Panel Approves Compromise on Airport Plan

A long-running battle to adopt a master plan for Van Nuys Airport, which would be the first in the airfield’s 70-year history, moved a step closer to reality Tuesday with a compromise proposal hammered out by homeowners and airport businesses.

Saying they have debated long enough, the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council voted 10 to 3 for a plan that would essentially block any increases in jets and helicopters for the next 20 years.

The vote came during an unusual meeting attended by several top officials of the city Department of Airports, including Executive Director John J. Driscoll, who promised to pay closer attention to neighborhood concerns and said he has already taken steps to assign additional airport officials to Van Nuys to work on local problems.

Driscoll and his staff were drawn by reports of growing discontent among the airport’s neighbors and businesses, which appeared to be quelled somewhat by the proposed compromise plan.

Under the agreement approved Tuesday, the recommended master plan would greatly scale down the projected increase in jets and helicopters, the bane of anti-noise protesters, which had been sought by most pro-aviation interests.

It would limit jets to the current 107, and helicopters to the current 44. The projected total aircraft would drop to 566 over the years from the current number of 733, according to tabulations by airport officials.

The advisory council’s vote, which culminated 11 years of debate, had been postponed for months, and a long road still lies ahead. Ultimately, the master plan must be adopted by the Los Angeles City Council.

Airport officials on Tuesday said the advisory group’s recommendation will be sent back to airport planners for inclusion in a final environmental impact report. Then, additional hearings will be held before the Board of Airport Commissioners, Planning Commission and, finally, City Council. The process is expected to take at least another six months, airport officials said.

Sandor L. Winger, chairman of an independent committee that proposed the compromise, said he plans, however, to send the recommendation directly back to the City Council, to be weighed with other proposals from the airport department.

The compromise was finalized by an appointed, independent committee last December, then revised in June to allow modified growth of jet and helicopter traffic. That alternative was rejected Tuesday. Airport officials refused to release the data before Tuesday night’s meeting.

The 12-member Van Nuys Airport Master Plan Committee was formed in 1996 by the City Council to end bickering between homeowners and airport-based businesses.

The advisory council’s plan could be revised by the airport department, airport officials said Tuesday.

In a surprise appearance, Driscoll came to the advisory council meeting in an apparent attempt to calm local anger over airport issues and the way concerns have been handled by the airport department. Driscoll offered the unusually large audience of 100 apologies and promises.

Driscoll said he decided Tuesday morning to attend the meeting after some advisory council members openly questioned whether the council should be disbanded.

“I am sorry. . . . I am committed to making changes,” Driscoll said. “The perception is that we are micro-managers.”

He vowed to meet more often with the advisory committee and community members.