Lancaster Gives Preliminary OK for Housing Under Flight Paths

The Lancaster City Council has unanimously approved proposals that may allow construction of 1,450 homes below flight paths of an Air Force facility, despite protests by Air Force officials and residents who call the proposals a blueprint for conflict.

The housing developments still must go through several stages of planning review. But critics said Wednesday’s vote could result in the type of problems that have plagued residential neighborhoods around airports throughout the nation: blight, noise, pollution and running battles between homeowners and airport officials.

“We have seen time and again around this country that houses and airports just don’t mix,” said Lt. Col. Mario Cafiero, commander of Air Force Plant 42, a military manufacturing and testing site in Palmdale that shares its runways with the Palmdale Regional Airport.

He warned that current noise levels will increase as new military aircraft projects get under way and new commercial flights begin at the Palmdale airport next month.

Los Angeles and Burbank have had ongoing battles over noise and other complaints with neighbors of LAX and Burbank Airport. But Lancaster City Council members said they voted to amend their city’s General Plan to potentially allow two housing projects near Air Force Plant 42 because the proposals were modified to provide lower-density housing and open space in areas most affected by aircraft noise.

The General Plan amendments were proposed by Kaufman and Broad Land Co,, which plans to build 1,120 homes on 400 acres, and developer Robert Sessler, who wants to build 330 homes on 108 acres.