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Green Building Measures The proposed homes are less than 2,000-square-feet in size and, therefore, are not required to comply with the City's Green Building Ordinance. However, the project will need to conform to the State of California's Green Building Standards Code, "CALGreen." Noise and Vibration External noise sources that could affect the site include noise from the railroad to the north and traffic on Stanley Boulevard to the south. For single-family housing projects, the City's General Plan requires that private yard areas excluding front yards not exceed 60 day/night average decibels (dB Ldn) and that indoor noise levels not exceed 45 dB Ldn. In addition, if the noise source is a railroad, an exterior noise level up to 70 dB Ldn is allowed and indoor noise levels cannot exceed a maximum instantaneous noise level (Lmax) of 50 dB in bedrooms and 55 dB in other rooms. A noise study was prepared to ensure that the project will meet General Plan noise standards. Please refer to Exhibit B for the noise study. In order to meet the General Plan noise standards, the noise study the following mitigation is required: 1. Install windows with minimum Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings of 37 for bedrooms and STC 32 for non-bedroom windows. Additional evaluation to confirm STC rating recommendations will be required prior to issuance of building permits once the final window sizes and location have been approved. 2. Install solid fencing at least six-feet high at each backyard. A condition of approval requires that the applicant comply with the recommendations of the noise study. Staff notes that the above mitigations address train engine/wheel noise, but exclude full mitigation for train horns, which may require mitigations that are infeasible and/or unacceptable from a design and neighborhood impact standpoint (e.g., tall sound walls). The General Plan indicates the City Council will evaluate the requirement to achieve the General Plan noise standards in the Downtown on a case-by-case basis. In this case, staff believes that there is no feasible mitigation for the train whistle noise. A similar same determination that was made for the two most recent developments on Old Stanley (Gyles Place and Barias Place). A condition of approval is included that requires disclosure of frequent train horn noise to owners/residents of the homes. Noise Impacts on Adjacent Properties The development of residential uses on the property will generate added urban noise, such as traffic, landscape maintenance activities, etc. However, noise levels will not change substantially from those currently experienced in the area. Ambient noise levels could actually decrease for some of the adjacent properties due to the shielding of traffic noise by the proposed fencing and 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 PUD-133, 3987 Stanley Boulevard Planning Commission 10 of 12