Expressway Corridor
environmental health map

This map shows locations in the city that are sensitive to the effects of the city's major expressways.  A set of accompanying guidelines provides standards for health analyses for sensitive land uses in these areas.

  1. PURPOSE

    These guidelines are adopted in accordance with the Expressway Corridor Environmental Health Study, available at: www.plano.gov.

    EXPRESSWAY CORRIDOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GOAL

    Sensitive land uses within Expressway Corridor Environmental Health Areas should achieve a maximum outdoor noise level of less than 65 dBA Ldn.

    SENSITIVE LAND USE (SLU) REQUIREMENTS

    Sensitive land uses proposed in Expressway Corridor Environmental Health Areas shall have an EHA Site Analysis or additional site design standards, as per the table below:


    		Environmental Health Area
    Sensitive Land Use
    		EHA-1EHA-2
    RESIDENTIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL DWELLINGS
    • Assisted Living Facility
    • Boarding House
    • Continuing Care Facility
    • Day Care (in-home)
    • Household Care Facility
    • Household Care Institution
    • Independent Living Facility
    • Live-Work (Business Loft)
    • Long-term Care Facility
    • Mid-Rise Residential
    • Mobile Home Park
    • Multifamily Residence
    • Rehabilitation Care Facility
    • Rehabilitation Care Institution
    • Rooming House
    • Single-Family Residence (Attached)
    • Single-Family Residence (Detached)
    • Studio Residence
    • Trailer Park
    • Two-Family Residence
    • Two-Family Residence (Attached)
    		EHA Site Analysis
    		Inappropriate;
    except redevelopment of existing SLU may be considered with EHA Site Analysis
    DAY CARES AND SCHOOLS
    • Day Care Center
    • Day Care Center (Accessory)
    • Day Care Center (Adult)
    • School, (Private)
    		Site Design Standards should be consistent with Article 15.1900 for these uses
    PARKS
    • Park
    • Playground

     EHA SITE ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS
     An EHA Site Analysis should meet the following criteria:

    1. Be prepared by a recognized expert experienced in the fields of environmental noise and air pollution assessment and architectural acoustics;
    2. Include representative noise level measurements with sufficient sampling periods and locations to adequately describe local conditions and predominant noise sources on the project site;
    3. Estimate existing, future, and projected cumulative noise at ground level and for all proposed floors of the building, and compare those noise levels to the adopted standards of the Expressway Corridor Environmental Health Guidelines;
    4. Recommend appropriate mitigation options; and
    5. Estimate resulting noise exposure after the mitigation measures have been implemented.

     MITIGATION METHODS
     A combination of these methods is recommended for the most effective mitigation. Mitigation methods can be recommended through an EHA Site Analysis.


    Potential mitigation methods include:


    1 Locating the sensitive land use further away from the expressway.Mitigation Example - Move Sensitive Land Use
    2Placing buildings or parking structures between the sensitive land use and the expressway to function as a barrier.Mitigation Example 2 - Block the Sensitive Land Use
    3Adjusting the site design so that bedrooms, balconies, and open space are located further from and facing away from the expressway.Mitigation Example 3 - Arrange Site to Protect
    4Providing indoor air quality filtration systems that reduce at least 90 percent of particulate matter emissions.Mitigation Example 4 - Filter Air
    5Locating building air intake vents as far away from the expressway as practical.Mitigation Example 5 - Relocate Air Intake
    6Enhancing the building design using improved window, door, and wall material and/or treatments, as allowed per other regulations.Mitigation Example 6 - Enhance Building Materials