Update on the Santa Monica Airport and its Community Impact
by Martin
Rubin
Homeowners: Sellers’
disclosure of airport noise was added to California’s Transfer Disclosure
Statement last October in of the new law [Airport noise disclosure (AB 2776):
Requires disclosure to potential buyers that a property is affected by airport
noise], according to Ann Pettijohn, president of the California Association of
Realtors.
On the back burner: A possible opinion from
the UCLA Environmental Law Clinic on whether Santa Monica has the legal right to
regulate air traffic at the airport based on the amount of emissions aircraft
emits.
Everyone welcome: The Sub-Committee
on Airport Affairs (a sub-committee of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood
Council Conservation Committee) will meet for the third time at 7pm, Tuesday
Feb. 17, at the Azteca Restaurant, 424 Lincoln Blvd. The Sub-Committee is
working on strategies to address our neighborhood concerns regarding Santa
Monica Airport.
Recently founded:
Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution, covering all communities impacted
by S.M. Airport pollution invites all concerned residents to sign up at to be on
our contact list at jetairpollution.com or call
479-2529.
S.M. Airport Noise Management
Program November and December, 2003 Reports: Jet Aircraft Operations up 38% in
November from the previous year, and in December, up 13% from the previous year.
The violations recorded on the two official noise monitors, for November were up
from 17 to 25 from the previous year, and in December they were down from 24 to
16 from the previous year. The measurements assume the maximum level of noise
occurs over the monitors. It does not account for landings and take offs that do
not go over the monitors. It certainly does not include the noise that occurs
anywhere away from the
monitors.
Request to know what becomes
of the complaints that residents make to the airport: As co-founder of Concerned
Residents Against Airport Pollution, in response to questions from residents, I
asked the Airport Operation/Noise Abatement Supervisor, January 29, for an
official answer to several questions. These answers, which will be posted on
<jetairpollution.com>, have still not
arrived.
The Feb. 2 S.M. Airport
Commission meeting: Residents expressed their concern that the City of Santa
Monica is granting Commercial Operation Permits at the airport to businesses
that are attractive to commuter jet traffic, i.e. film production companies,
film and television development, and several limousine
services.
Under the Budget
Discussion item: Residents requested that a portion of the monies collected from
noise violations be set aside to be used for the sole purpose of improving the
monitoring of the environmental impacts on the communities surrounding the
airport.
Consideration of various
new Airport Commission Agenda Formats: This will be carried over to the February
23rd meeting. The public expressed their concern that their input might be
limited and several requests were made for workshops on items of concern to
residents, i.e. noise and emissions.
Last two items on the agenda: Due to a 10pm closing of the Ken Edwards Center,
the items on: Discussion of Procedures Regarding the Processing of Public
Request for Information Concerning Aircraft Operations, and the item on
Legislative and Regulatory Update were rushed through.
Send questions or comments to the
Beachhead, or to 479-2529 and
jetairpollution@earthlink.net.
Posted: Sun - February 1, 2004 at 06:09 PM