Noise and Air Quality - the City of Lompoc!

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City of Lompoc General Plan UpdateIssue Paper on Noise and Air Quality Issuesbuildout estimates, and will potentially include recommended Noise Element policy changes asmitigation. Such policy changes would be implemented as part of the second phase of theprocess.Air QualityThere is no requirement for an air quality element in the General Plan, but it is among the morecommon optional elements employed. In the existing Lompoc General Plan air quality is dealtwith as a part of the Resource Conservation Element, which states:“Consideration of air quality as a resource in the General Plan is provided sinceseveral of the mandatory elements have effects on air quality and emissionsources:o The Land Use Element governs the location and intensity of stationarycommercial and industrial emission sources;o The Circulation Element addresses the location and extent ofhighways used by automobiles and mobile sources;o The Conservation Element requires discussion of the conservation ofnatural resources, ando The Open Space Element addresses use of open space lands for theenhancement of air quality.”The existing General Plan includes goals and policies that relate to air quality, includingmonitoring and improvement of the air quality in the Lompoc Valley, and minimizing emissionsfrom vehicles, including planes associated with the Lompoc Airport.As with noise issues, air quality policies will be addressed as part of the Resource ConservationElement update in the second phase of the General Plan Update program, following updates tothe Housing, Land Use, and Circulation Elements. The Environmental Impact Report for thefirst phase elements will identify air quality impacts associated with updated buildout estimates,and will potentially include recommended Resource Conservation Element policy changes asmitigation. Such policy changes would be implemented as part of the second phase of theprocess.POLICY CONSIDERATIONS• Noise Policy ConsiderationsDevelopment patterns should be strategically planned to reduce noise impacts onproposed sensitive residential land uses. Structural setbacks, noise barriers, and/orstructural features will help reduce the noise levels in areas near roadways with highprojected future traffic levels. Additionally, residences can be oriented such that thesensitive uses (bedrooms, balconies, and offices) are located away from the noisesources.6City of Lompoc
City of Lompoc General Plan UpdateIssue Paper on Noise and Air Quality IssuesAssorted agricultural operations are located outside the City Limits. Agriculturaloperations produce noise associated with the following equipment: wind machines,diesel engines, aerial application aircrafts (crop dusters), and tractors. The County’sRight-to- Farm Ordinance states that no agricultural activity, operation, or facility shall bedeemed or become a nuisance due to any changed condition in the locality, after theagricultural use has been in operation for at least three years. Land use buffers andother noise screening techniques can greatly reduce noise nuisances on adjacentreceptors.• Air Quality Policy ConsiderationsThe General Plan update can encourage development patterns that promote the use ofalternative modes of transportation, thereby incrementally reducing air contaminantemissions, including greenhouse gas emissions. The APCD recommends mixed usedevelopments that combine residential, employment, and retail uses. Sidewalks, safestreet and parking lot crossings, shade trees, off-street breezeways, alleys, and showerand locker facilities for employee bicyclists are also recommended by APCD toencourage alternative transportation modes. Building entrances should favorpedestrians rather than cars. Future development should provide on-site services thatreduce the need for off-site travel. These services may include but are not limited to:childcare facilities, telecommunication centers, neighborhood retail stores, postalmachines, and automatic teller machines.The APCD also recommends energy conservation measures to reduce natural gas andelectricity consumption. These measures include:• Photovoltaic and wind generators;• Duct system within the building thermal envelope;• Passive cooling strategies;• High efficiency, motion controlled outdoor lighting;• Natural lighting in buildings;• Building siting and orientation, and landscaping to reduce energy use;• Summer shading and wind protection measures;• Use of concrete or other non-polluting materials for parking lots instead ofasphalt;• Installation of energy efficient appliances and lighting;• Installation of mechanical air conditioners and refrigeration units that use nonozonedepleting chemicals; and• Installation of sidewalks, bike paths, and covered bus stops.Additional APCD-recommended energy conservation measures include the use of greenbuilding materials and green building practices. These include:• At least 50% of exterior of local masonry; plaster or cementitious siding; recycled,salvaged or certified sustainably harvested wood; recycled roofing material orcombination cement-fiber roofing; 30-year rated life on minimum 50% of roof;7City of Lompoc
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