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Staff notes that the above measures would address train engine /wheel noise but exclude mitigation for train horns, which may require mitigation that is infeasible and /or unacceptable from a design and neighborhood impact standpoint (e.g., tall sound walls). The General Plan indicates that the City Council will evaluate the requirement to achieve the General Plan noise standards in the Downtown on a case -by -case basis. Staff believes that a condition of approval requiring disclosure of frequent train whistle noise is sufficient, which is what has been required for other recently approved and /or constructed projects. Noise Impacts on Adjacent Properties The development of the property will generate added urban noise, such as traffic and landscape maintenance activities. However, noise levels are not expected to change substantially from those currently experienced in the area because overall activity levels at the site would be modest. Ambient noise levels could decrease for some of the adjacent properties due to the shielding of traffic and train noise by the proposed buildings. Short-term construction noise would be generated during any new construction on this site. The City normally allows construction hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with Saturday construction allowed if nearby residents are unlikely to be impacted by construction noise or activities. Since there are existing residences directly adjacent to the proposed project site, staff is recommending that Saturday construction not be allowed. Staff is recommending a condition that would allow the Director of Community Development to approve earlier construction "start times" or later "stop times" only for specific construction activities (e.g., concrete pouring) if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development that the expanded construction hours are necessary (e.g., the concrete foundations need to be poured early due to weather conditions). Construction equipment would be required to meet Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) noise standards and be equipped with muffling devices. Vibration The General Plan requires that the project demonstrate that it would be compatible with the vibration impact criteria established by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Potential vibration was analyzed in the noise study, with the consultant recommending that the new townhomes be structurally reinforced or require trenching in order to meet the FTA criteria. The structural design will be determined with the building permit based on the analyses provided by the applicant's consultants including the architect, soils engineer, structural engineer, and noise consultant subject to City review and approval. A condition of approval has been added to address this requirement. Staff has included the noise and vibration study as Exhibit F. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES The applicant has proposed several conceptual site plans over the last 11 months prior to finalizing a development plan that addressed feedback from staff, the Commission, and the public. Figures 4 -6 are three previously - proposed layouts. P16 -1201, PUD -120, & TRACT 8326 Planning Commission 23 of 32