UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
BERKELEY DAVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES MERCED  RIVERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO
UCSD
SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ
Questions and Answers to Date Related to the Construction of One Miramar Street Graduate
Housing Project: (New Questions as of 10/12/2005 Added At End of This Document)
Question:
What will be the first work that will be performed?
Answer:
The first work to be performed will be the digging of a trench along a portion of Regents
Road to extend the 8” water line to the project connection site. That is planned to occur late in the last
week of September. This will reduce the road in the area being worked on to one lane with traffic control.
Signage etc has been planned and more detailed information on the work location will be provided to the
neighborhood through Rebecca and Kathryn.
Question:
What will occur after that?
Answer:
The first week of October will see the actual work on the site begin with entire site will be
cleared, fencing put up and then the site grading will commence.
Question:
What about security for the area?
Answer:
The entire site will be fenced off with controlled access locations that will be locked at the
end of each day. We will advise our night security staff and UCSD PD of the project as well.
Question:
Will there be traffic problems?
Answer:
We expect to minimize the impacts to traffic by having required the contractor’s employees
to park off site in the science park thereby eliminating as many as 100+ cars in the community. We have
required the contractor to use Miramar Street only for all work needs to keep the Regents portion of the
loop as free as possible during the day. We have met with campus shuttle operations to make sure that they
are fully aware of the project and initial timelines. We have recommended to Kathryn that all ECEC
parents arrive and depart via Regents Road and made the same recommendation to Rebecca for residents of
Central and South Mesa Apts. With the work day scheduled to end at 3:30 pm, we don’t expect any
problems with traffic in the afternoon.
Additionally, we are currently exploring options to resolve the long standing problems associated with the
drop-off and pick-up at the ECEC due to the narrow road that services that building.
Question:
How about the issue of noise?
Answer:
Unfortunately, this concern is going to be the one concern which may not be fully
resolvable. The reality is that the neighborhood has enjoyed a relatively tranquil existence and
construction of nearly 350,000 feet of housing and parking is going to generate noise.
The Mesa Office has been proactive in terms of notifying residents for over a year who are moving into the
community about the upcoming project and the potential disruptions but even with the notice, it has been
agreed that if any residents find the actual construction to be too disruptive, they will be able to cancel their
current contract and vacate their unit without the usual 30 day notice by contacting the office and advising
them that they need to move out.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
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UCSD
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We have discussed this concern and again, expect it to be very situational depending on many factors. We
realize that those closest to the construction area will face more impacts from the noise than those who are
further away and likewise, we realize that those who are closer to the construction for longer periods of
time have a higher chance of being impacted.
In terms of specific actions, Rebecca Otten has offered to make all the common rooms further back from
the construction in North, Central and South Mesa available so that the members of our community, who
might feel like they need a break, have some place to go and just relax.
We will be continuing to discuss other possible solutions.
Question:
Will a noise barrier be installed around the construction site?
Answer:
On March 10, 2006, Housing received a Petition for Immediate Construction of Noise
Barrier from residents of West Mesa. In response to this petition, our plan of action is:
1) Get clarification about how much of the site the community wants us to look at building a wall
2) Hopefully, get connected with CalTrans soon so we can get details on the fence/wall
3) Develop a list of what consultants are needed and estimated costs
4) Develop a estimated cost proposal
5) Go to Affilated Housing Advisory Committee and the community with costs and options for paying and
make decision on cost benefit impacts.
6) If the direction is to proceed, begin issuing RFQ/RFPs for services
We have responded to all the petitioners directly and we will continue to update the community on our
website and at the monthly construction meetings with the Mesa community.
Question:
Will the site grading generate dust and dirt?
Answer:
Yes, This is really the only part of the project that will have any significant challenges
related to dust and dirt. The site has to be graded and a fairly large amount of dirt from the site has to be
taken away.
Question:
How do they control the dust?
Answer:
If you have seen any grading projects of any size almost anywhere, you have seen the
process. It utilizes water trucks and/or workers with fire hoses that continually wet the area being worked
on. There still will be some dust generated but it will be closely watched. Tied to this, the dust generated
is impacted by weather. Hot weather and winds can increase dust issues, cooler, less breezy days tend to
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
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UCSD
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decrease dust so problems might be situational and very temporary. In any situation, the contractor is
responsible to manage the dust they generate.
Question:
How do they control the dirt?
Answer:
At each exit, there are large steel plates with ridges that the trucks drive over which knocks
dirt off the tires. Additionally, the contractor will be providing regular street sweeping services and if more
service is needed, it will be. We don’t expect this to be a problem at all for the neighborhood.
Question:
How long will this part of the construction last?
Answer:
Assuming all goes per schedule, of the 20 months of work approximately two months with
planned completion in December of this year.
Question:
How will the contractor manage these two very important issues?
Answer:
The contractor has specific procedures in place following construction industry standards
that they must meet.
Question:
Who is monitoring this process?
Answer:
In addition to the contractor who is responsible for the sub-contractor who will perform this
work, the University has a project manager (Mr. Mark Nelson) who is responsible for the managing the
project for UCSD and we have an full time on-site construction inspector who is employed by Housing and
Dining Services (Mr. Al Alarcon) who will be out in the field. Additionally, our team and of course, our
community members and support from our colleagues from our campus Facilities Operations group as well.
Question:
What if we think there’s a problem?
Answer:
As outlined in our letter, Ms. Own is first point of contact for ECEC Community and Ms.
Otten is first point of contact for the Apartment Community. They and/or their designees will bring any
concerns forward as soon as possible.
Question:
What other measures are in place or being considered?
Answer:
Not knowing if or when there might be a problem, we will focus our priority on trying to not
have a problem in the first place. If a problem occurs, we would like to address it as a single issue and find
a solution or solutions that resolve the concern rather than trying to apply blanket solutions to potential
problems. And as previously noted, we are very open to any suggestions from the community. We believe
the key is excellent communication and problem solving.
Question:
Will current residents have access to the new housing if they are still here at opening?
Answer:
The campus would like to see a program that provides incoming graduate students a limited period
of guaranteed housing at the front end and Housing and Dining Services is looking at how we can best meet that need
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
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UCSD
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while still being able to also meet requests such as these. We will continue to work with our appointed advisory
committee, the GSA and campus administration to find ways to offer as many choices and options as possible.
Question:
Will students currently on the waiting list have access to the new housing if they are still not
housed when the project opens?
Answer:
As noted in the prior response, Housing and Dining Services would like to find alternatives that
make this option available.
Question:
students?
Will Single Graduate Housing (SGA) at Warren College still be available to graduate
Answer:
Yes, SGA offers graduate students another choice and option and will continue to be available.
Question:
Will there be an access path onto La Jolla Village Drive from the project for students who need
or want to walk to campus?
Answer:
At this time we do not have an access path onto LJVD from the southwest side of the project. In
talking with residents, it was pointed out that not having this access adds at least a mile or more for residents who are
trying to get over to the campus or stores on Villa La Jolla. The challenge to meeting this suggestion is that some of
this area is environmentally sensitive. Housing and Dining Services has committed to explore this suggestion in
depth with the campus etc.
Question:
Can the porta-pottie in next to the construction trailers be moved?
Answer:
Yes, it will be removed shortly
Question:
Can the Construction Trailers be moved onto the site?
Answer:
project.
No, the entire site needs to be graded, there are no utilities on the site and the entire site is part of the
Question:
Is it true that the existing units’ rents will increase when the project comes on line
Answer:
Yes, that is true. The Campus Administration wants to keep all rents as affordable as possible and
the costs of the new facility would be near or at market rate without support from the existing units in terms of cost
sharing.
Question:
Why are our rents being increased particularly when we haven’t gotten raises? Isn’t money
coming from the State Of California or The Regents to fund this project?
Answer:
UCSD Housing and Dining Services on every UC campus is a totally self-funded department. This
means that we do not receive money from the UC system or the state of California. Our expenses are paid by the
rents that we collect. We have in the past and will continue to consider the costs of living and the average graduate
student's salary when determining the rent increases each year in July and look for the most cost effective ways to
deliver housing to our students. Our past history of rent raises has always been as low as possible and you are
welcome to review them anytime.
Question:
Can the work hours be changed from 7AM to 8AM?
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
BERKELEY DAVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES MERCED  RIVERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO
UCSD
SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ
Answer:
Trying to find the best start time for the majority of people has been extremely challenging. We
realize that the early start time has an impact on the nearby units but a later start time impacts everyone traveling on
the loop road both at the start of their day and at the completion. We also were trying to be considerate of our
parents dropping off and picking up their children in the Early Childhood Education Center as well as trying to make
sure the site was secured prior to the time children living at Mesa were out of school. We have reminded the
construction company staff that they are working around people’s homes and to do their best to keep noise down in
the early hours but construction by its nature is going to generate noise.
Question:
If a resident living near the construction feels that it’s causing them too much distraction; can
they request a transfer to another unit?
Answer:
Yes, contact the Residential Apartments Office
Question:
What agency is conducting an environmental report on the impact on ECEC, the observation
being that last week there was a lot of dust in the air?
Answer:
A San Diego based environmental consulting firm was hired by UCSD to prepare an Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) addressing the impacts of the UCSD East Campus Graduate Housing (ECGH) project. This is
typical for all UC construction projects. This EIR was certified and the project approved by the Regents of the
University of California in September 2005. Dust control practices by the contractor have been in place since the
start of the work but dust still does get generated and this is monitored by UCSD and the community with any
concerns being brought to the contractor’s attention as soon as possible.
Question:
Who is assessing the noise levels? I understand that outdoor noise levels above 65 decibels
is considered harmful for children and wanted to know if this has been addressed. It may not be an issue for
the short term, but since this project will be going on for sometime, there are many children who will be
exposed to noise for the duration of the project.
Answer:
The noise issues to the community were specifically discussed in Section 3.5 of the ECGH EIR.
Construction noise levels will vary over time depending on where construction activity is occurring on the site, and
based on what phase and type of construction activities are being undertaken. Construction noise in particular is
discussed on pages 3.5-7 through 3.5-9 of the EIR. Eight mitigation measures are proposed to reduce the potential
for temporary noise impacts to housing and childcare during the construction phase.
By the very nature of construction, noise affects the neighborhood. In terms of monitoring noise, it is a shared
responsibility of the University, the construction company, and the community living and working there. A process
has been outlined previously for bringing noise concerns forward. The EIR viewed the impacts on a neighborhood
level since residents and ECEC members are both sensitive noise receptors and mitigation efforts are generally
aimed to protect all, not individuals or groups. The EIR identified ECEC (i.e. a “childcare facility”) as a noise sensitive
user in the EIR (see page 3.5-8.)
Question:
The letters and web site so far do not address any environmental reports regarding the
construction being so close to the daycare center.
Answer:
Environmental compliance is a requirement of the State of California which the University of
California takes very seriously. While there have not been any previous questions posed as to the EIR status and
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
BERKELEY DAVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES MERCED  RIVERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO
UCSD
SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ
construction related to the daycare center, be assured that the ECGH EIR does address the overall impacts to the
neighborhood.
Question:
Are any underground lines (gas, sewer, water) that are near the daycare that may be impacted
by the construction (intentionally or not)?
Figure 2-11 of the ECGH EIR depicts the Utility Improvement Plans for the project. This
figure identifies utility improvements in the road adjacent to ECEC. Once this work is completed
(expected by the end of October) the rest of the grading activity will occur on the project site, which is
located 300 ft. away at the closest point to over 1,200 feet away from the closest ECEC building at the
furthest point. In a prior meeting with Ms. Owen, she advised that the ECEC must maintain utility service
and any disruption (planned or unplanned) would have to have immediate mitigation or the ECEC would
be forced to closed.
Answer:
Question:
Will there be daily air quality control reports?
Air quality issues are discussed on pages 4-2 through 4-5 of the ECGH EIR. Eight
mitigation measures are proposed to reduce the cumulative effect of construction activities on air quality.
Answer:
Question:
What kind of dust is settling on the school playground?
Answer:
In general, the dust may settle on the grounds will result from the grading operations (i.e. soil)
Question:
Who is responsible for cleaning the outdoor areas?
Answer:
As with any other project on the UCSD campus and construction projects in general, the community
as a whole is part of mitigation of the impacts on construction to their homes and work places as part of regular
maintenance of a space.
Question:
Who is on site currently monitoring the project?
Answer:
Our project inspector is on site the majority of the day and will be located full time on the site once
construction becomes fully involved. Currently, he is meeting several times daily on site with the construction
foreman and consulting biological monitor. All are monitoring the dust and noise concerns. The project manager for
Facilities Design and Construction also visits the site daily to assess the project. Additionally, the community has
been active in watching the initial work.
Question:
Will residents of the apartments who feel that that project is too disruptive for them be
allowed to cancel their lease?
Answer:
Yes, they should contact the Residential Apartments office to make these arrangements
Question:
What specifically is stated in the EIR related to reducing air poluntants and noise
Answer:
Here are the specifics within the EIR.
Air-CB
Any development on the UCSD campus shall include in all construction contracts the
measures specified below to reduce PM10 air pollutant emissions:
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
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Noi-2A

All on-site unpaved roads and off-site unpaved access roads shall be effectively
stabilized of dust emissions using water, chemical stabilizer/suppressant, or other
stabilization techniques.

All land clearing and grading and demolition activities shall be effectively controlled
of fugitive dust emissions utilizing application of water or by presoaking.

Street sweeping shall be performed regularly on roads surrounding the construction
site that carry construction traffic or collect construction related dust or dirt.

Revegetate exposed earth surface following construction.

Limit traffic speeds on unpaved roads to 15 mph.

To the extent that equipment is available and cost effective, the campus shall
encourage contractors to use alternate fuels and retrofit existing engines in
construction equipment.

Minimize idling time to a maximum of 10 minutes when construction equipment is
not in use.

To the extent practicable, manage operation of heavy-duty equipment (e.g., restrict
operations, operate only when necessary) to reduce emissions.
UCSD shall implement the following measures to minimize short-term noise levels
caused by construction activities. Measures to reduce construction/demolition noise to the
maximum extent feasible shall be included in contractor specifications and shall include,
but not be limited to, the following:
i.
ii.
The construction contractor shall be required to work in such a manner so as not to
exceed a 12-hour average sound level of 75 dBA at any noise-sensitive land use
(dormitories/ residential/ lodging, contemplative spaces, libraries, inpatient medical
care facility [beds present], and on-campus classrooms) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Construction equipment shall be properly outfitted and maintained with
manufacturer recommended noise-reduction devices to minimize constructiongenerated noise.
iii.
Stationary construction noise sources such as generators or pumps shall be located at
least 100 feet from noise-sensitive land uses as feasible.
iv.
Laydown and construction vehicle staging areas shall be located as far from noisesensitive land uses as feasible.
v.
All neighboring land uses that would be subject to construction noise shall be
informed at least two weeks prior to the start of each construction project, whenever
possible.
vi.
Loud construction activity such as jackhammering, concrete sawing, asphalt
removal, pile driving, and large-scale grading operations occurring within 100 feet
of a residential or academic building shall not be scheduled during any finals week
of classes to the extent feasible or consider adjusting the hours or days of
construction.
vii. Loud construction activity, such as jackhammering, concrete sawing, asphalt
removal, pile driving, and large-scale grading operations, occurring within 100 feet
of an academic or residential use shall be scheduled during holidays, class breaks,
and/or summer session, to the extent feasible.
viii. Loud construction activity located within 100 feet of a residential building or
inpatient medical care facility shall be restricted to occur between the hours of 7:00
a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
UCSD
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