Agenda - 03-06-2001-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ex I~'~ b ~~- ~ Stewart Gl coustical Consultants s9 Post Office Box 304fi1 919-7$1-$$24 Raleigh, NC 27622 November 3, 2000 Mr. Craig Benedict Director Orange County Planning Department P. O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 RE: Sunrise Springs Development Dear Mr. Benedict: As I believe you aze aware, I have been retained by Dr. Wally Diehl to address concerns raised by various neighbors regarding the noise impact of the proposed Sunrise Springs development. At Dr. Diehl's request, I visited the site and measured sound levels at various locations on the Sunrise Springs property and other locations nearby. I also have obtained and studied topographic maps of the area. I have paid particular attention to the noise impact on the lots northeast of the proposed development. It is my understanding that this Sunrise Springs subdivision will consist of nine residential lots. I am aware of the proposed landscaping provisions for the subdivision. It is my professional opinion that the subdivision will not generate any significant noise. All homes generate some sound. However, the general noise in the azea due to residential activities decreases with increasing lot size. Since the lots in the proposed development are much larger than those to the northeast, the sound levels due to community activity should be less than existing levels in the existing community to the northeast. I know of the concerns raised regarding the noise generated by the I-40 corridor and have investigated them. It is my professional opinion that the development as planned will nat result in any significant increased noise coming from the I-40 corridor either to the development itself or to the adjoining neighbors. My initial visit and investigation revealed a very high hiU and ridge on the Sunrise Springs property rising about 40 feet above the roadway of I-40. This strongly reduced the noise coming from the highway due south of the property during my visit. Further analysis revealed this ridge is so high that it would block sound along that path even during periods when wind or temperature inversions would be curving sound over lower barriers. The small changes to the surface landscape would produce insignificant changes in the noise coming aver the ridge, even if all the sound reaching areas beyond came over the ridge. However, other paths of sound transmission aze more significant to the northeastern community.