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Ms. Ott said yes. She stated that as the group goes down St. Mary Street, it may want to stop right at the corner of St. Mary Street and Peters Avenue as that that is one of the key spots where residents have been saying that that noise is really impactful. Ms. Ott stated that any questions along the way will be recorded, and staff will answer easy questions right there; however, if the questions require more in -depth responses, staff will address them at the November 14, 2012 meeting when this item will be considered by the Commission at a public hearing. Mr. Dolan stated that the group can go anywhere in the Downtown, including any certain spots the Commission would like to stop at and listen. He explained that staff had a lot of conversation regarding whether to have the field trip on a Wednesday night, but it turned out that this agenda was not very full, so staff thought it would take a shot rather than try and get everybody together on a Friday or Saturday night. He added that, if nothing else, the group can learn about background ambient noise. The Commissioners and staff then left the Council Chamber for the field trip Chair Pentin met up with the group Downtown at the field trip. Below is a summary report of the field trip. The Planning Commission, Planning and Economic Development staff, the City's noise consultant, Alan Rosen, and several members of the public conducted a field trip for the purpose of understanding sound and specific decibel levels within the context of the Downtown. First Location Initially, the group walked north on Main Street to the bridge. Alan Rosen set up noise monitoring equipment on the north side of the Pleasanton Hotel building. Participants observed the ambient noise levels (in the 65 -67 dBA range with no cars), as well as the impacts of a train at the crossing (up to 83 dBA), passing cars (in the 70 dBA range) and a passing bus (up to 77 dBA). Questions: Do you perceive noise levels differently if there is a lot of ambient noise? Yes, that does happen. If there is a lot of traffic noise you will not notice a higher level of noise? Noise is somewhat additive, so ambient noise plus music noise is a little bit louder. What is the sound level of normal speech? About 65 dBA. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 24, 2012 Page 5 of 7