Chapter 6

PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NOISE ELEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element is consistent with the requirements set forth in the California Government Code Section 65302 and other applicable sections. Specifically, California Government Code Section 65302(g) requires communities to identify "any reasonable risk associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiches, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides, subsidence and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires."

The Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element addresses community noise problems, in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(f). Because they are too large to include within this bound volume, the noise contour maps required by that statute are found in the office of the El Dorado County Planning Department, where they can be reviewed upon request. Additionally, this element satisfies the State mandated requirements for both safety and seismic general plan elements.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

In 1971, the State of California mandated that county and city general plans include a noise element. A noise element must contain the following information:

1. Identification of major noise sources which affect the county;
2. Mapping of noise contours for major noise producers, including roadways;
3. Policies and programs which address existing and foreseeable noise problems and minimize the exposure of community residents to excessive noise.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS

Issues set forth in this element are closely linked to the Land Use, Conservation and Open Space, Circulation, and Public Services and Utilities elements. The overall focus of the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element is to provide guidelines for protecting the residents from existing and potential hazards in El Dorado County.

ORGANIZATION OF THE ELEMENT

This element sets forth planning strategies for fire hazards, seismic hazards, flood hazards, noise, hazardous materials, air quality, airport safety, and highway safety.

POLICY SECTION

GENERAL

A coordinated approach to hazard and disaster response planning.

OBJECTIVE 6.1.1: EL DORADO COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA MULTI-HAZARD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FUNCTIONAL PLAN

The El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Functional Plan shall serve as the implementation program for this Goal.

• Policy 6.1.1.1
  The El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Functional Plan shall serve as the implementation program for the coordination of hazard planning and disaster response efforts within the County. The County will ensure that the El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Functional Plan is updated on a regular basis to keep pace with the growing population.

FIRE SAFETY

Minimize fire hazards in both wildland and developed areas.

OBJECTIVE 6.2.1: DEFENSIBLE SPACE

All new development and structures shall meet "defensible space" requirements and adhere to fire code building requirements to minimize wildland fire hazards.

• Policy 6.2.1.1
  Implement Fire Safe ordinance to attain and maintain defensible space through conditioning of tentative maps and in new development at the final map and/or building permit stage.

OBJECTIVE 6.2.2: LIMITATIONS TO DEVELOPMENT

Regulate development in areas of high and very high fire hazard as designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps.

• Policy 6.2.2.1
  Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps shall be consulted in the review of all projects so that standards and mitigation measures appropriate to each hazard classification can be applied. Land use densities and intensities shall be determined by mitigation measures in areas designated as high or very high fire hazard.

OBJECTIVE 6.2.3: ADEQUATE FIRE PROTECTION

Application of uniform fire protection standards to development projects by fire districts.

• Policy 6.2.3.1
  As a requirement for approving new development, the applicant must demonstrate that, concurrent with development, adequate emergency water flow, fire access, and fire fighting personnel and equipment will be provided in accordance with applicable State and local fire district standards.
• Policy 6.2.3.2
  As a requirement of new development, the applicant must demonstrate that adequate access exists, or can be provided to ensure that emergency vehicles can access the site and private vehicles can evacuate the area.
• Policy 6.2.3.3
  Day care centers shall be subject to conformance with all applicable sections of Title 19 of the Fire Code.

OBJECTIVE 6.2.4: AREA-WIDE FUEL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Reduce fire hazard through cooperative fuel management activities.

• Policy 6.2.4.1
  Discretionary development within high and very high fire hazard areas shall be conditioned to designate fuel break zones that comply with fire safe requirements to benefit the new and, where possible, existing development.
• Policy 6.2.4.2
  The County shall cooperate with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire protection districts to identify opportunities for fuel breaks in zones of high and very high fire hazard either prior to or as a component of project review.

OBJECTIVE 6.2.5: FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION

Inform and educate homeowners regarding fire safety and prevention.

• Policy 6.2.5.1
  The County shall cooperate with the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and local fire districts in fire prevention education programs.

GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS

Minimize the threat to life and property from seismic and geologic hazards.

OBJECTIVE 6.3.1: BUILDING AND SITE STANDARDS

Adopt and enforce development regulations, including building and site standards, to protect against seismic and geologic hazards.

OBJECTIVE 6.3.2: COUNTY-WIDE SEISMIC HAZARDS

Continue to evaluate seismic related hazards such as liquefaction, landslides, and avalanche, particularly in the Tahoe Basin.

• Policy 6.3.2.1
  The County shall maintain updated geologic, seismic and avalanche hazard maps, and other hazard inventory information in cooperation with the State Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Conservation--Division of Mines and Geology, U.S. Forest Service, Caltrans, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and other agencies as this information is made available. This information shall be incorporated into the El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Functional Emergency Operations Plans.
• Policy 6.3.2.2
  Future subdivision in the area around Fallen Leaf Lake shall be precluded.
• Policy 6.3.2.3
  An avalanche overlay zone shall be established and applied to all residential areas subject to avalanche. All new structures located within avalanche susceptible areas shall be designed to withstand the expected forces of such an event.
• Policy 6.3.2.4
  The latest revisions of the Uniform Building Code concerning seismicity and liquefaction shall be promptly adopted by the County.

FLOOD HAZARDS

Protect the residents of El Dorado County from flood hazards.

OBJECTIVE 6.4.1: DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

Minimize loss of life and property by regulating development in areas subject to flooding in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines, California law, and the El Dorado County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.

• Policy 6.4.1.1
  The County shall continue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and application of flood plain zoning regulations.
• Policy 6.4.1.2
  The County shall identify and delineate flood prone study areas discovered during the completion of the master drainage studies or plans.
• Policy 6.4.1.3
  No new critical or high occupancy structures (e.g., schools, hospitals) shall be located in the 100-year floodplain of any river, stream, or other body of water.
• Policy 6.4.1.4
  Creation of new parcels which lie entirely within the 100-year floodplain as identified on the most current version of the flood insurance rate maps provided by FEMA shall be prohibited.
• Policy 6.4.1.5
  New parcels which are partially within the 100-year floodplain must have sufficient land available outside the FEMA or County designated 100-year floodplain for construction of dwelling units, accessory structures, and septic systems. Discretionary applications shall be required to determine the location of the designated 100-year floodplain on the subject property.

OBJECTIVE 6.4.2: DAM FAILURE INUNDATION

Protect life and property of County residents below dams.

• Policy 6.4.2.1
  Apply a zoning overlay for areas located within dam failure inundation zones as identified in the El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Functional Emergency Operations Plans.
• Policy 6.4.2.2
  No new critical or high occupancy structures (e.g., schools, hospitals) should be located within the inundation area resulting from failure of dams identified in the El Dorado County Operational Area Multi-Hazard Functional Emergency Operations Plans.

NOISE

Ensure that County residents are not subjected to noise beyond acceptable levels.

OBJECTIVE 6.5.1: PROTECTION OF NOISE-SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Protect existing noise-sensitive developments (e.g., hospitals, schools, churches and residential) from new uses that would generate noise levels incompatible with those uses and, conversely, discourage noise-sensitive uses from locating near sources of high noise levels.

• Policy 6.5.1.1
  Where noise-sensitive land uses are proposed in areas exposed to existing or projected exterior noise levels exceeding the levels specified in Table 6-1 or the performance standards of Table 6-2, an acoustical analysis shall be required as part of the environmental review process so that noise mitigation may be included in the project design.
• Policy 6.5.1.2
  Where proposed non-residential land uses are likely to produce noise levels exceeding the performance standards of Table 6-2 at existing or planned noise-sensitive uses, an acoustical analysis shall be required as part of the environmental review process so that noise mitigation may be included in the project design.
• Policy 6.5.1.3
  Where noise mitigation measures are required to achieve the standards of Tables 6-1 and 6-2, the emphasis of such measures shall be placed upon site planning and project design. The use of noise barriers shall be considered a means of achieving the noise standards only after all other practical design-related noise mitigation measures have been integrated into the project and the noise barriers are not incompatible with the surroundings.
• Policy 6.5.1.4
  Existing dwellings and new single-family dwellings on legal lots of record, as of the date of adoption of this General Plan, are not subject to County review with respect to satisfaction of the standards of the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element except in areas governed by the Comprehensive Land Use Plans for applicable airports. (See Objective 6.5.2.)

As a consequence, such dwellings may be constructed in other areas where noise levels exceed the standards of the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element. It is not the responsibility of the County to ensure that such dwellings meet the noise standards of the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element, or the noise standards imposed by lending agencies such as HUD, FHA and Cal Vet. If homes are located and constructed in accordance with the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element, it is expected that the resulting exterior and interior noise levels will conform to the HUD/FHA/Cal Vet noise standards.

• Policy 6.5.1.5
  Setbacks shall be the preferred method of noise abatement for residential projects located along U.S. Highway 50. Noise walls shall be discouraged within the foreground viewshed of U.S. Highway 50 and shall be discouraged in favor of less intrusive noise mitigation (e.g., landscaped berms, setbacks) along other high volume roadways.
• Policy 6.5.1.6
  New noise-sensitive uses shall not be allowed where the noise level, due to non- transportation noise sources, will exceed the noise level standards of Table 6-2 unless effective noise mitigation measures have been incorporated into the development design to achieve those standards.
• Policy 6.5.1.7
  Noise created by new proposed non-transportation noise sources shall be mitigated so as not to exceed the noise level standards of Table 6-2 for noise-sensitive uses.
• Policy 6.5.1.8
  New development of noise sensitive land uses will not be permitted in areas exposed to existing or projected levels of noise from transportation noise sources which exceed the levels specified in Table 6-1 unless the project design includes effective mitigation measures to reduce exterior noise and noise levels in interior spaces to the levels specified in Table 6-1.
• Policy 6.5.1.9
  Noise created by new transportation noise sources, excluding airport expansion but including roadway improvement projects, shall be mitigated so as not to exceed the levels specified in Table 6-1 at existing noise-sensitive land uses.
• Policy 6.5.1.10
  To provide a comprehensive approach to noise control, the County shall:
1. Develop and employ procedures to ensure that noise mitigation measures required pursuant to an acoustical analysis are implemented in the project review process and, as may be determined necessary, through the building permit process.
2. Develop and employ procedures to monitor compliance with the standards of the Noise Element after completion of projects where noise mitigation measures were required.
3. The zoning ordinance shall be amended to provide that noise standards will be applied to ministerial projects with the exception of single-family residential building permits if not in areas governed by the Airports Comprehensive Land Use Plans. (See Objective 6.5.2.)

TABLE 6-1 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE NOISE EXPOSURE FOR TRANSPORTATION NOISE SOURCES
Land Use	Outdoor Activity Areas1 Ldn/CNEL, dB	Interior Spaces
		Ldn/CNEL, dB	Leq, dB2
Residential	603	45	--
Transient Lodging	603	45	--
Hospitals, Nursing Homes	603	45	--
Theaters, Auditoriums, Music Halls	--	--	35
Churches, Meeting Halls, Schools	603	--	40
Office Buildings	--	--	45
Libraries, Museums	--	--	45
Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks	70	--	--
1In Communities and Rural Centers, where the location of outdoor activity areas is not clearly defined, the exterior noise level standard shall be applied to the property line of the receiving land use. For residential uses with front yards facing the identified noise source, an exterior noise level criterion of 65 dB Ldn shall be applied at the building facade, in addition to a 60 dB Ldn criterion at the outdoor activity area. In Rural Regions, an exterior noise level criterion of 60 dB Ldn shall be applied at a 100 foot radius from the residence unless it is within Platted Lands where the underlying land use designation is consistent with Community Region densities in which case the 65 dB Ldn may apply. The 100-foot radius applies to properties which are five acres and larger; the balance will fall under the property line requirement. 2As determined for a typical worst-case hour during periods of use. 3Where it is not possible to reduce noise in outdoor activity areas to 60 dB Ldn/CNEL or less using a practical application of the best-available noise reduction measures, an exterior noise level of up to 65 dB Ldn/CNEL may be allowed provided that available exterior noise level reduction measures have been implemented and interior noise levels are in compliance with this table.

TABLE 6-2 NOISE LEVEL PERFORMANCE PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR NOISE SENSITIVE LAND USES AFFECTED BY NON-TRANSPORTATION* SOURCES
Noise Level Descriptor	Daytime 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.		Evening 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.		Night 10 p.m. - 7 a.m.
	Community	Rural	Community	Rural	Community	Rural
Hourly Leq, dB	55	50	50	45	45	40
Maximum level, dB	70	60	60	55	55	50
Each of the noise levels specified above shall be lowered by five dB for simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or for recurring impulsive noises. These noise level standards do not apply to residential units established in conjunction with industrial or commercial uses (e.g., caretaker dwellings). The County can impose noise level standards which are up to 5 dB less than those specified above based upon determination of existing low ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project site. In Community areas the exterior noise level standard shall be applied to the property line of the receiving property. In Rural Areas the exterior noise level standard shall be applied at a point 100' away from the residence. The above standards shall be measured only on property containing a noise sensitive land use as defined in Objective 6.5.1. This measurement standard may be amended to provide for measurement at the boundary of a recorded noise easement between all effected property owners and approved by the County. *Note: For the purposes of the Noise Element, transportation noise sources are defined as traffic on public roadways, railroad line operations and aircraft in flight. Control of noise from these sources is preempted by Federal and State regulations. Control of noise from facilities of regulated public facilities is preempted by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulations. All other noise sources are subject to local regulations. Non-transportation noise sources may include industrial operations, outdoor recreation facilities, HVAC units, schools, hospitals, commercial land uses, other outdoor land use, etc.

OBJECTIVE 6.5.2: AIRPORT NOISE GUIDELINES

The County shall recognize the Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plans (CLUPS) for the Placerville Airport, the Cameron Airpark Airport, the Georgetown Airport, and the City of South Lake Tahoe Airport as the applicable guidelines for development within the 55 dB L_dn/CNEL contour of these airports. Where there is a conflict between the County noise standards and the noise standards of the CLUPS, the standards of the CLUPS shall take precedence.

• Policy 6.5.2.1
  All projects, including single-family residential, within the 55 dB/CNEL contour of a County airport shall be evaluated against the noise guidelines and policies in the applicable CLUP.
• Policy 6.5.2.2
  The County shall develop and apply a combining zone district for areas located within the 55 dB/CNEL contour of airports.
• Policy 6.5.2.3
  All airports which have not developed noise level contours consistent with the El Dorado County General Plan forecast year of 2015 should update the respective Master Plans and CLUPs to reflect aircraft operation noise levels in the year 2015.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Recognize and reduce the threats to public health and the environment posed by the use, storage, manufacture, transport, release, and disposal of hazardous materials.

OBJECTIVE 6.6.1: REGULATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Regulate the use, storage, manufacture, transport and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

• Policy 6.6.1.1
  The Hazardous Waste Management Plan shall serve as the implementation program for management of hazardous waste in order to protect the health, safety, property of residents and visitors, and to minimize environmental degradation while maintaining economic viability.
• Policy 6.6.1.2
  Prior to the approval of any subdivision of land or issuing of a building permit, it shall be determined whether the subdivision or parcel is located on a contaminated site included in a list on file with the Environmental Management Department as provided by the State of California. If contamination is found to exist, it shall be corrected prior to the issuance of a new land use entitlement or building permit.
• Policy 6.6.1.3
  Provision must be made for disposal of aviation generated petroleum, oils, lubricants, and solvents at the County airports.

AIR QUALITY

1. Strive to achieve and maintain ambient air quality standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
2. Minimize public exposure to toxic or hazardous air pollutants and air pollutants that create unpleasant odors.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.1: EL DORADO COUNTY CLEAN AIR PLAN

Adopt and enforce the El Dorado County Clean Air Act Plan in conjunction with the County Air Pollution Control District.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.2: VEHICULAR EMISSIONS

Reduce motor vehicle air pollution by developing programs aimed at minimizing congestion and reducing the number of vehicle trips made in the County and encouraging the use of clean fuels.

• Policy 6.7.2.1
  Develop and implement a public awareness campaign to educate community leaders and the public about the causes and effects of El Dorado County air pollution and about ways to reduce air pollution.
• Policy 6.7.2.2
  Encourage, both through County policy and discretionary project review, the use of staggered work schedules, flexible work hours, compressed work weeks, teleconferencing, telecommuting, and car pool/van pool matching as ways to reduce peak-hour vehicle trips.
• Policy 6.7.2.3
  To improve traffic flow, synchronization of signalized intersections shall be encouraged as a means to reduce congestion, conserve energy, and improve air quality.
• Policy 6.7.2.4
  Encourage a local and inter-State rail system.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.3: TRANSIT SERVICE

Expand the use of transit service within the County.

• Policy 6.7.3.1
  Legally permissible trip reduction programs and the development of transit and ridesharing facilities shall be given priority over highway capacity expansion when such programs and facilities will help to achieve and maintain mobility and air quality.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.4: PROJECT DESIGN AND MIXED USES

Encourage project design that protects air quality and minimizes direct and indirect emissions of air contaminants.

• Policy 6.7.4.1.
  Reduce automobile dependency by permitting mixed land use patterns which locate services such as banks, child care facilities, schools, shopping centers, and restaurants in close proximity to employment centers and residential neighborhoods.
• Policy 6.7.4.2
  Promote the development of new residential uses within walking or bicycling distance to the County's larger employment centers.
• Policy 6.7.4.3
  New development on large tracts of undeveloped land near the rail corridor shall, to the extent practical, be transit supportive with high density or intensity of use.
• Policy 6.7.4.4
  All discretionary development applications shall be reviewed to determine the need for pedestrian/bike paths connecting to adjacent development and to common service facilities (e.g., clustered mail boxes, bus stops, etc.).
• Policy 6.7.4.5
  Specific plans submitted for the development of lands designated Planned Communities (-PC) on the General Plan land use map shall provide for the implementation of all policies contained under Objective 6.7.4 herein.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.5: AGRICULTURAL AND FUEL REDUCTION BURNING

Adopt and maintain air quality regulations which will continue to permit agricultural and fuel reduction burning while minimizing their adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.6: AIR POLLUTION-SENSITIVE LAND USES

Separate air pollution sensitive land uses from significant sources of air pollution.

• Policy 6.7.6.1
  Ensure that new facilities in which sensitive receptors are located (e.g., schools, child care centers, playgrounds, retirement homes, and hospitals) are sited away from significant sources of air pollution.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.7: CONSTRUCTION RELATED, SHORT-TERM EMISSIONS

Reduce construction related, short-term emissions by adopting regulations which minimize their adverse effects.

• Policy 6.7.7.1
  The County, through the El Dorado County Air Pollution Control District, shall establish standards to reduce construction related exhaust emissions, mobile sources, fugitive dust, and volatile organic emissions.

OBJECTIVE 6.7.8: THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON VEGETATION

Monitor ongoing scientific research regarding the adverse effects, if any, of air pollution on vegetation.

• Policy 6.7.8.1
  The County shall monitor ongoing scientific research regarding the adverse effects, if any, of air pollution on vegetation, including commercially valuable timber, threatened or endangered plant species, and other plant species. If and when such research conclusively determines, or if and when the weight of scientific opinion concludes, that air pollution is causing significant harm to vegetation within El Dorado County or similarly situated areas, the County, through its periodic review of the General Plan pursuant to Policy 2.9.1.2, shall consider whether to add policies to the General Plan to try to mitigate such harm.

AVIATION-RELATED HAZARDS

Minimize aviation-related hazards in and around existing and future airports.

OBJECTIVE 6.8.1: SAFETY HAZARDS EXPOSURE

Minimize the public's exposure to airport-related safety hazards by requiring new development around airports to be compatible with that use.

• Policy 6.8.1.1
  All development within the Airport Safety Zones of the Placerville Airport, the Cameron Park Air Park Airport, the Georgetown Airport, and the City of South Lake Tahoe Airport shall comply with Airport Land Use Commission height, noise, and safety policies and maps as set forth in each airport's comprehensive land use plan.
• Policy 6.8.1.2
  The County shall develop an airport combining zone district within the El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance, for each of the Safety Zones 1, 2, and 3 as defined by the comprehensive land use plans for each of the County's public airports. Said ordinance shall specify maximum density and minimum parcel size.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

Provide highways within the County that provide for the safe movement of goods and people throughout the County.

OBJECTIVE 6.9.1: SAFETY HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM

Create a program to reduce safety hazards on County roadways especially at locations with a history of frequent accidents.

• Policy 6.9.1.1
  The County shall identify those roadways with existing or projected safety problems, prioritize them in terms of the immediacy of the need for improvements, and develop programs for financing needed improvements.
• Policy 6.9.1.2
  Recognize that substandard road conditions exist in some rural areas of the County and include feasible roadway, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety improvements in the roadway improvement priority list.
• Policy 6.9.1.3
  New roads connecting to County roads shall be designed to provide safe access as required by the County Design and Improvement Standards Manual.

OBJECTIVE 6.9.2: EMERGENCIES ON STATE HIGHWAYS

The County should coordinate with Caltrans for the efficient movement of traffic on County roads in the event of closures on State highways.