Van Nuys Airport Business Report

Your recent article, “Van Nuys Airport Business Sector Flying High,” Sept. 18, offends many readers by simply summarizing a possibly correct but very biased report. This report, claiming to be an “economic impact study,” documents a modest increase in jobs and revenue (1.8% average per year over eight years for jobs, and 3.4% average per year over eight years for gross income, both including the effect of inflation), and claims to document “a huge economic impact.” The size of the impact does not appear to be huge, and the report totally ignores at least one critically important economic factor: flight path property values.

An objective economic study should also consider the decrease in property values and corresponding taxes collected by the city, particularly from private residences, when compared with comparable property values located outside the zone where noise pollution has an effect, or where such noise is not above state-mandated limits, which are currently exceeded near the Van Nuys Airport flight path. Typically, noise-polluted homes have a decreased property value and tax base in the range of 20%.

A second aspect of an objective study might consider the jobs and revenue that would be created if the valuable greater airport properties were to blossom with unrelated activity in the event that growth of the number of flights of noisy Stage 2 jets were severely restricted or eliminated. Home Depot occupies a modest parcel adjacent to the airport, has brought in quite a number of jobs, respectable revenue in contrast to the unwelcome noise pollution.

Also, a broader study might address important noneconomic factors associated with noise pollution.

MARVIN ADELBERG

Encino