GOAL A: MAINTAIN OR ACHIEVE A COMPATIBLE NOISE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL LAND USES IN THE COMMUNITY (LAND USE COMPATIBILITY).
Policy A.1 Prevent significant noise impacts from new development by applying state noise guidelines and Sunnyvale Municipal Code noise regulations in the evaluation of land use issues and proposals.
Action Statements
A.1a Apply the Sunnyvale Municipal Code noise regulations in the evaluation of land uses and proposals. Acoustical analysis may be required to determine if mitigation measures shall be required for the new development. If required, mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the new developments that bring the proposed development into conformance with the noise regulations in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code.
A.1b Consult the Noise Condition Map (Appendix A) to determine noise levels throughout the City.
A.1c Comply with the "Noise and Land Use Compatibility Guidelines" (Table 2) for the compatibility of land uses with their noise environments, except where the City determines that there are prevailing circumstances of a unique or special nature.
A.1d Use Table A.1d to determine if proposed development results in a "significant noise impact" on existing development.
Table A.1d – Significant Noise Impacts from New Development on Existing Land Uses
Ldn of Existing Development[1] / Significant Noise Impact
Increase in Ldn of Existing Development from New Development
"Normally Acceptable"[2] / more than 5 dBA, but noise level still in the "Normally Acceptable" category
"Normally Acceptable" / more than 3 dBA and the noise level exceeds the "Normally Acceptable" category
exceeds "Normally Acceptable" / more than 3 dBA
[1] The Ldn shall be measured at any point along the property line shared by the proposed development and existing land uses.
[2] "Normally Acceptable" as defined by the State of California "Noise and Land Use Compatibility Guidelines", summarized in this Sub-Element.
A.1f Supplement the "Noise and Land Use Compatibility Guidelines" (Table 2) for residential uses by attempting to achieve an outdoor Ldn of no greater than 60 dBA for common recreation areas, backyards, patios, and medium and large-size balconies. These guidelines should not apply where the noise source is a railroad or airport. If the noise source is a railroad, then an Ldn of no greater than 70 dBA should be achieved in common recreation areas, backyards, patios, and medium and large balconies. If the noise source is from aircraft, then preventing new residential uses within areas of high Ldn from aircraft noise is recommended.
Policy A.2 Enforce and supplement state laws regarding interior noise levels of residential units.
Action Statements
A.2a Enforce Title 24 Noise Insulation Requirements for all new hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums group care homes, and all other dwellings, except single-family detached homes.
A.2b Apply Title 24 Noise Insulation Requirements to all new single-family detached homes.
A.2c Attempt to achieve a maximum instantaneous noise level of 50dBA in bedrooms and 55dBA in other areas of residential units exposed to train or aircraft noise, where the exterior Ldn exceeds 55dB.
Policy A.3 Consider techniques which block the path of noise and insulate people from noise.
Action Statements
A.3a Use a combination of barriers, setbacks, site planning and building design techniques to reduce noise impacts, keeping in mind their benefits and shortcomings.
A.3b Consider compiling and distributing information to residents of noise-impacted areas about what they can do to protect themselves from noise.
A.3c Proposed sound walls or other noise reduction barriers should be reviewed for design, location, and material before installing the barrier. Sound readings should be taken before and after installing the noise reduction barrier in order to determine the efficacy of the noise reduction barrier. Measurement techniques shall be similar to procedures used by Caltrans to measure efficiency of sound walls.
GOAL B: PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF NEIGHBORHOODS BY MAINTAINING OR REDUCING THE LEVELS OF NOISE GENERATED BY TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES (TRANSPORTATION NOISE).
Policy B.1 Refrain from increasing or reduce the noise impacts of major roadways.
Action Statements
B.1a Identify and mitigate roadway noise impacts as part of local land use plans and proposals.
B.1b Regulate the location, design and capacity of local roadway improvement projects to mitigate their noise impacts.
B.1c Use local traffic management techniques to reduce or protect noise levels. (For example, the City can place truck routes away from neighborhoods. Commuters can be diverted from residential streets. Note that some techniques may address one problem but cause others. For instance, stop signs can improve safety but they can also raise noise levels. In such cases, the City must balance its goals to the extent possible.)
B.1d Advocate that neighboring cities should identify and mitigate roadway noise impacts that affect Sunnyvale as part of their land use plans.
B.1e Advocate that public agencies should identify and mitigate noise impacts as part of their transportation system improvement projects.
B.1f Support state legislation to reduce vehicle noise levels.
B.1g Continue to enforce state muffler and exhaust laws.
Policy B.2 Support efforts to reduce or mitigate airport noise.
Action Statements
B.2a Support the retention of the Airport Land Use Commission.
B.2b Support the right of private citizens to sue airports for noise impacts.
B.2c Encourage airport operation policies and procedures which reduce the level and frequency of noise as well as other policies and federal funding to alleviate the effects of aircraft noise.
Policy B.3 Support activities that will minimize the noise impacts of Moffett Federal Airfield.
Action Statements
B.3a Monitor the annual number of flight operations and evaluate any increases in activity.
B.3b Encourage NASA to seek ways to minimize flights over the community and manage practice landings.
B.3c Encourage NASA to continue to direct flight operations over the Bay during evening and nighttime hours.
B.3d Encourage NASA to continue flight, landing and maintenance procedures which lower noise levels.
B.3e Encourage NASA to establish a complaint record and response program.
B.3f Support the continuation of NASA's public information program.
B.3g Oppose any effort and/or expenditure of public funds to promote Moffett Federal Airfield for non-federal purposes.
B.3h Support efforts to limit non-essential air traffic at Moffett Federal Airfield.
B.3i Support federal legislation that requires military and federal aircraft to meet Stage 3 noise requirements similar to commercial aircraft.
Policy B.4 Support activities that will minimize and/or reduce the noise impacts of San Jose International Airport.
Action Statements
B.4a Monitor the annual number of passengers and evaluate trends in activity at San Jose International Airport.
B.4b Monitor plans for expansion of San Jose International Airport terminals and evaluate the resulting increases in activity.
B.4c Consider encouraging the City of San Jose to install a local noise monitoring station in the Lakewood area.
B.4d Encourage the City of San Jose to promote the use of Stage 3 aircraft.
B.4e Encourage the City of San Jose to maintain strict control over flight patterns which influence noise in Sunnyvale.
B.4f Encourage the City of San Jose to educate pilots and seek their cooperation in using cockpit techniques that reduce noise levels.
B.4g Support federal legislation to lower the noise levels of civilian aircraft.
B.4h Support state legislation to lower the noise levels of civilian airports.
Policy B.5 Encourage activities that limit the noise impacts of helicopters.
Action Statements
B.5a Encourage NASA to direct helicopter flight operations and flight patterns so that they occur over industrial, not residential, areas.
B.5b Allow the use of airborne helicopters at construction sites on a limited basis as permitted by the FAA and the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics.
Policy B.6 Mitigate and avoid the noise impacts from trains.
Action Statements
B.6a Monitor plans and projects which would increase the number of commuter trains, and evaluate their noise impacts and seek mitigation for any change that worsens local conditions.
B.6b Monitor plans and projects which would increase the number of freight trains, and evaluate their noise impacts and seek mitigation for any change that worsens local conditions.
B.6c Avoid construction of new residential uses where the outdoor Ldn is greater than 70 dBA as a result from train noise.
B.6d Educate owners of older homes on ways to reduce noise levels from trains.
B.6e Support legislation to reduce the noise level of trains.
B.6f Seek the cooperation of train engineers to avoid unnecessary and prolonged use of air horns except for safety purposes.
Policy B.7 Monitor and mitigate the noise impacts of light rail facilities.
Action Statements
B.7a Monitor regional plans for light rail facilities in Sunnyvale to ensure that noise impacts are identified and mitigated.
GOAL C: MAINTAIN OR ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE LIMITS FOR THE LEVELS OF NOISE GENERATED BY LAND USE OPERATIONS AND SINGLE-EVENTS (COMMUNITY NOISE).
Policy C.1 Regulate land use operation noise.
Action Statements
C.1a Monitor the effectiveness of operational noise regulations every five years by referring to related community condition indicators.
C.1b Apply conditions to discretionary land use permits which limit hours of operation, hours of delivery and other factors which affect noise.
C.1c Continue interdepartmental procedures to respond to complaints about operational noise.
C.1d Instantaneous noise measurements taken for the purpose of enforcing the noise regulations in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code shall be taken at the property line of the property generating the noise and in a location and time(s) that fairly represents the noise.
Policy C.2 Regulate select single-event noises and periodically monitor the effectiveness of the regulations.
Action Statements
C.2a Monitor the effectiveness of limits on deliveries hours and hours of operation of powered equipment on properties adjacent to residentially zoned properties every five years by referring to related community condition indicators.
C.2b Continue efforts by the Department of Public Safety and Neighborhood Preservation to mediate complaints about single-event noise that is not regulated by the Sunnyvale Municipal Code.
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