Limit on Noisy Jets at Van Nuys Proposed

Rejecting a study on the economic impacts of noise restrictions at Van Nuys Airport, two City Council members called Friday for an immediate limit on the number of older, noisier jets based at the airfield.

In a motion introduced Friday, Los Angeles City Council members Mike Feuer and Cindy Miscikowski also called for adoption of a nonaddition rule that would ban replacements of existing noisy jets, but proposed that the rule not take effect for three years to allow airport tenants time to adjust.

“The noise at Van Nuys Airport affects the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Feuer, who represents the area.

The City Council delayed action on restrictions two years ago to allow the city Airport Department time to conduct a study measuring the economic impact of banning additional Stage II jets--the formal federal classification for noisier aircraft built before 1984.

The study released last month predicted the nonaddition rule would be disastrous for the local economy, costing as many as 565 jobs and $190 million in revenue over three years.

But Feuer criticized the study as “almost useless,” saying its flaws include a failure to calculate the positive impact on businesses near the airport that will no longer have noise problems.

“Instead of giving us hard facts, the consultants gave us the impressions of airport users who have a clear economic bias,” he said. “I think it’s possible to make meaningful reductions in the noise level without harming the airport economy.”

The motion introduced in council, and sent to committee, would ask the Airport Commission to immediately limit to 53--the current total--the number of Stage II aircraft based at the airport.

Under that action, jet owners would be able to bring in Stage II jets to replace existing planes only if the total number did not grow.

The motion asks the Airport Commission to also adopt a nonaddition rule, which would prohibit any other Stage II aircraft from being based at the airfield, even to replace existing jets. That rule would result in a phaseout of the Stage II aircraft as they wear out.

As a compromise, Feuer and Miscikowski proposed that the effective date of the nonaddition rule be delayed until Jan. 1, 2002.

The motion also asks the airport commission to reconvene committees looking at aircraft and helicopter noise and to hold regular meetings in the Valley to better respond to concerns from neighbors of the airfield.

At the same time, Miscikowski introduced a separate motion calling on the Airport Commission to report to the council in 90 days with a revised recommendation that balances the quality of life concerns about noise with the economic impact issues.

Miscikowski’s motion--co-sponsored by council members Laura Chick, Hal Bernson, Joel Wachs and Feuer--also decries the nine years it has taken to adopt the noise regulations.

“The concerns over jet noise at Van Nuys Airport have been debated for too long and too little action has been taken,” Miscikowski said.

Airport tenant representatives could not be reached for comment.

Airport Department administrator Jack Driscoll said he wants to continue looking at alternatives before making a judgment on Feuer’s proposal. He said it would be difficult to complete a recommendation for council consideration in 90 days.

“I think that’s a very important step in the right direction,” said Gerald Silver, head of the group Stop the Noise! “It’s long overdue.” But Silver objected to the three-year delay in implementing the nonaddition rule.