ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS
THE WOODLANDS
4211 WEST GOSHEN AVENUE
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA
WJVA Project No. 22‐36
PREPARED FOR
7TEN PROPERTIES, LLC
P.O. BOX 648
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA 93279
PREPARED BY
WJV ACOUSTICS, INC.
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA
MAY 24, 2022
(REVISED OCTOBER 14, 2022)
113 North Church Street, Suite 203 ∙ Visalia, CA 93291∙ (559) 627-4923
22‐36 (The Woodlands, Visalia) 10‐14‐22
2 INTRODUCTION
The project (The Woodlands) is an existing event facility which holds both private and public events, including weddings, birthday parties, graduation parties, non‐profit fundraisers and other private and public events. The project site is located at 4211 W. Goshen Avenue, in Visalia, California. The property sits on approximately 84,780 square fe et and consists of a large lawn area, large concrete and brick pad, a small event suite, and a building housing bathrooms.
According to the project applicant, the event facility will generally accommodate up to 200 guests per event. The venue will be available to operate 7 days a week beginning at 7:00 am daily with all events ending no later than 10:00 pm.
The City of Visalia has required an acoustical analysis to determine if noise generated by the proposed activities will comply with applicable City of Visalia n o i s e s t a n d a r d s . T h i s a c o u s t i c a l analysis, prepared by WJV Acoustics Inc. (WJVA), is based on the site plan provided by the project applicant, facility operations data provided by the project applicant and noise level data obtained by WJVA at the project site. The Project Site Plan is provided as Figure 1.
Appendix A provides definitions of the acoustical terminology u sed in this report. Unless otherwise stated, all sound levels reported in this analysis are A‐weighted sound pressure levels in decibels (dB). A‐weighting de‐emphasizes the very low and v ery high frequencies of sound in a manner similar to the human ear. Most community noise standar ds utilize A‐weighted sound levels, as they correlate well with public reaction to noise. A ppendix B provides typical A‐weighted sound levels for common noise sources.
22‐36 (The Woodlands, Visalia) 10‐14‐22
3 CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTABLE NOISE EXPOSURE
The City of Visalia Noise Element of the General Plan (noise element) establishes noise level criteria in terms of the Day‐Night Average Level (Ldn) metric, for transportation noise sources. The Ldn is the time‐weighted energy average noise level for a 24‐hour day, with a 10 dB penalty added to noise levels occurring during the nighttime hours (10:00 p.m .‐7:00 a.m.). The L dn represents cumulative exposure to noise over an extended period of time and is therefore calculated based upon annual average conditions.
The exterior noise level standard of the noise element is 65 dB L dn for outdoor activity areas of
residential uses. Outdoor activi ty areas generally include back yards of single‐family residences and individual patios or decks and common outdoor activity areas of multi‐family developments.
The intent of the exterior noise level requirement is to provide an acceptable noise environment for outdoor activities and recreation.
The noise element also requires that interior noise levels attr ibutable to exterior noise sources not exceed 45 dB L
dn. The intent of the interior noise level standard is to provide an acceptable noise environment for indoor communication and sleep.
Additionally, the noise element establishes hourly acoustical performance standards for non‐ transportation (stationary) noise sources. The standards are set i n t e r m s o f t h e Leq (hourly equivalent) and Lmax (maximum) noise levels. The standards, provided in Table I, are made more restrictive during the nighttime hours of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
TABLE I
NON-TRANSPORTATION NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dBA
CITY OF VISALIA
Daytime (7 a.m.‐10 p.m.) Nighttime (10 p.m.‐7 a.m.)
Leq L max L eq L max
50 70 45 65
Source: City of Visalia Noise Element of General Plan
Section 8.36 of the City’s Municipal Code (noise ordinance) applies to noise sources that are not pre‐empted from local control by existing state or federal regu lations. Commercial activities are not pre‐empted noise sources and are therefore subject to the provisions of the noise ordinance.
The noise ordinance addresses the statistical distribution of no i s e o v e r t i m e a n d a l l o w s f o r progressively shorter periods of exposure to levels of increasi ng loudness. Table II summarizes t h e e x t e r i o r n o i s e l e v e l s t a n d a r d s o f t h e o r d i n a n c e . N o t e t h a t the ordinance is to be applied during any one‐hour time period of the day, and that the standa rds are 5 dB more restrictive between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
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4 TABLE II
EXTERIOR NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dBA
CITY OF VISALIA NOISE ORDINANCE
Category Cumulative #
Min/Hr. (Ln)
Daytime
(6am‐7pm)
Nighttime
(7pm‐6am)
1 30 (L 50) 50 45
2 15 (L25) 55 50
3 5 (L 8.3) 60 55
4 1 (L1.7) 65 60
5 0 (L max) 70 65
Note: L n is an abbreviation for the percentage of time that a certain noise level is exceeded during a specified time period (in this case, one hour). For example, an L50 value of 50 dBA may not be exceeded during the hours of 6 am‐7pm.
Source: City of Visalia Municipal Code
The City’s noise ordinance also establishes interior residential noise level standards that would apply to the project. The interior noise level standards are es tablished in allowable exceedance limits over differing amounts of time, within residential land uses. Similar to the applicable exterior standards, the interior standards become 5 dB more res trictive during nighttime hours.
The applicable interior noise level standards are provided in Table III.
TABLE III
INTERIOR NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS, dBA
CITY OF VISALIA NOISE ORDINANCE
Category Cumulative #
Min/Hr.
Daytime
(6am‐7pm)
Nighttime
(7pm‐6am)
1 5 45 35
2 1 50 40
3 0 55 45
Source: City of Visalia Municipal Code
The City’s noise ordinance also states “In the event the measured ambient noise level without the alleged offensive source in ope ration exceeds an applicable noi se level standard in any category above, the applicable standard or standards shall be adjusted s o as to equal the ambient noise level”.
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5 PROJECT SITE NOISE EXPOSURE
The project site is currently a fully operational event facility, located at 4211 W. Goshen Avenue, in Visalia, California. The project site is generally bound by Goshen Avenue to the north, office uses to the east, residential land uses to the south and west. The predominant source of noise within the project area is noise associated with vehicle traffic along Goshen Avenue and Chinowth Street, as well as railroad operations along the San Joaquin Va lley Railroad (SJVR) line, located north of the project site. Additional sources of noise observed during the project visit include noise from landscaping activities (blowers, mowers, etc.), bark ing dogs and occasional aircraft overflights.
WJVA staff conducted background (ambient) noise level measuremen t s n e a r t h e p r o j e c t s i t e southern property line (adjacent to residential land uses) between August 13 and August 16, 2022, at three (3) locations (R‐1, R‐2 and R‐3). The noise meas urement sites are indicated on Figure 2.
Noise monitoring equipment utilize d for the measurements consis ted of Larson‐Davis Laboratories Model LDL‐820 sound level analyzers equipped with a B&K Type 4176 1/2” microphones. The equipment complie s with the specifications of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Type I (Precision) sound level m eters. The meters were calibrated in the field prior to use with a B&K Type 4230 acoustic calibra tor to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. The microphones were located on a tripod at 5 feet above the ground. Ambient noise levels were measured continuously over a three‐day period at the three (3) ambient monitoring site locations.
According to the project applicant, events at the project site would occur between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The nois e level standards of the munic ipal code become 5 dB more restrictive after 7:00 p.m. Table IV summarizes the ambient noise measurement results between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p .m., and provides the average noise level for each applicable statistical noise category during both the proposed daytime and nighttime hours of operation.
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6 TABLE IV
SUMMARY OF AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL MEASUREMENTS
THE WOODLANDS, VISALIA
MAY 16, 2022
Location A‐weighted Decibels, dBA
Lmax L50 L25 L8.3 L1.7
R‐1 (Daytime) 71.1 50.0 52.4 55.7 59.9
R‐1 (Nighttime) 71.2 48.2 50.4 53.2 57.7
R‐2 (Daytime) 71.9 50.6 53.0 56.1 60.2
R‐2 (Nighttime) 72.3 50.0 52.0 54.6 58.8
R‐3 (Daytime) 77.4 54.3 56.4 59.8 65.2
R‐3 (Nighttime) 78.4 55.3 56.7 58.6 63.6
Source: WJV Acoustics, Inc.
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7 PROJECT-RELATED NOISE LEVELS
Amplified Speech and Music
The project applicant proposes to operate private and public ou tdoor events with the inclusion of amplified speech and music. The applicant has stated that a maximum of approximately 200 guests would typically attend on‐site events. Previously, patrons would hire their own DJ/sound system for events at the project site. However, the applicant has recently purchased and installed an in‐house permanent sound system that will be used at all out door events utilizing amplified speech and music, with volumes to be controlled by site staff. The sound system consists of nine (9) speakers located throughout the outdoor event area. The spe akers were installed and arranged as such to point the sound back toward the event area, reducing noise at the residential land uses located south of the project site. The locations of the speakers are provided on the site plan (Figure 1).
The City of Visalia General Plan and City of Visalia Municipal code both provide noise standards that become more restrictive during nighttime hours. However, the City’s General Plan describes nighttime hours as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. while the City’s Mun icipal Code (Noise Ordinance) describes nighttime hours as 7: 00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The most re strictive noise standards applicable to the project are the General Plan L
eq noise level standard and the Municipal Code L50
standard. These standards have been applied to determine project compliance.
On May 16, 2022 WJVA staff measured noise levels at the residen tial land uses south of (and a d j a c e n t t o ) t h e p r o j e c t s i t e w h i l e m u s i c w a s b e i n g a m p l i f i e d through house sound system.
According to the applicant, amplified noise levels during the s imulated event were comparable to that which would be experienced during an event at the project site.
Unlike most event sites, the sound system at the project site i s permanent and will not move based upon specific event prefere nce. As described above, the s ound system is oriented as to face inward, away from residential land uses south of the project site.
WJVA staff conducted noise measurements at the same three (3) locations described above (R‐1, R‐2 and R‐3), at the nearby residential land uses, while amplif ied music was being played within the project site. The noise measurements were conducted at a setback distance of approximately 2‐3 feet from the property line, per standard practice to avoid p o t e n t i a l n o i s e r e f l e c t i o n .
Photographs of the three reference noise measurement sites are provided as Figures 3 through
5. Measurements were taken simultaneously, for 15 minutes at each location. Table V describes the results of the noise measurements in terms of the City’s applicable standards.
22‐36 (The Woodlands, Visalia) 10‐14‐22
8 TABLE V
SUMMARY OF PROJECT-RELATED NOISE LEVELS
THE WOODLANDS, VISALIA
MAY 16, 2022
Location A‐weighted Decibels, dBA
Lmax Leq L50 L25 L8.3 L1.7 Complies?
R‐1 60.8 51.4 50.7 51.6 53.3 56.0 No
R‐2 61.7 53.7 53.1 54.4 55.9 58.4 No
R‐3 70.2 55.5 52.5 55.6 59.4 63.0 No
Source: WJV Acoustics, Inc.
R e f e r e n c e t o T a b l e V ( S u m m a r y o f Project‐Related Noise Levels) a n d T a b l e I V ( S u m m a r y o f Ambient Noise Level Measurements) indicates that noise levels in the vicinity of R‐1 and R‐2 could exceed existing ambient noise levels by approximately 2‐3 dB (L 50, nighttime category). As such, mitigation measures must be incorporated into project design to reduce project‐related noise levels by a minimum of 3 dB at the adjacent residential land uses.
Mitigation
As described above, project‐related noise levels would be expec ted to exceed existing ambient noise levels by up to 3 dB L50 (vicinity of site R‐2) during nighttime hours, and mitigation measures must be incorporated to comply with applicable City of Visalia exterior noise levels standards.
The applicant proposes the installation of AcoustiFence® acoustical treatment material along the project site southern property line, adjacent to existing residential land uses. The acoustical treatment will be constructed to a height of 12‐feet above grou nd elevation along the southern fence line. The acoustical treatm ent material provides attenuat ion by both blocking and absorbing noise between a noise source and receiver. Figure 6 provides the location and extent of the proposed acoustical fencing, along the project site northern property line.
The noise attenuation properties of the proposed 12‐foot Acoust iFence® acoustical treatment material was calculated using a sound wall insertion loss model. The model calculates the insertion loss (noise reduction) of a wall of a given height ba sed on the effective height of the noise source, height of the receiver, distance from the receiver to the wall, and distance from the noise source to the wall.
Based upon the above‐described project‐related noise levels and i n s e r t i o n l o s s m o d e l , i t w a s determined that the 12‐foot Acous tiFence® acoustical treatment would provide approximately 10 dB of noise level reduction at the residential land uses located south of the project site, resulting in project‐related noise levels of approximately 43 dB L 50 at the adjacent residential land
uses. Such levels do not exceed the City of Visalia daytime or nighttime noise level standards and do not exceed existing (without project) ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the adjacent residential land uses.
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9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based upon long‐term ambient noise level measurements conducted a l o n g t h e p r o j e c t s i t e property line, adjacent to existing residential land uses, as w ell as the measurement of project‐ related noise levels along the residential property line, it wa s determined that project‐related noise levels could exceed City of Visalia nighttime noise level standards by up to 3 dB. As such, mitigation measures must be incorporated into project design to comply with applicable noise levels standards.
The applicant proposes the installation of 12‐foot AcoustiFence ® acoustical treatment material along the project site southern property line, with residential adjacency. Based upon insertion loss model calculations, it was determined that the AcoustiFence® acoustical treatment material would reduce project‐related noise levels by approximately 10 d B at residential land uses adjacent to the project site. This noise attenuation would result in project‐related noise levels of approximately 43 dB L
50 at the adjacent residential land uses. Such levels do not exceed the City of Visalia daytime or nighttime noise level standards and do not exceed existing (without project) ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the adjacent residential land uses.
The conclusions and recommendations of this acoustical analysis are based upon the best i n f o r m a t i o n k n o w n t o W J V A c o u s t i c s I n c . ( W J V A ) a t t h e t i m e t h e analysis was prepared concerning the proposed site plan, project equipment and propose d h o u r s o f o p e r a t i o n . A n y significant changes in these factors will require a reevaluation of the findings of this report.
Additionally, in existing ambient noise levels, noise regulatio ns or other factors beyond WJVA’s control may result in long‐term noise results different from those described by this analysis.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter J. Van Groningen
President
WJV:wjv
22‐36 (The Woodlands, Visalia) 10‐14‐22
10 FIGURE 1: PROJECT SITE PLAN
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11 FIGURE 2: PROJECT SITE VICINITY AND NOISE MONITORING SITE LOCATION
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12 FIGURE 3: MEASUREMENT SITE R-1
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13 FIGURE 4: MEASUREMENT SITE R-2
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14 FIGURE 5: MEASUREMENT SITE R-3
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15 FIGURE 6: LOCATION AND EXTENT OF 12-FOOT ACOUSTIFENCE
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APPENDIX A
ACOUSTICAL TERMINOLOGY
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL: T h e c o m p o s i t e o f n o i s e f r o m a l l s o u r c e s n e a r a n d f a r . I n t h i s c o n t e x t , t h e a m b i e n t n o i s e l e v e l c o n s t i t u t e s t h e n o r m a l o r existing level of environmental noise at a given location.
CNEL: C o m m u n i t y N o i s e E q u i v a l e n t L e v e l . T h e a v e r a g e e q u i v a l e n t sound level during a 24‐hour day, obtained after addition of approximately five decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and ten de cibels to sound levels in the night before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.
DECIBEL, dB: A unit for describing the amplitude of sound, equal to 20 time s the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of th e sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter).
DNL/L
dn: Day/Night Average Sound Level. The average equivalent sound level during a 24‐hour day, obtained after addition of ten decibels to sound levels in the night after 10:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m.
Leq: Equivalent Sound Level. The sound level containing the same total energy as a time varying signal over a given sample perio d.
Leq is typically computed over 1, 8 and 24‐hour sample periods.
NOTE: The CNEL and DNL represent daily levels of noise exposure averaged on an annual basis, while Leq represents the average noise exposure for a shorter time period, typically one hour.
L
max: The maximum noise level rec orded during a noise event.
L
n: The sound level exceeded "n" percent of the time during a sa mple interval (L90, L50, L10, etc.). For example, L 10 e q u a l s t h e l e v e l exceeded 10 percent of the time.
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A-2
ACOUSTICAL TERMINOLOGY
NOISE EXPOSURE
CONTOURS: Lines drawn about a noise source indicating constant levels o f noise exposure. CNEL and DNL contours are frequently utilized to describe community exposure to noise.
NOISE LEVEL
REDUCTION (NLR): The noise reduction between i ndoor and outdoor environments o r b e t w e e n t w o r o o m s t h a t i s t h e n u m e r i c a l d i f f e r e n c e , i n decibels, of the average sound pr essure levels in those areas o r rooms. A measurement of Anoise level reduction@ combines the effect of the transmission loss performance of the structure pl us the effect of acoustic absorption present in the receiving room.
SEL or SENEL: Sound Exposure Level or Single Event Noise Exposure Level. T he level of noise accumulated during a single noise event, such as an a i r c r a f t o v e r f l i g h t , w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o a d u r a t i o n o f o n e s e c o n d.
More specifically, it is the time‐integrated A‐weighted squared sound pressure for a stated time interval or event, based on a reference pressure of 20 micropascals and a reference duration of one second.
SOUND LEVEL: The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound l evel meter using the A‐weighting filter network. The A‐weighting filter de‐emphasizes the very low and very high frequency components of the sound in a manner similar to the response of the human ear and gives good correlation with subjective reactions to noise.
SOUND TRANSMISSION
CLASS (STC): The single‐number rating of sound transmission loss for a construction element (window, door, etc.) over a frequency range where speech intelligibility largely occurs.
The Woodlands Visalia Security Plan
Location: 4211 W Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA 93291
Contact: Sam Ramirez, 559-288-8130
The goal of this security plan is to comply with City Code and Law Enforcement requirements and provide a safe and secure environment for our clients, guests, employees, and surrounding businesses and residential areas.
The venue will contract security services from an outside licensed thirty party for all events that intend to serve alcohol. Security will be contacted directly by the venue and billed to the client to begin at alcohol service beginning and remain until 1 hour past bar closing.
Additionally, any event over 50 guests will have their program evaluated and security staff may be required despite no alcohol being served.
Our security team will:
• Create a safe and secure environment within the establishment for all guests, employees, and surrounding businesses and residential areas. • Provide a high level of control, safety, and quality experience for guests. • Work to mitigate excessive noise or inappropriate conduct within the Venue.
• Engage in preventative measures to minimize potential situations. • Coordinate with the owner/manager about security issues as they arise and work on solutions/resolutions.
• Be responsible for all security and safety of the business premises. • Be a liaison between law enforcement personnel and city officials should the need arise.
Security Staffing Policy:
• 1 guard will be required per 100 guests with additional staff required based on the program as determined by the venue management.
• All guards will be licensed and uniformed
• When 2 guards are present 1 guard will be placed at the sole entry point to observe all guests arriving and ensure no outside alcohol is brought into the space. The second guard will be placed at the bar to support the bartending staff while serving alcohol and always maintain a visual of the bar and staff.
• Security personnel (licensed and dressed in uniform) will be provided and expected to use radio communication between one another and venue staff. • Security will patrol the parking lots and surrounding areas to prevent drinking and loitering activity.
Staff Training
• Regularly trained on comprehensive emergency response plans. • Be knowledgeable of what is expected of them.
• All guests consuming alcohol will be required to present a current and valid ID demonstrating they are 21 years or older.
• No persons who do not provide their valid ID will be served any alcohol. • Be trained to identify obviously intoxicated patrons, overly rowdy patrons, and to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Obtain a certificate of completion from the ABC “LEAD Program”. • Keep guests and employees safe and take preventative steps to resolve issues in an efficient and secure manner.
• Any guests found to be providing alcohol to minors attending an event will be immediately cut off and asked to leave the property.
Dealing with Intoxicated Patrons
• Anyone determined intoxicated by bartending staff or security will no longer be served any more alcohol and may be asked to leave the property should their behavior become unruly.
• If it is determined that an intoxicated guest is creating a public disturbance to the venue or surrounding areas Visalia Police Department will be contacted. • Should anyone experience a medical emergency Visalia Police Department and medical response will be notified and assistance will be requested.