Mixed Use Development Acoustic Study

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. provided comprehensive acoustical consulting services for a proposed Mixed-Use Development on a parcel of land located along Highland Avenue in Cheshire, Connecticut. The proposed mixed use development is slated to include a sit-down restaurant, two light industrial buildings, a supportive housing building, a cold storage building, associated parking, and a wooded area with nature trails.

Challenge

The development includes light industrial uses, cold storage operations, truck loading docks, rooftop refrigeration equipment, and a restaurant – each with distinct noise characteristics requiring evaluation.
 

Solution

GZA conducted continuous baseline noise monitoring over a full day to establish existing daytime and nighttime sound levels. Median (LA50) sound levels were documented to distinguish project related noise from prevailing background conditions. The noise emissions for the proposed Mixed-Use Development were projected using CadnaA acoustical modeling software. The analysis considered a “worst-case” daytime operation where up to 7 trucks are being loaded or unloaded across the hour as well as the rooftop refrigeration units on the building. This hour was selected based on the traffic study. The analysis then considered a “worst-case” nighttime operation where up to 4 trucks are sitting in the loading dock before the facility is open to unload the goods, as well as the rooftop refrigeration units on the building.
 

Benefit

GZA demonstrated that the project meets Connecticut noise standards at most sensitive receptors and identified how minor design or operational adjustments could resolve the remaining exceedance.