sr-102875-10a3~~~r
Santa. Monica, California, October 22, 1975
TO: Mayor and City Council ~~~'~,,,-
3
FROM: City Staff rY „~.~~~~°y
SUBJECT: Proposed Noise Element--Santa Monica Master Plan~~j~` S 1975
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Introduction _ F013 F7LitYp,
This is a staff report conveying the proposed Noise Element of the City's
Master Plan.
Background
The Noise Element in one of the nine State Mandated requirements of a city
or county General Plan. On December 3, 1974 the City contracted with Olson
Laboratories, Inc. of Anaheim for the preparation of a Seismic Element
for Santa Monica. This has now been completed and the proposed document
is before the City Council for final consideration following review by the
Citizens' Advisory Committee and recommendation by the Planning Commission.
The purpose of the Noise Element is to provide a guide for City officials, `
government agencies and citizens concerned with providing a quieter environ-
ment. It provides an outline for a comprehensive noise control program by
identifying the sources of community noise, estimating its impact on the City
and providing goals, objectives and implementation programs de signed .to
create a quieter environment in Santa Monica.
It is important to note that the adoption of the element in and of itself does not
commit the City to any specific activity or program. Before any action can
To: Mayor and Council -2- October _22, .1975......_...
be undertaken, ordinances must be passed, programs refined, priorities
established and resources allocated. The Noise Element contains intro-
ductory material, a statement of goals and objectives, the methodology
used to describe the City~s .noise environment and implementation measures.
To assess the City~s noise environment, it was divided into six (6) study
areas and a noise survey was conducted containing 98 measurement sites
and four 24-hour sites. The survey shows that the City of Santa Monica
experiences far more noise than the average suburban community and that the
major r_ontributor is vehicular traffic which permeates the entire City. The
noisiest area is that north of Montana but the levels of all areas are within
a range of difference which is not ordinarily discernible.
The ELement suggests a number of noise control efforts aimed at improving
the existing noise enivornmentbgpreventing future noise problems, setting goals
for noise reduction and utilizing citizen participation, planning processes and
programs to bring about desirable noise levels throughout the community.
No direct economic impacts are anticipated as a result of .the adoption of the
Noise Element, but future impacts in the form of both costs and benefits will
be associated with implementation programs. These impacts should be
assessed at the time such programs are designed and considered.
Alternative s
The Noise Element is required by State Law and in and of itself does not
To: Mayor and Council =3- October 22, 1975
initiate any specific program or activity. The alternatives available include
adoption as proposed or modification of any or alI of the suggested policies
or action programs included.
The pros of adopting the Element as proposed include compliance with State
requirements and the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Cons
include continual non-compliance and possible delay in other. community pro-
grams dependent upon a completed Master Plan.
Recommendation
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council act favorably upon the
proposed Noise Element by setting the matter for public hearing and formal
consideration on November 11, 1975.
Prepared by : Tim Lunsford
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