Council Hears Testimony on Airport Noise Cap

Hundreds of people packed a hearing Tuesday to hear some neighbors plead for relief from the roar of jets above their homes, while others testified that they they fear losing their jobs at Van Nuys Airport.

Los Angeles City Council members, who trekked to the San Fernando Valley to tackle a proposal to limit noisy planes, faced a crowd of 300 people--far more than usually attend council meetings downtown.

The council took testimony on a proposed ordinance that would cap the number of noisy, Stage 2 jets to 50, the current complement at the airport. All jets would have to meet more stringent noise controls by 2010.

Council members decided to take three more months to study the issue after they found themselves caught between angry homeowners and aviation interests, who complained that the regulation would damage their business.

A voluntary “Fly Friendly” program adopted in 1994 has helped reduce the din at the airport, but a persistent group of fliers has repeatedly violated the noise limits suggested for their planes.

Wary of adopting a rule that could limit its ability to further tighten regulations later, the council decided to seek federal advice about how far it could go.

“Really, both sides are right,” Councilman Joel Wachs finally said.