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Negative Declaration has been prepared (Attachment 1). The process for requiring, preparing, and approving a Negative Declaration is outlined in the CEQA Guidelines. In general, impacts on the environment were considered less than significant for a few key reasons: no construction or demolition is proposed as part of the project; the underlying zoning map where hospitality uses are allowed is not proposed to change; increases in occupancy above Code, such as the Fire Code, are not proposed; and these types of uses were addressed in the Pleasanton General Plan and its corresponding EIR. The proposed project evaluated reflects the recommendations by the DHG Task Force. Noise In general, per the PMC the maximum allowable exterior noise level on residentially zoned property in Pleasanton is 60 dBA. There are day-of-week/time exceptions to this, such as for noise from construction, leaf blowers, and noise from commercially-zoned properties. The proposed project allows for a 4 dB increase in allowable noise level (70 to 74 dBA) for Special Downtown Accessory Entertainment Uses in the Downtown Hospitality Central Core Area but retains essentially the same (70 dBA) standard in the Downtown Hospitality Transition Area. The closest residentially-zoned areas to the Downtown Central Core and Transition Areas are across Peters Avenue. As proposed, if the allowable noise level increased from 70 to 74 dBA in the Downtown Central Core Area, the noise level at the closest residentially-zoned property line would be approximately 60.6 dBA. If the allowable noise level in the Downtown Transition Area remained 70 dBA, the noise level at the closest residentially-zoned property across Peters Avenue would be about 59.4 dBA. Furthermore, according to the City's General Plan, an increase in exterior noise of more than 4 dBA is required before the increase is considered significant. In summary, noise levels would not be expected to significantly exceed the standards already in place. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: 1. Find that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a resolution recommending approval the attached draft Negative Declaration, Attachment 1; 2. Adopt a resolution approving the Draft Downtown Hospitality Guidelines, dated November 2012, as recommended by staff, Attachment 2; and 3. Introduce the ordinance adopting the Draft Pleasanton Municipal Code Amendments, dated November 2, 2012 as recommended by staff, Attachment 3. Page 10 of 11