PLANNING TO AVOID LAND USE CONFLICTS AND POTENTIAL NOISE PROBLEMS

摘要

The authors’ experiences have indicated that inadequate planning by a community can contribute to noise problems from industrial sources and can result in undue time and expense for project proponents, town officials, and other interested parties. We suggest that noise consultants look for opportunities to encourage better planning and communication among all parties. If a community adopts a plan that includes reasonable and consistent zoning and noise regulations reflective of the community’s expectations, a project proponent will be able to focus its finite resources on addressing technical issues, such as noise, rather than on political and public relations efforts. To this end we recommend consultants seek to educate clients, including project developers, government agencies, and community groups, through clear reports and testimony that identify and display the value of clear planning by a community – planning that resolves or avoids conflicts in land use and expectations between industry and residences. And finally, consultants should think ahead about appropriate noise goals and regulations for industrial projects that balance a community’s needs and expectations with the industry’s technical and economic resources.