The site does not presently contribute any obtrusive noise impacts. Residential and commercial land use is located to the north, south and east. The existing local noise levels primarily stem from the traffic along Whitesville Road.
The proposed redevelopment is not anticipated to result in significant adverse noise impacts to surrounding land uses. Existing ambient noise levels in the project area are influenced primarily by traffic along Whitesville Road and routine commercial and industrial activity within the surrounding corridor. Short-term noise increases will occur during construction from earthmoving equipment, material deliveries, and building activities; however, these effects are temporary, occur during normal daytime working hours, and are consistent with typical construction activity in developed areas. Operational noise sources will include vehicle movements associated with office and warehouse operations, occasional loading and unloading activities, and routine building services equipment. Traffic volumes associated with the project are projected to operate at acceptable levels of service based on the Traffic Impact Analysis, indicating that traffic related noise increases will remain incremental and will not substantially alter existing ambient noise conditions. The project does not introduce continuous industrial processes, heavy manufacturing operations, or high intensity mechanical equipment that would generate sustained noise levels above background conditions. With adherence to standard construction practices and municipal noise control requirements, the project is expected to remain compatible with surrounding land uses and is not anticipated to result in measurable long-term noise impacts.
The sound levels are anticipated to be generally consistent with the current site use and therefore operation will be in compliance with the State Noise Control regulations at N.J.A.C.7:29 and the general standards and requirements of the Noise regulations of the Jackson Township Land Use Code.
Potential noise impacts are minimized through construction controls, site design features, and operational management practices. Construction activities are limited to normal daytime working hours in accordance with municipal noise ordinances, and equipment is maintained in proper working condition with functioning mufflers and sound suppression devices. Staging areas, material storage, and equipment parking are located away from property boundaries where practicable to reduce localized noise transmission. Truck deliveries and loading activities are scheduled to avoid early morning or late evening periods, and unnecessary equipment idling is restricted. During operation, internal circulation design and designated loading areas limit queuing and minimize prolonged engine operation near sensitive receptors. Building mechanical equipment is specified and installed to comply with applicable noise performance standards, and routine maintenance ensures continued noise control performance. These measures limit temporary construction noise and maintain operational noise levels consistent with existing commercial land use conditions.
Visual resources that define a landscape’s aesthetic quality are the lines, forms, spaces, colors, and textures experienced from where people live, work, recreate and travel. The quality of visual resources is important to those who reside in and travel through a landscape (USDA NRCS 2004). The site is developed with two residential dwellings and associated structures. The site is surrounded by residential/commercial uses and vacant land.