L.A. May Sue to Halt Plan for Airport Expansion

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn threatened Wednesday to file suit to block Burbank Airport’s proposed 14-gate terminal unless officials agree to conduct a new environmental study.

In a letter to the Burbank City Council, Hahn cited a tentative deal between the council and the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority that would permanently ban takeoffs toward the east. That proposal has drawn fire from Los Angeles’ East Valley residents who say the ban would result in more noise in their neighborhoods.

“If Los Angeles’ concerns are not adequately addressed before any settlement is agreed to, I will be compelled, on behalf of the city, to consider the appropriate legal action,” Hahn wrote.

Hahn’s threat comes two weeks after Reps. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) asked the Federal Aviation Administration to reject the terminal construction plan unless the easterly takeoff ban is lifted.

But others, including aviation groups and pilots, raise safety questions on an easterly flight path that would take departing planes toward the mountains and more crowded air space.

Burbank Mayor Stacey Murphy questioned why Hahn made public his threat before raising the issue with city officials.

“I think he’s speaking more to his constituents than he is to the issues at hand,” she said.

Hahn, who is expected to run for Los Angeles mayor in 2001, is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. today with a group of homeowners from North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Valley Village to discuss aircraft noise.