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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP198600082 Correspondence Special Use Permit 1986-12-15 XifasterCraft Building &Development Corp. irCCE7311,1 p ("),, DEC 1 G 1986 December 15, 1986 PLANNING DIVISION Mr. David Benish, Planner County of Albemarle Department of Planning and Community Development 401 McIntire Road Charlottesville, VA 22901-4596 Re: SP - 86 - 82 Caleb Stowe Village Offices Limited Partnership Berkmar Park Site Plan. Dear Mr. Benish: Reference is made to your letter dated December 5, 1986. In response to the request of the Planning Commission at its meeting on December 2, 1986 please find enclosed the following documentation: 1. Report of Analysis and Recommendations for Noise Control at Berkmar Park Kennels, prepared by Wildermuth and Associates, dated December 13, 1986. 2. Letter from Sally Mead, Director, Albemarle SPCA, dated December 8, 1986. 3. Letter from James J. Krack, Executive Director, American Boarding Kennels Association, dated December 4, 1986. 4. Letter from Dr. Charles H. Wood, Jr. , Old Dominion Animal Hospital, dated December 8, 1986. 5. Letter from Richard N. Atkinson, DVM, Charlottesville Animal Hospital, dated December 13, 1986. We trust that this information will satisfy the concerns of the Planning Commission. On behalf of the applicant we respectifully request that the petition for the Special Use Permit, as well as the Berkmar Park Site Plan, be heard before the Planning Commission at its meeting on January 6, 1987. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincer ly, Stanl E. Binsted SEB/j cm 1100 Dryden Lane, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 • (804) 971-7666 ,,,,,,,.,,, r...„..., ....„,, ,,z, ..:,.. „...„,. 2, ‹. „„ , ./., ,„„ (... D ),, , ,,,,,, ,, \,,, ,,, 1 I , Alt3c/111112.0t— REPORT OF ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NOISE CONTROL AT BERKMAR PARK KENNELS * * * * * 1 . INTRODUCTION 1 . 1 This report of analysis and recommendations for noise control at the proposed Berkmar Park Kennels on Berkmar Drive in Charlottesville, Virginia has been prepared at the request of Mr. Stanley E. Binsted of MasterCraft Building and Development Corp. It reviews the noise control provisions of the Albemarle County Virginia Zoning Ordinance, the siting and terrain features at the proposed kennels, available data on measured noise at similar facilities and proposed methods of construction. From these data, comments and recommendations are made for specific features in the construction of the kennels to assure that county noise limits are not exceeded. 1 . 2 An explanation of noise control terms used in this report has been provided in Appendix A. 2. ORDINANCE NOISE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS t'~' 2 . 1 The County Zoning Ordinance contains two references to noise control. The basic noise provisions are in Section 4 . 14 . 1 entitled: "NOISE. " The table therein contains octave band sound levels which shall not be exceeded at residential and other district boundaries. For ease of reference, we have calculated the dBA or "A-weighted" sound level equivalent of these values , which are 51 dBA at residential boundaries and 62 dBA at all other boundaries. The section further provides that between 7 PM and 7 AM the sound levels in each band shall be 5 dB lower, which results in a nighttime limit of 46 dBA at residential boundaries and 55 dBA at all other boundaries. 2 .2 Section 5.1 . 11 of the county ordinance provides an even further restriction on the maximum allowed sound level from a commercial kennel to 40 decibels at the nearest agricultural or residential property line. Although not stated, it is presumed that the dBA weighting is intended, as the limit would otherwise be undefined. The section also provides that the soundproofed building structure housing the kennel shall not be less than 200 feet from the nearest agricultural or residential property line. Wildermuth & Associates • • 3 . SITING AND TERRAIN FEATURES 3 .1 The proposed soundproofed kennel building is located on / the east side of Berkmar Drive. The nearest residential property line is over 300 feet to the west, on the east side of Williamsburg Road. The ground elevation at the kennel building is 500 feet and at the residential property line is about 490 feet. At the nearest residence , the ground elevation is about 25 feet higher, or 515 feet. Between the kennel building and the residence is a wooded gully, with a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees. If we adhere literally to the property line as the location to be protected, we can expect some assistance from the attenuation of the trees , but not more than 10 decibels . There would also be attenuation due to a barrier effect from the east side of the gully, but not more than 5 dB , as the sound path is grazing only and not interrupted. However, from a practical standpoint, it is the residence itself we need to protect , which is about 460 feet from and within line-of-sight from the kennel building. We would therefore would expect only inverse-distance sound attenuation, with no excess attenuation due to trees or the barrier effect of the hillside. 4 . EXPECTED INTERIOR NOISE LEVELS . 4 . 1 Measurements of interior noise levels of several kennels [1] have been made by Wildermuth & Associates . In these kennels the canine population was in the order of 50 to 100. There were r-N, varying conditions of absorption, resulting from the presence or `--• lack of an acoustical ceiling, or hanging baffles. The average sound level varied from 77 to 85 dBA, with the largest number due primarily to the highest population. The peak sound levels were found to be in the range from 92 to 100 dBA, depending somewhat on the number of dogs and the amount of absorption in the room. If the dog barks occurred exactly at the same time, then the sound energy wou-1d add, and the sound level would increase according to the lorar(itm of the total energy. Thus 100 dogs barking together would be 3 dB louder than 50 dogs barking. Practically , however, it is not likely that the interior sound level would exceed 105 dBA (even from a particularly energetic dog) , and the recommended acoustical treatment will aid in reducing the sound level below this value. [1] A study made in May , 1981 for Defenders of Animal Rights , Baltimore, MD. Measurements were made at Baltimore County, MD Animal Shelter, Montgomery County, MD Animal Shelter and at the Arlington County VA Shelter of the Animal Welfare League. Wildermuth & Associates Page 2 410 5. SOUND ATTENUATION OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION FEATURES . 5 . 1 Construction features of the proposed kennel building will have estimated sound attenuation as follows. To simplify the analysis, all attenuation values will be expressed as STC (Sound Transmission Class ) values . These are single numbers derived from 1/3 octave band measured values of attenuation according to ASTM standard E413-70T or a later revision. 1 ) Building Structural Wall . Proposed construction consists of one ;Giythe of 8-inch masonry block with vermiculite fill and a second wythe)of brick either as a facing or part of a cavity wall. Estimated STC = 56 . 2) Roof . Will be Ribbed, galvanized sheet steel , 26 gauge, with a minimum of R-11 insulation attached directly to underside. Estimated STC = 26 3 ) Kennel Area Ceiling. Should be 5/8" thick gypsum wallboard secured to underside of joists and shall have an overlayer of R-11 insulation. May not be required for adequate sound isolation. (See text ) Estimated STC = 29 4) Suspended Acoustical Ceiling . Should be provided in all areas. In kennel area would be suspended at 6" or n, more below gypsum board ceiling, or below joists if gypsum board ceiling is not used. If no gypsum board above, should have at least R-11 insulation on upper side. Should be Mineral Fiber panels rated at NRC .60 or better and room-to-room STC 35 or better. A sugges- ted type is Conwed Facination, 5/8" minimum thickness . As a room-to-plenum attenuator the STC rating would be about half the room-to-room value. Estimated STC = 17 5) Skylights . These are under consideration as an alternate to the windows in 6) below. The Wasco Type DDCS-1-2828 , size 22-1/4" x 22-1/4" with a dual convex dome of acrylic plastic is proposed. We were unable to get further details from Wasco, but from their other data sheets, it is assumed that this size would use 1/8" thick sheets . Estimated STC = 26 6 ) Windows, Kennel Area. These are under considera- tion as an alternate to the skylights in 5) above. Size proposed is 36" x 48" . They should be either sealed (non-openable ) with acoustical sealant, or if openable should be fully gasketed to assure the full STC value of the window. Glazing used should be at least 1/8" thick (double-strength "float" glass ) . See note about storm windows in 7 ) below. Estimated STC = 29 Wildermuth & Associates Page 3 w • 7 ) Windows, Grooming and Office Areas . The two windows on the south side will be approximately 48" x 60" and the three on the west end (office end) will be approximately 48" x 72" . All should have glazing of at least the thickness recommended for item 6) .These windows do not have to be sealed, but should have good gasketing for sound isolation. Estimated STC = 29 Note: Separate storm windows will improve the sound rating. However, a "Thermopane" window, typically 1" thick , in lieu of a combined basic and separate storm window will not improve the basic window rating. 8 ) Entry Door and Glass Surround, West End . This will be a double glass door, presumably 3/8" in thickness , with a glass surround of probably 1/4" thickness. The total area is approximately 17 feet wide x 10 feet high. If doors are framed, gasketing will be easier, including the astragals. Estimated overall STC = 30 9) Side and Rear Doors . These are 40" x 84" in size and should be metal doors 1-3/4" thick , with insulation filler. The door perimeters should be well gasketed and should include a good gasket at the sill: drop seal or other dependable type. Required Minimum STC = 28 6 . CALCULATED OVERALL BUILDING NOISE INSULATION FACTOR 6 . 1 Approach. In order to determine the expected noise level at the exterior surface of the building, it is first neces- sary to calculate the effective noise insulation factor of the building. The worst-case approach was taken, by assuming that the kennel occupies the entire building, and that the noise can radiate through all exposed surfaces. No allowance was made for any improved STC due to a portion of the north wall being covered by an earthen bank . Two calculations were made: 1 ) with the added gypsum board ceiling in place above the acoustical ceiling, and 2) with only an acoustical ceiling in the entire building. 6 . 1 . 1 In the first calculation, it was assumed that both the gypsum board and acoustical ceiling would be in place throughout the building. The STC values of all the building elements were converted into their respective values of sound transmission , added together, and with the value of sound absorption provided by the acoustical ceiling, a value for the Noise Insulation Factor (NIF ) was obtained for the entire building. This value of NIF was found to be 42 dB. 6 . 1 .2 In the second calculation, the ceiling was assumed to consist of only a suspended acoustical ceiling. All other ,.� building elements were as in calculation 1 ) . With this new condition, the value of NIF was found to be 38 dB. Wildermuth & Associates Page 4 7 . EXPECTED SOUND LEVEL AT RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LINE. 7 . 1 The expected sound level at the residential property line was then calculated assuming that the peak sound level in the kennel would be 100 dbA and using successively the two values of NIF found above. As the office end of the kennel building is facing the residential area, it was assumed that all the sound would be radiated from that surface. Initially it was found that the sound would be attenuated 5 dB in the first 14 feet from the building face. For the remainder of the path ( 340 - 14 ) = 326 ft. , the sound would be attenuated at the rate of 6 dB for each distance doubled. Thus at 340 feet, at the nearest residential property line, the additional attenuation due to distance was found to be 27 dB, making a total path attenuation of 32 dB . 7 . 1 . 1 Under the first condition 6 . 1 . 1 above, with both the gypsum board and acoustical ceiling, the sound level at the residence boundary would be: Source - NIF - Path = 100 - 42 - 32 = 26 dBA. 7 . 1 .2 Under the second condition, 6 . 1 .2 , with only the acoustical ceiling, the sound level at the residence boundary would be: 100 - 38 - 32 = 30 dBA. 7 .2 Both the above values are well below the 40 dBA limit . In addition, they are conservative, as they do not include any attenuation for trees or for grazing path attenuation of the gully east bank . In addition, the radiated level will be lower than assumed, as the office area will act as additional attenuation for the noise source, and noise radiation will be primarily through the roof and the south side of the building, neither of which is directly facing the residential area. As a further observation, the actual residence is in the order of 460 feet from the kennel building, which would increase the total path attenuation 3 dB to 35 dB, providing a further factor of safety. 8 . ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 8 . 1 The plenum area will contain sound absorption material both in the area immediately above the ceiling and below the roof panels . However, it will be advisable not to have any openings through the ceiling or the roof from the ventilating system, unless these are provided with ducts having acoustical liners at least 1" or more in thickness . It is recommended that the HVAC exhaust duct to the outside air be terminated in an opening in the east or rear end of the building. The exhaust duct should have a 1" or thicker acoustical lining and be at least 25 feet long between an opening in the ceiling and the discharge to open air. Ducts having a P/A of less than 0 . 2 , (where P = perimeter and A = cross section area, both in inches ) should be subdivided by partitioning, with a lining in each section. Wildermuth & Associates Page 5 j 8 .2 It will be noted that the estimated STC value for the skylights is essentially the same as that for the roof panels . For this reason skylights , if well sealed, could be used in the quantity proposed without detriment to the sound isolation of the building. However, the openings which would be required in the acoustical ceiling should be closed with panels of clear acrylic of not less than 1/4" in thickness. 8 . 3 For sound control within the kennel building, it will be desirable to provide a sound isolation partition between the office and public area and the kennel area. This partition should have at least one layer of 1/2" or 5/8" gypsum boards on each side of 3-1/2" metal studs at 24" centers , and well calked at ceiling and floor. The cavity should be filled with fiberglass or mineral fiber insulation between studs. If wood studs are used, it will be necessary to isolate the panels on one side by the use of resilient channels. To complete the sound isolation, a gypsum board ceiling will be essential over the office and public area, and this should be fully covered on top with R-11 insulation. An acoustical ceiling should be installed below this at a distance of 6" or more. Doors between the areas should be comparable to the metal doors previously described, or at least should be good quality solid core wood doors . In addition, they should be well gasketed all around. J&40 / John L. Wildermuth WILDERMUTH & ASSOCIATES P. O. Box 35732 Richmond, Virginia 23235 ( 804) 320-2353 December 13 , 1986 Wildermuth & Associates Page 6 w Appendix A AN EXPLANATION OF SOME NOISE CONTROL TERMS * * * * * 1 . Sound Pressure Level - The value of the sound pressure, expressed in decibels and referred to a standard reference pressure of 20 micropascals , which is approximately the threshold of hearing of a healthy young male human adult. 2. Noise level - Same as sound pressure level . 3. Decibel - Abbreviated "dB" , a logarithm of the ratio of the measured sound pressure to the reference sound pressure of 20 micropascals = 20 log (P/P(ref ) ) . 4 . dBA - Abbreviation for "decibels A-weighted" . This is a designation given to sound level or noise level which has been weighted by a frequency selective filter so that it corresponds to the amplitude at which it would be observed by the human ear. Noise level in dBA has been adopted and is in general use for measurement of environmental noise, traffic noise and wherever a measure of the noise effect on humans is desired. � �. 5. Sound Transmission Class - Abbreviated "STC" is a single figure which represents the transmission loss of a wall or structural component in dB. Derived from 1/3 octave band sound pressure level measurements by a procedure specified in ASTM Standard E413-70T or a later revision. 6 . Noise Reduction - This is the observable difference in noise level in dB between a noise source room and an adjacent listening room. It includes the transmission loss of the intervening wall or building envelope, and a factor which represents the absorption of the listening room, which in this case is the outdoors. fl Wildermuth & Associates Telephone 973-5959 Albemarle S. P. C. A. Box 1883, University Station Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 December 8, 1986 Dear Mr. Bowerman : Mike Cronk proprietor of the Pet Motel has shown me the plans for his proposed boarding and grooming kennel which he hopes to build on Berkmar Drive . We consider Mike a very good kennel keeper a and a conscientious one . The plans are excellent and, from his description, would involve all the necessities for comfort and c,re of animals . I can see nothing that would or could upset neighbors since there are no outside quarters . Provisions have been made for sound proofing and circulation of air which are important so the animals are not stressed while boarding or being groomed. The exercise area are ad, uate and efficient ; facilities for the personnel are excellent so they are relaxed and able to deal with the boarders and their owners . Mike is concerned with the care of animals and has often groomed stray dogs for us . He is dedicated to their care not just as a business venture but their welfare . Sincerely, Sally Mead, Director IBM® American Boarding Kennels Association • A Nonprofit Organization • 0�014G KEN 9 s 4 AM 4. I 0: December 4, 1986 . /BFQ 1-1987 David Bowerman, Chairman 14 Albemarle Planning Commission 4;4Rsocr '*�y c/o Mike Cronk, CKO 1511 5th Street Charlottesville; VA 22901 Dear Mr. Bowerman: This letter is being written to detail the credentials of Mike Cronk, CKO, and to give some background information about present-day pet boarding practices , for your infor- mation. Mike was one of the original founders of our association. He was a member of our first board of directors , and was Vice-President of ABKA for several years . During his term of office , he helped establish many of the educational programs and opportunities that we offer today. He travelled to many parts of the country to help conduct meetings and conventions , toured numerous boarding kennels , and was influential in helping to shape our present industry. After Mike left our board because of the demands of his newly-established business , he continued to be active in our meetings and programs , eventually earning certification from the association through our 2 year certification program (CKO Program) . He has also sponsored 5 of his employees Ln our kennel technician program (KenTech) . We routinely route all inquiries about our industry to Mike whenever we receive them from your part of the country. I can recommend him highly. Mike asked me to pass along some comments about the capacity of kennels within our industry. Modern boarding kennels are normally designed to accomodate 100 dogs or more . Many of our members handle up to 250 animals with ease . With good kennel design, and properly trained help, pets can receive excellent care in such facilities . Older kennels , which probably were originally designed as "hobby" kennels , were considerably smaller, and did not lend them- selves to such expansion.. We normally indicate to prospective kennel operators that the absolute minimum number of runs that a kennel must incorporate in order to succeed as a business is 50, but that , in order to generate the kind of profits necessary to hire qualified help, maintain the facility properly, advertise effectively, etc . , they should plan for a kennel 4575 Galley Road • Suite 400-A • Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915 • (303) 591-1113 2 . which can board closer to 100 dogs . With good design, adequate soundproofing, and proper operating procedures , a large boarding facility is a good neighbor and performs a valuable service to the community. From speaking with Mike about his planned kennel , and because I am familiar with his credentials and reputation within the industry, I know that you will be pleased with the kennel which he is proposing . Very Truly Yours , ame. . Krack, CKO, CAE Executive Director OLD DOMINION ANIMAL HOSPITAL DR. CHARLES H. WOOD, JR. 1707 Allied Lane Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 971-3500 December 8, 1986 Mr. David Bowerman Dear Mr. Bowerman: I have known Mike Cronk for the last four years; since my hospital Old Dominion Animal Hospital has been open. Over the years I have recommended his facilities to numerous clients for the grooming and boarding of their pets. My clients rely on my opinion to help them find a safe and reliable place to board their animals, so I do not take these recommendations lightly. I have examined Mike's floor plan for the proposed boarding and grooming facility. I see no problem with the facility having 100 dog kennels as long as an adequate number of employees are hired to keep the facilities clean and the animals well cared for. I feel confident that this will be done. Sincerely, ,n Dr. Charles H. Wood, Jr. DAVID G. OREBAUGH, D.V.M. RICHARD N. ATKINSON, D. V.M. CHARLOTTESVILLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1870 SEMINOLE TRAIL, RT.29 N. CHARLOTTESVILLE,VA. 22901 TELEPHONE (804)973-5331 December 13 , 1986 To Whom It May Concern, I have reviewed a floor plan of the proposed kennel to be built by Mike Cronk. I find the kennel to be very acceptable for the overnight housing of cats and dogs in terms of comfort and safety of the animals. The enclosures are quite adequate in regard to space for large dogs and provisions for sanitation are adequate i . e. gutters and drains for waste removal and adequate hot water for clea I do not have any specifications on the heating/cooling system but any system meeting local codes should be very adequate. I have been associated with and acquainted with Mr. Cronk for a number of years and feel his business is an asset to our community. ' n re yT, Richard R . Atkinson, DVM