| Section 12. Noise Impacts |
Noise impacts from the proposed project would seem to fall into 3 categories:
1. Noise during construction
2. Noise level impacts from new residential housing on surrounding areas
3. Noise level impacts from surrounding area on future residents of proposed project housing
Noise during construction will be addressed in the following section: 13. Short-term construction Impacts
An increase in the level of noise in a community can substantially affect the quality of life and the health of its residents. The adjoining areas currently are very quiet, especially the neighborhoods on and around Santiago St. Highway noise from Highway 1 is buffered by the groves of trees on the subject property. The only substantial noise source in the area is the El Granada School to the north of the property, which can have a lot of kids-at-play noise during the afternoons.
We are also concerned with the health and public safety impacts of the proposed development. The public health and specific impacts on the health of persons living near or adjacent to project sites should be carefully evaluated. There is simply no good reason why the health of any neighboring resident should be adversely affected. We know of no overriding considerations which would justify this impact. Refer to Section 15. Health
The potential noise impacts on persons with health problems needs to be discussed along with any identified health risks due to project-related activities and impacts. We expect the analysis to include a general assessment of noise impacts on those with medical conditions and cumulative/long-term impacts of increased noise levels on residents within and around the proposed project.
Noise levels have been implicated in hearing loss. The decade long study conducted by William Meecham, acoustics professor at UCLA has now shown dramatic increase in cardiovascular disease, suicides, and mental hospital admissions related to being near airport noise. He reported a five per cent increase in mortality rate in 100,000 people living in neighborhoods in the city but farther from the airport.
Thus far, there has been no study to determine the number of individuals near and adjacent to the project site who have serious health problems that might be aggravated by increased residential noise levels. We emphatically express the need for a specific health impact study of this area so that tragic consequences can be averted.
The EIR should study the noise impacts of the project on the surrounding areas and the noise impacts of the surrounding areas on residents of the proposed project, including, but not limited to, the following:
| 12.1. Precedents and Consequences |
| 12.2. Mitigation |