PC 111412 - Laserfiche WebLink

With respect to the proposed increase in allowable noise level in the Central Core Area from 70 dBA to 74 dBA, Commissioner O'Connor inquired if this was with the original Transition Area of one property wide. Ms. Ott replied that was correct. She indicated that this was based on the larger Central Core Area and the smaller Transition Area recommended by the Task Force, the Pleasanton Downtown Association (PDA), and the Economic Vitality Committee (EVC). Commissioner Narum requested confirmation that with the Transition Area recommended by the Task Force, Code compliance of 60 dBA could not theoretically be met at the residential property line on Peters Avenue in that the calculation stated in the staff report was 60.6 dBA, which is greater than 60 dBA. Ms. Ott confirmed that was correct; it would be greater by .6 dBA. Commissioner Narum requested further clarification that by adding another row of properties to the Transition Area as proposed, the distance would be far enough so that the noise level could be at 74 dBA to the residential plane at Peters Avenue. Ms. Ott replied that was correct; it would be less than 60 dBA. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he understood from the presentation that the noise level was at 60.6 dBA, which is not a significant increase, and that the original Transition Area was adequate. He inquired if his understanding was correct. Ms. Ott said no. She explained that the original proposed Transition Area would have reached a level of 60.6 dBA, to which Commissioner Narum commented that it was higher than what is currently allowed at 60 dBA by.6 dBA. Mr. Dolan confirmed that it is .6 dBA more, but staff's conclusion is that it is close enough. He explained that the analysis was done in a model, and there are so many variables that are not modeled. He added that it is a kind of mathematical estimation that was close enough, because every individual physical circumstance is going to have a little bit of variance. He noted, however, that this does not mean that the depth of the Transition Area cannot be expanded to provide that much more insurance to meet the standard and would be an added layer of protection for the neighbors. He indicated that for a CEQA analysis alone, the original proposal would be fine. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the allowed decibel level would be acceptable with the smaller Transition Area, but staff is recommending a larger Transition Area at this time. Ms. Ott replied that was correct. She recalled that at the Work Session, she had mentioned that the Task Force had a lot of discussion about where the boundaries of the Core Area and Transition Area should be drawn, how wide the Transition Area would be and what purpose it was intended to serve. She noted that the Transition PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 14, 2012 Page 5 of 31