1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter combines two state mandated elements. The first section contains the Safety Element [Government Code § 65302(g)]. The second section contains the Noise Element pursuant to the Noise Element Guidelines of the Government Code [§ 65302(d)].
The Safety Section deals with the protection of the community from unreasonable risks associated with the effects of earthquake, landslides, slope instability, subsidence and other known geologic hazards, flooding, and building collapse. This section includes a map of known seismic and other geologic hazards and also addresses locally relevant safety issues such as;
A second purpose of this section is to guide land use planning and policy decisions to reduce safety risks and achieve an acceptable level of public protection from known natural and man-made hazardous events.
The Noise section identifies and evaluates community noise sources and problems. State law requires that a noise element consider noise generated from a number of different sources including, but not limited to, highways, local streets, public transit, airports, and industrial operations. In brief, the Noise section contains:
Each subject area in this chapter is presented with background information followed by objectives, policies and programs.
2. OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS, AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Seismic Hazards
Novato is located in one of the most seismically active areas of the nation. The western edge of the continental plates runs along the California shoreline, and the resulting stresses have produced a complex network of faults in California.
The only "active" fault in Marin County is the San Andreas Fault located 12-14 miles west of the City; this fault is subject to a maximum credible earthquake of 8.3 (Richter Scale). However, a recent study of earthquake hazard prepared by ABAG (ABAG, 1995) concludes that the chance of a major earthquake on the northern segment of the San Andreas Fault in the next 30 years is only 2 percent. An inactive fault, the Burdell Mountain Fault, crosses the northeastern portion of the City.
The Hayward Fault (located about eight miles east of the eastern edge of the Novato Sphere of Influence) and the Healdsburg-Rodgers Creek Fault located northeast of the City are both active faults with maximum credible earthquakes of 7.5 and 7.2 respectively. The ABAG report predicts the probability of an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.1 during the next 30 years on the Healdsburg-Rodgers Creek Fault as 0.22 (i.e., 22 percent chance) and for an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.1 on the northern Hayward Fault as 0.28 (i.e., 28 percent chance). The most severe earthquake effects in Novato would be from the Hayward Fault.
The bayfront and marshland areas of Novato are potentially hazardous to buildings. Silt and mud deposits have accumulated over 10,000 years in flat areas with elevations generally below sea level. Formerly much of these lands would flood during high tide. Some of these lands have been "reclaimed" through the construction of levees and drainage channels and used for urban development. During an earthquake, the sandy soils may become fluid-like, in a process known as liquefaction, greatly increasing the potential damage to buildings. Urban development on bayfront areas is thus potentially exposed to a very high level of geologic risk and should be carefully planned in relationship to the geotechnical requirements of the site.
Potential hazards associated with earthquakes include:
Seismic Effects on Structures and Public Facilities
The severity of damage to buildings from earthquakes is related to the intensity of ground shaking, soils and geologic characteristics, the type of building construction used, and other potential hazards listed above. The City of Novato does not have any critical facilities such as high occupancy buildings located in high-risk areas. A community hospital is proposed and has been approved for development on a site with fill over Bay mud. The hospital will be constructed to a hospital standard set by the Office of State Health, Planning and Development in consultation with the Office of the State Architect which takes into consideration location and occupancy. The state Building Standards for hospitals are more stringent than the Uniform Building Code used by cities. Seismic risk for these types of structures are resolved consistent with current known design factors prescribed through engineering practices and the applicable regulation of the regulatory authority. The land use pattern that has evolved in Novato has, in general, avoided high-risk areas.
The City of Novato is within Seismic Zone 4. The seismic zones are in order of magnitude with Seismic Zone 4 being the area of greatest risk. The Uniform Building Code (UBC) requires a higher safety factor for construction in Seismic Zone 4.
The Unreinforced Masonry Law passed by the State Legislature in 1986 (SB 547), requires all cities and counties to identify potentially hazardous unreinforced masonry buildings. The City has complied with this legislation and reported all unreinforced masonry buildings to the State Seismic Commission. Implementation of an inspection and reinforcement program has been completed to mitigate hazards associated with the seismic effects on most structures. Novato has one remaining unreinforced masonry building.
The seismic status of buildings by their seismic classification is summarized below:
The varying levels of seismic and geologic risk within the Novato area posed by a hypothetical earthquake on the Hayward Fault are illustrated by SF Map 1: Earthquake Hazard. SF Map 1A shows fault traces in Marin County and adjoining areas. A major earthquake would be expected to cause considerable damage to transportation systems. Roads, bridges and highway overpasses are susceptible to damage or failure in the event of a major earthquake. Landslides would be intensified as a result of ground shaking, and could affect portions of the roadway system located in landslide potential areas identified in SF Map 2: Slope Instability. Seismic damage could also occur to treated water and sewage pipelines, gas pipelines, and to telephone and power lines.
Effective planning and preparation can significantly reduce the risks and harmful effects of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
| SF Objective 1 | Reduce seismic hazards. |
SF Policy 1 Seismic Hazards. Reduce the risk of loss of life, personal injury and damage to property resulting from seismic hazards.
SF Program 1.1: Continue to require geotechnical and engineering geology reports by consulting Certified Engineering Geologists and/or Registered Geotechnical Engineers for development proposals on sites in seismically and geologically hazardous areas and for all critical structures. These reports should include, but not be limited to: evaluation of and recommendations to mitigate the effects of ground shaking, landslides, surficial debris flows, expansive soils, subsidence and settlement, fault displacement, Bay mud areas, and all areas shown on SF Map 1 as damage level moderate or heavy. Reference must also be made to standard geological and geological hazards maps.SF Program 1.2: Continue to require, as conditions of approval, measures to mitigate potential seismic hazards for structures.
SF Program 1.3: Continue to require professional inspection of foundation and excavation, earthwork and other geotechnical aspects of site development during construction on those sites specified in geologic, and geotechnical studies as being prone to moderate levels of seismic hazard, in accordance with the current version of the Uniform Building Code.
SF Program 1.4: Continue to monitor and review existing critical, high priority buildings to ensure structural compliance with seismic safety standards.
SF Program 1.5: Provide information to the public on ways to reinforce buildings to reduce damage from earthquakes and what to do in the event of an earthquake.
Publications from the California Seismic Safety Commission may be used.
SF Policy 2 Building in Areas with Significant Risk Potential. Discourage construction of high density residential, and other critical, high-occupancy or essential services buildings in high risk zones.
SF Program 2.1: Continue to require adherence to the Uniform Building Code for Seismic Risk Zone 4 in order to protect against seismic hazards.SF Program 2.2: Establish setbacks from active or potentially active fault traces for structures intended for human occupancy.
There are no active faults identified in the Novato area. New information about faults may appear, however, in the future. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones Act prohibits construction of new facilities within 50 feet of fault traces of designated active faults.
Non-Seismic Geologic Hazards
Potential hazards may be present when there are thick colluvial soils, soils on steep slopes, and expansive soils which, in the presence of moisture, swell and shrink when returning to a dry condition. This hazard is compounded when unstable colluvial soils overlay geologically unstable formations, such as fault zones prone to earthquakes. SF Map 2 identifies areas of slope instability.
Expansive soil hazards may also exist in areas with expansive soils which often cause cracking, heaving and break-up of pavements and concrete slab foundations. More information regarding the engineering geology of Novato is contained in publications by the California Division of Mines and Geology, available at the Community Development Department.
| SF Objective 2 | Minimize the risk of personal injury and property damage resulting from slope and soil instability. |
Several types of downslope movements produce soil instability, including landslides, soil creep and debris flows. Landslides are the rapid slide of bedrock and/or overburden. Landslides are generally large and destructive, involving millions of tons of rock. Though landslides can be naturally occurring, a frequent cause of landslides in California is the undercutting of slopes for construction. Sometimes these types of landslides can be more expensive than naturally occurring slides because there is usually a road or building beneath them to be damaged or destroyed. Soil Creep is the slow downslope movement of overburden and is the most common type of downslope movement. Very commonly a creep will tilt trees, telephone poles, and fences. Debris flows are rapidly-moving thick mud flows which contain coarse-grained material.
Downslope movements may be triggered in many ways, including (1) undercutting of slopes, (2) surcharging of the slope so it cannot support its new weight, (3) strong shaking from earthquakes, and (4) loss of shear strength from water pressure, often due to intense rainfall.
SF Policy 3 Slope and Soil Instability. Continue to enforce existing regulations and procedures to identify potential hazards relating to geologic and soils conditions.
SF Program 3.1: Require evaluation of all slopes, unstable land, areas susceptible to liquefaction or settlement, and areas containing expansive soils for safety hazards prior to issuance of any discretionary approvals and require appropriate mitigation measures.SF Program 3.2: Require that development in areas identified by SF Map 2: Slope Instability be evaluated and, as appropriate, supervised by a Certified Engineering Geologist or a registered Geotechnical Engineer.
SF Program 3.3: Require financial protection for public agencies and individuals as a condition of development approval where geological conditions indicate a potential for high maintenance costs.
The financial protection would ensure that developers of properties where geological analysis identifies a risk of high maintenance will have the resources to carry out such maintenance. This program would also serve to limit the City's liability, although none is assumed. Examples include bonds, liens, or other suitable security to ensure that landscaped slopes in areas with landslides or surficial debris flows are maintained to prevent hazardous movement. A geotechnical report prepared by a Certified Engineering Geologist or Registered Geotechnical Engineer would be required by the City.
SF Program 3.4: Require repair, stabilization, or avoidance of landslides, or areas of soil creep or possible debris flow as a condition of project approval.
SF Program 3.5: Review and consider revising the Grading Ordinance.
Flood Hazards
Much of the bayfront lands are in agricultural, conservation or open space uses and flood frequently. These areas are reclaimed marshlands which had been near high tide level when drained. Since reclamation, the loss of water within the Bay Mud has led to subsidence, and many areas are now below mean sea level and require pumping to drain. If levees and pumps are maintained, flooding in these areas represents minimal hazard to persons or structures. Most of these lands are shown on the Land Use Map for Agriculture, Conservation, or other low-intensity uses.
The frequency and severity of flooding has increased in recent years partly as a result of increasing urban development. As more land becomes covered with impermeable surfaces such as buildings, parking lots and roads, water cannot drain into the soil and surface runoff increases, thereby causing acute local flooding.
Novato Creek has a long history of flooding and is the main flood hazard to the community. Flooding along Novato Creek usually occurs in three stages; when the water levels rises above storm drains, resulting in flooded roads and lots; when Warner Creek and Arroyo Avichi rise and overflow their banks at the confluence with Novato Creek; and when Novato Creek itself rises to a level where it overflows at low points in its levees. In addition, localized flooding occurs periodically in certain locations. The frequency and severity of flooding has been reduced as a result of flood control improvements for Novato, Warner, and Avichi Creeks funded in 1985 and storm drainage projects funded in 1989.
Dam failure resulting from earthquakes is another potential source of flooding. Novato Creek Dam, an earth embankment constructed in 1951, is 71 feet high and under the jurisdiction of the California Division of Safety of Dams. This dam creates Stafford Lake, which has a capacity of 4,430 acre-feet of water. The dam, located upstream of Novato along Novato Creek at Stafford Lake, is designed to withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.25 on the San Andreas Fault with a design epicenter located 10 miles from the dam. The inundation zone in the hypothetical event of a sudden failure of the dam is on file with the North Marin Water District and is in Appendix B of the General Plan.
The City has implemented a Local Drainage Master Plan to accommodate 25-year storm water flows which have a 4% chance of occurrence in any given year. In 1989, the voters approved a bond measure to provide $4.2 million funding for storm drainage improvements. In addition, the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has implemented major improvements since 1985 to prevent flooding from 50-year storms. These improvements include a detention pond at Deer Island on the lower portion of Novato Creek, and improvements to the channels of Novato Creek,Warner Creek and Arroyo Avichi.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency updated its Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) in 1989 to reflect these improvements. The FIRM is reproduced schematically in SF Map 3: Flood Hazards.
| SF Objective 3 | Reduce flood hazards. |
SF Policy 4 Enhanced Floodwater Storage. Support measures to manage, protect and increase the floodwater storage capacity where appropriate.
SF Policy 5 Use of Updated Flood Rate Insurance Maps. Use the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Rate Maps [FIRM] to reduce risk of flooding; identify 100 Year Flood Events; and calculate flow rates within identified stream channels.
SF Program 5.1: Use current Flood Insurance Rate Maps in the review of development proposals.SF Program 5.2: Continue to enforce the City's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
SF Program 5.3: Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
This program involves continuing to implement the regulations of City Code Chapters 5-31: Floodplain Insurance Requirements and Chapter 19-11.056(f): Combining Floodways Regulations.
SF Policy 6 Cooperation with Marin County. Continue to work with the Marin County Public Works Department to minimize negative impacts of storm runoff.
SF Program 6.1: Request that the County refer all development proposals located outside the City limits of Novato but within the Sphere of Influence to ensure that additional storm drainage runoff resulting from development occurring in unincorporated areas is adequately mitigated through improvements on site and downstream.
SF Policy 7 Funding Sources. Continue to cooperate with the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and other Marin jurisdictions in pursuing all available sources of funding to finance improvements to storm drainage facilities.
See also PF Program 1.5 regarding storm drainage facility fees.
SF Policy 8 Reducing Flood Hazards. Reduce flood risk by maintaining effective flood drainage systems and regulating construction.
SF Program 8.1: Condition new development to maintain post development peak runoff rate and average volume similar to the predevelopment condition, to the maximum extent practicable.SF Program 8.2: Require runoff rate/volume analysis of projects where deemed necessary by City staff.
SF Program 8.3: Require all development in the 100 year flood zone to comply with the Floodplain Zoning requirements in the Novato Municipal Code.
SF Program 8.4: Require approved projects to cover the costs of drainage facilities needed for surface runoff generated.
SF Program 8.5: Require analysis of the cumulative effects of development upon runoff, discharge into natural watercourses, and increased volumes and velocities in watercourses and their impacts on downstream properties. Include clear and comprehensive mitigation measures as part of project approvals with financial and other measures to ensure their implementation.
SF Program 8.6: Request that the North Marin Water District maintain a file of inundation maps and drainage plans for existing and new water storage tanks in the City.
SF Policy 9 Storm Drainage System. Maintain unobstructed water flow in the storm drainage system.
SF Program 9.1: Enforce measures to minimize soil erosion and volume and velocity of surface runoff both during and after construction through implementation of the Grading Ordinance.SF Program 9.2: Continue to carry out annual inspection and maintenance of the drainage systems.
SF Program 9.3: Require, where necessary, construction and maintenance of siltation/detention ponds to be incorporated into the design of development projects.
SF Program 9.4: Periodically assess the need to establish improvement districts and other financing mechanisms to fund necessary storm drainage and watercourse improvements to minimize flood hazards.
See EN Policies regarding environmentally-sound flood control measures.
SF Policy 10 Hazards of Dam and Levee Failure. Ensure that the design and location of dams and levees are in accordance with all applicable design standards of the California Division of Safety of Dams.
SF Program 10.1: Continue to enforce City Code Chapter V regulating dams.SF Program 10.2: Review new levees for seismic and hydrological safety.
SF Program 10.3: Request that the North Marin Water District keep dam inundation maps on file for review of property owners who are located in areas of possible inundation.
SF Policy 11 Rising Sea Level. Consider the potential for sea level rise when processing development applications that might be affected by such a rise.
SF Program 11.1: Work with the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to prepare a plan for responding to a potential rise in sea level. Consider developing flood control projects and modifying the City's land use regulations for areas subject to increased flooding from sea level rise.Policies and programs to ensure water quality are in Chapter 4.
Emergency Preparedness
The City adopted an Emergency Preparedness Plan in 1991. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that the City will be prepared to respond effectively in the event of emergencies to save lives and restore and protect property; repair and restore essential public services; provide for the protection and distribution of medical, food, water, shelter sites, and other vital supplies and services; and coordinate operations with emergency service organizations and other jurisdictions to maintain continuity of government.
| SF Objective 4 | Assure Emergency Preparedness. |
SF Policy 12 Interagency Cooperation. Continue to cooperate with the appropriate federal, state and local agencies to implement effective emergency plans.
SF Policy 13 Multihazard Emergency Plan. Update the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan, as needed.
SF Program 13.1: Revise and implement, as appropriate, the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan to comply with the County's Plan and changing conditions. Revise the plan to conform to the new California Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) by December 1996.Responsibility: Police Department
SF Policy 14 Emergency Facilities. Identify essential emergency facilities and ensure that they will function in the event of a disaster.
SF Program 14.1: Identify specific facilities, such as City Hall, schools, fire stations, police building and hospitals, and lifelines, such as telephones, electric, gas, water and sewer service critical to effective emergency/disaster response, and evaluate their abilities to survive and operate efficiently immediately after a disaster. Designate alternative facilities for post-disaster assistance in the event that the primary facilities have become unusable.Responsibility: Police Department
SF Program 14.2: Minimize potential earthquake damage to existing publicly owned buildings and emergency facilities through strengthening building structure, eliminating hazardous features, or relocating facilities to safer buildings where feasible.
Responsibility: Police and Community Development Departments
SF Program 14.3: Continue to maintain an emergency evacuation routes system. Consider establishing evacuation route standards, such as road widths.
Responsibility: Police Department and Community Development Department
This program should consider whether the City's rural street standards have any impact on evacuation routes.
SF Program 14.4: Publicize the City's evacuation routes and other aspects of its Emergency Preparedness Plan. Work towards creating neighborhood disaster systems and ways to identify and focus on people in need during emergencies.
Evacuation routes are included in the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
Responsibility: Police Department
SF Program 14.5: Maintain designated evacuation routes in a passable condition at all times, as feasible.
Responsibility: Police Department
Fire Protection
The combination of vegetation, topography, climate and population density create a significant potential for fire hazards. Fire hazards in the Novato area fall into two categories: wildland fires which occur in open chaparral, grassland and forest areas and urban fires which damage buildings in urbanized areas.
There are several rural areas where wildland fires could cause significant damage to buildings. The highest risk area is Black Point, which has narrow roads, older structures, limited access steep slopes and chaparral vegetation. The other areas are Wild Horse Valley, parts of Bahia, Ridge Road, and Pacheco Valley which have dense brush and grass near to homes.
The Novato Fire Protection District and the City have taken the following measures to reduce the risk of wildland fires:
The California Department of Forestry estimates that wildland fires, unless otherwise abated, are expected to increase by 47 percent to the year 2000. Increasing public awareness of wildland fire and developing stronger preventive measures is essential to reduce the risk of this type of natural disaster.
Urban fires are influenced by wind velocity and direction, the use of fire-resistant building materials, building design and height, site planning, accessibility and the availability of adequate water supply.
The Existing Conditions Report identifies several areas of Novato with high fire risk. These include commercial areas with older, wood-frame buildings constructed without fire walls or sprinkler systems, and residential neighborhoods located in grassy or wooded areas on top of ridges and/or on north or east-facing slopes. Refer to SF Map 4.
The Novato Fire Protection District's goal is to respond to 90 percent of all emergency incidents within five minutes. The District has four fire stations, and adequate equipment to meet local needs. In addition, the District's Fire Prevention Division establishes requirements for new buildings, carries out code enforcement, and conducts public education programs on fire prevention and safety. The City has strengthened the Uniform Fire Code requirements by requiring automatic sprinklers in all new single family dwellings and new buildings 2,500 square feet or larger. In cooperation with the Novato Fire Protection District it carries out weed abatement and other fire prevention programs and reviews new developments to reduce fire hazards.
The North Marin Water District and the Marin Municipal Water District have adopted minimum fire flow standards of 1,000 gallons per minute, as specified by Title 22 of the State of California, Administrative Code.
Despite all the efforts of public agencies to reduce fire hazards, it continues to be difficult to obtain fire insurance in high fire hazard areas.
| SF Objective 5 | Reduce fire hazards. |
SF Policy 15 Fire Hazard Severity Scale. Adopt and use the Fire Hazard Severity Scale for the classification of fire hazards in wildland areas. (34)
SF Policy 16 Fire Risk in New Development. Review all development proposals for fire risk, and require mitigation measures to reduce the probability of fire.
SF Program 16.1: Continue the Novato Fire Protection District's review of all development proposals to reduce fire risk.The Zoning Ordinance includes requirements for clearances around structures.
SF Program 16.2: Require new development within mapped high fire hazard zones established by the Novato Fire Protection District and/or the Marin County Fire District to develop and implement a Vegetation Management Plan. (Refer to SF Map 4) The Plan shall be part of the development application and approved by the Novato Fire Protection District and the City. The Plan shall be developed by an arborist or vegetation management specialist. The City shall work with the Fire District to ensure that actions recommended in the Plan are implemented. The Novato Fire Protection District has the right to review properties to judge whether actions recommended in the Vegetation Management Plan are being properly implemented in a timely fashion.
SF Program 16.3: Establish overlay zoning districts for high fire hazard areas establishing several types of fire-resistant vegetation buffer zones around structures.
SF Program 16.4: Assess development applications on sites beyond a five-minute response time from a fire station to ensure that acceptable mitigation measures are provided.
SF Program 16.5: Continue to enforce the Fire Safety Ordinance requiring sprinkler systems for all new commercial/industrial development greater than 2,500 square feet and all new residential development regardless of size.
SF Program 16.6: Limit building envelopes in high fire risk areas to provide for "defensible space" against fires.
Defensible space refers to a buffer area around buildings which is cleared of highly combustible vegetation and which is readily accessible by fire fighting equipment.
SF Policy 17 Level of Fire Protection. Work with Novato Fire Protection District to help ensure a continued high level of fire protection.
SF Program 17.1: Continue to require all new development to meet the adopted fire safe regulations originally developed by the state and currently adopted as an appendix to the Fire Code.SF Program 17.2: Continue the City's residential resale inspection program that requires inspection of existing residential property to be performed by a Building Inspector prior to the close of escrow.
SF Program 17.3: Ensure that new traffic signals include a system which allows emergency vehicles to change the signal.
SF Program 17.4: Require adequate access for emergency vehicles, adequate street width and vertical clearance, and parking restrictions for new development. All development that includes private access roads or fire roads shall provide access rights and keys to any gates to the Novato Fire Protection District and shall be deeded accordingly. (Draft EIR, pages 203-204, Impact 4.11A)
Requirements for street width standards are in Section 5-45 of the Municipal Code.
SF Policy 18 Vegetation Management. Continue to implement an effective and environmentally sound vegetation management and weed abatement program.
SF Program 18.1: Continue to require the use of the following methods of weed abatement wherever possible: use of mechanical rather than chemical removal of weeds; reseeding with native bunchgrass varieties in sloping disturbed soils; and limiting weed abatement activities in areas with known endangered plant and animal species. Strongly encourage a zone system of landscaping, as per Fire District standards, for defensible space around buildings in high fire risk areas.
SF Policy 19 State Building Code. Continue to enforce the State Building Code (UBC).
SF Program 19.1: Continue to update and enforce the City's Building Code and Fire Code provisions.SF Program 19.2: Continue to require a greater degree of fire resistance in roof coverings and exterior building materials for structures within or adjacent to hazardous areas than what is specified in the UFC, as determined by the Chief Building Official upon making of findings specified in Health and Safety Code § 13143.4.
This program requires more stringent fire-retardant roofing materials than currently specified by the Uniform Building Code.
SF Policy 20 Peak Load Water Supply. Work with the North Marin Water District and the Novato Fire Protection District to ensure that there exists sufficient water flow in fire hydrants throughout Novato, based on peak demand.
The standard adopted by the Novato Fire Protection District is a minimum of 1,000 gallons per minute with 20 pounds per square inch residual pressure.
SF Program 20.1: Continue to require that all new developments be provided with sufficient fire flow facilities at the time of permit issuance.
SF Policy 21 Mutual Aid Agreements. Continue to participate in mutual aid agreements with the County and State fire fighting agencies.
SF Policy 22 Fire Hazard on Public Lands. Public lands should be managed to minimize the chances of a wildfire that would affect residences and businesses in Novato.
SF Program 22.1: The City should request that the Marin County Open Space District and other public agencies assess the wildland fire hazard on their holdings within and adjacent to the City. If these assessments indicate a significant hazard to residents of Novato, the City should request that the agency take steps to reduce the fire hazard to an acceptable level. (Draft EIR, page 204, Impact 4.11A)
Police Service
The Police Department provides for public safety through the protection of life and property and preserving the peace. The goal of the Novato Police Department is to foster community-police cooperation in the prevention of crime and delinquency and to meet the public demands for non-crime police services.
Much of today's police services involves responding to social problems including domestic disputes, juvenile delinquency, alcoholism and homelessness. Approximately 85 percent of police calls are requests for service rather than responses to crime. Police officers responding to these calls often provide counseling and crisis intervention and refer people to social service agencies. Novato's quality of life is closely related to the sense of safety of its residents.
The Novato Police Department carries out many crime prevention programs in close cooperation with the community which have proved to be effective. These include:
Novato's quality of life is closely related to the sense of safety of its residents.
| SF Objective 6 | Maintain effective police services. |
SF Policy 23 Demand for Police Services. Review development proposals for their demand for police services and implement mitigating measures to maintain adequate police services.
SF Program 23.1: Consider the impacts on level of police services of large development proposals in the environmental review and planning process. Mitigating measures shall be implemented that may include the levying of police impact fees for capital facilities, if warranted.Responsibility: Community Development and Police Department
SF Policy 24 Civilian Employees and Equipment. Maintain sufficient civilian employees and equipment to support sworn staff.
SF Policy 25 Community Oriented Services. Continue to provide community-oriented services.
Emergency Medical Care
The Emergency Medical Service of the Novato Fire Protection District is responsible for answering all medical aid and ambulance calls including 911 calls in Novato. The Fire Protection District personnel are all qualified Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics.
| SF Objective 7 | Maintain an effective medical emergency response system. |
SF Policy 26 Level of Emergency Medical Response. Encourage the Novato Fire Protection District to continue maintaining a high level of emergency medical response.
SF Program 26.1: Periodically review the effectiveness of the emergency medical response system as part of the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan.Responsibility: Police Department
SF Policy 27 Novato Community Hospital's Emergency Department. Continue to encourage Novato Community Hospital to maintain its emergency department and acute care facilities.
SF Program 27.1: Identify actions the City can carry out to support the Novato Community Hospital Emergency Department.Responsibility: Police Department
SF Program 27.2: Encourage other providers to maintain emergency and acute care facilities.
Hazardous Materials
The transportation and storage of hazardous materials is clearly a regional issue. A large quantity of hazardous products are transported on highways and railways where the potential for release of this material into the environment represents a potentially significant public health risk. The policies and programs dealing with hazardous materials in this section incorporate and build on the relevant portions of the Safety Element of the Marin Countywide Plan. The County is responsible for:
Radioactive materials are distinguished from other hazardous materials and specific federal and state regulations address handling and transport of these substances.
The use and storage of radioactive materials in Novato is limited to medical facilities, and the proposed Buck Center for Research in Aging, since no other primary users of radioactive materials, such as research laboratories, nuclear power plants or active military facilities, are located within the Area of Interest. The principal potential danger to Novato residents from these materials is related to the possibility of a truck accident resulting in rupture of containers holding radioactive materials.
Asbestos used as an insulating material in public buildings is a potential health hazard. The Novato Unified School District has determined that its public schools are in compliance with the 1986 Federal and State Building Codes for asbestos insulation. A survey of the Novato City Hall, Fire and Police Buildings revealed no asbestos-related problems.
| SF Objective 8 | Reduce hazards of transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and hazardous materials. |
SF Policy 28 Measures to Reduce Hazards. Consider measures to protect the public health from the hazards associated with the transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes (TSD Facilities).
SF Program 28.1: Continue to refer land use and transportation decisions and other programs involving hazardous materials regulations to the appropriate agencies.SF Program 28.2: Support the establishment of a household hazardous waste collection and disposal program.
SF Program 28.3: Consider adoption of a Hazardous Materials and Waste Ordinance that defines hazardous waste and hazardous materials and facilitates implementation of State and County regulations and programs regarding hazardous substances.
SF Program 28.4: Continue to implement the Commercial Occupancy Ordinance requiring notification of all hazardous substances that are transported, stored, treated or could be released accidentally into the environment.
Responsibility: Community Development Department and Police DepartmenT
SF Policy 29 CEQA Review of proposed TSD Facilities. Support thorough environmental review for hazardous waste transportation, storage and disposal (TSD) Facilities proposed in the Novato area and throughout Marin County, since the potentially significant, widespread and long-term impacts on public health and safety of these facilities do not respect jurisdictional boundaries.
SF Program 29.1: Request that the Environmental Review of proposed hazardous waste TSD facilities shall, at a minimum, contain the following analysis and information:
- A worst case generic description, estimating the number, type, scale, scope, location and operating characteristics of proposed TSD facilities based on the projected volumes and types of hazardous waste. Data from existing facilities regarding the probability of accidents, spills, and explosions should be documented and included;
- An assessment of risk resulting from the accidental release, fire, and/or explosion of hazardous waste. This assessment should take into account all phases of operation including transport, storage, and treatment. The assessment of risk should include the probability of occurrence and magnitude of impact;
- Quantitative estimates of air emissions, by applying emissions rates of existing facilities to the future volumes of hazardous waste, and identifying emissions for incinerator facilities under worst case circumstances;
- An assessment of non-incineration alternatives for hazardous waste treatment such as chemical dechlorination for the detoxification of PCBs, dioxins, solvents and pesticides; photolysis; and biological treatment; and
- Review of the operating characteristics of proposed TSD facilities, taking into account maintenance and operating procedures, emissions monitoring and safety devices to assure the ongoing enforceability of the mitigating measures that are required.
SF Policy 30 Hazardous Materials Storage. Strictly regulate the storage of hazardous materials.
SF Program 30.1: Regulate and enforce the storage of hazardous materials under California Administrative Code Title 19 requirements.SF Program 30.2: Revise the Zoning Ordinance to require secondary containment facilities and a buffer zone adequate to protect public health and safety on properties with hazardous materials storage and/or processing activities.
This program requires industries and businesses which store or process hazardous materials to provide secondary containment facilities and a buffer zone between the installation and property boundaries sufficient to protect the public health and safety.
SF Policy 31 Truck Routes for Hazardous Materials Transport. Develop, in cooperation with the County and neighboring cities, regulations prohibiting through-transport by truck of hazardous materials on the local street systems and requiring that this activity be limited to State highways.
SF Program 31.1: Consider adopting a Local Hazardous Material Route Plan and install signage and publicize routes for hazardous materials transport in Novato. Adopt an ordinance designating specific routes for transport of hazardous materials.
Electromagnetic Fields
The potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electric transmission lines, substations and appliances have been considered in various studies (35). The information regarding EMF affect on health compiled up to the date of the General Plan revision (November 1995) is inconclusive. There is no consensus in the scientific community regarding the degree of risk, if any, presented by EMF.
| SF Objective 9 | Reduce community exposure to electromagnetic field radiation. |
SF Policy 32 Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation in Land Use Decisions. Consider information regarding EMF radiation from new electrical transmission lines and substations in making land use decisions.
SF Program 32.1: Consider adopting EMF regulations consistent with State or Federal guidelines, if they become available.Several jurisdictions have adopted local regulations to deal with EMF radiation. Recently Irvine, California; Ashland, Oregon; and the State of New York have adopted regulations regarding EMFs produced by electrical transmission facilities.
SF Program 32.2: Obtain updated information on EMF radiation levels of existing and proposed electrical transmission facilities and relate those to the latest standards that are emerging from ongoing research. Refer to SF Map 5: Major Electric Transmission Lines.
SF Policy 33 Siting and Construction of Electrical Transmission Facilities. Consider EMF issues near sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, playgrounds, and group care facilities in planning for electrical transmission facilities.
SF Program 33.1: Request that PG&E provide information to the City on renovations to existing and construction of new electrical transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines. Request that information on the EMF radiation levels for proposed new facilities be provided.SF Program 33.2: Request that all new electrical transmission projects have an EMF mitigation plan as an part of the project's environmental review pursuant to CEQA.
SF Program 33.3: Request from PG&E an inventory and full public disclosure of existing electrical transmission lines and of existing and proposed electrical transmission projects with the anticipated EMF levels in Novato.
There are 60 kV, 130 kV and 240 kV transmission lines and substations within the Novato Area of Interest.
SF Policy 34 Siting of Schools. Encourage schools to follow the California Department of Education regulations requiring EMF consideration in the siting of schools.
Aviation Hazards
Gnoss Field potentially affects land use in Novato in the form of noise and safety impacts. The County owns and operates this general aviation airport and in 1991 completed a Master Plan that reflects the anticipated growth in general aviation activity for the next 20 years. The Master Plan regulates obstacles to aviation activity, reduces exposure of persons on the ground to accident and crash hazards, and limits noise impacts through building height restrictions, land use limitations and building standards to reduce interior noise.
The County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) regulates land use in the area surrounding Gnoss Field. Novato and the County must submit projects within the ALUC's referral area for ALUC review and determination of consistency with the policies of the Master Plan. In addition, the City's General Plan must be consistent with the policies established by the Master Plan for the referral area. The General Plan map does not contain any land uses within the referral area which would be inconsistent with the Master Plan. The Master Plan does not prohibit agriculture but does strictly regulate residential uses. The height limits for new construction permitted by the Zoning Ordinance are well below the maximum permitted.
| SF Objective 10 | Reduce aviation hazards. |
SF Policy 35 Gnoss Field Airport Hazards. Minimize risk to lives and property due to hazards associated with the operation of Gnoss Field Airport.
SF Program 35.1: Consider the recommendations of the ALUC regarding development or conservation proposals which would create any air navigation hazards in the Gnoss Field Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) Referral Area.The Airport Land Use Plan requires wetland restoration and enhancement projects to consider proximity to the airport and the potential for birds to create safety problems.
SF Program 35.2: Refer all General Plan Amendments, Zoning Ordinance Amendments, and specific plans within the Gnoss Field Airport Referral Area to the ALUC.
SF Policy 36 County Airport Planning. Continue to monitor the County's planning efforts for Gnoss Field Airport to ensure that the health and safety of Novato residents are protected.
SF Program 36.1: Request that Marin County inform the City of proposed plans and changes in operations for Gnoss Field Airport.SF Program 36.2: Request that the Marin County Aviation Commission adopt standards for non-fixed wing aircraft (balloons, helicopters, and ultralights) flyover altitudes and locations.
SF Program 36.3: Continue to oppose aviation uses at Hamilton Field.
Noise
The purpose of the Noise Section is to protect the health and welfare of the community by promoting development which is compatible with established noise standards. This section has been prepared in conformance with Government Code § 65302(f) and the guidelines adopted by the State Office of Noise Control, pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 46050.1. Existing and future noise problems in Novato and its Sphere of Influence are identified. Policies and implementation programs are provided to reduce the community's exposure to excessive noise levels. Accomplishing this task requires an evaluation of the noise from sources such as roads, highways, airports, railroads, and from stationary sources such as industrial uses.
This section analyzes the community noise environment in quantified terms. Noise contours have been prepared for the major noise sources. These noise contours are the basis for evaluating noise and land use compatibility.
Noise Characteristics
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. Airborne sound is a rapid fluctuation of air pressure above and below atmospheric pressure. Sound levels are usually measured and expressed in decibels (dB) with 0 dB corresponding roughly to the threshold of hearing. Decibels and other technical terms are defined in SF Table 1.
Most of the sounds which we hear in the environment do not consist of a single frequency, but rather a broad band of frequencies, with each frequency differing in sound level. The intensities of each frequency add together to generate a sound. The method commonly used to quantify environmental sounds consists of evaluating all of the frequencies of a sound in accordance with a weighting that reflect the fact that human hearing is less sensitive at low frequencies and extreme high frequencies than in the mid-range frequency. This is called "A" weighting, and the decibel level so measured is called the A-weighted sound level (dBA). In practice, the level of a sound source is conveniently measured using a sound level meter that includes an electrical filter corresponding to the A-weighting curve. Typical A-levels measured in the environment and in industry are shown in SF Table 1 for different types of noise.
Although the A-weighted noise level may adequately indicate the level of environmental noise at any instant in time, community noise levels vary continuously. Most environmental noise includes a conglomeration of noise from distant sources which create a relatively steady background noise, often called ambient noise in which no particular source is identifiable. To describe the time-varying character of environmental noise, the statistical noise descriptors, L10, L50, and L90, are commonly used. They are the A-weighted noise levels equaled or exceeded during 10 percent, 50 percent, and 90 percent of a stated time period. A single number descriptor called the Leq is now also widely used. The Leq is the average A-weighted noise level during a stated period of time.
| SF Table 1: Definition of Acoustical Terms | |
| Term | Definition |
| Decibel (dB) | A unit describing the amplitude of sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter). |
| Frequency (Hz) | The number of complete pressure fluctuations per second above and below the atmospheric pressure. |
| A-Weighed Sound Level | The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighing filter network. The A-weighing filter de-emphasizes the very low and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar to the frequency response of the human ear and correlates well with subjective reactions to noise. |
| L01, L10,L50, L90 | The A-weighted noise levels that are exceeded by 1%, 10%, 50% and 90% of the time during the measurement period. |
| Equivalent Noise Level (Leq) | The average A-weighted noise level during the measurement period. |
| Community Noise Equivalent Level (Ldn, CNEL) | The average A-weighted noise level during a 24-hour day, obtained after addition of 10 decibels to levels measured in the night between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. |
| Lmax, Lmin | The maximum and minimum A-weighted noise level during the measurement period. |
| Ambient Noise Level | The composite of noise from all sources near and far. The normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location. |
| Intrusive | That noise which intrudes over and above the existing ambient noise at a given location. The relative intrusiveness of a sound depends upon its amplitude, duration, frequency, and time of occurrence and tonal or informational content as well as the prevailing ambient noise level. |
| SF Table 2: Typical Noise Levels | |||
| At a Given Distance From Noise Source |
A-Weighted Sound Level in Decibels |
Noise Environments | Subjective Impression |
| 140 | |||
| Civil Defense Siren (100') | 130 | ||
| Jet Takeoff (200') | 120 | Pain Threshold | |
| 110 | Rock Music Concert | ||
| Pile Driver (50') | 100 | Very Loud | |
| Ambulance Siren | |||
| 90 | Boiler Room | ||
| Freight Cars (50') | Printing Press Plant | ||
| Pneumatic Drill (50') | 80 | In Kitchen With Garbage Disposal Running | |
| Freeway (100') | |||
| 70 | Moderately Loud | ||
| Vacuum Cleaner (10') | 60 | Data Processing Center | |
| Department Store | |||
| Light Traffic (100') | 50 | Private Business Office | |
| Large Transformer (200') | |||
| 40 | Quiet | ||
| Soft Whisper (5') | 30 | Quiet Bedroom | |
| 20 | Recording Studio | ||
| 10 | Threshold of Hearing | ||
| 0 | |||
| Source: Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc., Acoustical Engineers, 1995 | |||
In determining the daily level of environmental noise, the difference in response of people to daytime and nighttime noises is taken into account. During the nighttime, exterior background noises are generally lower than the daytime levels. However, most household noise also decreases at night and exterior noise becomes very noticeable. Further, most people sleep at night and are very sensitive to noise intrusion. To account for human sensitivity to nighttime noise levels, a descriptor, the Ldn(day/night average sound level), was developed. The Ldn divides the 24-hour day into the daytime of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM and the nighttime of 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The nighttime noise level is weighted 10 dB higher than the daytime noise level. The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is another similar 24 hour average which includes both an evening and nighttime weighting.
Human Response to Noise
The effects of noise on people can be categorized as follows:
The levels associated with environmental noise, in almost every case, produce effects only in the first two categories. Workers in industrial plants can experience noise in the last category. Unfortunately, there is as yet no completely satisfactory way to measure the subjective effects of noise, or of the corresponding reactions of annoyance and dissatisfaction. This is primarily because of the wide variation in individual thresholds of annoyance, and habituation to noise over differing individual past experiences with noise. In general, the more a new noise exceeds the previously existing ambient noise level, the less acceptable the new noise will be judged by the hearers.
The following relationships will be helpful in understanding the significance of increases in the A-weighted noise level.
In any typical noise environment about 10 percent of the population will object to any noise not of their own making and 25 percent will not react or complain at all, regardless of the level of noise being generated. Consequently, noise control measures are most beneficial to the remaining 65 percent of the population who are neither ultrasensitive nor insensitive to noise. Negative reaction to noise generally increases with the increase in difference between background (or ambient) noise and the noise generated from a particular source such as traffic or railroad operations. In most situations, noise control measures need to reduce noise by 5 to 10 dBA in order to effectively reduce complaints.
People generally have the ability to distinguish one sound from a background of sounds, such as a telephone ringing over music. However, certain noise levels can render a sound inaudible. For example, heavy trucks can interfere with a conversation. Face-to-face conversation usually can proceed where the noise level is up to 66 dBA, group conversations up to 50 to 60 dBA, and public meetings, up to 45 or 55 dBA, without interruption.
Sleep interference is more difficult to quantify, although studies have shown that progressively deeper levels of sleep require louder noise levels to cause a disturbance. The California Office of Noise Control (ONC) recommends that individual events within sleeping areas should not exceed 50 dBA in residential areas exposed to noise levels of 60 Ldn or greater. Interior noise standards of 45 Ldn will protect against sleep interference.
Environmental noise, in almost every case, produces effects which are subjective in nature or involve interference with human activity. However, brief sounds at levels exceeding 70 dBA can produce temporary physiological effects such as constriction of blood vessels, changes in breathing and dilation of the pupils. Steady noises of 90 dBA have been shown to increase muscle tension and adversely affect simple decision making. Long-term exposure to levels exceeding 70 dBA can cause hearing loss.
Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards
The standards listed in SF Table 3 should be used to evaluate the compatibility between land uses and future noise in Novato. SF Table 3 should be used in combination with SF Map 7 to determine whether a proposed development or land use is located in an area requiring special noise mitigating measures.
| Explanation of SF Table 3: Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards |
| A. Noise Source Characteristics The land use noise compatibility recommendations should be viewed in relation to the specific source of the noise. For example, aircraft and railroad noise is normally made up of higher single noise events than auto traffic but occurs less frequently. Therefore, different sources yielding the same composite noise exposure do not necessarily create the same noise environment. The State Aeronautics Act uses 65 dB Ldn as the criterion which airports must eventually meet to protect existing residential communities from unacceptable exposure to aircraft noise. In order to facilitate the purposes of the Act, one of which is to encourage land uses compatible with the 65 dB Ldn criterion wherever possible and in order to facilitate the ability of airports to comply with the Act, residential uses located in Community Noise Exposure Areas greater than 65 dB should be discouraged and considered located within normally unacceptable areas. B. Suitable Interior Environments One objective of locating residential units relative to a known noise source is to maintain a suitable interior noise environment at no greater than 45 dB Ldn or Ldn. This requirement, coupled with the measured or calculated noise reduction performance of all types of structures under consideration, should govern the minimal acceptable distance to a noise source. C. Acceptable Outdoor Environments Another consideration, which in some communities is an overriding factor, is the desire for an acceptable outdoor noise environment. When this is the case, more restrictive standards for land use compatibility, typically below the maximum considered "normally acceptable" for that land use category may be appropriate. |
The Standards listed in SF Table 3 should be used to evaluate the compatibility between land uses and future noise levels in Novato. A proposed development or land use located in an area indicated by SF Map 7 as being within an acceptable level would not require any special noise abatement measures. An office building proposed in an area with an exterior noise level exceeding 70dBA(36), however, would be required to have a combination of noise mitigating features such as additional noise insulation, building setbacks, noise walls or other measures as indicated by an acoustical study.
The following considerations should be taken into account when using the Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards:
Sensitive receptors are land uses such as hospitals, convalescent homes, schools, and libraries. These uses may require special mitigations. SF Map 6 indicates the principal noise sensitive uses in the City.
Existing Noise Environment
Traffic is the most significant source of noise in Novato. U.S. Highway 101 and State Route 37 are the loudest sources. Aircraft operations at Gnoss Field also contribute to the noise environment. This chapter has also considered railroad, Gnoss Field, and stationary noise sources.
Noise measurements were taken at 11 locations along major roadways in Novato and 12 additional measurements were made at locations affected by Highway 101. These measurements were used to project the noise levels at buildout of the General Plan which is summarized in SF Map 7. It can be seen from SF Map 7 that freeway noise levels vary widely, depending upon the terrain immediately adjacent to the freeway. Where hills shield the freeway noise, noise levels are substantially lower than where there is a direct exposure to the freeway noise. The Nave Drive sound wall also substantially reduces noise levels at land uses immediately behind it. This map can be used as a planning tool to determine the compatibility of the future noise levels in the City with proposed development projects.
The noise contours do not take into account shielding due to buildings and other roadside barriers. Along most streets, the presence of a row of buildings relatively close to one another will reduce the noise exposure significantly for subsequent rows of buildings. A row of buildings will generally reduce the noise level by about 5 decibels, significantly reducing the influence of local traffic noise beyond the street itself.
The noise environment around Gnoss Field is described in the Airport Land Use Plan. (38) The noise contours, described in terms of Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL), are shown in SF Map 8. The CNEL is typically within 1 dB of the Ldnnoise descriptor used elsewhere in this chapter. CNEL is used to describe aircraft noise in California but can be considered essentially equivalent to Ldn for the purposes of noise and land use planning. There are presently no incompatible noise sensitive land uses close to Gnoss Field that would be affected by the existing and proposed operations at the airport. The Gnoss Field Airport Land Use Plan recommends that no residential development occur within the 60 dB CNEL contour and that the County obtain noise easements for residential development occurring within the 55 dB CNEL noise contour. Policies of this Chapter are in conformance with these issues.
The only currently operating railroad line within the Novato Area of Interest is the California Northern Railroad which has contracted to provide freight service over the lines formerly operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The railroad tracks enter the City from the northeast, parallel to Highway 37, then at the Ignacio "Y" turn north parallel to Highway 101. In 1995, the railroad currently operates a single round trip freight service through Novato six days a week. The service through Novato starts in Napa, passing through Novato around noon, on the way to Petaluma. The return train from Petaluma usually passes through Novato late in the afternoon on the way back to Napa. The limited operations do not constitute a significant source of noise in Novato. Rail traffic responds to market demand and may increase depending on need. The significance of railroad noise in Novato in the future will be directly related not only to the number of operations per day but also to the time of day they occur.
The Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way has been purchased for potential future transit use. This right-of-way may be used in the future by diesel buses, electric light rail trains, or diesel electric trains. It is not yet possible to predict the noise levels that may be associated with the future use of this right-of-way. The potential noise impacts resulting from the use of this railroad right-of-way as a transit corridor must be considered in eventual environmental review of the proposals.
Other noises which occasionally represent problems in the City include: emergency medical vehicles; public transit vehicles; barking dogs; power tools; and machinery. There are no heavy industrial uses generating excessive noise. The noise generated by most of these sources is most effectively controlled through enforcement of a local noise ordinance.
Future Noise Levels
Future noise levels will be largely attributable to vehicular traffic. The projected noise contours described in SF Map 7 indicate that most of the City's streets will experience relatively minor increases in noise levels.
Noise levels were calculated for the year 2010 based on buildout figures for the General Plan. The Federal Highway Administration traffic noise prediction model FHWA RD-77-108 was used. California vehicle noise emission levels developed by Caltrans were used in the computer modeling.
Noise contours at Gnoss Field were also considered and are presented in SF Map 8. These contours are projections for the year 2006, from the 1991 Airport Land Use Plan.
Portions of several streets and highways listed below currently experience or are projected to experience noise to 60 dBA, or above:
It is anticipated that residences and areas adjacent to the above streets may be exposed to excessive noise levels, defined as those above 60 dBA. The appropriate response contained in this section is to implement a variety of noise-mitigating measures and, where possible, condition future development to limit future noise exposure.
| SF Objective 11 | Ensure compatibility of new development with existing and future noise levels. |
| SF Objective 12 | Prevent land uses which increase the noise level above acceptable standards or require mitigation to reduce noise to acceptable levels. |
| SF Objective 13 | Reduce noise to acceptable levels where it now exceeds those standards whenever feasible and practical. |
SF Policy 37 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards. Encourage the maintenance of the noise and land use compatibility standards indicated in SF Table 3. The normally acceptable standards for outdoor noise are summarized below [noise measurements in Ldn]:
| Residential Development | up to 60 dB |
| Transient Lodging: Motel and Hotel | up to 60 dB |
| School, Library, Church, Hospital and Nursing Home | up to 60 dB |
| Auditorium, Concert Hall, Amphitheater | up to 70 dB |
| Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports | up to 70 dB |
| Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks, Open Space | up to 65 dB |
| Golf Course, Cemetery | up to 70 dB |
| Office Building, Business, Commercial & Professional | up to 70 dB |
| Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities | up to 70 dB |
SF Program 37.1: Review all land use and development proposals for compliance with the Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards.SF Program 37.2: Use a standard of Ldn 45 dB for indoor noise level for all new residential development, including hotels and motels.
SF Program 37.3: Use the standards in SF Table 2 to determine the need for noise studies and require new developments to provide noise attenuation features as a condition of approving new projects.
SF Program 37.4: Require an acoustical study for all new residential projects with a future Ldn noise exposure of 60 dB or greater as shown on SF Map 7. The study shall describe how the project will comply with the Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards.
SF Program 37.5: Consider requiring post-construction testing and sign-off by an acoustical engineer for residential, school, library, church, hospital, and nursing home projects exposed to an Ldn in excess of 65 dB to ensure compliance with applicable exterior and interior standards contained in the Noise and Land Use Compatibility Standards. (39)
SF Program 37.6: Do not permit new residential development within the 60 dB CNEL contour for Gnoss Field as shown in SF Map 8. An acoustical investigation and noise insulation shall be considered for residential development near to Gnoss Field within the 55 CNEL contour shown in SF Map 8. For any residential project where outdoor noise exceeds 60 Ldn or may increase to above 60 Ldn, require a program to inform all residents of the noise information and record a document indicating their awareness and acceptance of the noise level.
SF Program 37.7: Consider developing a comprehensive noise ordinance to address construction noise and other local noise issues.
SF Program 37.8: Consider and carefully evaluate the noise impacts of all streets and other public facilities.
SF Program 37.9: Continue to seek State and Federal funding for noise mitigation.
SF Policy 38 Noise Reduction and Mitigation. Mitigate noise exceeding standards and significant noise impacts to the maximum feasible extent.
SF Program 38.1: Require acoustical studies and mitigation measures for new developments and transportation improvements which affect noise sensitive uses such as schools, hospitals, libraries, group care facilities, and convalescent homes.SF Program 38.2: Work with Caltrans to ensure that adequate noise studies are prepared and alternative noise mitigation measures are considered in State projects and request that Caltrans obtain City concurrence prior to Initiating any noise mitigation project in Novato.
See Also CI Policy 4 in the Community Identity Element relating to noise mitigation.
SF Program 38.3: Continue to restrict truck traffic to designated routes.
SF Program 38.4: Continue to enforce California Vehicle Code § 23130, 23130.5, 27150, 27151 and 38275. These sections pertain to allowable noise emissions of vehicles operated on public streets.
Responsibility: Police Department
SF Program 38.5: Investigate mitigation measures for projects that would cause a substantial increase in noise (i.e., cause the Ldn to increase above 60 dBA or cause an increase of 5 dBA Ldn or more in the noise environment) in adjacent residential areas or in residential areas affected by traffic generated by the proposed project. (Draft EIR, pages 166 and 167, Impact 4.7A)
In areas where noise is within standards, some increases are inevitable. This program is to keep those increases to the minimum necessary.
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