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5.0 Environmental Analysis 5.1 Land Use <br />Avion Project SEIR <br />Page 5.1-14 <br />Noise <br />Uses in or adjacent to the MHPA should be designed to minimize noise impacts. Berms or walls should be <br />constructed adjacent to commercial areas, recreational areas, and any other use that may introduce <br />noises that could impact or interfere with wildlife utilization of the MHPA. Excessively noisy uses or <br />activities adjacent to breeding areas must incorporate noise reduction measures and be curtailed during <br />the breeding season of sensitive species. Adequate noise reduction measures should also be incorporated <br />for the remainder of the year (City of San Diego 2013). <br /> There is suitable Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat within the MHPA in the northwestern and <br />northeastern portions of the site to support coastal California gnatcatcher. Protocol surveys <br />shall be conducted to determine the presence or absence of this sensitive bird species if <br />construction occurs within its breeding season noted above. If coastal California gnatcatcher <br />is present within the MHPA, construction noise levels at the MHPA boundary shall not <br />exceed 60 A-weighted decibels. Additionally, development adjacent to the MHPA has been <br />designed to minimize noise impacts to coastal California gnatcatcher. A benefit of the project <br />design is the MHPA is at a lower elevation than the entire project site; therefore, it is not <br />anticipated that the MHPA will be impacted by excessive noise. <br />Brush Management <br />New residential development located adjacent to and topographically above the MHPA (e.g., along canyon <br />edges) must be set back from slope edges to incorporate Zone 1 brush management areas on the <br />development pad and outside of the MHPA. Zones 2 and 3 will be combined into one zone (Zone 2) and <br />may be located in the MHPA upon granting of an easement to the City (or other acceptable agency) except <br />where narrow wildlife corridors require it to be located outside of the MHPA (City of San Diego 2013). <br /> Brush management is required on all premises that are within 100 feet of a structure and <br />contain highly flammable, native, or naturalized vegetation. The standard brush <br />management zone (Zone) widths are 35 feet for Zone 1 and 65 feet for Zone 2 as stated in <br />Table 142-04h of the City Municipal Code. The project proposes to implement Alternative <br />Compliance measures to traditional brush management zones that involve a reduction in <br />Zone 1 limits consistent with the current requirements of Municipal Code Section 142.0412. <br />By reducing the Zone 1 limit and providing a non-combustible wall between Zone 1 and <br />Zone 2, the overall impact to vegetation is reduced as the graded area is less. All Zone 1 <br />impacts are located within the grading limits. The majority of the Zone 2 impacts are also <br />located within the grading limits. Although 1.32 acres of Zone 2 impacts to southern mixed <br />chaparral lie outside of the grading limits primarily on the western side of the project area, <br />Zone 2 impacts are considered “impact neutral” and involve only minor thinning, trimming, <br />and pruning of vegetation without destroying habitat value. This 1.32-acre of Zone 2 located <br />in southern mixed chaparral habitat is not included in the project’s mitigation area and is not <br />counted toward satisfying mitigation acreage. The Zone 2 zones located adjacent to the <br />MHPA would be managed by the homeowners association. Therefore, the proposed brush <br />management zones would comply with the City requirements.