Airport Panel Action Paves Way for Possible Evictions

The Board of Airport Commissioners on Tuesday approved requests to seek new lease proposals for three hangars and adjoining ramp areas at Van Nuys Airport, paving the way for possible eviction of some non-aviation tenants.

Airport officials said the action is needed to meet a growing demand for space from aviation businesses. They said all businesses, including current tenants, are encouraged to submit proposals to develop or improve the properties and enhance aviation activities.

But at least one tenant, Syncro Aircraft Interiors, which has been fighting eviction from its hangar for more than two years, has threatened to take legal steps to block the commission’s action.

Former Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner, who represents Syncro, warned commissioners prior to their 4-0 vote that Syncro has no alternative but to seek a restraining order to block eviction.

The commission action allows airport officials to terminate leases of firms occupying the Syncro hangar and adjoining ramp space at 7701 Woodley Ave., as well as another hangar and ramps at 7501 Hayvenhurst Ave., called the Kunkle hangar. Galpin Motors now stores hundreds of new vehicles on some of the ramp areas.

Syncro and airport officials had been working for more than a year to make earthquake repairs to the Syncro hangar, as well as an adjoining hangar that has been vacant since 1994. The city earlier agreed to permit Syncro, which subleases portions of its hangar for filming, to remain while repairs were underway.

Syncro attorney Douglas D. Winter criticized the board’s action, saying the company had been in negotiations with the city to remain. Winter said the company reached an agreement with the city in May for a 10-year lease. City officials maintain it was a tentative deal that was never formally approved.