Don Dufford
Which county in California chooses to exempt itself from a law
designed to minimize incompatible new developments which would add to
airport safety and noise problems?
LA County is the perpetrator.
Designating the Regional Planning Department as the Airport Land Use
Commission (ALUC), the county's Board of Supervisors has slighted its
oversight responsibilities. There have been no public hearings, no
regular meetings open to the public, no commission-originated reviews,
etc. They are a tiger with false teeth.
Drawing narrow noise contours (65db) around county airports, they
effectively eliminate areas up to two miles from airport boundaries. This
is where schools, housing projects and other encroachment is taking
place. The ALUC is set up as a watchdog to curtail this. That is, in all
counties except Los Angeles.
For example, the ALUC determined a 100-kid day care center proposed
within a half mile of Burbank Airport was not "in its jurisdiction." Not
a peep out the ALUC regarding the proposed 108-acre conversion of
Lockheed land to a hotel and business park. These projects should be
studied as part of the airport's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
Another instance was a multiunit condominium project proposed to
replace a 2-acre nursery under Van Nuys Airport approach path and about
two miles from the airport. The ALUC finding -- "not in our
jurisdiction."
Currently, Galpin Ford proposes to erect a 108-foot sign at Roscoe and
Orion in Van Nuys. Because of its unusual height and proximity to the
traffic pattern, the ALUC should review and make a finding. Don't hold
your breath, however; it won't happen.
The state attorney general should consider sanctions on the LA Board
of Supervisors until it follows the law. Additionally, the board should
confer with and take instructions from the ALUC in Orange and Riverside
counties which have successful and active programs. Should LA's laxness
lead to an unfortunate accident, there could be a liability issue.
* DON DUFFORD is an investor who owns several properties in Burbank.
Reach him at 766-4890.
