1. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulation entitled “Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise” (23 CFR 772) provides procedures for noise studies and noise abatement measures to help protect the public health and welfare, supplies noise abatement criteria, and establishes requirements for information to be given to local officials for use in the planning and design of federal-aid highways. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) policy entitled “Noise Abatement” (Policy #08-111), adopted pursuant to 23 CFR 772, addresses highway noise impacts and sets forth conditions under which noise abatement projects may be approved and constructed in the state of Utah with the use of federal-aid highway participation funds.
2. In order for UDOT to obtain participation funds from FHWA for proposed federal-aid highway projects for noise abatement measures on existing highways (known as “Type II Projects”), local authorities are required to take measures “...to exercise land use control over the remaining undeveloped lands adjacent to highways in the local jurisdiction to prevent further development of incompatible activities.” 23 CFR 772.19(b).
3. In an effort to prevent future traffic noise impacts on currently undeveloped lands, Section 23 CFR 772.15 requires that highway agencies shall inform local officials within whose jurisdiction the highway project is located of the following:
   1. The best estimation of future noise levels (for various distances from the highway improvement) for both developed and undeveloped lands or properties in the immediate vicinity of the project;
   2. Information that may be useful to local communities to protect future land development from becoming incompatible with anticipated highway noise levels; and
   3. Eligibility for federal-aid participation for Type II Projects as described in Section 23 CFR 772.19(b.).
4. In order for city residents to benefit from the development and implementation of Type II Projects for noise abatement along eligible highways within its boundaries, it is found to be in the city’s best interests to comply with federal regulation and state policy by adopting this zoning ordinance.

The ordinance codified in this chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city by minimizing the potential adverse effects of highway traffic noise and by complying with state and federal requirements for highway traffic noise abatement projects.

Consistent with the requirements of 23 CFR 772 and UDOT’s Noise Abatement Policy #08-111, no remaining undeveloped lands located in the city adjacent to Type II Projects (freeways and expressways) shall be developed for any use or activity which is incompatible with highway traffic noise levels, unless the development of such lands shall include appropriate noise abatement measures determined necessary and appropriate by the city and UDOT. A use or activity shall be deemed incompatible with highway traffic noise levels when a “traffic noise impact” occurs, as determined by UDOT's Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC).

Table 1 Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC)
[Hourly A- Weighted Sound Level decibels (dB(A))]

¹ Hourly A-weighted sound level in decibels reflecting a 1 dBA “approach” value below 23 CFR 772 values

The owner or developer of land to be subdivided, improved or developed adjacent to Type II Projects shall be responsible to comply with any and all requirements for noise abatement measures imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Failure to so comply shall constitute a violation of city ordinance and shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.