2019-090 - Adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration

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*:/ : 11-1 h WA talking throughout the park. However, noise from these stationary sources typically do not generate substantial noise. High noise levels from recreational stationary sources are generally associated with large crowd gathering areas for spectator events such as amphitheater, athletic field, and areas with bleachers. The skate area proposes lighting for evening hours. As described above, noise measurements were taken at a comparable skate park (Harvard Skate Park in Irvine) to establish typical skate park evening noise levels. Three short-term measurements were taken at various distances from the comparable skate park The results of ST- 2 and ST-3 measurements indicate that Lso noise levels are approximately 54 dBA 5 — 25 feet from the edge of the skate area. The nearest residences to the proposed skate area are approximately 25 feet to the north. The existing wall on the nor them and eastern property lines would reduce noise levels by approximately 5 dBA by breaking line -of -sight, resulting in noise levels of 49 dBA Lso at the nearest residences to the north, which would not exceed the City of Santa Ana's exterior noise limit of 55 dBA Lso during the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 6th Street Site This park will be a walk-up, pedestrian park that would primarily serve the local neighborhood. The park would provide playground equipment, benches and tables, shade structures, picnic area, and a skate area. Stationary noise would be generated from children playing, people exercising, skating, and people talking throughout the park. The skate area is proposed to have lighting for evening hours. As described above, noise measurements were taken at a comparable skate park (i.e., Harvard Skate Park in Irvine) to establish typical skate park evening noise levels. Three short-term measurements were taken at various distances from the comparable skate park The results of ST-2 and ST-3 measurements indicate that Lso noise levels are approximately 54 dBA, approximately 5 to 25 feet from the edge of the skate area. The nearestresidences to the proposed skate area are approximately 5 feet to the west and south. The existing garages on the southern property line would reduce noise levels by at least 5 dBA by breaking line -of -sight, resulting in noise levels of 49 dBA Lso at the residences to the south. Therefore, noise levels at the nearest residences to the west and south are not anticipated to exceed the City of Santa Ana's exterior noise limit of 55 dBA Lso during the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It should be noted that noise generated from park activities is exempt from noise performance standards for residential area pursuant to Section 18-314(c). Section 18-314(c) states that activities conducted on any park or playground owned and operated by a public entity is exempt from the Noise Ordinance. Therefore, operational noise impacts would be considered less than significant. The City's General Plan Noise Element establishes a noise standard of 65 dBA CNEL for park picnic areas and playgrounds. The noise element integrates noise considerations into land use planning to prevent noise and land use conflicts. However, it is important to note that with the Supreme Court decision regarding the assessment of the environment's impacts on projects (California Building Industry Association (CBIA) P. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), 62 Cal. 4th 369 (No. S 213478) issued December 17, 2015), it is generally no longer the purview of the CEQA process to evaluate the impact of existing environmental conditions on any given project As a result, while the noise from existing sources is taken into account as part of the baseline, the direct effects of exterior noise from nearby noise sources relative to land use compatibility 75C-114