LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport Planning Commission forwarded the Amended Mitigated Negative Declaration for Phase II of the Downtown Improvement Project.
Although the environmental study for this project was originally passed in 2006, Kevin Ingram told the commission that a handful of changes to the plan, such as the reduction of overall size, have required additional approval for the multi-million project.
Among the issues needed to be addressed in the amended study is the associated noise and light from construction crews working from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to mitigate interference with North Main Street businesses located between First and Fourth Streets (the site of the job) during their normal business hours.
City staff discovered in its study that the jackhammers and mounted impact hammers planned for the project emit a maximum sound level of 95 decibels—25 more than allowed by city’s municipal code for that area.
If those businesses exceed 70 dB between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., they can only do so for 15 minutes in a one-hour period, according to the associated staff report. The crews, however, will be that continuously loud for those three hours, finishing it loud noise work at the end of that time period.
Associate Planner Dan Chance said that the loud noises shouldn’t be a bother to the area as most businesses are closed.
Furthermore, the closest residence is 200 feet away, which he claimed lowers the sound levels by 10 dB, despite imperfect measurements due to ambient noise. The report added that the region’s two story buildings help shield the noise to the surrounding areas.
“The most important thing to remember is that downtown is going to be relatively quiet,” Chance said. “The noise to those residential units would be in the elements that we can kind of live with.”
Some business owners live above those buildings, but Ingram said they are supportive.
“Business owners said they will take a few sleepless nights over having their businesses closed or severely during the day,” the Community Development Director said.
To further solve noise problems, the construction team is required to have a representative on site to monitor noise and address complaints. According to the report, local residents will be given that person’s contact information.
Another issue reported by Ingram and Chance was related to the possible discovery of Pomo artifact because state law mandates that local tribes be contacted and involved in construction projects in their areas.
Ingram said letters have been sent, but so far they have received no response.
The vote was unanimous, 5-0. The council will take up the item at its regular meeting on March. 1
