SANTA ANA

As part of a six-month trial period aimed at eliminating high-speed traffic shortcuts through the French Park neighborhood, sections of Spurgeon and French streets and Washington Avenue will be closed.

The City Council approved the plan Monday night, despite protests from about a dozen area residents. The French Park homeowners association had been working with the city on a plan for several years. But residents living in the nearby French Court, Logan and Lacy neighborhoods told the council they were angry because they felt they weren’t included in the negotiations until it was too late. Some held signs during the meeting that read “Fix Our Streets, Don’t Close Them” and “Keep Our Roads Open.”

The council decided to move ahead with the trial closures to provide immediate relief from speeding motorists who, some say, use the neighborhood’s streets “as an extension of the I-5.”

“You’re talking about one of the oldest neighborhoods and sections of the city,” Councilman Brett Franklin said. “These streets were designed for people with horses and buggies. We’ve had hundreds of street closures . . . some have even closed for six months and then been reopened. I think the important thing to remember is that this is a trial period.”