet to 880 feet from theProject Site, are Cumulative ProjectNo. 6, AmaconProject, at1133S.HopeStreet; CumulativeProjectNo.15,ApexPhaseIIat700W.9thStreet;CumulativeProjectNo.54,Flower(1212)Mixed‐Useat1212W.FlowerStreet;CumulativeProjectNo.73,VarietyArts(Mixed‐Use)at940S.FigueroaStreet;CumulativeProjectNo.95OceanwidePlazaat1101S.FlowerStreet;CumulativeProject No. 97, Circa at S. Figueroa, Cumulative Project No. 114, Marriott Expansion at 900W. OlympicBoulevard and Cumulative Project No. 116 Olympic Tower at 811 W. Olympic Boulevard. All othercumulativeprojectsarefurtherawayfromtheProjectSiteandmanyexistingbuildingsarelocatedbetween

18 This vibration estimate is based on data presented in the USDOT Federal Transit Administration, 2006; which is included in

AppendixGofthisDraftEIR.



theProjectsiteandothercumulativeprojects. Thepotential fornoise impactstooccurarespecific tothelocationofeachcumulativeproject,aswellascumulativetrafficonthesurroundingroadwaynetwork.

(1) Construction

Noise from construction of the Project plus cumulative projects would be localized, thereby potentiallyaffectingareaswithin500feetfromtheconstructionsite. BecausethetimingoftheconstructionactivitiesforthesecumulativeprojectscannotbedefinedandarebeyondthecontroloftheCityandtheApplicant,thequantitativeanalysismustconsidermultiple,concurrentconstructionprojects.

CumulativeProjectNo.95andNo.97arelocated80feetand700feetfromtheProjectSite,respectively.IfCumulativeProjectNo.95andNo.97proceedsimultaneouslywiththeproposedProject, thetwoprojectscouldcontributetocumulativeconstructionnoiseimpactsonthenoisesensitivereceptorslocatedbetweenthe identifiedcumulativeprojectsand theProject, including themulti‐family residentialuses (R3andR6)alongS.FlowerStreet.

CumulativeProjectNo.15,No.73,andNo116arelocated660feet,360feet,140feetfromtheProjectSite,respectively. IfCumulativeProjectNo.15,No.73,andNo.116proceedsimultaneouslywith theproposedProject,thethreeprojectscouldcontributetocumulativeconstructionnoiseimpactsonthenoisesensitivereceptors that are locatedbetween the identified relatedprojects and theproposedProject, including themulti‐familyresidentialuses(R2andR4)alongW.OlympicBoulevardandexistinghoteluses(R5)alongS.FigueroaStreet.

Thosenoiselevelswouldbeintermittent,temporary,wouldceaseattheendoftheconstructionphase,andwould comply with time restrictions and other relevant provisions of the LAMC. Noise associated withconstructionactivitieswouldbereducedtothedegreereasonablyandtechnicallyfeasiblethroughproposedmitigationmeasuresforeachindividualprojectandcompliancewiththeCity’snoiseordinances.However,suchmeasureswouldonlyreducenoisetoadegreethatistechnicallyfeasibleandsignificantresidualnoisecouldremain.Therefore,evenwithimplementationofproposeddesignfeaturesandmitigationmeasures,ifnearby cumulative projects were constructed concurrently with the Project, significant and unavoidablecumulativeconstructionnoiseimpactscouldresultatthenearbynoisesensitivereceptors(R2throughR6).

(2) Operations

AsindicatedinTable4.G‐12,Off‐SiteTrafficNoiseLevels–Future2023CumulativeIncrement,thecumulativeincreases in future CNEL traffic noise levels at Project buildoutwith future ambient growth and the 116cumulative projects, relative to the existingbaseline,wouldbe 3.2dB along S. Flower Street, betweenW.OlympicBoulevardandW.11thStreet,3.5dBAalongW.11thStreet,betweenS.FlowerStreetandS.HopeStreet,3.7dBAalongw.11thStreet,betweenS.HopeStreetandS.GrandAvenue,or less inareasthatcanpotentially be affected by the Project. This increase would not exceed the 5 dBA significance thresholdapplicabletosegmentswhicharepredictedtoexperienceconditionallyacceptableambientlevelsofnoisein2023.Therefore,cumulativenoiseimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

LAMC‐required provisions that limit stationary‐source noise from items such as roof‐top mechanicalequipmentwouldensurenoiselevelswouldbelessthansignificantatthepropertylineforeachcumulativeproject. In addition, on‐site noise generated by the cumulative projectswould be sufficiently low that itwouldnotresultinanadditiveincreasetoProject‐relatednoiselevels.Noisefromotherstationarysources,includingparkingstructures,openspaceuse,andloadingareawouldbelimitedtoareasintheimmediate



Table 4.G‐12

Off‐Site Traffic Noise Levels – Future 2023 Cumulative Increment

Roadway Segment


Cumulative

Increment

(B‐A)

Exceed

Threshold?

Existing

(A)

Future with Project

(2030 Build Out)a

(B)

S.FigueroaStreet BetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard

69.4 70.1 0.7 No


69.3 70.0 0.7 No


70.0 71.3 1.3 No



70.0 70.8 0.8 No

S.FlowerStreet

BetweenW.8thStreetandJamesM.WoodBoulevard/W.9thStreet

68.1 69.6 1.5 No


67.2 68.1 0.9 No


65.5 68.7 3.2 No



68.2 69.7 1.5 No

Olympic Boulevard

BetweenGeorgiaStreetandFranciscoStreet

71.0 72.9 1.9 No





S. Grand Avenue




BetweenW.PicoBoulevardandVeniceBoulevard 65.2 67.8 1.1 No





Roadway Segment


Cumulative

Increment

(B‐A)

Exceed

Threshold?

Existing

(A)

Future with Project

(2030 Build Out)a

(B)

W. 11thStreet

BetweenL.A.LiveWayandS.FigueroaStreet 62.2 62.6 0.4 No




W.9thStreet





S.HopeStreet

BetweenW.9thStreetandOlympicBoulevard 65.2 66.1 0.9 No


W.12thStreet



W.8thStreet



W.PicoBoulevard







Roadway Segment


Cumulative

Increment

(B‐A)

Exceed

Threshold?

Existing

(A)

Future with Project

(2030 Build Out)a

(B)

a Include future growth plus related (cumulative) projects and proposed project traffic. Source: PCR Services Corporation, 2016.

vicinity of each cumulative project. Although a cumulative project could potentially impact an adjacentsensitive use, that potential impact would be localized to that specific area andwould not contribute tocumulativenoiseimpactsattheproposedProjectSite.AstheProject’scompositestationary‐sourceimpactswould be less than significant, and the Project’s contribution to cumulative traffic impacts would not becumulatively considerable, the Project’s contribution to cumulative stationary‐source noise impactsattributabletocumulativedevelopmentwouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderableandimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.


Duetotherapidattenuationofground‐bornevibrationanddistancebetweentherelatedprojectsandtheProjectSite,thereisnopotentialforcumulativeconstruction‐oroperational‐periodimpactswithrespecttoground‐bornevibration.Impactswouldbelessthansignificant.

4. MITIGATION MEASURES

a. Construction Noise and Vibration

Construction‐related noise and vibration have the potential to result in significant noise impacts at thesensitivereceptors.ThenoisesensitiveresidentialuseacrossW.OlympicBoulevard(R2),futureresidences(OlympicTowerproject,R5),andfutureresidential/hotelusesacrossW.11thStreet(R6)arelocatedmorethan 20 feet above the ground level. A sound barrier could not block line‐of‐sight between constructionequipmentandsensitivereceptorssincesensitivereceptorswouldbelocatedabovethetoplevelofasoundbarrier. It isnotfeasibletoprovideasoundbarrierwithsufficientheighttoblocktheline‐of‐sightforthenoisesensitivereceptorsatR2andR6thatarelocatedmorethan20feetabovegroundlevel.Therefore,nofeasiblemitigationmeasuresareavailablefornoisesensitivereceptorslocatedabovethetoplevelofasoundbarrieratlocationR2andthefutureresidential/hotelusesacrossW.11thStreetatlocationR6.However,amitigationmeasureisavailablefornoisesensitivereceptorsatlocationR3atthelowerfloorsofthebuilding,and forpotentialvibrationeffectson thePetroleumBuilding.Thus, the followingmitigationmeasuresarerequiredtominimizeconstruction‐relatednoiseandvibrationimpacts:



MM‐NOISE‐1: Temporary noise barriers shall be used to block the line‐of‐site between theconstructionequipmentandthenoise‐sensitivereceptorsduringprojectconstruction,asfollows:

Provideatemporary15‐foottallconstructionfenceequippedwithnoiseblanketscapableofachievingsoundlevelreductionsofat least14dBAbetweentheProjectconstructionsiteandresidentialuses(R3)acrossS.FlowerStreetduringConstructionPhase1.

MM‐NOISE‐2:Toavoidorminimizepotentialconstructionvibrationdamagetofinishmaterialsonthe Petroleum Building, the condition of such materials shall be documented by aqualifiedpreservationconsultant,priortoinitiationofconstruction.Duringconstruction,thecontractorshallinstallandmaintainatleasttwocontinuouslyoperationalautomatedvibrationalmonitorsonthePetroleumBuilding.Themonitorsmustbecapableofbeingprogrammed with two predetermined vibratory velocities levels: a first‐level alarmequivalenttoa0.45inchespersecondatthefaceofthebuildingandaregulatoryalarmlevel equivalent to 0.5 inches per second at the face of the building. The monitoringsystemmustproducereal‐timespecificalarms(viatextmessageand/oremailtoon‐sitepersonnel)whenvelocitiesexceedeitherof thepredetermined levels. Intheeventofafirst‐levelalarm, feasiblestepstoreducevibratorylevelsshallbeundertaken, includingbutnot limited tohalting/staggering concurrentactivitiesandutilizing lower‐vibratorytechniques. In the event of an exceedance of the regulatory level,work in the vicinityshallbehaltedandthePetroleumBuildingvisuallyinspectedfordamage.Resultsoftheinspectionmustbelogged.Intheeventdamageoccurstohistoricfinishmaterialsduetoconstructionvibration, suchmaterials shallbe repaired inconsultationwithaqualifiedpreservation consultant, and ifwarranted, in amanner thatmeets the Secretaryof theInterior’sStandards.

b. Operational Noise and Vibration

Nomitigationmeasuresarenecessary.

5. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION

a. Construction Noise and Vibration

MM‐NOISE‐1providesforafencewithsoundblanketsthatwouldachievenoisereductionsofatleast14dBAbetween the site of Project construction and the multi‐family residential uses across S. Flower Street.Although the noise reduction provided by the noise barrierwould be considered a substantial reduction,constructionnoiselevelswouldstillincreasethedaytimeambientnoiselevelabovethe5‐dBAsignificancethreshold at the upper floors (i.e. 3rd floor to top floor) of themixed‐use residential uses (R3) across S.FlowerStreet.Theupperfloorsofthemixed‐useresidentialuses(R3)wouldnothavenoisereductionsbythe sound barrier since the proposed sound barrier would not block the line of sight between theconstructionsiteandupperfloorsofthemixed‐useresidentialuses(R3).Inregardtothefutureresidentialuses (Olympic Tower project, R5) and the future residential/hotel uses across W. 11th Street (R6), theresidentialunitsandhotelroomsbeingconstructedaretobelocatedattheupperfloorssuchthatasoundbarrierwouldnotbefeasibletoreduceconstructionnoiselevels.Thus,constructionnoiseimpactswouldbesignificant and unavoidable at residential uses R2 and R3, at the future residential uses (Olympic Tower



project,R5), and at the future residential/hotel uses acrossW.11th Street (R6). Thus, constructionnoiseimpactswouldbesignificantandunavoidableatboththeproject‐andcumulative‐level.

Withthe implementationofMMNoise‐2,vibrationvelocities inexcessof the thresholdwouldtransmitanalarmtoon‐sitepersonnelwithauthorizationtohaltworkinthevicinity.Furthermore,intheeventdamageoccurs to historic finish materials due to construction vibration, such materials would be repaired inconsultationwithaqualifiedpreservationconsultantinamannerthatmeetstheSecretaryoftheInterior’sStandards.Thus,implementationofMMNoise‐2wouldensurevibrationimpactsonthePetroleumBuildingwouldbelessthansignificant.However,thatmeasurerequirestheconsentofthatpropertyowner,andthatownermaynotagree.Therefore,thisanalysisconservativelyassumesthatimpactstothehistoricPetroleumBuildingwouldbesignificantandunavoidable.Impactstohumanannoyancewouldbelessthansignificant.

b. Operational Noise and Vibration

As demonstrated above, operation of the Project would not result in any significant noise or vibrationimpactstooff‐sitenoisesensitivereceptors.Assuch,operationalnoiseandvibrationimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

environmental impact analysis g. noise and vibration

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