Item 04 - 105 Newell Ave - Staff Report Exh.13
Town of Los Gatos
105 Newell Avenue
Planned Development Application PD-14-002
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration
May 31, 2016
Prepared for
Town of Los Gatos
Community Development Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Prepared by
Kimley-Horn and Associates
100 West San Fernando Street, Suite 250
San Jose, CA 95113
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Table of Contents | Page i
May 2016
Table of Contents
Mitigated Negative Declaration 1
Initial Study 7
Environmental Setting 9
Environmental Checklist 9
Evaluation of Environmental Checklist Responses 18
Aesthetics 18
Agriculture and Forestry Resources 20
Air Quality 21
Biological Resources 27
Cultural Resources 29
Geology and Soils 31
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 33
Hazards and Hazardous Materials 36
Hydrology and Water Quality 38
Land Use and Planning 43
Mineral Resources 45
Noise 45
Population and Housing 51
Public Services 52
Recreation 54
Transportation/Traffic 55
Utilities and Service Systems 59
Mandatory Findings of Significance 63
Attachments
A Noise Study
List of Figures
Figure 1: Regional Map
Figure 2: Vicinity Map
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Table of Contents | Page ii
May 2016
Figure 3: Site Plan
Figure 4: Elevations of Proposed Houses
Figure 5A and 5B: Grading and Drainage Plan
Figure 6: Landscape Plan
Note: All figures are following the Initial Study Section.
List of Tables
Table 1: Summary of Existing Background Noise Measurement Data 47
Table 2: Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels 47
Table 3: Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels With Various Noise Barrier Heights 48
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 1
May 2016
Mitigated Negative Declaration
Lead Agency
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Contact
Jennifer Armer, AICP, Associate Planner
Town of Los Gatos
Community Development Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 399-5706
jarmer@losgatosca.gov
Project Applicant
Maurice Camargo, AIA, Architect
3953 Yolo Drive
San Jose, CA 95136
Property Owner
Tango Papa Development Co.
Attn: Michael Friesen
P.O. Box 1707
Los Altos, CA 94023
Project Location
The project site is located at 105 Newell Avenue in the Town of Los Gatos within Santa Clara
County. The 1.4-acre site is located west of Winchester Boulevard/Lark Avenue intersection.
Access to the site will be from the northernmost loop of Newell Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel
Number 409-024-026).
Name of Project
105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Project Description
The project site is located in northern Los Gatos and is within Santa Clara County. The 1.4-acre
site (Assessor’s Parcel Number 409-024-026) is located west of Winchester Blvd, and south of
the northernmost section of Newell Avenue. The project site is currently developed with an Elks
Lodge that has been vacant for four years.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 2
May 2016
The project applicant is requesting approval of Planned Development to: (1) demolish and
remove the existing assembly use structure, parking area, and corner access driveway; (2)
subdivide one lot into four lots; and (3) construct four new single-family homes and a private
street accessed from Newell Avenue. After subdivision, the size of the four lots would range
from 14,268 square feet to 16,895 square feet. The approval of a Planned Development would
changes the existing zoning designation from R-1:12 to R-1:12:PD. No other changes to the
existing zoning requirements are proposed.
Findings and Reasons
The Initial Study identified potentially significant effects on the environment . However, the
proposed project has been mitigated (see Mitigation Measures below which avoid or mitigate
the effects) to a point where the proposed project will not have the potential to significantly
degrade the environment; will have no significant impact on long-term environmental goals;
will have no significant cumulative effect upon the environment; and will not cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly.
The following reasons will support these findings:
1. Identified adverse impacts are proposed to be mitigated through implement ation of
mitigation measures incorporated herein.
2. The proposed project is consistent with the adopted goals and policies of the Los Gatos
General Plan and the Los Gatos Municipal Code.
3. Town staff independently reviewed the Initial Study, and this Mitigated Negative
Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the Town of Los Gatos.
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measures – Air Quality (AQ)
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: BAAQMD-Recommended Basic Construction Mitigation
Measures
To limit the project’s construction-related dust and criteria pollutant emissions, the
following the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)-recommended Basic
Construction Mitigation Measures shall be included in the project’s grading plan,
building plans, and contract specifications:
a. All exposed surfaces (e.g., parking areas, staging areas, soil piles, graded areas, and
unpaved access roads) shall be watered two times per day. Recycled water should
be used wherever feasible.
b. All haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other loose material off-site shall be
covered.
c. All visible mud or dirt track-out onto adjacent public roads shall be removed using
wet power vacuum street sweepers at least once per day. The use of dry power
sweeping is prohibited.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 3
May 2016
d. All vehicle speeds on unpaved roads shall be limited to 15 mph.
e. All roadways, driveways, and sidewalks to be paved shall be completed as soon as
possible.
f. Idling times shall be minimized either by shutting equipment off when not in use or
reducing the maximum idling time to five minutes (as required by the California
airborne toxics control measure Title 13, Section 2485 of California Code of
Regulations [CCR]). Clear signage shall be provided for construction workers at all
access points.
g. All construction equipment shall be maintained and properly tuned in accordance
with manufacturer’s specifications. All equipment shall be checked by a certified
mechanic and determined to be running in proper condition prior to operation.
h. The project contractor shall designate a "disturbance coordinator” responsible for
responding to any local complaints regarding dust complaints. The project
contractor will post a publicly visible sign with a contact telephone number for the
disturbance coordinator. The BAAQMD’s phone number shall also be visible to
ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Mitigation Measures – Cultural Resources (CUL)
Mitigation Measure CUL-1: Discovery of Unknown Cultural Resources
In the event that archaeological traces are encountered, all construction within a 50 -
meter radius of the find will be halted, the Community Development Director will be
notified, and an archaeologist will be retained to examine the find and make appropriate
recommendations.
If the Community Development Director finds that the archaeological find is not a
significant resource, work will resume only after the submittal of a preliminary
archaeological report and after provisions for reburial and ongoing monitoring are
accepted. Provisions for identifying descendants of a deceased Native American and for
reburial will follow the protocol set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(e). If the
site is found to be a significant archaeological site, a mitigation program will be prepared
and submitted to the Community Development Director for consideration and approval,
in conformance with the protocol set forth in Public Resources Code Section 21083.2.
A final report shall be prepared when a find is determined to be a significant
archaeological site, and/or when Native American remains are found on the site. The final
report will include background information on the completed work, a description and list
of identified resources, the disposition and curation of these resources, any testing, other
recovered information, and conclusions.
Mitigation Measure CUL-2: Discovery of Human Remains
If human remains are discovered, the Santa Clara County Coroner will be notified. The
Coroner will determine whether or not the remains are Native American. If the Coroner
determines that the remains are not subject to his authority, he will notify the Native
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 4
May 2016
American Heritage Commission, who shall attempt to identify descendants of the
deceased Native Americans.
Mitigation Measures – Geology and Soils (GEO)
Mitigation Measure GEO-1: Geotechnical Investigation
For the proposed roadway and each proposed residential unit, the project applicant(s)
shall consult with a registered geotechnical engineer to prepare a design-level
geotechnical investigation. The design-level geotechnical report shall address, but not
be limited to, site preparation and grading, building foundations, and CBC seismic design
parameters. A design-level geotechnical report shall be prepared and submitted in
conjunction with Building Permit application(s) and reviewed and approved by the Town
of Los Gatos. Recommendations from the design-level geotechnical report shall be
incorporated into the final project design and construction documents.
Mitigation Measures – Noise (NOI)
Mitigation Measure NOI-1: Noise Attenuation Wall
Prior to the issuance of a grading permit or improvements plans, the applicant
shall demonstrate to the Director of Community Development, that a noise
attenuation wall is shown on the final landscape plans. The noise attenuation wall
shall include the specifications:
The noise attenuation wall shall be a minimum of six feet tall. The approximate
location of the recommended noise barriers is shown on Figure 3 of the noise
analysis report prepared for the project dated May 2, 2016.
The noise attenuation wall shall be constructed of concrete masonry units
(CMU), solid concrete panels, or earthen berm. The noise barriers may include
the combination of earthen berm and CMU wall or concrete panels. Wood is
not recommended due to eventual warping and degradation of acoustical
performance. Other types of materials should be reviewed by an acoustical
consultant prior to use.
Air conditioning shall be included in all residences to allow occupants to close
doors and windows as desired for acoustical isolation.
Mitigation Measure NOI-2: Construction Vibration
The construction contractor shall prohibit the use of vibratory rollers within 30
feet of existing residences. Plate compactors and smaller, rubber-tired equipment
shall be utilized as feasible. The Town of Los Gatos Building Division shall ensure
that this requirement is incorporated into construction documents prior to
issuance of grading permits.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 5
May 2016
Mitigation Measure NOI-3: Construction Specifications to Reduce Noise
The project applicant and its successors shall ensure that the following practice s
are incorporated into the construction specification documents to be implemented
by the project contractor:
Provide enclosures and mufflers for stationary equipment, shrouding or shielding for
impact tools, and barriers around particularly noisy operations, such as grading or
use of concrete saws within 50 feet of an occupied sensitive land use.
Use construction equipment with lower (less than 70 dB) noise emission ratings
whenever possible, particularly air compressors and generators.
Do not use equipment on which sound-control devices provided by the
manufacturer have been altered to reduce noise control.
Locate stationary equipment, material stockpiles, and vehicle staging areas as far as
practicable from sensitive receptors.
Prohibit unnecessary idling of internal combustion engines.
Implement noise attenuation measures to the extent feasible (i.e., such that they do
not impede efficient operation of equipment or dramatically slow production rates),
which may include, but are not limited to, noise barr iers or noise blankets. The
placement of such attenuation measures shall be reviewed and approved by the Los
Gatos Building Division prior to issuance of development permit for construction
activities.
Mitigation Measures – Transportation and Circulation (TRANS)
Mitigation Measure TRANS-1: Traffic Control Plan
The project applicant shall work with the Engineering Division of the Town of Los
Gatos’s Parks and Public Works Department to devise a traffic control plan for
incorporation into the construction bid documents (specifications) to ensure safe and
efficient traffic flow during periods when soil is hauled off the project site. The plan shall
include, but not be limited to, the following measures:
Hauling and delivery activities and designated truck routes shall be strategically
selected, timed and coordinated to minimize traffic disruption to schools, residents,
businesses, special events, and other projects in the area. The schools located on the
haul route shall be contacted to help with the coordinati on of the trucking operation
to minimize traffic disruption.
Flag persons shall be placed at locations as necessary. All flag persons shall have the
capability of communicating with each other to coordinate the operation.
Prior to construction, advance notification of all affected residents and emergency
services shall be made regarding one-way operation, specifying dates and hours of
operation.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 6
May 2016
Hauling of soil on or off-site shall not occur during the morning or evening peak
periods (between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.).
Mitigation Measure TRANS-2: Driveway Design
The applicant shall hire a registered traffic engineer to ensure appropriate driveway
design for the new private access drive. A detailed sight distance evaluation for the
project roadway shall be prepared for review and approval by the Parks and Public
Works Department and the Community Development Director prior to approval of the
Final Subdivision Map.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 7
May 2016
Initial Study
Background & Project Description
Project Title
105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Lead Agency Name and Address
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Contact Person and Phone Number
Jennifer Armer, AICP, Associate Planner
Town of Los Gatos
Community Development Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 399-5706
jarmer@losgatosca.gov
Project Location
The project site is located at 105 Newell Avenue in the Town of Los Gatos within Santa Clara
County. The 1.4-acre site is located west of Winchester Boulevard/Lark Avenue intersection.
Access to the site will from the northernmost loop of Newell Avenue (Assessor’s Parcel Number
409-024-026). See Figure 1: Regional Map and Figure 2: Vicinity Map.
Project Applicant
Maurice Camargo, AIA, Architect
3953 Yolo Drive
San Jose, CA 95136
Property Owner
Tango Papa Development Co.
Attn: Michael Friesen
P.O. Box 1707
Los Altos, CA 94023
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 8
May 2016
General Plan Designation
Low Density Residential, 0 to 5 Dwelling Units/Acre
Zoning
R-1:12 (Single-Family Residential, 12,000 square feet minimum lot size)
Project Description
The project applicant is requesting approval of Planned Development to: (1) demolish and
remove the existing assembly use structure, parking area, and corner access driveway; (2)
subdivide one lot into four lots; and (3) construct four new single-family homes and a private
street accessed from Newell Avenue. After subdivision, each of the four residential lots would
range from 14,268 square feet to 16,895 square feet. The proposed layout of the site is shown
in Figure 3, Site Plan. The approval of a Planned Development would changes the existing
zoning designation from R-1:12 to R-1:12:PD. No other changes to the existing zoning
requirements are proposed.
The four lots created by the project would be accessed through the addition of a private road
off of Newell Avenue. This private shared access drive would extend onto the project site (from
the middle of the project site’s northern side), traverse the site, and terminate at the southern
edge of the site. The proposed private access drive would be 40 feet wide, would include three
on-street parking spaces, and would provide emergency vehicle access.
Three of the four proposed homes would be two stories and Lot 3 would be single story. The
height of the homes would range from 20 – 25 feet. Views of the proposed building elevations
are shown in Figure 4, Elevations of the Proposed Homes.
Grading for the proposed project would involve approximately 8,700 cubic yards of soil that
would be cut from the higher elevations of the project site. Approximately 2,450 cubic yards of
that soil would be spread in lower (eastern portion) of the site to create a flatter grade across
the whole site. Approximately, 5,900 cubic yards would exported from the project site to a legal
drop site where soils is disposed of or used for other development projects. The project
includes retaining walls on each of the individual lots to minimize the amount of grading
required for each lot. The walls will range in height from less than 1-foot on the east side of the
property to approximately 9 feet on the western property boundary. The proposed grading for
the site is shown in Figures 5A and 5B, Grading and Drainage Plan.
Stormwater from the project site will be collected in stormdrain inlets to be construct ed within
the proposed private street and convey to the existing Town stormdrain located within Newell
Avenue. Each lot will have pervious areas where surface water will collect and infiltrate into the
ground.
The proposed landscaping for the project is shown in Figure 6, Landscape Plan. The landscape
plan includes planting ornamental trees along the property boundaries, particularly along
Winchester Boulevard and Newell Avenue. Other improvements for the project site include
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 9
May 2016
construction of a sidewalk along the project frontage of Newell Avenue to connect to the
existing sidewalk on Winchester Boulevard. The project would require the relocation of a street
light and irrigation backflow valve.
Environmental Setting
The 1.4-acre project site has been previously graded and developed and currently houses an
elevated single story building that was formerly an Elks lodge and has a parking area for
approximately 80 cars. Currently, access to the project site is form Newell Avenue on the north
side of the property.
Newell Avenue currently has a U-shaped configuration with two access points on Winchester
Boulevard, one approximately 130 feet north of the signalized Lark Avenue intersection and the
second approximately 150 feet south of the same intersection. Newell Aven ue also provides
access to Brocastle Way, Elena Way and Newell Court; approximately 46 single family homes
are located in this area.
The project site and the contiguous parcels to the south and west of the site are located within
the Town of Los Gatos. The six parcels contiguous to the project site’s southern and western
boundary are each developed with a single-family residence. The parcels located contiguous to
the site’s southern boundary (175, 179, and 183 Newell Ave) and western boundary (115, 119,
and 123 Newell Avenue) are between 0.27 and 0.37 acres. The 0.8-acre parking lot north is
comprised of three contiguous parcels. The parking lot and the residential areas are designated
as Low Density Residential (0-5 unit/acre) in the Los Gatos General Plan and zoned as R-1:12
(12,000 sf minimum lot size).
Other public agencies whose approval is required
The project would also require approval from the Santa Clara County Fire Department, West
Valley Sanitation District, and San José Water Company.
Not to scale
FIGURE 1: Regional Location Map
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
Figure 1
Regional Location Map
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
Project Location
Source: Kimley-Horn, 2016
85
17
Not to scale
Not to scale
FIGURE 2: Vicinity Map
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
Project Boundary
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Figure X
Vicinity Map
Source: Kimley-Horn, 2016
Not to scale
Source: Kimley-Horn, 2016
Not to scale
FIGURE 3: Site Plan
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
3953 Yolo Drive
San Jose, CA. 95136
(408) 266-3442
www.camargo.com
rev.
date
project
drawn
sheet
MC, KG
03/16/2015" Four Single Family Residential Planned Development"THE ELK'S HOMES105 Newell Ave. • Los Gatos • California2013-20
MAIN FLOOR F.F.319.75
LOWER FLOOR F.F.308.75
(4,197
S
Q,FT.)
MAIN FLOOR F.F.322.3
UPPER FLOOR F.F.332.3
CELLAR F.F.311.3
(3,860
S
Q.FT.)24'2 0 '10'
S.
S.B
1 0 '
S .S.B 20' R.S.B25'25'25'31'-6"8'31'-6"25'8'8'31'-6"25'-6"25'20'22'-11"
20'38'-10"20'25'11'-1"156°
Light Post
COVERED
PORCH
F.F 315.0
Fi
r
eTur
nAr
oundONE STORY
APN 409-24-025
DN
PLANTER
NEW WOOD
FENCE
ROOF PEAK
338.3'
ROOF PEAK
336.4'
ROOF PEAK
342.7'ROOF PEAK
348.9'
SSB SSB
SSB
FSBFSBTW 306.0
315
316.5
319
312.5
306.0
3 1 8
3 1 2
320
322
319
12,142 SF
308.5
TW 300.5
TW 308
FW 303
MAIN FLOOR F.F.309.25
UPPPER FLOOR F.F.319.25
(4,168 SQ FT.)
GARAGE
F.F 321.3
GARAGE
F.F 319.25
GARAGE
F.F 314.6
TW 306.5
BW 306
TW 304.5
TW 304.5
TW 314.0
FW 311.5
TW 311.0
FW 308.5
TWO STORY
APN 409-24-028
12,005 SF
TWO STORY
APN 409-24-030
12,008 SF
ONE STORY
APN 409-24-029
12,002 SF
ONE STORY
APN 409-24-024
11,992 SF
ONE STORY
APN 409-24-023
11,915 SF
304.0
3 1 9
TW 317
32 0
DN
SGNL BX 2.5 1.5
SGNL BX 2.5 1.5 SGNL BX 2.5 1.5
I
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UTILITY RISER
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DRAIN
SGNL POLE
LIGHT POLE Newell Avenue1
298300308308
306 304
3103163143123203183203203 1 7
3 1 6
3 1 4
3 1 2
31 0 316310308306304302300298296300 2983
14316
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2
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3 1 2
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3 0 8 3 0 6
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30230 2 304302306320318300
298314
3 0 6 304312BOUNDARY
DN
ONE STORY
APN 409-24-027
13,105 SF FSBFSBADDR:
183 NEWELL AVE
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
179 NEWELL AVE
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
175 NEWELL AVE
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
171 NEWELL AVE
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
123 NEWELL CT
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
119 NEWELL CT
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
ADDR:
115 NEWELL CT
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
SSB SSB
SSB
Lot 2 Gross Area Lot 1 Gross Area
Lot 3 Gross Area
LOT 1
LOT 2
LOT 3 LOT 4
MAIN FLOOR F.F.315.6
UPPER FLOOR F.F.326.6
CELLAR F.F.304.6
(4,195 SQ.FT.)
COVERED
PORCH
F.F 322.3
315.0 28'-7"25'20'R.S.B10'10'
15'
10'10'20'R.S.B20' R.S.B15'30'-2"Light Post
Light Post
Light Post
Light Post
Light Post
Existing Lot
APN: 409-24-026
Area: 60,062 SQ. FT.
Gross Road Area: 7,640 SQ. FT.
Lot 1
Gross Area: 16,611 SQ. FT
Road Area: 1,620 SQ. FT.
Net Area: 14,995 SQ. FT.
Open Space: 13,770 SQ. FT.
Yard: 129' x 98' (GROSS DIM)
12,559 SQ. FT. (MINUS DRIVEWAY)
Lot 2
Gross Area: 16,895 SQ. FT.
Road Area: 1,912 SQ. FT.
Net Area: 14,983 SQ. FT.
Open Space: 13,424 SQ. FT.
Yard: 140' x 90' (GROSS DIM)
12,522 SQ. FT. (MINUS DRIVEWAY)
Lot 3
Gross Area: 13,910 SQ. FT.
Road Area: 2,519 SQ. FT.
Net Area: 11,749 SQ. FT.
Open Space: 11,096 SQ. FT.
Yard: 100' x 105' (GROSS DIM)
10,456 SQ. FT. (MINUS DRIVEWAY)
Lot 4
Gross Area: 12,646 SQ. FT.
Road Area: 1,589 SQ. FT.
Net Area: 11,548 SQ. FT.
Open Space: 9,525 SQ. FT.
Yard: 91' x 100' (GROSS DIM)
9,055 SQ. FT. (MINUS DRIVEWAY)
306
319
309.0
315
313.5
GARAGE
F.F 309
PARCEL DATA
YARD / FENCING
Lot 4 Gross Area
BAY WINDOW
1
2
3
S-1.2SITE PLAN
S C A L E 1 /1 6 " = 1 ' - 0 "
N SITE PLANNOTE
THIS SITE PLAN IS FOR REFERNCE ONLYFOR EXTEND OF SITE WORK REFER TOSHEETS TM-1, TM-2, C1-1 AND C1-2
Source: Camargo + Associates, 2015
Not to scale
FIGURE 4: Elevations of Proposed Houses
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
3953 Yolo Drive
San Jose, CA. 95136
(408) 266-3442
www.camargo.com
rev.
date
project
drawn
sheet
0&.*
" Four Single Family Residential Planned Development"THE ELK'S HOMES105 Newell Ave. • Los Gatos • California
T.O.R 338’-0”SITESECTIONSS-1.3
SECTION 1
6&$/(
SITE SECTIONS
LOT 3 - T.O.R. 340'-6"LOT 4 - T.O.R. 334'-6"
LOT 1 - T.O.R. 342'-6"
LOT 4 - T.O.R. 334'-6"
LOT 2 - T.O.R. 346'-10"
LOT 1 - T.O.R. 342'-6"
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
LOT 3 - F.G. 319'-9"
LOT 4 - F.G. 309'-0"
LOT 2 - F.G. 321'-4"
LOT 1 - F.G. 314'-6"
LOT 2 - F.G. 321'-4"
LOT 1 - F.G. 314'-6"
WOOD FENCE
WOOD FENCE
T.O.R. 348'-0'
183 NEWELL AVE
T.O.R. 348'-0'
123 NEWELL CT
LOT 2 - T.O.R. 346'-10"
T.O.R. 342'-0'
119 NEWELL CT
T.O.R. 338'-0'
115 NEWELL CT
T.O.R. 342'-0'
175 NEWELL AVE
T.O.R. 348'-0'
179 NEWELL AVE
T.O.R. 348'-0'
123 NEWELL CT
WOOD FENCE
WOOD FENCE
CONCRETE RETAINING WALL
WOOD FENCE
24' PRIVATE ROAD
T.O.R. 338'-0'
115 NEWELL CT
T.O.R. 342'-0'
119 NEWELL CT
Source: Camargo + Associates, 2015
Not to scale
FIGURE 5A: Grading and Drainage Plan
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
Source: Camargo + Associates, 2015
Not to scale
FIGURE 5B: Grading and Drainage Plan
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
Source: Camargo + Associates, 2015
Not to scale
FIGURE 6: Landscape Plan
105 Newell Avenue: Initial Study
Town of Los Gatos
3953 Yolo Drive
San Jose, CA. 95136
(408) 266-3442
www.camargo.com
rev.
date
project
drawn
sheet
MC, KG
03/16/2015" Four Single Family Residential Planned Development"THE ELK'S HOMES105 Newell Ave. • Los Gatos • California2013-20
DN
S.B. 25'S.B. 25'28'-7"S.B. 25'29'S.B. 25'SGNLBX2.
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3 1 2
3 1 0
3 0 8 3 0 6 3 0 4
30230 2 304302306320318300
298314
3 0 6 30 4312BOUNDARY
DN
TW 314.0
FW 311.5
TW 311.0
FW 308.5
TW 308
FW 303
TW 300.5
TW 304.5
TW 304.5
TW 306.5
BW 306
MAIN
F
LOOR
F
.F.315.6
UPPER
L
EVEL F.F.326.6
BASEMENT
F
.F.304.6
(4,244 SQ.FT.)
MAIN
F
LOOR
F
.F.319.75
BASEMENT F.F.308.75
(4,197 SQ,FT.)
MAIN
F
LOOR
F
.F.309.25
UPPPER
F
LOOR
F
.F.319.25
(4,168 SQ FT.)
GARAGE
F.F 321.3
GARAGE
F.F 309
GARAGE
F.F 319.25
GARAGE
F.F 314.6
COVERED PORCH
F.F 322.3
304.0
TW 317
31 9
3 2 0
31 8
3 1 2
306.0
309.0
304.0
TW 306.0
315
MAIN
F
LOOR
F
.F.322.3
UPPER
F
LOOR
F
.F.???
BASEMENT F.F.311.3
(3,860 SQ.FT.)
315.5
313.5
312.5 308.5
304.5
322
320
319
315.0
316.5
31920'10 '10 '10'10'
15'
15'
15'
10'10'
1 0 '1 0 '20'20'20'15'
15'
15'32'-5"E01
E02E03T1
T1
T1
T-1 T-2 T-2
T-2T-2
T-2
T-2T-3
T-3
T-3
T-3
T-3
T-3
T-4
T-4
T-4
T-4
T-3 T-3
T-3
T-5 T-5 T-5 T-5 T-5 T-5 T-5 T-5 T-4
= LOW EVERGREEN MEADOW AND ORNAMENTALGRASSES AND GROUNDCOVERS
= MIXED PLANTINGS OF LOW SHRUBS,PERENNIALS, AND GROUNDCOVERS
AREA TO FILL IN WITH XYLOSMA
CONGESTUM TO MATCH EXISTING
PRIVACY XYLOSMA HEDGE
= EXISTING PRIVACY HEDGE TO BE TRIMMED
TO 2' ABOVE FENCE HEIGHT
E04
(E)PINE
(E)
STONE
PINE
(E)
JAPANESE
MAPLES
E05
2 9 '-6 "68'
-4"
4'-2"162'
LS-1.0
S C A L E 1 /1 6 " = 1 ' - 0 "
LANDSCAPE PLAN LANDSCAPEPLANP O U R E D I N P L A C E S T A I N E D C O N C R E T E
S I T E R E T A I N I N G W A L L (T Y P .)
T Y P I C A L H O R I Z O N T A L W O O D F E N C I N G
N
Source: Camargo + Associates, 2015
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 17
May 2016
Environmental Checklist
Environmental Factors Potentially Affected by the Project
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project,
involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” as indicated by the
checklist on the following pages.
Aesthetics Agricultural Resources X Air Quality
Biological Resources X Cultural Resources X Geology / Soils
Greenhouse Gas Hazards & Hazardous Materials Hydrology / Water Quality
Land Use / Planning Mineral Resources X Noise
Population / Housing Public Services Recreation
X Transportation / Traffic Utilities / Service Systems Mandatory Findings of
Significance
Determination
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and
a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment,
there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been
made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be
prepared.
X
I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a potentially significant or a potentially significant
unless mitigated impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately
analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been
addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached
sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects
that remain to be addressed.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment,
because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or
NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or
mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or
mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
_________________________________ _____________________________
Joel Paulson, AICP, Community Development Director Date
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 18
May 2016
Evaluation of Environmental Checklist Responses
Aesthetics
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
1. AESTHETICS. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? X
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but not
limited to trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings
within a State scenic highway?
X
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of the site and its surroundings?
X
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which
would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the
area?
X
(a, c) Scenic views and visual character
The project site is developed and has an average site slope of 14.4 percent. Mature street trees
filter views of the project site from Newell Avenue. An approximately 10-foot wall and
additional trees partially obstruct views of the project site from Winchester Boulevard. This lot
also contains one high-voltage electrical transmission tower in the southeast corner of the
project site. The electrical transmission tower is also partially obscured by the mature trees
adjacent to Winchester Boulevard.
The principal views of the project site are from Winchester Boulevard, the adjoining single -
family residences, and Newell Avenue. The proposed four new lots would be parallel to
Winchester Boulevard, positioned two-by-two on the current lot. From Winchester Boulevard,
viewers would observe the four residential buildings, set back 20 feet from the roadway. The
four new lots would each be set back 5 feet from the new private roadway.
The views of the project site from the adjacent single-family residences south and west of the
project site are currently screened by fences that line both residential-facing sides of the
project site. Mature trees line both sides as well. Street trees would screen intermediate views
of the project site along Newell Avenue and Winchester Boulevard. However, the project site
overlooks Newell Avenue and Winchester Boulevard from a higher elevation such that the
screening effects of the street trees may be somewhat reduced.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 19
May 2016
Views of the hills to the south and west of the project site would not be obscured by the project
site, as the project site is north and east of the adjacent residential properties. Views of these
hills from Winchester Boulevard and Newell Avenue are obscured by local topography and the
existing grading of the project site. The project would not significantly alter views from public
viewpoints, nor would it degrade public views of any ridgelines or other visual resources
identified in the General Plan. As a result, the project would have a less-than-significant impact
on scenic vistas.
The project would be compatible with existing residential uses adjacent to the project site. The
visual character of the project site would not substantially change with the subdivision of the
existing parcel into four residential parcels, and the project would not substantially degrade the
existing visual character of the site or its surroundings. By applying an architectural aesthetic
that complements surrounding structures, the proposed project would not substantially
degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site or its surroundings. The project’s
impact on visual character would be less than significant.
(b) Scenic resources
The closest State Scenic Highway is Highway 9 in the City of Saratoga, approximately 2.3 miles
southwest of the project site (Caltrans, 2016). Given the distance, proposed road development
and future home development, including future tree removals, would n ot be discernible. Views
from this highway of the site are also blocked by intervening trees, development, and
topography.
In addition, there are no scenic resources such as historic buildings or rock outcroppings on the
project site. Therefore, the proposed project would not affect scenic resources as defined by
CEQA, which can include, but are not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings
within a State-designated scenic highway. Consequently, the project would have no impact on
State scenic highway resources.
(d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
The project site is currently developed with a single building which currently produces sources
of light and glare. When future homes are eventually constructed, they would in troduce new
sources of indoor and outdoor lighting. The closest uses that would be most affected by
nighttime lighting from project homes would be the residences adjacent to the project’s
western and southern boundaries. During Architecture & Site(A&S) review, proposed
residential designs would be required to demonstrate project compliance with Town Code
Section 29.10.09035, which prohibits the production of direct or reflected glare (such as that
produced by floodlighting) onto any area outside of the boundaries of a given property. This
requirement would also preclude project lighting spillover onto any area outside of the
property boundary, thereby avoiding potential lighting impacts on the residences along
adjacent streets. Therefore, potential impacts with regard to project lighting would to be less
than significant.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 20
May 2016
Source(s)
Caltrans. 2016. “California Scenic Highway Mapping System: Marin County.” Accessed April 11,
2016. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/16_livability/scenic_highways/
Agriculture and Forestry Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
2. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site
Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model
to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest
resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to
information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the State’s
inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy
Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodolo gy provided in Forest Protocols
adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland
of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the
maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping an d
Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency,
to non-agricultural use?
X
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a
Williamson Act contract?
X
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of,
forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section
12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland
Production (as defined by Government Code section
51104(g))?
X
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest
land to non-forest use?
X
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which,
due to their location or nature, could result in conversion
of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 21
May 2016
(a–e) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(farmland); conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract;
conflict with existing zoning for forest land; result in the loss of forest land, involve other
changes resulting in a conversion of farmland or forest land
The project site is not designated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of
Statewide Importance. It is designated as “Urban and Built-Up Land,” which is land with a
building density of at least 1 unit to 1.5 acres (FMMP, 2014). In addition, the project site not
subject to a Williamson Act contract, according to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
service (DOC, 2016). In the Santa Clara County General Plan, the site is designated as Low
Density Residential, and it is zoned for Single-Family Residential use in the Town of Los Gatos
Zoning Map (Town of Los Gatos, 2016). Since the site is not in agricultural use, the project
would not adversely affect any existing agricultural operations. The proposed project also
would not conflict with existing zoning for forest land uses or result in the loss or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use. As such, the project would not result in the conversion of mapped
farmland, conflict with an existing Williamson Act contract, or conflict with existing zoning for
agricultural use. As a result, the project would have no effect on agricultural or forest
resources.
Source(s)
Town of Los Gatos. 2016. Planning Department: Interactive GIS Map. Accessed April 11, 2016.
http://www.losgatosca.gov/932/Look-Up-Property---Interactive-GIS-Map
Department of Conservation (DOC). Santa Clara County Williamson Act FY 2013/2014. 2016.
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP). Santa Clara County Important Farmland
2012. 2014.
Air Quality
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
3. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality
management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations .
Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan? X
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute to an
existing or projected air quality violation?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 22
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any
criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-
attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient
air quality standard (including releasing emissions which
exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)?
X
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?
X
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial
number of people?
X
(a) Consistent with air quality plans
The San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin is classified by the Bay Area Air Quality Management
District (BAAQMD) as non-attainment for ozone and inhalable particulates (PM10). To address
these exceedances, BAAQMD, in cooperation with Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), prepared the Bay Area 2005 Ozone
Strategy (BAOS) in September 2005 and Particulate Matter Implementation Schedule (PMIS) in
November 2005. The PMIS discusses how BAAQMD implements the California Air Resources
Board’s (CARB’s) 103 particulate matter control measures. BAAQMD adopted the 2010 Bay
Area Clean Air Plan (CAP), which updates the BAOS. The consistency of the proposed project
with the most recently adopted regional air quality plan, CAP, is determined by comparing the
project’s consistency with the Los Gatos General Plan. Since the CAP is based on population
projections of ABAG that are based on the Town’s General Plan in effect at the time the CAP
was approved, consistency of the project with the General Plan would indicate consistency with
the CAP. The project would be consistent with the use and density allowed on the project site
by the Los Gatos General Plan, and therefore, the project would be consistent with the CAP.
Impacts would be less than significant.
(b) Air quality standards
The Regulatory and Planning Framework
BAAQMD is responsible for attaining and/or maintaining air quality in the San Francisco Bay
Area Air Basin (SFBAAB) within federal and state air quality standards. Specifically, BAAQMD
has the responsibility to monitor ambient air pollutant levels throughout the Basin and to
develop and implement strategies to attain the applicable federal and state standards. In June
2010, BAAQMD adopted CEQA thresholds of significance and updated its CEQA Air Quality
Guidelines, which provides guidance for assessing air quality impacts under CEQA. However, on
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 23
May 2016
March 5, 2012, the Alameda County Superior Court issued a judgment finding that BAAQMD
had failed to comply with CEQA when it adopted the thresholds. The court issued a writ of
mandate ordering BAAQMD to set aside the Thresholds and cease dissemination of them until
BAAQMD had complied with CEQA. On August 13, 2013, the California Court of Appeal reversed
the Alameda County Superior Court judgment that invalidated BAAQMD’s CEQA thresholds of
significance. The Court directed that the Superior Court vacate the writ of mandate issued in
March 2012, ordering BAAQMD to set aside its June 2010 resolution (Res. #2010-06) “Adopting
Thresholds for Use in Determining the Significance of Projects’ Environmental Effects Under the
California Environmental Quality Act.”
In December 2015, the California Supreme Court held that CEQA does not generally require an
agency to consider the effects of existing environmental conditions on a proposed project’s
future users or residents, such as the effects of toxic air contaminants and find particulate
matter from existing sources on future residents or users of a project . Nevertheless, the
Supreme Court stated that lead agencies still must evaluate existing environmental conditions
in order to assess whether a project could exacerbate hazards that are already present . The
Supreme Court did not apply a holding to reach a conclusion on the validity of BAAQMD’s
receptor thresholds. Instead, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Court of Appeal to
decide the question in light of the Court’s opinion. As of the date of this document, BAAQMD
has not formally re-instated the thresholds.
The air quality impact analysis below uses the previously-adopted 2011 thresholds of the
BAAQMD to determine the potential impacts of the project. While the significance thresholds
adopted by BAAQMD in May 2011 are not currently recommended by the BAAQMD, these
thresholds are based on substantial evidence identified in BAAQMD’s 2009 Justification Report
(BAAQMD, 2009) and local agencies, such as the Town of Los Gatos, may rely on the BAAQMD
thresholds.
Significance Thresholds
Exercising its own discretion as lead agency and similarly to multiple other San Francisco Bay
Area jurisdictions, the Town of Los Gatos has decided to rely on the thresholds within the
Options and Justification Report (dated October 2009) prepared by the BAAQMD . The BAAQMD
Options and Justification Report establishes thresholds based on substantial evidence and are
consistent with the thresholds outlined within the 2011 CEQA Air Quality Guidelines. Although
BAAQMD failed to comply with CEQA before completing its 2010 recommendations, Town staff
believes that these recommendations, which are listed as follows, still represent the best
available science on the subject of what constitute significant air quality effects in the SFBAAB:
NOX and ROG: 54 pounds/day
PM10: 82 pounds/day
PM2.5: 54 pounds/day
In addition to establishing the above significance thresholds for criteria pollutant emissions, the
BAAQMD also recommended (BAAQMD, 2009) the following quantitative thresholds to
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 24
May 2016
determine the significance of construction-related and operational emissions of toxic air
contaminants from individual project and cumulative sources on cancer and non -cancer health
risks:
Increased cancer risk of >10.0 in a million for individual projects and >100 in a million
(from all local sources) for cumulative sources;
Increased non-cancer risk of >1.0 Hazard Index (Chronic or Acute) for individual projects
and >10.0 Hazard Index (from all local sources) for cumulative sources; and
Ambient PM2.5 increase: >0.3 μg/m3 annual average for individual projects and >0.8
μg/m3 annual average (from all local sources) for cumulative sources.
Project Emissions
BAAQMD prepared screening criteria in both the 1999 and 2011 BAAQMD CEQA Guideline s
(BAAMD, 2011). These screening criteria were developed by BAAQMD to indicate the minimum
development size (by land use category) at which air pollutant emissions could exceed the
above significance thresholds and potentially significant air quality impacts could occur. The
1999 BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines indicated that a project with 320 si ngle-family units as the
project size which was likely to result in significant operational air quality impacts. The 2011
BAAQMD Guidelines included the following screening cr iteria for single-family residential use
based on the above thresholds: 325 single-family units for operational emissions and 114 units
for single-family residences for construction emissions. The 2011 BAAQMD Guidelines also
specified that the project must also meet two other criteria: (1) the BAAQMD’s Basic
Construction Mitigation Measures must be implemented during construction; and (2) the
project does not include demolition, simultaneous occurrence of more than two construction
phases, simultaneous construction of more than one land use type; extensive site preparation;
or extensive material transport (more than 10,000 cubic yards of soil). Although the project
would include demolition, with implementation of Mitigation Measure AIR-1, the project would
meet the intent of these criteria, and the project’s impacts related to air quality standards
would be less than significant.
(c) Cumulative air quality impacts
To address cumulative impacts on regional air quality, BAAQMD has established thresholds of
significance for construction-related and operational criteria pollutants and precursor
emissions. These thresholds represent the levels at which a project’s individual emissions of
criteria pollutants and precursors would result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to
the SFBAAB’s existing air quality conditions. If daily average or annual emissions exceed these
thresholds, the project would result in a cumulatively significant impact. Given that the
project’s construction-related and operational criteria pollutant emissions would not exceed
BAAQMD significance thresholds, the project’s contribution would be less than cumulatively
considerable and result in a less-than-significant impact.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 25
May 2016
(d) Exposure of sensitive receptors
CARB regulates vehicle fuels with the intent to reduce emissions. Diesel exhaust is a serious
concern throughout California. CARB identified diesel engine particulate matter as a toxic air
contaminant and human carcinogen. In 2005, CARB approved a regulatory measure to reduce
emissions of toxic and criteria pollutants by limiting the idling of new heavy-duty diesel
vehicles, which altered five sections of Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. The
changes relevant to the proposed project are in Section 2485, Airborne Toxic Cont rol Measure
to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling, which limit idling of a vehicle’s primary
diesel engine for greater than five minutes in any location (with some exceptions) or operation
of a diesel-fueled auxiliary power system within 100 feet of residential areas.
Sensitive receptors are defined as facilities or land uses that include members of the population
that are particularly sensitive to the effects of air pollutants, such as children, the elderly, and
people with illnesses. Examples of these sensitive receptors are residences, schools, hospitals,
and daycare centers. CARB has identified the following groups of individuals as the most likely
to be affected by air pollution: the elderly over 65, children under 14, athletes, and per sons
with cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and
bronchitis. Adjacent residences are considered to be the closest sensitive receptors to project
construction. The EMQ Families First facility, a mental health treatmen t facility for children,
youth and families, is located approximately 900 feet west of the proposed home site.
Operation of the proposed residences would not generate toxic air contaminants (TACs) that
would pose a health risk to adjacent or nearby uses.
Construction of the project would result in short-term diesel exhaust emissions (DPM), which
are defined as toxic air contaminants (TACs), from onsite heavy-duty equipment, as well as
from soils-hauling activities. Exposure of sensitive receptors is the primary factor used to
determine health risk. Exposure is a function of the concentration of a substance or substances
in the environment and the extent of exposure that person has with the substance.
The State Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) recommends that
districts assume a minimum of two years of exposure for health risk analysis (BAAQMD, 2010b).
Construction of the proposed project would not result in two years of continuous operation of
diesel equipment, and thus would not result in two years of continuous DPM and TAC exposure.
As such, based on the BAAQMD screening criteria, the limited construction duration of these
project components would be sufficient to avoid TAC health impacts to nearby sensitive
receptors. Impacts would be less than significant.
(e) Odors
According to the BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines, land uses associated with odor complaints
typically include wastewater treatment plants, landfills, confined animal facilities, composting
stations, food manufacturing plants, refineries, and chemical plants. The project would not
include any uses identified by the BAAQMD as being associated with odors. No new or unusual
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 26
May 2016
sources of nuisance odors would be associated with the proposed residence. Therefore, the
project’s potential for nuisance odor problems would be less than significant.
During project construction, however, nuisance diesel odors associated with operation of diesel
construction equipment on-site (primarily during initial grading phases), but this effect would
be localized, sporadic, and short-term in nature. Therefore, temporary impacts from nuisance
diesel odors on adjacent residential receptors would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures – Air Quality (AQ)
Mitigation Measure AQ-1: BAAQMD-Recommended Basic Construction Mitigation
Measures
To limit the project’s construction-related dust and criteria pollutant emissions, the
following the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)-recommended Basic
Construction Mitigation Measures shall be included in the project’s grading plan,
building plans, and contract specifications:
a. All exposed surfaces (e.g., parking areas, staging areas, soil piles, graded areas, and
unpaved access roads) shall be watered two times per day. Recycled water should
be used wherever feasible.
b. All haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other loose material off -site shall be
covered.
c. All visible mud or dirt track-out onto adjacent public roads shall be removed using
wet power vacuum street sweepers at least once per day. The use of dry power
sweeping is prohibited.
d. All vehicle speeds on unpaved roads shall be limited to 15 mph.
e. All roadways, driveways, and sidewalks to be paved shall be completed as soon as
possible.
f. Idling times shall be minimized either by shutting equipment off when not in use or
reducing the maximum idling time to five minutes (as required by the California
airborne toxics control measure Title 13, Section 2485 of California Code of
Regulations [CCR]). Clear signage shall be provided for construction workers at all
access points.
g. All construction equipment shall be maintained and properly tuned in accordance
with manufacturer’s specifications. All equipment shall be checked by a certified
mechanic and determined to be running in proper condition prior to operation .
h. The project contractor shall designate a "disturbance coordinator” responsible for
responding to any local complaints regarding dust complaints. The project
contractor will post a publicly visible sign with a contact telephone number for the
disturbance coordinator. The BAAQMD’s phone number shall also be visible to
ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 27
May 2016
Source(s)
Bay Area Air Quality Management District, 2011. CEQA Air Quality Guidelines. Updated May
2011 and May 2012. Available online at http://www.baaqmd.gov/plans-and-climate/california-
environmental-quality-act-ceqa/updated-ceqa-guidelines.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District, 2009. Revised Draft Options and Justification Report.
October. Available online at: http://www.baaqmd.gov/Divisions/Planning-and-Research/CEQA-
GUIDELINES/Updated-CEQA-Guidelines.aspx.
Biological Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species identified
as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local
or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
X
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat
or other sensitive natural community identified in local
or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
X
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected
wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool,
coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
X
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native
resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with
established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
X
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting
biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 28
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
X
Existing Setting. The subject property occupies approximately 1.4 acres of land with an average
slope of 14.4 percent. The project site is developed with a parking lot and building from the
previous use of the property. Vegetation on the site consists of landscape trees, shrubs, and
groundcover along the site perimeter and around the existing building. Trees and shrubs along
the southern and western boundaries of the site serve as an effective screening element for
adjacent residential properties to the west and south on Newell Court and Newell Avenue. The
habitat value of site vegetation is limited to urban-adapted species.
(a–d) Special-Status Species, Sensitive Communities and Wetlands, Fish and Wildlife Movement,
Corridors, Nursery Sites
The project site is located in urban setting in central Los Gatos. Due to the nature of the project
site’s location and history, the subject property is unlikely to provide suitable habitat for
special-status species. No federally listed, state-listed, or other special-status plant or animal
species are expected to occur on the subject property. There would be no impacts.
The site does not contain wetlands or riparian habitat, nor does the site contribute to the
movement of migratory species. There would be no impact on wetlands or wildlife.
(e) Conflict with local policies or ordinance include tree preservation
Protected Trees. The Town of Los Gatos’s Tree Protection Ordinance regulates the removal of
trees within the Town in order to retain as many trees as possible consistent with the
reasonable use of private property. Prior to the removal of any protected tree, except under
certain exceptions, a permit must be obtained from the Town. If protected trees must be
removed, the Los Gatos Tree Protection Ordinance states that the preferred tree replacement
is two or more trees of a species and size designated by the Director of Community
Development. Tree replacement requirements are based on canopy size, which is defined in
Table 3-1 of the Ordinance, Tree Canopy – Replacement Standard. Tree canopy replacement
requirements range from two to ten 24-inch box size trees or two to five 36-inch box size trees,
depending on the canopy size of the tree to be removed.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
Future development of homes on the four project lots could result in the removal of additional
protected trees. When specific development plans are submitted for these future homes, any
proposed tree removals would be reviewed as part of the Architecture and Site review process
and would require a tree removal permit. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
(f) Conflict with adopted habitat conservation or natural community conservation plans
There is no adopted habitat conservation plan or natural community plan that covers the
project site. The proposed project would not conflict with any approved local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan. There would be no impact on habitat conservation or natural
community conservation plans.
Cultural Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
5. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of
a historical resource as defined in CEQA Guidelines
section 15064.5?
X
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of
an archaeological resource pursuant to section 15064.5?
X
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological
resource or site or unique geologic feature?
X
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries?
X
(a) Historic resources
The project would involve the demolition of the existing building onsite. The project site has not
been designated as a historic site on any local, state, or federal guidelines, and is not within the
Towns designated historic district. As such, no historic resources would be affected, and so
there will be no impact.
(b- d) Archaeological resources, paleontological/unique geological resources, and human
remains
Portions of the area proposed for development were disturbed to allow for construction of the
existing structure, and the potential for encountering intact archaeological resources would be
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 30
May 2016
low due to this previous surface disturbance. There is no indication from the archival research
results that any part of the project site has been used for human bur ial purposes in the recent
or distant past. Given the project site’s lack of open areas, there would be a low potential for
encountering archaeological resources or human remains. Regardless, there remains a small
possibility that buried prehistoric resources could be encountered or damaged, which would
result in a potentially significant impact.
Paleontological resources are the fossilized remains of plants and animals, including
vertebrates, invertebrates, and microscopic plants and animals. The age and abundance of
fossils depend on the location, topographic setting, and particular geologic formation in which
they are found. Fossil discoveries not only provide an historic record of past plant and animal
life, but may assist geologists in dating rock formations. There are no known paleontological
sites recorded in or adjacent to Los Gatos (Town of Los Gatos, 2010). T he potential for
encountering paleontological resources, however, cannot be completely eliminated.
Additionally, no unique geological features are present on the site. Therefore, development of
the site would not result in significant impacts on unique geological features.
It is unlikely that archaeological resources or human remains would be encountered during
construction of the proposed project. However, the possibility of inadvertent discovery cannot
be entirely discounted, and would result in a potentially adverse impact. Implementation of
Mitigation Measure CUL-1 and CUL-2 would reduce this potential impact to a less-than-
significant level.
Mitigation Measures – Cultural Resources (CUL)
CUL-1: In the event that archaeological traces are encountered, all construction within a
50-meter radius of the find will be halted, the Community Development Director will be
notified, and an archaeologist will be retained to examine the find and make appropriate
recommendations.
If the Community Development Director finds that the archaeological find is not a
significant resource, work will resume only after the submittal of a preliminary
archaeological report and after provisions for reburial and ongoing monitoring are
accepted. Provisions for identifying descendants of a deceased Native American and for
reburial will follow the protocol set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5(e). If the
site is found to be a significant archaeological site, a mitigation program will be prepared
and submitted to the Community Development Director for consideration and approval,
in conformance with the protocol set forth in Public Resources Code Section 21083.2.
A final report shall be prepared when a find is determined to be a significant
archaeological site, and/or when Native American remains are found on the site. The final
report will include background information on the completed work, a description and list
of identified resources, the disposition and curation of these resources, any testing, other
recovered information, and conclusions.
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May 2016
CUL-2: If human remains are discovered, the Santa Clara County Coroner will be
notified. The Coroner will determine whether or not the remains are Native American. If
the Coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his authority, he will notify
the Native American Heritage Commission, who shall attempt to identify descendants of
the deceased Native Americans.
Source(s)
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. March 10.
Geology and Soils
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
6. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project:
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death
involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated
on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the
area or based on other substantial evidence of a
known fault?
X
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking? X
iii) Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
X
iv) Landslides? X
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? X
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or
that would become unstable as a result of the project,
and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
X
d) Would the project be located on expansive soil, as
defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial risks to life or property?
X
e) Would the project have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
water disposal systems where sewers are not available
for the disposal of waste water?
(a) Seismic hazards
The San Francisco Bay Area is an active seismic region with activity related to the San Andreas
Fault system, which is a major rift in the earth’s crust that extends for at least 700 miles along
the California Coast. The project site is located approximately 5 miles from the San Andreas
Fault, 11 miles from the Hayward Fault, 15 miles from the Calaveras fault, and 20 miles from
the San Gregorio fault. These four major faults have produced approximately 12 earthquakes
per century strong enough to cause structural damage.
The project site is mapped just north of one of the traces of the Shannon fault (approximately
1,300 feet from the center of the project site), which is a component of the frontal thrust fault
system along the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. There is no known active or
potentially active faults on the project site. As such, the project would not result in hazards
associated with fault rupture.
Regarding ground-shaking, ground failure, and landslides, the project applicant shall prepare a
design-level geotechnical report prior to the issuance of building permit(s). This requirement
has been included in Mitigation Measure GEO-1, would reduce this potential impact to a less-
than-significant level.
(b) Erosion
As explained in the Hydrology and Water Quality analysis, below, the project would be subject
to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit,
which requires the preparation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). This plan
would incorporate erosion control measures that would reduce construction erosion impacts.
In addition, pursuant to Town of Los Gatos Code Section 12.20.050, an erosion and sediment
control plan shall be required whenever the graded portion of a site includes more than 10,000
square feet having a slope greater than 5 percent. The plan would include an effective
revegetation program to stabilize all disturbed areas which will not be otherwise protected. The
plan shall include measures to prevent increased discharge of sediment at all stages of grading
and development from initial disturbance of the ground to project completion . Therefore, with
adherence to existing statewide and local regulations, erosion impacts would be less than
significant.
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(c–d) Soil stability
As indicated above, the possibility of shallow landslides at the project site cannot be excluded.
Risks associated with those landslides would be reduced to a less-than-significant level through
implementation of Mitigation Measure GEO-1.
(e) Soil capability to support septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where
sewers are not available
The proposed project would not include installation of septic tanks. Therefore, the project
would not result in the construction of septic tanks in soils inadequate to support such facilities.
Mitigation Measures – Geology and Soils (GEO)
Mitigation Measure GEO-1: Geotechnical Investigation
For the proposed roadway and each proposed residential unit, the project applicant(s)
shall consult with a registered geotechnical engineer to prepare a design-level
geotechnical investigation. The design-level geotechnical report shall address, but not
be limited to, site preparation and grading, building foundations, and CBC seismic design
parameters. A design-level geotechnical report shall be prepared and submitted in
conjunction with Building Permit application(s) and reviewed and approved by the Town
of Los Gatos. Recommendations from the design-level geotechnical report shall be
incorporated into the final project design and construction documents.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
7. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or
indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the
environment?
X
b) Conflict with applicable plan, policy or regulation
adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases?
X
As stated above in the discussion under Air Quality, the Town of Los Gatos relies upon on the
thresholds within the Options and Justification Report (dated October 2009) prepared by
BAAQMD. BAAQMD’s recommended thresholds are as follows:
Compliance with a Qualified Climate Action Plan or
Emissions below one of the following thresholds:
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
- 1,100 metric tons of carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions (MT CO2e) per year; or
- 6.7 MT CO2e per capita per year (residential) / 4.6 MT CO2e per service
population per year (mixed use)
For purposes of this report, project compliance with the 1,100 MT CO2e/year threshold is used
as the primary basis to determine significance. The project’s consistency with operative goals
and policies of the Sustainability Plan that are designed to avoid environmental i mpacts also are
also analyzed.
(a) Generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Implementation of the proposed project would contribute to long-term increases in
greenhouse gases (GHGs) from direct sources (traffic increases and minor secondary fuel
combustion emissions from space heating). Development occurring as a result of the proposed
project would also result in other indirect operational increases in GHG emissions as a result of
electricity generation to meet project-related increases in energy demand. Electricity
generation in California is mainly from natural gas-fired power plants. However, since California
imports about 20 to 25 percent of its total electricity (mainly from the northwestern and
southwestern states), GHG emissions associated with electricity generation could also occur
outside of California. Space or water heating, water delivery, wastewater processing and solid
waste disposal also generate GHG emissions. Short-term GHG emissions would also be
generated by project-related construction activities.
The BAAQMD does not have a quantitative significance threshold for construction -related GHG
emissions, but the project’s construction-related emissions are expected to have a less-than-
significant impact on global climate change based on the pro ject’s small size and GHG modeling
results done for larger projects.1 The proposed project would also be subject to the existing
CARB regulation (Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 2485), which limits
idling of diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicles, and compliance with this regulation would
further reduce GHG emissions associated with project construction vehicles (compliance with
idling limits is required under Mitigation Measure AIR-1 in Section 3, Air Quality).
Operational GHG emissions associated with the proposed single-family residences is also
expected to be less than significant given the project’s small size and GHG modeling results
1 GHG modeling completed in November 2013 for an 8-unit residential project on 0.75 acres located at 258 Union
Avenue indicated that construction activities would generate up to approximately 63.3 metric tons of CO 2-
equivalents (MT CO2e), well below the BAAQMD’s operational threshold of 1,100 MT CO2e per year, indicating that
the project’s construction-related GHG emissions would be less than significant. (Source: Town of Los Gatos, 2011.
Initial Study, 258 Union Avenue, Los Gatos, California, Conditional Use Permit Application U-13-012, Negative
Declaration ND-13-002. November.)
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done for larger projects.2 In the 2011 BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines, the BAAQMD developed
screening criteria to indicate the minimum development size (by land use category) at which
GHG emissions could exceed the above thresholds and a potentially significant GHG impact
could occur. In the 2011 Guidelines, the BAAQMD’s operational GHG screening criterion for
single-family residences was 56 units, and the proposed project would fall well below this
criterion. Therefore, the project’s operational GHG emissions are considered to be less than
significant.
(b) Conflict with GHG plans or regulations
California has passed a number of bills related to GHG emissions and the Governor has signed
at least three executive orders regarding greenhouse gases. The Governor’s Office of Planning
and Research has not yet established CEQA significance thresholds for GHG emissio ns. GHG
statutes and executive orders (EO) include EO S-1-07, EO S-3-05, EO S-13-08, EO S-14-08, EO S-
20-04, EO S-21-09, AB 32, AB 341, AB 1493, AB 3018, SB 97, SB375, SB 1078 and 107, SB 1368,
and SB X12. AB 32 establishes regulatory, reporting, and market mechanisms to reduced
statewide GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Pursuant to this requirement, the California
Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted its Scoping Plan, which contains the main strategies to
achieve required reductions by 2020.
The Town of Los Gatos Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2012, outlines communitywide GHG
emission reduction measures necessary to reduce GHG emissions in Los Gatos. By 2020, the
Sustainability Plan documents that GHG emissions would be reduced by approximately 15
percent from the business-as-usual (BAU) assumption. The Sustainability Plan does contain a
number of binding GHG reduction measures. Most of the Sustainability Plan’s GHG reduction
measures, however, would apply to future home designs and each home’s consistency with
these measures would be evaluated during the required A&S application and building permit
review to ensure compliance.
Source(s)
BAAQMD. 2009. Revised Draft Guidelines and Justification Report.
Town of Los Gatos. 2012. Los Gatos Sustainability Plan. Available online: http://www.town.los-
gatos.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/8162.
2 GHG modeling completed in November 2013 for an 8-unit residential project on 0.75 acres located at 258 Union
Avenue indicated that project operation would generate up to approximately 114 MT CO2e, well below the
BAAQMD’s operational threshold of 1,100 MT CO2e per year, indicating that the project’s operational GHG
emissions would be less than significant. (Source: Town of Los Gatos, 2011. Initial Study, 258 Union Avenue, Los
Gatos, California, Conditional Use Permit Application U-13-012, Negative Declaration ND-13-002. November.)
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
8. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
X
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and
accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment?
X
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within
¼ mile of an existing or proposed school?
X
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment?
X
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the project area?
X
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
X
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an
adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
X
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving wildland fires, including where
wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where
residences are intermixed with wildlands?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
(a–d) Exposure to hazardous materials
Based upon a search of the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s EnviroStor, the project
site is not located within one mile of a known cleanup site or other hazardous materials site
(DTSC, 2015). According to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Geotracker, there are no
leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) within a quarter-mile of the project site (SWRCB,
2015). Three LUSTs are located between 0.3 miles and 0.5 miles from the project site, on
University Avenue, Zena Avenue, and Clearview Avenue. All of these cases have been closed,
meaning that corrective actions have been completed and No Further Ac tion letters have been
issued by the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health or the Santa Clara
Valley Water District. Therefore, the project site is not located on or in proximity to Hazardous
Wastes and Substances Sites List such that significant impacts related to hazardous materials
would result.
The construction of the proposed project would require heavy equipment for earthwork
activities as well as hazardous materials, including fuels, oils, solvents, glues and others. If not
managed appropriately, construction activities could potentially expose construction workers or
the environment to hazardous materials through inappropriate use, storage, handling, or
disposal. Heavy equipment could require on-site refueling, which could also result in inadvertent
releases either through poor management or upset and accidental conditions. However, project
construction would require adherence to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Construction General Permit, which would necessitate the preparation and
implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP would include
best management practices that cover the transport, use, and disposal of any hazardous
materials used during construction that minimize the potential exposure to workers, the public,
and the environment, as well as the potential for upset and accidental release conditions.
Regarding operations, the proposed project’s residential uses may involve use and storage of
some materials that are considered hazardous, although these materials are typically limited to
everyday use solvents, paints, chemicals used for cleaning and building maintenance, and
landscaping supplies. These materials would not be substantially different from household
chemicals and solvents already in use throughout the town. Household hazardous wastes may
be disposed of at one of the Santa Clara County household hazardous waste facilities by making
and appointment with the County of Santa Clara Household Hazardous Waste progr am.
Regarding schools, the project site is not located within one-quarter mile of an existing school,
so there would be no impact related to release of hazardous materials in proximity to schools.
(e–f) Proximity to a public or private airport
The project site is not located in proximity to a public or private airport or within the
boundaries of an Airport Land Use Plan. Norman Y. Mineta San Jos International Airport and
Reid Hillview Airport are located more than 10 miles to the north and northeast, respectively.
There would be no impact.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
(g) Impair implementation of an emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan
The project site is not located within the area of or within the direct vicinity of an emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan. The proposed project would result in the creation
of a privately accessible roadway from Newell Avenue, with emergency access available via the
new road. The proposed project would not physically change any public roads that are integral
to emergency response or evacuation plans. Therefore, the impact associated with emergency
response would be less than significant.
(h) Expose people or structures to wildland fires
The project site is located in an area designated as a Non-VHFHSZ (Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone) by CalFIRE (2008). Plans for development of each lot would be reviewed by the
Town during the A&S review process to ensure that the homes would be constructed within the
Least Restrictive Development Areas (LRDA), which include slopes of less than 30 percent and
areas that are not densely wooded. Impacts would be less than significant.
Source(s)
Cal FIRE. 2008. Santa Clara County Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility
Areas as Recommended by Cal FIRE. Available online:
http://frap.fire.ca.gov/webdata/maps/santa_clara/fhszl_map.43.pdf.
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). 2016. EnviroStor. Available online:
http://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/. Accessed April 11.
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 2015. GeoTracker. Available online:
http://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/. Accessed December 31st.
Hydrology and Water Quality
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
9. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge
requirements?
X
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere
substantially with groundwater recharge such that there
would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of
the local ground water table level (for example, the
production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 39
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
to a level which would not support existing land uses or
planned uses for which permits have been granted)?
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, in a manner which would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site.
X
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the
rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which
would result in flooding on- or off-site.
X
e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed
the capacity of existing or planned storm water drainage
systems or provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?
X
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? X
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood-hazard area as
mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood
Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation
map?
X
h) Place within a 100-year flood-hazard area structures
which would impede or redirect flood flows?
X
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a
result of the failure of a levee or dam?
X
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? X
(a) Violate water quality or waste discharge requirements
Construction
For project construction activities, projects which disturb one or more acres of soil or projects
which disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in
total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction General Permit,
99-08-DWQ). Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading and
disturbances to the ground (e.g., stockpiling or excavation). The permit does not include regular
maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility.
Construction activities for the proposed project would be subject to the provisions of the
Construction General Permit.
A Notice of Intent must be filed with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and
the Construction General Permit requires that a SWPPP be prepared. The SWPPP must be
consistent with the terms of the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention
Program’s recommended best management practices (BMPs) for construction activities . In
addition, pursuant to Town of Los Gatos Code Section 12.20.050, an erosion and sediment
control plan shall be required whenever the graded portion of a site includes more than 10,000
square feet having a slope greater than 5 percent. The SWPPP and erosion and sediment
control plans would include erosion-control best management practices that would be
expected to protect exposed soils from potential erosional forces. These erosion control
measures may include: 1) a stabilized construction entrance/exit; 2) storm drain inlet
protection; 3) building pad protection; 4) installation of fiber rolls; and 5) hydroseeding of
disturbed areas) which would reduce potential erosion hazards to a less-than-significant level.
The plan would include an effective revegetation program to stabilize all disturbed areas which
will not be otherwise protected. The plan shall include measures to prevent increased discharge
of sediment at all stages of grading and development from initial disturbance of the ground to
project completion. Therefore, with adherence to existing statewide and local regulations,
erosion impacts would be less than significant.
Operation
The Town of Los Gatos is a co-permittee under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit program implemented by the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board for the San Francisco Bay Region. The Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) was adopted in
October 2009 (amended November 28, 2011) to implement the NPDES program at the local
level. The MRP governs discharges from municipal storm drains operated by 76 local
government entities, including those in the Town of Los Gatos.
MRP Provision C.3, New and Redevelopment Performance Standards, of Order No. R2-2009-
0074 of the MRP requires site designs for new developments and redevelopments to minimize
the area of new roofs and paving. The MRP also includes Site Design and Stormwater
Treatment Requirements. Where feasible, pervious surfaces should be used instead of paving
so that runoff can infiltrate to the underlying soil. Remaining runoff from impervious areas
must be captured and used or treated using bioretention. In ad dition, project applicants must
execute agreements to allow municipalities to verify that stormwater treatment and flow-
control facilities are maintained in perpetuity.
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May 2016
Pursuant to MRP Provision C.3.c.i.2(v), the Town would require each residential unit
constructed under the proposed project to implement at least one of six specified Low Impact
Development (LID) Site Design measures. These include the following measures:
Direct roof runoff into cisterns or rain barrels for reuse;
Direct runoff onto vegetated areas;
Direct runoff from sidewalks, walkways, and/or patios onto vegetated areas;
Direct runoff from driveways and/or uncovered parking lots onto vegetated areas;
Construct sidewalks, walkways, and/or patios with permeable surfaces;
Construct bike lanes, driveways, and/or uncovered parking lots with permeable
surfaces.
The incorporation of these site design measures and stormwater treatment measures
(bioretention) as required by the Town would reduce the project’s potential effects on
stormwater quality to a less than significant level.
(b) Substantially deplete or interfere with groundwater supplies
All water used on the project site would be from the local public water supply provided by the
San Jose Water Company, which consists of both surface water and groundwater. There are no
existing groundwater wells on the property and none are proposed. Therefore, the project
would have a less-than-significant impact on groundwater depletion beyond any impacts
associated with the provision of water by the San Jose Water Company and the agencies from
which it directly or indirectly receives water, including the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the California Department of Water Resources . The project
would likely result in a reduction in impervious surfaces, as the existing site is primarily
occupied by the existing building and a parking lot that cover most of the property. The
proposed project’s four new residences would include setbacks of between 5 and 20 feet,
including common landscape areas and other pervious areas. An incremental increase in local
groundwater recharge is likely as a result of the proposed project. The impact on groundwater
supplies would be less than significant.
(c–f) Substantially alter existing drainage patterns, exceed runoff capacity, or degrade water
quality
The proposed project would not substantially alter the existing drainage patterns of the site or
vicinity. The site does not include any streams or rivers, which could be altered by the
proposed project resulting in substantial erosion and siltation on- or offsite. Onsite stormdrains
and onsite sidewalk gutters convey accumulated drainage flows northward to Newell Street
and the existing stormdrain system. Because the proposed project would not alter any existing
streams or drainage patterns, and surface water runoff is controlled onsite, the project would
have a less than significant impact on existing drainage patterns.
As stated under item (a), above, the proposed project’s storm drainage design would
incorporate one or more measures to ensure the control and retention of storm runoff on the
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 42
May 2016
project site and preclude increased, untreated runoff discharges. Consequently, generation of
storm runoff by the project would have a less-than-significant impact.
Runoff from the roof of the proposed residences and garages would collect in gutters and
discharge via downspouts to splashblocks at the base of the residences. All surface flows would
be directed away from buildings into drainage swales, storm drain inlets, and drainage systems.
This storm drainage methodology is consistent with requirements on similar properties and
proposes to direct drainage to public facilities and limit impact on adjacent properties.
Although runoff from the proposed project would be collected in a pipe system, storm flows
would be discharged slowly into subsoils through the use of on -site infiltration areas, protecting
surface water quality. Design and sizing of detention areas would be subject to review and
approval by the Town, and such approval would reduce the potential for downstream flooding
and erosion hazards. Therefore, potential impacts are considered less than significant.
As discussed in item (a) above, new, more stringent water quality regulations of the Clean
Water Act have recently been triggered because the NPDES (National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System) permit program has failed to protect beneficial uses of Santa Clara County’s
creeks and the South San Francisco Bay. Evidence includes violations of ambient water quality
criteria, high concentrations of toxic substances, and fish consumption health advisories.
Future development plans for the four homes would be required to demonstrate that surface
runoff is not directly discharged to the surface channel (e.g., provisions for on-site filtration) but
rather diverted into landscaped areas and vegetated swales as well as provide stormwater
treatment facilities on the site. Therefore, the mitigation measure required in the 2009 IS/MND
is no longer required with project updates and the Town’s standard conditions related to
conformance with C.3 requirements. Impacts would be less than significant.
(g–i) Flood hazard
According to the 2020 Los Gatos General Plan, the project site is not within the 100-year
floodplain. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Map Number
06085CO239H the project site is located in Zone X, which is an area outside of the 100 -year and
500-year flood plains where flood risk is minimal. The project site is located at an approximate
elevation of 321 feet above mean sea level (msl). Additionally, there are no natural drainages
on the project site. Consequently, no significant flood hazard impacts would be anticipated.
(j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow
The project site is located at an elevation of approximately 321 feet msl, more than 12 miles
south of the San Francisco Bay shoreline; therefore, there would be no risk associated with
tsunamis, which are large sea waves. Seiches are standing waves caused by large-scale, short-
duration phenomena (e.g. wind or atmospheric variations or seismic activity) that result from
the oscillation of confined bodies of water (such as reservoirs and lakes) that may damage low -
lying adjacent areas as a result of changes in the surface water elevation. The nearest large
water body is Vasona Reservoir, located approximately half a mile to the south, at an
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 43
May 2016
approximate elevation of 297 feet msl. Additionally, the area surrounding the project site has
an elevation of approximately 300 feet msl. The project site would not be subject to mudflow
or seiche as the project site is located at an elevation approximately 20 f eet above the direct
surrounding area and nearby reservoir. Impacts related to erosion are discussed above.
Therefore, there would be no impact related to exposure of people or structures to significant
risk of loss, injury, or death involving seiche, tsunami, or mudflow.
Sources
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2009. Flood Insurance Rate Map. Map No.
06085CO239H, effective May 18.
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search#searchresultsanchor
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan. September 20.
Land Use and Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
10. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established community? X
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project
(including, but not limited to the general plan, specific
plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance)
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
X
c) Conflict with any applicable Habitat Conservation Plan or
Natural Community Conservation Plan?
X
(a) Physically divide an established community
The proposed project would not include construction of a physical barrier (e.g., a freeway,
levee, or railroad track) that would physically divide the existing neighborhoods surrounding
the project site. The existing corner access driveway on the project site would be removed, and
a private roadway would be constructed from Newell Avenue through the middle of the site.
The proposed private shared access drive would provide emergency vehicle access, as well as
access to the four new residential lots. As such, the project would not physically divide an
established community. There would be no impact.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
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May 2016
(b) Consistency with land use plan or policy
General Plan
The Los Gatos 2020 General Plan (adopted 2010) designates the project site as Low Density
Residential. This designation allows for residential uses at densities of 0 to 5 unit per acre. The
project would result in four residential units on 1.4 acres, which would be consistent with this
density. The project would be generally consistent with the 2020 General Plan.
Zoning
The Town has zoned the project site as R-1:12 (Single-Family Residential, 12,000 square feet
minimum lot size). The R-1:12 zone would permit subdivision of the project parcel into four lots
of between 0.29 and 0.388 acres. The four houses built on the project site would be consistent
with the zoning and General Plan. The project proposes to change the zoning to R-1:12:PD to be
developed as a planned development. The Planned Development designation is a planning
overlay zone that provides for alternative uses and developments more consistent with site
characteristics than are allowed in other zones, with the intention of creating optimum quantity
and use of open space and to encourage good design. Per Section 29.80.080 of the Town Code,
“the PD zone permits establishment of a single use or the integration of several uses not
ordinarily possible only if use and development is in compliance with a complete development
plan showing relationships of the use or uses to each other, to the district as a whole, and to
surrounding areas.” The Planned Development overlay would not conflict with the existing
zoning requirements on any of the surrounding properties. The proposed project would not
conflict with any existing land use plan or policy, and therefore, no impacts have been
identified.
(c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation
plan
There is no adopted habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan
applicable to the project site. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with any
approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan, and there would be no impact.
Source(s)
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan. September 20.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 45
May 2016
Mineral Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
11. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral
resource that would be of value to the region and the
residents of the State?
X
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important
mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan?
X
(a–b) Loss of availability of a known mineral resource or locally-important mineral resource
recovery site
The Los Gatos General Plan does not identify any regionally or locally-important mineral
resources on the project site or in its vicinity. The General Plan Open Space, Parks, and
Recreation Element specifically states that mineral sources production areas are “not applicable
to Los Gatos.” As such, there are no locally-important mineral resource recovery sites in the
project site vicinity, and the project would have no impact to these resources. (Town of Los
Gatos, 2010).
Source(s)
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan. September 20.
Noise
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
12. NOISE. Would the project result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in
excess of standards established in the local general plan
or noise ordinance or applicable standards of other
agencies?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 46
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive
ground borne vibration or ground borne noise levels?
X
c) Substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels
in the project vicinity above levels existing without the
project?
X
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing
without the project?
X
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or,
where such a plan has not been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working in the project
area to excessive noise levels?
X
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project expose people residing or working in
the project area to excessive noise levels?
X
(a, c) Exposure to, or generation of, permanent noise
The existing vacant structure on the on the project site currently produces minimal amounts of
noise. The proposed four single-family residences would result in increased noise associated
with residential use, such as operation of appliances and landscaping equipment . These noises
would be similar to the noise generated at nearby residences and would not conflict with the
existing noise environment.
A site specific noise analysis was prepared for the project site to evaluate potential impacts
associated with traffic noise from Winchester Boulevard. The Noise analysis, dated May 2, 2016
and prepared by j.c. brennan and associates, is included as Appendix A.
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc. staff conducted a continuous 24-hour noise level measurement
at the project site on Thursday, April 21st, 2016. The sound level meter was programmed to
collect hourly noise level intervals during the survey. The maximum value (Lmax) represents the
highest noise level measured during each one-hour period, the average value (Leq) represents
the energy average of all of the noise measured during each one-hour period, and the median
value (L50) represents the sound level exceeded 50 percent of the time during each one-hour
period. Table 1, Summary of Existing Background Noise Measurement Data, shows the results
of the noise level measurement.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 47
May 2016
Table 1
Summary of Existing Background Noise Measurement Data
Site
Location
Date
Ldn
Average Measured Hourly Noise Levels, dB
Daytime (7am-10pm) Nighttime (10pm-7am)
Leq
L50
Lmax
Leq
L50
Lmax
Continuous (24-hour) Noise Level Measurements
A 100 ft. west of
Winchester Blvd.
Thursday
4/21/2016
64
63
60
79
55
49
69
Source: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc., 2015.
Measured noise levels shown in Table 1 were compared to the FHWA traffic noise prediction
model to calibrate the model to existing site conditions. The FHWA model was found to under-
predict traffic noise levels on the project site by 1 dBA over the full 24-hour period, as shown in
Appendix C of Appendix A. Therefore, a + 1 dB adjustment was made to the model.
Future Traffic Noise Levels
To determine the future traffic noise levels on the project site, j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.,
utilized the calibrated FHWA traffic noise prediction model and future (2036) traffic forecasts
by assuming a 1% per year growth rate over 2014 traffic volumes on Winchester Boulevard.
Table 2, Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels, shows the predicted future traffic noise levels at
the proposed residential units adjacent to SR-24. A complete listing of the FHWA Traffic Noise
Prediction Model inputs is provided in Appendix D of Appendix A. It should be noted that the
Table 2 data account for shielding from intervening builds which will shield outdoor areas of the
project.
TABLE 2
Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels
Location
Distance
Predicted Traffic Noise
Levels, DNL
Winchester Boulevard – 2036 ADT = 33,024
Lot 3/4 Backyard 100 65 dB
Lot 1/2 Backyard 200 56 dB
Sources: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc., and FHWA RD-77-108
Based upon the predicted future traffic noise levels shown in Table 2, the residential outdoor
areas of Lots 3 and 4 will be exposed to future exterior traffic noise levels up to 65 dB Ld n. This
would exceed the Town of Los Gatos 60 dB Ldn exterior noise level standard but would fall
within the conditionally acceptable range of 60-70 dB Ldn. Exceeding the Town’s exterior noise
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 48
May 2016
level standard would be a potentially significant impact and mitigation is required to reduced
potential impacts to less than significant. Consistency with the Town’s exterior noise standards
would be ensured through implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-1.
In order to reduce future traffic exterior noise levels a t these locations, noise reduction
measures are required. The project noise study evaluated the effectiveness of a solid noise
barrier for reducing future Winchester Boulevard traffic noise levels at the residential uses
proposed adjacent to this roadway. A complete listing of the noise barrier effectiveness inputs
and results is shown in Appendix E of Appendix A. The results of the barrier analysis are
summarized in Table 3, Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels with Various Noise Barrier Heights.
TABLE 3
Predicted Future Traffic Noise Levels With Various Noise Barrier Heights
Roadway
Location
Noise Level with
Varying Property Line Barrier Heights, Ldn
6’ 7’ 8’
Lot 3 58 56 55
Lot 4
56
55
54
Sources: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc. with FHWA-RD-77-108
Barrier heights are relative to the proposed building pad elevations. Noise barrier reductions apply to first floor locations only.
The results of the barrier analysis shown in Table 3 indicate that the construction of a 6-foot
tall solid noise barrier along Winchester Boulevard would result in compliance with the Town
of Los Gatos normally acceptable exterior noise level standard of 60 dB Ldn at ground floor
locations.
Noise barriers should be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMU), solid concrete
panels, or earthen berms. Noise barriers may include the combination of earthen berm and
CMU wall or concrete panels. Wood is not recommended due to eventual warping and
degradation of acoustical performance. Other types of materials should be reviewed by an
acoustical consultant prior to use. It should be noted that noise barriers are only effective
for reducing traffic noise levels at first floor locations.
It should be noted that due to the grading of the site, noise barriers of practical heights
cannot provide shielding to all areas of the project site, such as decks or balconies. However,
exterior noise level at these locations are still predicted to fall within the Town’s conditionally
acceptable exterior noise level range of 60-70 dB Ldn. The Town’s policy for conditionally
acceptable noise levels are as follows:
New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed
analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise
insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but
with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning will
normally suffice (Town of Los Gatos General Plan Noise Element, Table NOI-1).
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 49
May 2016
Interior Traffic Noise Levels
Standard construction practices, consistent with the Uniform Building Code typically provide an
exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of approximately 25 dB, assuming that air
conditioning is included for each unit, which allows residents to close windows for the
required acoustical isolation. Therefore, as long as exterior noise levels at the building facades
do not exceed 70 dB Ldn, the interior noise levels will typically comply with the interior noise
level standard of 45 dB Ldn.
First floor traffic noise exposure at Lots 3 and 4 is predicted to be less than 60 dB Ldn with the
use of a property line noise barrier. Sound walls do not shield second floor building facades,
additionally noise levels are typically 2-3 dB higher at second floor locations. Therefore, exterior
noise levels at the second floor façade are predicted to be up to 69 dB Ldn at Lots 3 and 4.
Based upon a typical exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of 25 dB, interior noise levels are
predicted to be 44 dB Ldn, with windows closed. This would comply with the Town’s standard of
45 dB Ldn. Therefore, no additional interior noise control measures would be required, assuming
that air conditioning is included to allow occupants to close doors and windows as desired for
acoustical isolation.
(b) Exposure to ground borne vibration or ground borne vibration
There are no adopted state or local policies for groundborne noise or vibration. The Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) states that non-engineered timber and masonry buildings can be
exposed to groundborne vibration levels of up to 0.2 inches per second (in/sec) without
experiencing structural damage. Construction of the project features could involve the use of
bulldozers and vibratory rollers, which may result in vibration of up to 0.089 in/sec and 0.210
in/sec, respectively, at 25 feet (FTA, 2006). Given existing residences are located within 25 feet
from potential vibration-generating construction activities, these vibration levels would result
in a significant impact. To ameliorate the impacts of vibration, FTA r ecommends avoiding the
use of vibratory rollers in sensitive areas. This requirement has been incorporated into
Mitigation Measure NOI-2, Construction Vibration. With implementation of this measure,
vibration impacts would be less than significant.
(d) Substantial temporary noise increase
The Town of Los Gatos Municipal Code Chapter 16 restricts construction activities to the hours
of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Construction noise is limited to 85 dBA at the property line (or 85 dBA at 25 feet if the activity
occurs near the property line).
Construction noise would range from approximately 74 to 89 dBA at 50 feet, depending on the
types of equipment that would be used in project construction (FTA, 2006). As such, without
the use of acoustic shield or other noise-reduction measures, construction equipment would
exceed the Town of Los Gatos noise standards. Consistency with the noise standards would be
ensured through implementation of Mitigation Measure NOI-3.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 50
May 2016
(e–f) Excessive noise level near a public or private airport
The project site is not located in proximity to a public or private airport . Norman Y. Mineta San
Jose International Airport and Reid Hillview Airport are located more than 10 miles to the north
and northeast, respectively. There would be no impact related to airport noise.
Mitigation Measures – Noise (NOI)
Mitigation Measure NOI-1: Noise Attenuation Wall
Prior to the issuance of a grading permit or improvements plans, the applicant
shall demonstrate to the Director of Community Development, that a noise
attenuation wall is shown on the final landscape plans. The noise attenuation wall
shall include the specifications:
The noise attenuation wall shall be a minimum of six feet tall. The approximate
location of the recommended noise barriers is shown on Figure 3 of the noise
analysis report prepared for the project dated May 2, 2016.
The noise attenuation wall shall be constructed of concrete masonry units
(CMU), solid concrete panels, or earthen berm. The noise barriers may include
the combination of earthen berm and CMU wall or concrete panels. Wood is
not recommended due to eventual warping and degradation of acoustical
performance. Other types of materials should be reviewed by an acoustical
consultant prior to use.
Air conditioning shall be included in all residences to allow occupants to close
doors and windows as desired for acoustical isolation.
Mitigation Measure NOI-2: Construction Vibration
The construction contractor shall prohibit the use of vibratory rollers within 30
feet of existing residences. Plate compactors and smaller, rubber-tired equipment
shall be utilized as feasible. The Town of Los Gatos Building Division shall ensure
that this requirement is incorporated into construction documents prior to
issuance of grading permits.
Mitigation Measure NOI-3: Construction Specifications to Reduce Noise
The project applicant and its successors shall ensure that the following practices
are incorporated into the construction specification documents to be implemented
by the project contractor:
Provide enclosures and mufflers for stationary equipment, shrouding or
shielding for impact tools, and barriers around particularly noisy operations,
such as grading or use of concrete saws within 50 feet of an occupied sensitive
land use.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 51
May 2016
Use construction equipment with lower (less than 70 dB) noise emission ratings
whenever possible, particularly air compressors and generators.
Do not use equipment on which sound-control devices provided by the
manufacturer have been altered to reduce noise control.
Locate stationary equipment, material stockpiles, and vehicle staging areas as
far as practicable from sensitive receptors.
Prohibit unnecessary idling of internal combustion engines.
Implement noise attenuation measures to the extent feasible (i.e., such that
they do not impede efficient operation of equipment or dramatically slow
production rates), which may include, but are not limited to, noise barriers or
noise blankets. The placement of such attenuation measures shall be reviewed
and approved by the Los Gatos Building Division prior to issuance of
development permit for construction activities.
Source(s)
Federal Transit Administration, Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, available online:
https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/FTA_Noise_and_Vibration_Ma
nual.pdf. May 2006.
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan. September 20.
Town of Los Gatos. 2015. Code of Ordinances. December 15.
Population and Housing
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
13. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either
directly (for example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension
of roads or other infrastructure)?
X
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing,
necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
X
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 52
May 2016
(a) Population growth
The Town of Los Gatos currently has a population of approximately 30,735 (U.S. Census, 2014).
According to the 2020 General Plan, the population is expected to increase to 32,600 by 2020
(Town of Los Gatos, 2010).
Based upon the Los Gatos-average 2.39 residents per household, the proposed project’s four
net residential units would result in 10 new residents. These 10 residents would not represent
substantial population growth that would exceed the planned population increase by 2020 .
Therefore, the project would not directly induce substantial population growth.
Indirect population growth may be induced by the extension of infrastructure—such as
roadways, water service, wastewater service, and other utilities—into greenfield or
undeveloped areas. The proposed project would result in the construction of a private access
drive through the middle of the project parcel. This parcel, however, is already developed, and
the roadway would not result in any additional development in undeveloped areas. As such, the
construction of the new private access drive would not indirectly induce substantial
development or population growth. Impacts on population growth would be less than
significant.
(b–c) Housing and resident displacement
The existing structure on the project site is the vacant building, used for non-residential uses.
The project would not displace any people or housing units. The project would result in the
construction of new housing. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Source(s)
Town of Los Gatos. 2010. 2020 General Plan. September 20.
US Census Bureau. 2014. Population Estimated.
Public Services
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
14. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the
provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities or need for new or physical altered
governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in
order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of
the public services:
a) Fire protection? X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 53
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
b) Police protection? X
c) Schools? X
d) Parks? X
e) Other public facilities? X
(a–e) Fire, police, schools, parks and other public facilities
Services are currently provided to the project site’s existing building as well as other residences
in the project vicinity. The Los Gatos / Monte Sereno Police Department and the Santa Clara
County Fire Department would provide emergency and public safety services to the project site.
The project’s four residential units would not substantially increase demand for these services
such that new or expanded fire or police protection services would be required .
Based on an average student yield factor of 0.386 per unit, the project would add
approximately two new students to the Los Gatos Union School District , which encompasses
grades K through 8. The District has grown from 2,587 students in the 2006–2007 school year to
3,345 students in the 2014–2015 school year, primarily caused by net migration of families with
school-aged children (and not by new housing units) (LGUSD, 2015).
Based on an average student yield factor of 0.208 per unit, the project would add one student
to the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District (Los Gatos, 2012). The District has
grown from 3,153 students in the 2010 – 2011 school year to 3,302 students in the 2014 – 2015
school year (Ed-Data, 2016).
Students associated with the proposed project would contribute to the cumulative demand for
educational services and result in enrollments that exceed current district capacities.
The proposed project would be required by law to pay development impact fees to each school
district at the time of the building permit issuance. These fees are used by the school districts to
mitigate impacts associated with long-term operation and maintenance of school facilities with
new development in accordance with state law. Pursuant to Section 65996(3)(h) of the
California Government Code, payment of these fees “is deemed to be full and complete
mitigation of impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving but not limited to,
the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in government organization
or reorganization.” Any secondary environmental impacts resulting from the construction of
new schools would be analyzed by each School District prior to construction of any new
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 54
May 2016
schools. The three new students associated with the project would not drive the need for any
such new construction. Therefore, with payment of development impact fees to each school
district as required by law, the project’s impact on the schools attended by project students
would be less-than-significant.
Impacts to parks are analyzed under “Recreation,” below. The proposed project would result in
a less-than-significant impact on public services.
Source(s)
Education Data Partnership (Ed-Data). 2016. Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High web page:
http://www.ed-data.org/district/Santa-Clara/Los-Gatos--Saratoga-Joint-Union-High,
accessed January 2, 2016.
Los Gatos. 2012. Memorandum: North 40 Advisory Committee Meeting Report. Community
Development Department. August 17.
LGUSD. 2015. Framework & Positioning for Overcrowding. Draft. March 10.
Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD). 2015. Development Review Comments: 15 0776.
Recreation
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
15. RECREATION. Would the project:
a) Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional
parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial
physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
X
b) Include recreational facilities or require the construction
or expansion of recreational facilities which might have
an adverse physical effect on the environment?
X
(a) Increase the use of existing recreation facilities
As stated above under Population and Housing, the proposed project would result in
approximately 10 new residents in the Town of Los Gatos. Recreational space for these 10
residents would be provided by the common landscape areas, decks, yards, and setbacks that
would be included in the proposed project.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 55
May 2016
Existing recreational facilities in close proximity to the project site include Vasona Lake County
Park and Oak Meadow Park. Although it is likely that the 10 new residents would use existing
recreational facilities in the Town of Los Gatos, their use would not be so substantial as to
accelerate the physical deterioration of those facilities. Impacts would be less than significant.
(b) Include recreational facilities or the construction or expansion of recreational facilities
The proposed project does not include the provision of recreational facilities. As stated above,
residents may use existing recreational facilities in the Town of Los Gatos. The approximately 10
new residents would not necessitate the construction or expansion of recreational facilities.
Impacts related to recreational facilities would be less than significant.
Transportation/Traffic
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
16. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC. Would the project:
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance, or policy
establishing measures of effectiveness for the
performance of the circulation system taking into
account all modes of transportation including mass
transit and non-motorized travel and relevant
components of the circulation system, including but not
limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways,
pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit?
X
b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management
program, including, but not limited to level of service
standards and travel demand measures, or other
standards established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads or highways?
X
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either
an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that
results in substantial safety risks?
X
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
(for example, sharp curves or dangerous intersections)
or incompatible uses (for example, farm equipment)?
X
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? X
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs
regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities,
X
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 56
May 2016
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such
facilities?
(a–b, f) Conflict with applicable transportation plans or ordinances, including congestion
management plans
In accordance with the Town of Los Gatos revised Traffic Impact Policy (approved August 19,
2014), projects that would generate 20 or more new peak-hour trips are required to complete a
comprehensive traffic impact analysis report. Trip generation rates are based upon the most
recent edition of the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manal. Using those
rates, the proposed project’s four net residential units would result in 3 trips in the AM peak
hour and 4 trips in the PM peak hour, both of which are below the standards established in the
Town’s Traffic Impact Policy. These net new peak hour trips would not substantially affect
traffic operations or conflict with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) 2013
Congestion Management Program. Additionally, the new four-home subdivision would be
compatible and consistent with the surrounding neighborhood (TJKM, 2015). Impacts would be
less than significant.
The project is not anticipated to disrupt existing or planned bicycle or pedestrian facilities, or
conflict with adopted City plans, guidelines, policies, or standards. Because the project is
proposed to be accessed via the new private access drive, existing and envisioned bicycle and
pedestrian facilities would be unaffected by the project. The project would also ensure that
future curb ramps at the Newell Avenue and Winchester Boulevard intersection meet
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and current City standards. Given the
project’s small size and limited trip generation, the project would not conflict with plans related
to alternative transportation modes. Impacts would be less than significant.
(c) Change in air traffic pattern
The proposed project would not result in a change in air traffic patterns. The nearest airport,
Mineta San José International Airport, is located approximately ten miles to the northeast.
There would be no impact.
(d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
To accommodate the proposed houses and new roadway, soil would be excavated and hauled
from the site during the construction phase. The export of 5,900 cubic yards of material off-site
could generate up to 370 truckloads or a total of 740 one-way truck trips (assuming 12 cubic
yards per haul truck). Since the Town will prohibit haul truck operations on local roads between
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 57
May 2016
7 a.m. and 9 a.m. as well as 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., trucks operations would occur 6.5 to 7 hours per
day. Pursuant to Mitigation Measure TRANS-1, the project applicant would be required to work
with the Engineering Division of the Parks and Public Works Department to devise a traffic
control plan to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow during periods when soil is hauled.
Potential safety hazards during project construction would be less than significant with
mitigation.
The existing corner access driveway on the project site would be removed pending project
approval, and a private roadway would be constructed from Newell Avenue through the middle
of the site. The proposed driveway serving the four-home subdivision will be located more than
100 feet from Winchester Boulevard. By comparison, the existing driveway is located close to
the intersection. Given that the location of property access would change, access location and
configuration of the new driveway would be designed to the satisfaction of the Public Works
Department, as ensured by Mitigation Measure TRANS-2. Potential impacts would be reduced
to less than significant.
(e) Result in inadequate emergency access
The proposed new private shared access drive would provide primary access to the project site.
The new road would be 40 feet wide, include three on-street parking spaces, and provide
adequate emergency vehicle access. Therefore, the proposed project’s impact on emergency
access would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures – Transportation and Circulation (TRANS)
Mitigation Measure TRANS-1: Traffic Control Plan
The project applicant shall work with the Engineering Division of the Town of Los
Gatos’s Parks and Public Works Department to devise a traffic control plan for
incorporation into the construction bid documents (specifications) to ensure safe and
efficient traffic flow during periods when soil is hauled off the project site. The plan shall
include, but not be limited to, the following measures:
Hauling and delivery activities and designated truck routes shall be strategically
selected, timed and coordinated to minimize traffic disruption to schools, residents,
businesses, special events, and other projects in the area. The schools located on the
haul route shall be contacted to help with the coordination of the trucking operation
to minimize traffic disruption.
Flag persons shall be placed at locations as necessary. All flag persons shall have the
capability of communicating with each other to coordinate the operation.
Prior to construction, advance notification of all affected residents and emergency
services shall be made regarding one-way operation, specifying dates and hours of
operation.
Hauling of soil on or off-site shall not occur during the morning or evening peak
periods (between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.).
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 58
May 2016
Mitigation Measure TRANS-2: Driveway Design
The applicant shall hire a registered traffic engineer to ensure appropriate driveway
design for the new private access drive. A detailed sight distance evaluation for the
project roadway shall be prepared for review and approval by the Parks and Public
Works Department and the Community Development Director prior to approval of the
Final Subdivision Map.
Source(s)
Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD). 2015. Development Review Comments: Review of
a proposed revision of the Fire Department access for a proposed 5-lot development in
the Wildland-Urban Interface Area. March 20.
TJKM. 2015. Technical Memorandum: Review of Proposed 4-Home Subdivision at 105 Newell.
September 21.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 59
May 2016
Utilities and Service Systems
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
17. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the
applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?
X
b) Require or result in the construction of new water or
wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction or which could cause
significant environmental effects?
X
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water
drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
X
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the
project from existing entitlements and resources, or are
new or expanded entitlements needed?
X
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment
provider which serves or may serve the project that it
has adequate capacity to serve the project-projected
demand in addition to the provider’s existing
commitments?
X
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity
to accommodate the project’s solid waste disposal
needs?
X
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
X
(a, e) Wastewater treatment and requirements
Sanitary sewer service would be provided to the proposed project by West Valley Sanitation
District (WVSD), which operates under the authority and regulations of the San Francisco Bay
RWQCB. WVSD provides wastewater collection to an area of approximately 30 square miles and
109,000 people. Wastewater is collected and transported to the San Jose -Santa Clara Regional
Wastewater Facility (RWF). The RWF treats an average of 110 million gallons per day (mgd) of
wastewater, approximately 13 percent of which goes to the adjacent South Bay Water
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 60
May 2016
Recycling pump station (RWF, 2014). The facility is permitted to treat up to 167 mgd, pursuant
to its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit (RWQCB, 2014). As
indicated under item (d) below, conservatively assuming the proposed project would result in
water demand of 144 gallons per person per day, and all of that water exits the project site as
wastewater, the proposed project would result in 1,440 gallons of wastewater per day (SJWC,
2011). This increased wastewater flow generated by the project would be accommodated
within the RWF’s remaining dry weather capacity of 57 mgd. The impact would be less than
significant.
Regarding wet weather flow, stormwater from the project site would be directed to separate
storm system, so the project would not substantially increase wet weather flow. The proposed
project would not require the construction of new wastewater treatment facilities or the
expansion of existing treatment facilities. Impacts would be less-than-significant.
Wastewater from the project would be directed to existing facilities, which would continue to
comply with all provisions of the NPDES program, as enforced by the Regional Water Board.
Therefore, the project would not result in an exceedance of wastewater treatment
requirements and the impact is less than significant.
(b) Wastewater and water treatment facilities
Refer to Topics (a, e) for wastewater treatment, and Topic (d) for water treatment.
(c) Stormwater drainage
As stated in “Hydrology and Water Quality,” above, the proposed project’s storm drainage
design would incorporate one or more measures to ensure the control and retention of storm
runoff on the project site and preclude increased, untreated runoff discharges. The proposed
stormdrain inlets on Elks Place would convey stormwater runoff from the project site to the
existing stormdrain on Newell Avenue. The project, therefore, would not require new or
expanded facilities, and would result in a less-than-significant impact on the storm drainage
system.
(d) Water supply
The San Jose Water Company (SJWC) provides water to approximately one million residents
through supplies from groundwater production wells, imported supplies from the Santa Clara
Valley Water District, and local surface water from the Santa Cruz Mountains, the last of which
is provided to the Town of Los Gatos and surrounding communities. Total deliveries in 2010
were approximately 123,000 acre-feet (AF) of water, of which approximately half went to
single-family dwellings. In the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan, demand (based on service
area Housing Elements) was projected to reach 132,000 AF by 2015 and 143,000 AF by 2035.
Total supplies in 2010 were 133,000 AF, and supplies were projected to increase to 144,000 AF
in 2015 and 159,000 AF in 2035 (SJWC, 2011).
SJWC’s per capita water use is 144 gallons per person per day (gpd), which is targeted to reduce
to 111 gpd by 2020 (SJWC, 2011). Conservatively assuming the project’s 10 residents each
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 61
May 2016
consume 144 gpd, the proposed project would result in a net new demand of 525,600 gallons,
or 1.61 AF, per year. Assuming the residents consume 111 gpd, the proposed project would
result in a net new demand of 405,150 gallons, or 1.24 AF.
Based on the most recent UWMP, water supply for 2015 was projected to be 405,580 AF, and
total demand was project to be 375,720 AF, resulting in a surplus of 29,860 AF. The 1.61
AF/Year that would be required by the project would be accommodated by the remaining
capacity. Sufficient water supply would be available from existing entitlements to serve the
proposed project.
SJWC does have some concerns on the ability of the District to provide water in a six -year
drought. As stated in the District’s UWMP, the water supply available from the District during a
drought is highly dependent on the groundwater basin level and semitropic water bank level at
the start of the drought. A multiyear drought may require mandatory water conservation be
enacted to meet the water demands required by all customers.
Sufficient water supply would be available from existing entitlements to serve the proposed
project, and mandatory water conservation measures, if necessary, would ensure adequate
supply during a drought. Impacts on water supply would be less than significant.
(f-g) Adequate landfill and compliance
West Valley Collection and Recycling is the Town’s exclusive solid waste hauler, including for
construction and demolition. Pursuant to AB 939, the Town has a per-resident disposal target
of 6.0 pound per day (ppd), and an employee disposal target of 11.6 ppd. As of 2014, which is
the most recent year for which data is available, the Town disposed of 3.9 ppd per resident and
7.5 ppd per employee, thereby meeting its target rates (CalRecycle, 2016a). In 2014,
approximately 19,300 tons of solid waste from the Town was transported to Guadalupe
Sanitary Landfill, which is the primary landfill receiving waste from the Town, and additional
solid waste was dispersed among several other landfills in the region (CalRecycle, 2016b). The
Guadalupe Sanitary Landfill is located in the City of San Jose . It can receive up to 3,650 tons per
day of solid waste, and currently receives approximately 1,300 tons per day . The facility has
28.6 million cubic yards of capacity, of which approximately 11 million cubic yards remained in
2011. The landfill has a cease-operation date of 2048 (CalRecycle, 2016c).
The proposed project would result in a minor quantity of waste associated with demolition of
the on-site structure, as well as waste associated with occupation of the four residences.
Conservatively assuming a waste generation rate of 12.23 pounds per day, the four project
residences would generate approximately 50 pounds of waste per day, or 9 tons per year. This
waste generation would be accommodated within the permitted capacity of Guadalupe
Sanitary Landfill.
West Valley Collection provides single stream recycling services, meaning that all recycling
materials are placed in a single bin and do not need to be sorted by the customer. These
materials are sorted at West Valley’s Materials Recovery Facility in the City of San Jose . The
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 62
May 2016
project residents would therefore comply with waste diversion requirements and solid waste
regulations, and impacts related to solid waste would be less than significant.
Source(s)
CalRecycle. 2016a. Jurisdiction Diversion/Disposal Rate Summary. Available online:
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/DataTools/Reports/DivDispRtSum.htm.
Accessed January 2, 2016.
CalRecycle. 2016b. Jurisdiction Disposal by Facility. Available online:
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/lgcentral/Reports/DRS/Destination/JurDspFa.aspx.
Accessed January 2, 2016.
CalRecycle. 2016c. Facility/Site Summary Details: Guadalupe Sanitary Landfill (43-AN-0015).
Available online: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/SWFacilities/Directory/43-AN-
0015/Detail. Accessed January 2, 2016.
Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). 2014. Media Fact Sheet. Available online:
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34681.
San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). 2014. Order No. R2-2014-0034,
NPDES No. CA0037842.
San Jose Water Company (SJWC). 2011. 2010 Urban Water Management Plan.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 63
May 2016
Mandatory Findings of Significance
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Issues
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
18. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE. Does the project:
a) Have the potential to degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to
drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a
plant or animal community, reduce the number or
restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or
animal or eliminate important examples of the major
periods of California history or prehistory?
X
b) Have impacts that are individually limited, but
cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable"
means that the incremental effects of a project are
considerable when viewed in connection with the effects
of the past projects, the effects of other current projects,
and the effects of probable future projects.)
X
c) Have environmental effects which will cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either directly or
indirectly?
X
(a, c) Significant Impacts on the Natural and Man-Made Environments
The potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a
fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self -sustaining levels,
threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of
a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of
California history or prehistory were considered in the response to each question in the
respective sections (Sections 4 and 5) of this checklist. In addition to project specific impacts,
this evaluation considered the project’s potential for significant cumulative effects. There is no
substantial evidence that there are biological or cultural resources that are affected or
associated with this project.
The potential for adverse direct or indirect impacts to human beings were considered in the
response to certain questions in sections 1. Aesthetics, 3. Air Quality, 6. Geology and Soils, 8.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials, 9. Hydrology and Water Quality, 12. Noise, 13. Population
and Housing, and 16. Transportation and Traffic. As a result of this evaluation, there is no
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Page 64
May 2016
substantial evidence that there are adverse effects on human beings associated with this
project.
Therefore, this project has been determined not to meet these Mandatory Findings of
Significance.
(b) Cumulative Impacts
The geographic scope of cumulative impacts varies depending on impact category. Regardless,
most project impacts would be confined to the project site or immediate surroundings . In
general, the proposed project would result in relatively minor contributions to Town-wide or
regional cumulative impacts. There are no known past, present, or reasonably foreseeable
future projects that could combine with the proposed project (including identified project
mitigation measures) to result in significant cumulative effects. No cumulative impacts resulting
from the proposed development of four single family residences in combination of future
remodels/additions to existing residences allowed by the Town’s General Plan and Municipal
Code requirements have been identified. As such, the project’s contribution to cumulative
effects would be less than cumulatively considerable. Therefore, this project has been
determined not to meet this Mandatory Finding of Significance.
Town of Los Gatos 105 Newell Avenue Planned Development
Initial Study | Appendices
Attachment A
Noise Analysis
Prepared for:
Attn: Alex H. Jewell
Kimley-Horn
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
Prepared by:
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Luke Saxelby, INCE Bd. Cert.
Vice President
Board Certified, Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE)
Newell Avenue Subdivision
Town of Los Gatos, California
May 2, 2016
jcb Project # 2016-130
1287 High Street, Auburn, California 95603 * 530-823-0960 (p) * (530)823-0961 (f)
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 1 of 10
INTRODUCTION
The 105 Newell Avenue Subdivision project consists of a four-lot division of an existing 1.38
acre parcel for the construction of four single-family homes. The lot is adjacent to the west side
of Winchester Boulevard immediately south of Newell Avenue. The project is located in the
Town of Los Gatos, California.
Figure 1 shows the project site plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Fundamentals of Acoustics
Acoustics is the science of sound. Sound may be thought of as mechanical energy of a
vibrating object transmitted by pressure waves through a medium to human (or animal) ears. If
the pressure variations occur frequently enough (at least 20 times per second), then they can be
heard and are called sound. The number of pressure variations per second is called the
frequency of sound, and is expressed as cycles per second or Hertz (Hz).
Noise is a subjective reaction to different types of sounds. Noise is typically defined as
(airborne) sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected or undesired, and may therefore be
classified as a more specific group of sounds. Perceptions of sound and noise are highly
subjective from person to person.
Measuring sound directly in terms of pressure would require a very large and awkward range of
numbers. To avoid this, the decibel scale was devised. The decibel scale uses the hearing
threshold (20 micropascals), as a point of reference, defined as 0 dB. Other sound pressures
are then compared to this reference pressure, and the logarithm is taken to keep the numbers in
a practical range. The decibel scale allows a million-fold increase in pressure to be expressed
as 120 dB, and changes in levels (dB) correspond closely to human perception of relative
loudness.
The perceived loudness of sounds is dependent upon many factors, including sound pressure
level and frequency content. However, within the usual range of environmental noise levels,
perception of loudness is relatively predictable, and can be approximated by A-weighted sound
levels. There is a strong correlation between A-weighted sound levels (expressed as dBA) and
the way the human ear perceives sound. For this reason, the A-weighted sound level has
become the standard tool of environmental noise assessment. All noise levels reported in this
section are in terms of A-weighted levels, unless otherwise noted.
The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear. In other words, two sound levels 10 dB apart differ
in acoustic energy by a factor of 10. When the standard logarithmic decibel is A-weighted, an
increase of 10 dBA is generally perceived as a doubling in loudness. For example, a 70 dBA
sound is half as loud as an 80 dBA sound, and twice as loud as a 60 dBA sound.
Community noise is commonly described in terms of the ambient noise level, which is defined
as the all-encompassing noise level associated with a given environment. A common statistical
tool is the average, or equivalent, sound level (Leq), which corresponds to a steady-state A
weighted sound level containing the same total energy as a time varying signal over a given
time period (usually one hour). The Leq is the foundation of the composite noise descriptor, Ldn,
and shows very good correlation with community response to noise.
Newell Avenue Subdivision
Figure 1: Project Site Plan
Figure Prepared:
May 2016
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 3 of 10
The day/night average level (Ldn or DNL) is based upon the average noise level over a 24-hour
day, with a +10 decibel weighing applied to noise occurring during nighttime (10:00 p.m. to 7:00
a.m.) hours. The nighttime penalty is based upon the assumption that people react to nighttime
noise exposures as though they were twice as loud as daytime exposures. Because Ldn
represents a 24-hour average, it tends to disguise short-term variations in the noise
environment.
Table 1 lists several examples of the noise levels associated with common situations. Appendix
A provides a summary of acoustical terms used in this report.
TABLE 1
TYPICAL NOISE LEVELS
Common Outdoor Activities Noise Level (dBA) Common Indoor Activities
--110-- Rock Band
Jet Fly-over at 300 m (1,000 ft.) --100--
Gas Lawn Mower at 1 m (3 ft.) --90--
Diesel Truck at 15 m (50 ft.),
at 80 km/hr. (50 mph) --80-- Food Blender at 1 m (3 ft.)
Garbage Disposal at 1 m (3 ft.)
Noisy Urban Area, Daytime
Gas Lawn Mower, 30 m (100 ft.) --70-- Vacuum Cleaner at 3 m (10 ft.)
Commercial Area
Heavy Traffic at 90 m (300 ft.) --60-- Normal Speech at 1 m (3 ft.)
Quiet Urban Daytime --50-- Large Business Office
Dishwasher in Next Room
Quiet Urban Nighttime --40-- Theater, Large Conference Room
(Background)
Quiet Suburban Nighttime --30-- Library
Quiet Rural Nighttime --20-- Bedroom at Night, Concert Hall (Background)
--10-- Broadcast/Recording Studio
Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing --0-- Lowest Threshold of Human Hearing
Source: Caltrans, Technical Noise Supplement, Traffic Noise Analysis Protocol. November, 2009.
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 4 of 10
Effects of Noise on People
The effects of noise on people can be placed in three categories:
Subjective effects of annoyance, nuisance, and dissatisfaction
Interference with activities such as speech, sleep, and learning
Physiological effects such as hearing loss or sudden startling
Environmental noise typically produces effects in the first two categories. Workers in industrial
plants can experience noise in the last category. There is no completely satisfactory way to
measure the subjective effects of noise or the corresponding reactions of annoyance and
dissatisfaction. A wide variation in individual thresholds of annoyance exists and different
tolerances to noise tend to develop based on an individual’s past experiences with noise.
Thus, an important way of predicting a human reaction to a new noise environment is the way it
compares to the existing environment to which one has adapted: the so-called ambient noise
level. In general, the more a new noise exceeds the previously existing ambient noise level, the
less acceptable the new noise will be judged by those hearing it.
With regard to increases in A-weighted noise level, the following relationships occur:
Except in carefully controlled laboratory experiments, a change of 1 dBA cannot be
perceived;
Outside of the laboratory, a 3 dBA change is considered a just-perceivable difference;
A change in level of at least 5 dBA is required before any noticeable change in human
response would be expected; and
A 10 dBA change is subjectively heard as approximately a doubling in loudness, and can
cause an adverse response.
Stationary point sources of noise – including stationary mobile sources such as idling vehicles –
attenuate (lessen) at a rate of approximately 6 dB per doubling of distance from the source,
depending on environmental conditions (i.e. atmospheric conditions and either vegetative or
manufactured noise barriers, etc.). Widely distributed noises, such as a large industrial facility
spread over many acres, or a street with moving vehicles, would typically attenuate at a lower
rate.
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 5 of 10
REGULATORY CONTEXT
Federal
There are no federal regulations related to noise that apply to the Proposed Project.
State
There are no state regulations related to noise that apply to the Proposed Project.
Town of Los Gatos General Plan Noise Element
The Town of Los Gatos General Plan establishes an acceptable exterior noise level of 60 dB Ldn
for residential uses. An acceptable interior noise level standard of 45 dB Ldn is also established
for all residential uses. Exterior noise levels of up to 70 dB Ldn are considered “conditionally
acceptable” and require that a detailed analysis of interior noise levels be conducted to ensure
that the project meets the Town’s interior noise level standard.
EVALUATION OF FUTURE TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS AT THE PROJECT SITE
Existing Traffic Noise Levels
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc. staff conducted a continuous 24-hour noise level measurement
at the project site on Thursday, April 21st 2016. See Figure 2 for noise measurement location.
A Larson Davis Laboratories (LDL) Model 820 precision integrating sound level meter was used
for the ambient noise level measurement survey. The meter was calibrated before and after
use with an LDL Model CAL200 acoustical calibrator to ensure the accuracy of the
measurements. The equipment used meets all pertinent specifications of the American National
Standards Institute for Type 1 sound level meters (ANSI S1.4).
The sound level meter was programmed to collect hourly noise level intervals during the survey.
The maximum value (Lmax) represents the highest noise level measured during each one-hour
period, the average value (Leq) represents the energy average of all of the noise measured
during each one-hour period, and the median value (L50) represents the sound level exceeded
50 percent of the time during each one-hour period.
The noise level measurement survey results are provided in Table 2. Appendix B provides the
complete results of the continuous noise level measurement.
Legend
: Continuous (24-hr) Noise Measurement Site
Newell Avenue Subdivision
Figure 2: Noise Measurement Locations
Figure Prepared:
May 2016
A
X
105 Newell Avenue
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 7 of 10
Table 2
Summary of Existing Background Noise Measurement Data
Location Date Ldn
Average Measured Hourly Noise Levels, dB
Site
Daytime (7am-10pm) Nighttime (10pm-7am)
Leq L50 Lmax Leq L50 Lmax
Continuous (24-hour) Noise Level Measurements
A 100 ft. west of
Winchester Blvd.
Thursday
4/21/2016 64 63 60 79 55 49 69
Source: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc., 2015.
Measured noise levels shown in Table 2 were compared to the FHWA traffic noise prediction
model to calibrate the model to existing site conditions. The FHWA model was found to under-
predict traffic noise levels on the project site by 1 dBA over the full 24-hour period, as shown in
Appendix C. Therefore, a + 1 dB adjustment was made to the model.
Future Traffic Noise Levels
To determine the future traffic noise levels on the project site, j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.,
utilized the calibrated FHWA traffic noise prediction model and future (2036) traffic forecasts by
assuming a 1% per year growth rate over 2014 traffic volumes on Winchester Boulevard.
Table 3 shows the predicted future traffic noise levels at the proposed residential units adjacent
to SR-24. A complete listing of the FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model inputs is provided in
Appendix D. The Table 3 data account for shielding from intervening builds which will shield
outdoor areas of the project.
TABLE 3
PREDICTED FUTURE TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS
Location Distance Predicted Traffic Noise
Levels, DNL
Winchester Boulevard – 2036 ADT = 33,024
Lot 3/4 Backyard 100 65 dB
Lot 1/2 Backyard 200 56 dB
Sources: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc., and FHWA RD-77-108
Based upon the predicted future traffic noise levels shown in Table 3, the residential outdoor
areas of Lots 3 and 4 will be exposed to future exterior traffic noise levels up to 65 dB Ldn. This
would exceed the Town of Los Gatos 60 dB Ldn exterior noise level standard but would fall
within the conditionally acceptable range of 60-70 dB Ldn.
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 8 of 10
In order to reduce future traffic exterior noise levels at these locations, noise reduction
measures should be considered. j.c. brennan & associates, Inc. evaluated the effectiveness of
a solid noise barrier for reducing future Winchester Boulevard traffic noise levels at the
residential uses proposed adjacent to this roadway. A complete listing of the noise barrier
effectiveness inputs and results is shown in Appendix E. The results of the barrier analysis are
summarized in Table 4.
TABLE 4
PREDICTED FUTURE TRAFFIC NOISE LEVELS WITH VARIOUS NOISE BARRIER HEIGHTS
Roadway
Location
Noise Level with
Varying Property Line Barrier Heights, Ldn
6’ 7’ 8’
Lot 3 58 56 55
Lot 4 56 55 54
Source: j.c. brennan & associates, Inc. with FHWA-RD-77-108
Barrier heights are relative to the proposed building pad elevations. Noise barrier reductions apply to first floor
locations only.
The results of the barrier analysis shown in Table 4 indicate that the construction of a 6-foot tall
solid noise barrier along Winchester Boulevard would result in compliance with the Town of Los
Gatos normally acceptable exterior noise level standard of 60 dB Ldn at ground floor locations.
Figure 3 shows the locations of the recommended noise barriers for the proposed project.
Noise barriers should be constructed of concrete masonry (CMU) units, solid concrete panels,
or earthen berms. Noise barriers may include the combination of earthen berm and CMU wall
or concrete panels. Wood is not recommended due to eventual warping and degradation of
acoustical performance. Other types of materials should be reviewed by an acoustical
consultant prior to use. It should be noted that noise barriers are only affective for reducing
traffic noise levels at first floor locations.
It should be noted that due to the grading of the site, noise barriers of practical heights cannot
provide shielding to all areas of the project site, such as decks or balconies. However, exterior
noise level at these locations are still predicted to fall within the Town’s conditionally acceptable
exterior noise level range of 60-70 dB Ldn. The Town’s policy for conditionally acceptable noise
levels are as follows:
New construction or development should be undertaken only after a
detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise
insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but with
closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning will normally
suffice (Town of Los Gatos General Plan Noise Element, Table NOI-1).
Newell Avenue Subdivision
Figure 3: Noise Barrier Location
Figure Prepared:
May 2016
: Potential Noise Barrier Location
j.c. brennan & associates, Inc.
Job # 2015-143
Environmental Noise Analysis
105 Newell Avenue Subdivision – Town of Los Gatos, California
Page 10 of 10
Interior Traffic Noise Levels:
Standard construction practices, consistent with the uniform building code typically provides an
exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of approximately 25 dB, assuming that air conditioning
is included for each unit, which allows residents to close windows for the required acoustical
isolation. Therefore, as long as exterior noise levels at the building facades do not exceed 70
dB Ldn, the interior noise levels will typically comply with the interior noise level standard of 45
dB Ldn.
First floor traffic noise exposure at Lots 3 and 4 are predicted to be less than 60 dB Ldn with the
use of a property line noise barrier. Sound walls do not shield second floor building facades,
additionally noise levels are typically 2-3 dB higher at second floor locations. Therefore, exterior
noise levels at the second floor façade are predicted to be up to 69 dB Ldn at Lots 3 and 4.
Based upon a typical exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of 25 dB, interior noise levels are
predicted to be 44 dB Ldn, with windows closed. This would comply with the Town’s standard of
45 dB Ldn. Therefore, no additional interior noise control measures would be required, assuming
that Air conditioning is included to allow occupants to close doors and windows as desired for
acoustical isolation.
CONCLUSIONS
The proposed project is predicted to be exposed to transportation noise levels which could
exceed the Town of Los Gatos exterior and interior noise level standards. Therefore, the
following noise control measures would be required:
A 6-foot tall noise barrier would be required to comply with the Town of Los Gatos 60
dB Ldn exterior noise level standard. The approximate location of the recommended
noise barriers is shown on Figure 3. If a noise barrier is not considered practical due
to site grading issues, the Town may at their discretion determine that conditionally
acceptable noise levels are acceptable for this project. In this case, no exterior noise
control measures would be warranted.
Sound walls should be constructed of concrete masonry (CMU) units, solid concrete
panels, or earthen berm. Noise barriers may include the combination of earthen
berm and CMU wall or concrete panels. Wood is not recommended due to eventual
warping and degradation of acoustical performance. Other types of materials should
be reviewed by an acoustical consultant prior to use.
Air conditioning should be included in all residences to allow occupants to close
doors and windows as desired for acoustical isolation.
Appendix A
Acoustical Terminology
Acoustics The science of sound.
Ambient Noise The distinctive acoustical characteristics of a given space consisting of all noise sources audible at that
location. In many cases, the term ambient is used to describe an existing or pre-project condition such as the
setting in an environmental noise study.
Attenuation The reduction of an acoustic signal.
A-Weighting A frequency-response adjustment of a sound level meter that conditions the output signal to approximate
human response.
Decibel or dB Fundamental unit of sound, A Bell is defined as the logarithm of the ratio of the sound pressure squared over
the reference pressure squared. A Decibel is one-tenth of a Bell.
CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level. Defined as the 24-hour average noise level with noise occurring during
evening hours (7 - 10 p.m.) weighted by a factor of three and nighttime hours weighted by a factor of 10 prior to
averaging.
Frequency The measure of the rapidity of alterations of a periodic signal, expressed in cycles per second or hertz (Hz).
Ldn Day/Night Average Sound Level. Similar to CNEL but with no evening weighting.
Leq Equivalent or energy-averaged sound level.
Lmax The highest root-mean-square (RMS) sound level measured over a given period of time.
L(n) The sound level exceeded a described percentile over a measurement period. For instance, an hourly L50 is
the sound level exceeded 50% of the time during the one hour period.
Loudness A subjective term for the sensation of the magnitude of sound.
Noise Unwanted sound.
NRC Noise Reduction Coefficient. NRC is a single-number rating of the sound-absorption of a material equal to the
arithmetic mean of the sound-absorption coefficients in the 250, 500, 1000, and 2,000 Hz octave frequency
bands rounded to the nearest multiple of 0.05. It is a representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed
upon striking a particular surface. An NRC of 0 indicates perfect reflection; an NRC of 1 indicates perfect
absorption.
Peak Noise The level corresponding to the highest (not RMS) sound pressure measured over a given period of time. This
term is often confused with the AMaximum@ level, which is the highest RMS level.
RT60 The time it takes reverberant sound to decay by 60 dB once the source has been removed.
Sabin The unit of sound absorption. One square foot of material absorbing 100% of incident sound has an absorption
of 1 Sabin.
SEL Sound Exposure Level. SEL is s rating, in decibels, of a discrete event, such as an aircraft flyover or train
passby, that compresses the total sound energy into a one-second event.
STC Sound Transmission Class. STC is an integer rating of how well a building partition attenuates airborne sound.
It is widely used to rate interior partitions, ceilings/floors, doors, windows and exterior wall configurations.
Threshold The lowest sound that can be perceived by the human auditory system, generally considered to be 0 dB for
of Hearing persons with perfect hearing.
Threshold Approximately 120 dB above the threshold of hearing.
of Pain
Impulsive Sound of short duration, usually less than one second, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay.
Simple Tone Any sound which can be judged as audible as a single pitch or set of single pitches.
Appendix BHour Leq Lmax L50 L900:00:00 52 69 47 431:00:00 48 67 42 40 High LowAverage High LowAverage2:00:00 45 60 42 39 Leq (Average)68 58 63 61 45 553:00:00 47 66 42 40 Lmax (Maximum)93 70 79 76 60 694:00:00 52 67 48 42 L50 (Median)61 57 60 59 42 495:00:00 58 74 56 50 L90 (Background)58 53 56 56 39 456:00:00 61 76 59 567:00:00 62 80 61 58 Computed Ldn, dB 648:00:00 68 93 61 58 % Daytime Energy 91%9:00:00 62 75 61 58 % Nighttime Energy9%10:00:00 60 75 59 5711:00:00 61 75 60 5712:00:00 62 86 60 5713:00:00 61 74 60 5714:00:00 61 74 60 5715:00:00 62 75 61 5716:00:00 62 78 61 5717:00:00 61 82 60 5718:00:00 61 83 60 5619:00:00 59 70 58 5520:00:00 67 92 58 5421:00:00 58 74 57 5322:00:00 56 75 54 4923:00:00 53 70 50 44Nighttime (10 p.m. - 7 a.m.)2016-130 Newell Avenue Subdivision24hr Continuous Noise Monitoring - Site ADaytime (7 a.m. - 10 p.m.)Thursday, April 21, 2016Statistical Summary
Ldn = 64 dB2016-130 Newell Avenue Subdivision24hr Continuous Noise Monitoring - Site AThursday, April 21, 2016Appendix B3040506070809010012 AM4 AM8 AM12 PM4 PM8 PMSound Level, dBHour of Day LeqLmaxL50L90
Future
33,024
91
9
2
1
35
Soft
Medium Heavy
Location:Description Distance Offset (dB)Autos Trucks Trucks Total
1 24-hr Measuremetn Site A 100 1 63 56 58 65
2 Lot 3/4 Backyard 100 1 63 56 58 65
3 Lot 3/4 Façade 100 4 66 59 61 68
4 Lot 1/2 Backyard 200 -4 54 47 49 56
5 Lot 1/2 Façade 200 4 62 55 57 64
Ldn Contour, dB
75
70
65
60
Notes:
Job Number: 2016-130
Appendix C
FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108)
Noise Prediction Worksheet
Project Information:
Assumed Vehicle Speed (mph):
Project Name: Newell Avenue Subdivision
Roadway Name: Winchester Blvd.
Traffic Data:
Year:
Average Daily Traffic Volume:
Percent Daytime Traffic:
Percent Nighttime Traffic:
Percent Medium Trucks (2 axle):
Percent Heavy Trucks (3+ axle):
Intervening Ground Type (hard/soft):
Traffic Noise Levels:
-----------------Ldn, dB------------------
Traffic Noise Contours (No Calibration Offset):
Distance from Centerline, (ft)
19
41
88
190
Future
33,024
91
9
2
1
35
Soft
Medium Heavy
Location:Description Distance Offset (dB)Autos Trucks Trucks Total
1 24-hr Measuremetn Site A 100 1 63 56 58 65
2 Lot 3/4 Backyard 100 1 63 56 58 65
3 Lot 3/4 Façade 100 4 66 59 61 68
4 Lot 1/2 Backyard 200 -4 54 47 49 56
5 Lot 1/2 Façade 200 4 62 55 57 64
Ldn Contour, dB
75
70
65
60
Notes:
Job Number: 2016-130
Appendix D
FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108)
Noise Prediction Worksheet
Project Information:
Assumed Vehicle Speed (mph):
Project Name: Newell Avenue Subdivision
Roadway Name: Winchester Blvd.
Traffic Data:
Year:
Average Daily Traffic Volume:
Percent Daytime Traffic:
Percent Nighttime Traffic:
Percent Medium Trucks (2 axle):
Percent Heavy Trucks (3+ axle):
Intervening Ground Type (hard/soft):
Traffic Noise Levels:
-----------------Ldn, dB------------------
Traffic Noise Contours (No Calibration Offset):
Distance from Centerline, (ft)
19
41
88
190
63
56
58
70
15
300
302
308
309.25
314.25
309
6
Autos
Medium
Trucks
Heavy
Trucks Total Autos?
Medium
Trucks?
Heavy
Trucks?
655495258 Yes Yes Yes
754475156 Yes Yes Yes
853465055 Yes Yes Yes
952454854 Yes Yes Yes
10 51 44 48 53 Yes Yes Yes
11 50 43 47 52 Yes Yes Yes
12 50 43 46 52 Yes Yes Yes
13 49 42 45 51 Yes Yes Yes
14 49 42 44 51 Yes Yes Yes
Notes:
316
317
Receiver Description:
322
315
Top of
Barrier
Elevation (ft)
Barrier
Height2 (ft)
Medium Truck Elevation:
Heavy Truck Elevation:
Receiver Elevation1:
Job Number:
Project Name:
Roadway Name:
Year:
1.Standard receiver elevation is five feet above grade/pad elevations at the receiver location(s)
Newell Avenue Subdivision
Heavy Truck Ldn, dB:
Medium Truck L dn, dB:
2016-130
Automobile Elevation:
Barrier Breaks Line of Sight to…
Lot 4 Backyard
Centerline to Barrier Distance (C1):
Barrier to Receiver Distance (C2):
323
318
319
320
321
Pad/Ground Elevation at Receiver:
Barrier Effectiveness:
Base of Barrier Elevation:
Starting Barrier Height
-------------------- L dn, dB --------------------
Noise Barrier Effectiveness Prediction Worksheet
FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108)
Appendix E-1
Project Information:
Noise Level Data:
Site Geometry:
Winchester Blvd.
2Location(s):
Auto Ldn, dB:
Existing
63
56
58
70
15
300
302
308
308.75
313.75
310
6
Autos
Medium
Trucks
Heavy
Trucks Total Autos?
Medium
Trucks?
Heavy
Trucks?
654475056 Yes Yes Yes
753464955 Yes Yes Yes
852454854 Yes Yes Yes
951444753 Yes Yes Yes
10 50 43 46 52 Yes Yes Yes
11 49 42 45 51 Yes Yes Yes
12 49 42 45 51 Yes Yes Yes
13 48 42 44 50 Yes Yes Yes
14 48 41 44 50 Yes Yes Yes
Notes:
321
322
323
324
1.Standard receiver elevation is five feet above grade/pad elevations at the receiver location(s)
Barrier Breaks Line of Sight to…
316
317
318
319
320
Starting Barrier Height
Barrier Effectiveness:
Top of
Barrier
Elevation (ft)
Barrier
Height2 (ft)
-------------------- L dn, dB --------------------
Automobile Elevation:
Medium Truck Elevation:
Heavy Truck Elevation:
Pad/Ground Elevation at Receiver:
Receiver Elevation1:
Base of Barrier Elevation:
Site Geometry:Receiver Description: Lot 3 Backyard
Centerline to Barrier Distance (C1):
Barrier to Receiver Distance (C2):
Noise Level Data:Year: Future (2036)
Auto Ldn, dB:
Medium Truck L dn, dB:
Heavy Truck Ldn, dB:
Project Name: Newell Avenue Subdivision
Roadway Name: Winchester Blvd.
Location(s): 2
Appendix E-2
FHWA Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108)
Noise Barrier Effectiveness Prediction Worksheet
Project Information:Job Number: 2016-130