Monterey Park's primary goal with regard to community noise is to minimize the exposure of residential neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals to excessive or unhealthy noise levels, to the extent possible due to the city's built out condition. Toward this end, this element establishes noise / land use compatibility guidelines. These guidelines are based upon cumulative noise criteria for outdoor noise.
Monterey Park Noise Criteria
Figure SCS-6 (PDF) outlines the criteria the city will use in its review of development proposals. New residential development will comply with Title 24 standards. Title 24 of the State Health and Safety Code establishes standards for interior noise levels for new residential development, requiring that sufficient insulation be provided to reduce interior ambient noise levels to 45 CNEL. For existing residential development along minor arterials and collectors experiencing high noise exposure, the city can implement the Neighborhood Traffic Control Program process outlined in the Circulation Element of this General Plan. Devices such as turn restrictions, traffic circles, and speed humps can relieve traffic and reduce traffic noise through residential neighborhoods.
Low Ambient Noise Levels
Since land use patterns in Monterey Park are well established, little opportunity exists to relocate noise-sensitive uses to areas with lower ambient noise levels. Also, land use policy encourages new housing development within mixed use areas along Garvey Avenue (between Garfield and New Avenues), where the 65 CNEL noise contour extends from approximately 183 to 194 feet from the street center line. Many California communities consider 65 CNEL to the maximum noise environment acceptable for multifamily housing. Thus, the noise / land-use compatibility criteria in Figure SCS-6 (PDF) respond to baseline noise conditions and city objectives to create a vibrant, mixed use Downtown.