Noise report

The rule

Code computed the rating from the assessor's inputs:

impact_likely=yes -> 2

Set by the rule

Decision

Released

Evidence state

REPORTED · desktop, consultant or developer record

The assessor's comments

Noise assessment predicts operating sound above its design goal at two non-participating homes (R-6 by 3 dBA, 44 against 41 dBA), with a possible 120 Hz transformer tone at R-7. Pile driving would reach about 80 to 87 dBA at R-2, 260 feet away. No numeric solar limit applies; mitigation not yet selected.

Worst case

The same rule on the worst case gives no rating above the point.

• Present: yes

  Noise-sensitive residences are documented near the site: 23 residences within 1,000 feet of the fence (C-ffd9a025a0), nearest non-participating home 260 feet from the array fence (C-0a6e65688e). OH-NOISE applies to the OPSB application (C-b46e7e0088, C-ef25cbb708).

  Cites C-ffd9a025a0, C-0a6e65688e, C-b46e7e0088, C-ef25cbb708

• Extent: peripheral

  Predicted exceedances of the design goal are limited to two non-participating residences, R-6 (610 feet west of the BESS yard) and R-7 (a possible transformer tone) (C-597c5c8469, C-a188dcc65e, C-a559672e76). 23 homes lie within 1,000 feet of the fence (C-ffd9a025a0), but their spread along the boundary is not documented. Noise is not shown as a site-wide layout driver.

  Cites C-597c5c8469, C-a188dcc65e, C-a559672e76, C-ffd9a025a0

• Avoidable: partly

  The study reports the design goal exceeded at two non-participating residences, including R-6 by 3 dBA, with a possible 120 Hz transformer tone at R-7; no mitigation option had been selected (C-597c5c8469, C-a559672e76, C-e87269852b). Mitigation such as low-noise equipment, enclosures or relocation is likely to be needed (professional judgment). No numeric local or OPSB solar limit applies (C-28e17ecd77), and Northfold committed to model and mitigate battery yard noise (C-20dcb5e601).

  Cites C-597c5c8469, C-a559672e76, C-e87269852b, C-28e17ecd77, C-20dcb5e601

• Pathway: standard

  OH-NOISE requires noise modeling, a day and night background study and mitigation information in the OPSB application (C-b46e7e0088, C-ef25cbb708). No numeric limit applies locally or under OPSB rules for solar (C-28e17ecd77), so no variance is needed. The consultant applies a design goal of background Leq plus 5 dBA at non-participating residences (C-11157696c9). Neighbor concern was raised at the public meeting (C-ec66acfa65), but no intervenor, complaint or contested record is documented.

  Cites C-b46e7e0088, C-ef25cbb708, C-28e17ecd77, C-11157696c9, C-ec66acfa65

• Impact likely: yes

  The study predicts sound above the design goal at two non-participating residences; the night level at R-6 is 43 dBA, about 14 dBA above background, attributed to battery cooling equipment. A transformer tone may be audible at R-7. Pile driving would reach about 80 to 87 dBA for several days at R-2, 260 feet away (C-597c5c8469, C-a188dcc65e, C-a559672e76, C-0a6e65688e).

  Cites C-597c5c8469, C-a188dcc65e, C-a559672e76, C-0a6e65688e

Supporting statements (15)

Each claim the row cites: the statement in the assessor's words, then the quote the engine found on the page.

1. C-0a6e65688e

   Pile driving would reach about 80 to 87 dBA for several days at the nearest non-participating residence, 260 feet from the array fence (R-2).

   The nearest non-participating residence is 260 feet from the array fence (R-2), where pile driving would reach about 80 to 87 dBA for several days.

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 3 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 3, claim C-0a6e65688e

2. C-11157696c9

   Design goal is measured daytime background Leq plus 5 dBA at non-participating residences, proposed by Northfold as a certificate condition.

   this assessment applies a design goal of the measured daytime background Leq plus 5 dBA at each non-participating residence

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-11157696c9

3. C-20dcb5e601

   Northfold committed to model and mitigate battery yard noise at Linnet Road homes and share the noise study.

   Model and mitigate battery yard noise at the Linnet Road homes; share the noise study.

   Summary of the County Public Meeting under ORC 303.61 - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0023 · Page 1 · 2023-05-12

   Source developer_document · Claim type recommendation · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Cited by CO-02 · Filed under CO-02, CO-03

   See it on page 1, claim C-20dcb5e601

4. C-25d20304cf

   Recommended construction controls: loud work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, notice, complaint line, and vibration monitoring within 200 feet of residences or wells.

   pile driving and other loud work only from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday;

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 3 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type recommendation · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 3, claim C-25d20304cf

5. C-28e17ecd77

   Neither Carroll County nor Harrison Township has a numeric noise limit ordinance applying to the Project, and OPSB rules set no numeric operating noise limit for solar.

   Neither Carroll County nor Harrison Township has a noise ordinance with a numeric sound level limit

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Filed under CO-03, PE-01

   See it on page 1, claim C-28e17ecd77

6. C-597c5c8469

   Predicted operating sound exceeds the design goal at two non-participating residences: R-6 by 3 dBA and R-7 by 2 dBA.

   It exceeds the goal at two non-participating residences: R-6, 610 feet west of the BESS yard, by 3 dBA (44 dBA against 41 dBA)

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   Cited by CO-02 · Filed under CO-02, CO-03

   See it on page 1, claim C-597c5c8469

7. C-9dd9799912

   Daytime background Leq was 36 to 41 dBA and nighttime L90 was 28 to 31 dBA, measured May 16 to 23, 2023.

   Daytime background Leq was 36 to 41 dBA and nighttime L90 was 28 to 31 dBA

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source field_study · Claim type study_finding · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-9dd9799912

8. C-a188dcc65e

   Predicted nighttime level at R-6 is 43 dBA, about 14 dBA above nighttime background, driven by battery cooling equipment.

   so the nighttime level at R-6 (43 dBA) is about 14 dBA above the nighttime background

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-a188dcc65e

9. C-a559672e76

   The main power transformer may produce an audible 120 Hz tone at R-7.

   The main power transformer may produce an audible 120 Hz tone at R-7.

   Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

   Source consultant_memo · Claim type study_finding · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

   See it on page 1, claim C-a559672e76

10. C-b46e7e0088

    The OPSB application must report construction and operating noise at each residence by day and night, with a preconstruction background noise study.

    The OPSB application must report construction and operating noise at each residence by day and by night, with a preconstruction background noise study.

    Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence low · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Filed under CO-03, PE-02

    See it on page 1, claim C-b46e7e0088

11. C-e87269852b

    Mitigation options for R-6 and R-7 are under evaluation and none had been selected when the report was issued.

    No option had been selected when this report was issued.

    Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 1 · 2023-07-10

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type data_gap · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 1, claim C-e87269852b

12. C-ec66acfa65

    Neighbors on Linnet Road raised concern about night noise from the battery yard and substation.

    Noise from the battery yard and the substation at night, from neighbors on Linnet Road.

    Summary of the County Public Meeting under ORC 303.61 - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0023 · Page 1 · 2023-05-12

    Source developer_document · Claim type stakeholder · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Cited by CO-02 · Filed under CO-02, CO-03

    See it on page 1, claim C-ec66acfa65

13. C-ef25cbb708

    Staff highlighted a preconstruction background noise study with day and night data and predicted operating noise at every residence within one mile.

    A preconstruction background noise study with day and night data, and predicted operating noise at every

    OPSB Pre-Application Conference Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0026 · Page 1 · 2023-03-28

    Source agency_determination · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    See it on page 1, claim C-ef25cbb708

14. C-fd52f76b29

    Blasting is not expected.

    Blasting is not expected;

    Noise Assessment - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0016 · Page 3 · 2023-07-10

    Source consultant_memo · Claim type absence · Polarity absence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Cited by EN-02 · Filed under CO-03, EN-02

    See it on page 3, claim C-fd52f76b29

15. C-ffd9a025a0

    There are 23 residences within 1,000 feet of the fence.

    There are 23 residences within 1,000 feet of the fence.

    Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project - Project Description · DR-0001 · Page 1 · 2023-06-12

    Source developer_document · Claim type presence · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100

    Filed under CO-02, CO-03

    See it on page 1, claim C-ffd9a025a0

• Select and model mitigation for R-6 and R-7 (BESS cooling, transformer tone, siting).
• Adopt the recommended construction hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday) and vibration monitoring in the OPSB application; blasting is not expected.
• Share the noise study with Linnet Road neighbors as committed.

Agencies