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Veneklasen Associates New Lake Elmo Elementary School Noise Study; Lake Elmo, Minnesota Property Noise Measurement Summary; Veneklasen Project No. 8512-002 October 28, 2024; Page 2 of 9 Month Day, Year; Page 2 of 9 www.veneklasen.com Section 87A.05 “Noise Standards” of the Minnesota Statutes document states the following: Allowable noise levels for the operation of a shooting range are the levels determined by replacing the steady state noise L10 and L50 state standards for each period of time within each noise area’s classification with a single Leq(h) standard for impulsive noise that is two dBA lower than that of the L10 level for steady state noise. The noise level shall be measured outside of the range property at the location of the receiver’s activity according to the Minnesota Rules, parts 7030.0010 to 7030.0080, as in effect on May 28, 2005. For purposes of this section, “Leq(h)” means the energy level that is equivalent to a steady state level that contains the same amount of energy as the time varying sound level for a 60 -minute time period. Per the MPCA chapter on noise control, an elementary school would be classified as a Noise Area Classification 1 , which has the strictest noise limits in this document and also classifies property types such as residences, places of worship, etc. Section 7030.0040 “Noise Standards” provides a table of allowable noise levels per noise metric (L10 or L50), time of day, and Noise Area Classification. Table is summarized below. Table 1. MPCA Property Noise Standards Noise Area Classification Daytime Nighttime L50 L10 L50 L10 1 60 65 50 55 2 65 70 65 70 3 75 80 75 80 Per discussions with the gun club management, the club closes for members at sundown. Daytime hours, per the MPCA, are defined as the hours between 7AM and 10PM. Based on the Noise Classification Area and the daytime operation, the standard MPCA criteria would be: 1. L50 limit of 60 dBA and 2. L10 limit of 65 dBA. 3. However, per Section 87A.05, which specifically addresses a shooting range, these criteria are substituted for a single hourly equivalent (average) sound pressure level of 63 dBA. Section 87A.04(a) “Mitigation Area” of the Minnesota Statutes document states the following: Except for those uses, developments, and structures in existence or for which approval has been granted by October 1, 2005, or as provided in paragraph (b), no change in use, new development, or construction of a structure shall be approved for any portion of property within 750 feet of the perimeter property line of an outdoor shooting range if the change in use, development, or construction would cause an outdoor shooting range in compliance with this chapter to become out of compliance. This states that, given the school property has portions within 750 feet of the existing gun club property line, if gun club activities would exceed the 63 dBA limit discussed above, it is the responsibility of the Client to provide acoustic mitigation to comply. Per Section 87A.05, areas that must comply with this noise limit include areas of outdoor activity and the school building itself. Acoustical Measurement Summary An acoustic measurement survey was conducted to evaluate the existing impacts of gun club activities on the property line, as well as other proposed areas of outdoor activity per the applicable State code. These results were then compared to the allowable noise limit to determine whether additional steps towards acoustic mitigation were necessary. Beginning on the 4th of July and going until the fall, the Oakdale Gun Club opens their club to the public on weekends. It is limited to membership only on weekdays in this period of time. It is understood that, during this period of time, occupancy increases on weekends because the club hosts both the public as well as its members. Therefore, it was