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Carson planning commission recommends city council adopt noise-element amendment
Summary
The planning commission unanimously voted to recommend a general-plan amendment aligning the city's noise element with its municipal noise ordinance, clarifying that ambient noise may serve as the standard and allowing up to a 3-decibel increase for new development when ambient levels are within 3 dB of table 9.3 limits.
The Carson Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt a general-plan amendment to align the city’s noise element with the Carson Municipal Code noise ordinance.
Planning manager Makena Alexander told commissioners the proposed amendment clarifies ambiguities between the general plan and the municipal code and establishes consistent criteria for modest noise increases from new development. “The application before you is general plan amendment number 305,” Alexander said, “basically aligning our noise element to our noise ordinance.” She said the amendment would allow ambient noise to serve as the standard and permit up to a 3-decibel increase when ambient levels are within 3 dB of the table 9.3 limits.
The staff presentation said the change is intended to remove conflicting standards that could halt otherwise permissible development. Alexander said the city’s environmental consultant, ESA, prepared a CEQA memorandum concluding the proposed amendment is within the scope of the 2023 EIR for the Carson 2040 general plan and that no subsequent EIR is required. Staff recommended adoption of Resolution No. 25 28 95 to forward the amendment to the City Council with findings pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15168(c)(2).
There were no public speakers on the item. After closing the public hearing and allowing time for commissioner questions, the commission moved to approve staff’s recommendation. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council, which must make the final determination on the general-plan amendment. Staff said the public hearing notice and CEQA documentation are on file and that technical consultant Alan Saco of ESA was available for questions during the commission meeting.
Authorities and references included in the record: CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15168, the 2023 EIR for the Carson 2040 general plan, and the Carson Municipal Code noise ordinance.
