HomeMy WebLinkAboutSound Assessment - 1999II
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SOUND LEVEL ASSESSMENT
Animal Inn
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Prepared for
Animal Inn
by
David Braslau Associates, Inc.
1313 5th St. SE Suite 322
Minneapolis, MN 55414
7 August 1999
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Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
l.O INTRODUCTION AND STUDY OBJECTIVES--------------------------------------l
2.0 NOISE MONITORING RESULTS -----------------------------------------------2
2.1 Monitoring Sites and Time ------------------------------------------------2
2.2 Monitoring Results and Comparisons------------------------------------2
2.3 Comparison with MPCA Noise Standards -----------------------------10
3.0 FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS----------------------------------------------11
3 .1 Monitored Data-------------------------------------------------------------11
3 .2 Predicted Sound Levels ---------------------------------------------------11
3.3 Potential for Sound Level Impact----------------------------------------11
David Braslau Associates, Inc . Augu st 7, 1999
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Animal Inn
Exhibit 2.1
Exhibit 2.2
Exhibit 2.3
Exhibit 2.4
Exhibit 2 .5
Exhibit 2.6
Sound Level Assessment
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Page
Animal Inn and Noise Monitoring Locations ----------------------------3
One-Minute Average Sound Levels at Animal Inn ---------------------5
One-Minute Average Sound Levels at 27th and Innsdale--------------6
Comparison of LO 1 Levels--------------------------------------------------7
Comparison of L 10 Levels--------------------------------------------------8
Comparison of L50 Levels--------------------------------------------------9
David Braslau Associates, In c. August7, I 999
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Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND STUDY OBJECTIVES
This report describes the methodology and findings from a monitoring program to
establish sound levels associated with Animal Inn in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The study
was undertaken in response to reports from a nearby residential neighborhood of hearing
dogs from the outdoor kennel at Animal Inn.
The sound level monitoring program reported on here was developed to identify sound
levels associated with the kennel and sound levels observed in the neighborhood, and to
determine what impact, if any, kennel sound has on the adjacent neighborhood.
To accomplish this, sound level meters were placed adjacent to the kennel and in a
representative location in the neighborhood. Sound levels were monitored for just over
one hour which included the time during which dogs were moved into the outdoor kennel
area at 7 :00 am. The data collected permitted a comparison of sound levels at and
between these two locations.
David Braslau Associates, Inc . -l -Aug ust 7, 1999
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Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
2.0 NOISE MONITORING RESULTS
2.1 Monitoring Sites and Time
Sound levels were monitored 15 feet behind the kennel (to represent source noise) and at
the intersection of 27th and Innsdale which is approximately 3000 feet to the south of
Animal Inn. The 27th and Innsdale site was selected as being representative of the
residential neighborhood where reports of hearing sounds from Animal Inn have
originated.
Sound levels were monitored beginning at 6:30 am on Saturday 24 July 1999 at the
Kennel. This time was selected since the dogs are releas ed to the outdoor kennels at 7 :00
am and the difference between ambient and post-7 am sound levels could be determined.
Saturday morning was selected since this represents a worst case for the kennel and a
relatively quiet background noise period for the adjacent neighborhood. Sound levels
were monitored and averaged over I-minute intervals to provide a detailed picture of
sound levels during the monitoring period.
The location of Animal Inn and sound monitoring sites is shown in Exhibit 2.1. It can be
seen that the monitoring site is approximately 3000 feet from Animal Inn. Other noise
sources including the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, Stillwater Boulevard, and Inwood
Avenue North lie between the monitoring site and Animal Inn.
Reported weather conditions during the monitoring period are indicated below.
Sky
Temperature
Dew Point
Relative Humidity
Wind
Pressure
Partly cloudy
g30
74°
74%
West 7 mph
29 .94 rising
With the wind perpendicular to the sound path between the monitoring site and Animal
Inn, wind had a minimal effect on the observed sound levels.
2 .2 Monitoring Results and Comparisons
Monitoring results are presented graphically in Exhibit 2.2 through Exhibit 2.6.
Exhibit 2.2 One-Minute Average Sound Levels at Animal Inn
In this and the following exhibit, the L0l represents the level for 1 % of a minute or 0.6
seconds. L 10 represents the level for 10% of a minute or 6 seconds. L5 0 represents the
level for 50% of a minute or 30 seconds. L90 represents the level for 90% of a minute or
54 seconds.
David Braslau Associates, Inc. -2 -August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn
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Exhibit 2.1
Sound Level Assessment
55042
Animal Inn and Noise Monitoring Locations
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Animal Inn Sound Level Ass essment
This exhibit clearly shows an increase in sound level as the dogs were let into the outdoor
kennels at 7:00 am. Prior to 7:00 am some individual dogs were outside as can be seem
from the shorter episodes of sound level up to 60 dBA. After 7:00 am, the maximum
observed level 69 dBA and relatively continuous until approximately 7:30 am when the
sound level began to decrease.
Exhibit 2.3 One-Minute Average Sound Levels at 27th and Innsdale
This exhibit shows a general background level of around 48 dBA prior to 7 :00 am and
some peaks as high as 62 dBA after 7:00 am. Most of these peaks were caused by cars
passing on 27th Street, with several of the peaks due to barking dogs at nearby
residences. The L50 level, which increased by approximately 6 dBA at the kennel after
7:00 am, showed several peaks at this location but generally remained around 45 dBA
during the time period. Comparisons between the levels observed at the kennel and at
this location are presented in the three exhibits described below.
Exhibit 2.4 Comparison of L0l Levels
This exhibit shows the LO 1 or "peak" sound levels during each minute. It can be seen
that when the kennel sound level increased at 7:00 am, no similar change occurred in the
neighborhood. There was an increase in individual events primarily from the passage of
automobiles and several aircraft after 7: 15 am.
Exhibit 2.5 Comparison ofLl0 Levels
This exhibit shows the L 10 sound levels during each minute. While the L 10 level
increased at 7:00 am at the kennel, there was no similar increase in the neighborhood.
Only isolated peaks associated with automobiles or aircraft were observed.
Exhibit 2.6 Comparison of LS0 Levels
This exhibit shows the L 10 or median sound level during each minute. While there was
a clear increase in level at the kennel after 7:00 am, no similar increase occurred in the
neighborhood. The large peak at 7:26 am was observed in the neighborhood to be an
aircraft overflight. This peak can also be seen in the LOl data in Exhibit 2.4.
David Braslau Associates, Inc . -4 -August 7, 1999
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-1
Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
ANIMAL INN (50' BEHIND KENNEL)
SATUR[µ,Y MORNING -24 JULY 1999
70
6B
66
64
62
60
5B
56
54
52
50
4B
46
44
42
40
630 645 700 715 730 745
TIME
□ LOI + L10 ◊ L50 A L90
Exhibit 2.2
One-Minute Average Sound Levels at Animal Inn
David Bras lau Associates, Inc. -5 -August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
27th at lnnsdale
Saturday Morning -24-July 1999
70
6B
66
64
62
60
58
56
54
52
50
4B
46
44
42
40
645 700 715 730
TIME
□ LOI + L10 ◊ L50 A L90
Exhibit 2.3
One-Minute Average Sound Levels at 27th and Innsdale
David Braslau Associates, Inc. -6 -August 7, 19 99
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Animal Inn
LO 1 LEVEL COMPARISON
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
56
54
52
50
48
46
645
D
David Braslau Associates, Inc.
KENNEL vERS US I NUS DALE
700 715
KENNEL + INN SQA.LE
Exhibit 2.4
Comparison ofLOl Levels
-7 -
Sound Level Assessment
730
August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn
L 10 LEVEL COMPARISON
68
66
64
62
60
58
56
54
52
50
48
46
44
645
□
David Braslau Associates, Inc.
KENNEL VERSUS INIISQt..LE
700 715
KENN EL + INNSQt..LE
Exhibit 2.5
Comparison ofL10 Levels
-8 -
Sound Level Assessment
730
August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn
L50 LEVEL COMPARISON
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
645
□
David Braslau Associates, Inc.
KENNEL VERSUS INtlSCV>.LE
700 715
KEN~IEL + INN SCV>.LE
Exhibit 2.6
Comparison of LSO Levels
-9 -
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Sound Level Assessment
730
August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn Sound Level Assessment
2.3 Comparison with MPCA Noise Standards
Because of its periodic nature, kennel sound levels are governed by the LIO sound level
as defined in Minnesota regulations. The LIO is the level exceeded 10% or six minutes
of an hour. The state noise standards for residential land uses expressed as L 1 0 are
presented in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
Minnesota LIO Noise Standards for Residential Land Uses
Daytime Nighttime
7 am to 10 pm IO pm to 7 am
65 dBA 55 dBA
The LIO sound level measured 50 feet from the kennel did not exceed the daytime (after
7:00 am) standard (except for the aircraft overflight at 7:26 am). Therefore, as long as
the dogs are not outside between 10:00 pm and 7 :00 am, the state noise standards are not
likely to be exceeded even at the property line of Animal Inn.
Sound levels measured in the neighborhood are well below the daytime noise standards.
David Braslau Associates, Inc. -IO -August 7, 1999
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Animal Inn
3.0
3.1
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
Monitored Data
Sound Level Assessment
Based upon monitored sound levels, there is no evidence that sound from the kennel has
an effect on levels in the neighborhood near 27th Street and Innsdale Avenue. When the
dogs were placed in the outdoor kennels at 7:00 am, the maximum level (LOI) increased
over background by as much as 18 dBA. The L 10 level increased by approximately 18
dBA over background. At the neighborhood monitoring site, the LO 1 did not increase
except due to nearby passing automobiles. The LIO level also did not increase except due
to nearby passing automobiles.
3.2 Predicted Sound Levels
As a means of confirming the measurements, a prediction of sound level at the monitor
was made using the decay of sound with distance. No attenuation from vegetation was
assumed. The 68 dBA peak level at the kennel is predicted to drop to 32 dBA at the
monitor. At homes along Stillwater Boulevard, the levels are predicted to drop to 38
dBA. Even with a wind blowing directly from the kennel, these levels are likely to be no
higher than 42 dBA in the neighborhood and 48 dBA along Stillwater Boulevard. The
48 dBA level is similar to the lowest observed LOI levels in the neighborhood. Noise
from traffic is likely to be higher than 48 dBA along Stillwater Boulevard.
3.3 Potential for Sound Level Impact
Sound levels associated with the kennels at Animal Inn are not likely to exceed the
MPCA daytime standards at the Animal Inn property line. These levels are not likely to
show up on sound level measurements made in the neighborhood near 27th Street and
Innsdale A venue. Some sounds may be audible even when the measured sound level is
lower than measured ambient levels, which may be the case with the sound of barking
dogs from the kennel. However, audibility of sounds at or below ambient levels is not
considered in the state noise standards nor in local noise ordinances.
Based upon this sound level assessment, sound levels from Animal Inn do not exceed any
established noise standards nor are they likely to significantly affect typical ambient
sound levels that already exist in adjacent residential neighborhoods.
animimm-rep.doc 99059
David Braslau Associates, Inc. -11 -August 7, 1999