A chiller at Hamilton Stage exceeds noise limits to the extent that it will require the construction of a sound wall at a cost of almost $32,000.
The Redevelopment Agency last month awarded a contract to build a sound wall to KDP Developers, Inc., for $31,970, the lowest among three bids. Other bids were $38,000 by K&D Contractors and $42,341 by Gingerelli Brothers.
Noise readings confirmed that the level was above acceptable limits during the day and night. The city ordinance allows a maximum level of no more than 65 dBA during the day and 50 dBA at nighttime. Daytime and nighttime limits are exceeded at 344 Hamilton St. and night time limits are exceeded in all measure locations.
Tests were conducted at four points:
* 344 Hamilton, corner of property — 68.1 dBA
* In street, 50 feet away — 65.4 dBA
* 359 Hamilton St., 87 feet — 61.9 dBA
* 339 Hamilton St., 110 feet — 61.9 dBA
“Calculations show the presence of a barrier alone falls short of achieving nighttime compliance under all load conditions at the property boundary of 344 Hamilton, adjacent to Hamilton Stage and closest property to the chiller equipment.” Ambient conditions were measured between 48-50 dBA.
Yes, I'm not surprised at this. I walk past every day, and last summer after it opened I wondered how the neigbors would put up with the levels–it certainly sounded excessive.
More money down the drain tax payer's
I hope these calculations (…that show that the presence of a barrier alone falls short of achieving nighttime compliance…) Will be more accurate than the ones that showed the noise would be below limits originally. While the Hamilton Stage is certainly a vast visual improvement over the eyesore that it replaced, the noise issue, beginning with construction (and dirt, dust etc.) for many months continiuing has been quite a "quality of life" issue for those of us living near it. I am surprised and disappointed at the placement of the chiller units. Even if the units did meet the noise level requirements, that does not mean they are not loud. We can no longer leave our windows open in cool evenings without listening to the drone and squealing of the compressors, which seems to run constantly with no one using the building. Who's paying for that? Gone are the quiet, peaceful summer nights when we could sit on our porches and relax and enjoy quiet conversation. I miss that. I also miss being able to pull into my driveway without worrying about hitting the new lightpole that an architect decided to install right at the corner of my driveway. I guess it looked good on the print. Everything works in theory ond on paper. Why couldn't the light have been moved toward their driveway even a little more? The other streetlight shines right into a bedroom window. This area sits in very close proximity to a branch of the river. It is prone to flooding as anyone who has lived in the area knows. We took a beating when Irene paid a visit, flooding into the houses. When I moved here I realized the possibility existed. What I am most concerned about is the new development and the conversion of once permeable surfaces to impermeable surfaces. In a flood prone area, the rain-absorbing grass/dirt has been paved over, from the parking lots to the much wider sidewalks that took away most of our front yards. How is this not making the flooding potential worse since the storm runoff now has no place to go but directly into the storm sewers and the river?