LAGUNA NIGUEL : City Explores Ways to Buffer Street Noise

To shield houses along busy Street of the Golden Lantern from traffic noise, the city is considering an innovative $700,000 plan that would bring relief to residents of about 100 homes.

Rather than using the standard 12-foot sound walls, the City Council tonight will discuss an approach that could be modified for individual houses.

By installing double- or triple-pane glass in the homes, city officials said, they could reduce noise four or five times more effectively than by building sound walls.

Central air conditioning would then have to be installed, officials said, because the windows would have to be closed at all times.

Golden Lantern is an extension of Moulton Parkway, one of three major Orange County arteries earmarked for Measure M traffic funds.

If the Orange County Transportation Authority gives approval for the project, Golden Lantern would be widened at a cost of $2 million, including the cost of sound buffers between the road and the homes.

Council members will also consider a request from residents that would allow them to start the sound mitigation program now at their expense.

Homeowners would be reimbursed when the street improvements are underway.

The city’s planning staff, however, recommends waiting until OCTA makes a decision on Laguna Niguel’s application for Measure M funds.