Paul Clinton
AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Seeking to give city residents what they have long
asked for, Burbank Airport is poised to formally launch an 18-month noise
study that could result in a nighttime curfew on flights.
On Monday, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is expected
to announce it is ready to begin a Part 161 noise study. The study will
serve as an application to the Federal Aviation Administration for the
curfew. The airport will carefully examine how much noise a curfew could
eliminate in surrounding neighborhoods, officials said.
The study also seeks to pinpoint the economic impact of a curfew on
the airlines in the form of fewer jet operations.
The airport has talked about starting the study since 1996, before
shelving it several times.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," Burbank Airport Commissioner Charles
Lombardo said. "Let's get it started and let's get it finished."
The study could cost as much as $4 million, which the Airport
Authority has pledged to fund.
The airport hired Cincinnati-based consultant Landrum and Brown to
complete the study. In April the authority approved a $1.1-million
payment to the firm for the first phase of the work.
Once completed, the study will be submitted to the FAA for
consideration. The agency has said it would expedite its review. Burbank
residents are likely to hear an answer to the curfew question in March
2002, airport spokesman Victor Gill said.
Before it is submitted, the authority will collect extensive comments
from the public, the airlines, the city of Burbank and other affected
parties, Gill said.
"It will be a chance for the public at large to give the airport input
on not only the curfew, but also other noise abatement measures that
people think should be studied," Gill said.
Four "listening sessions," for the airport to hear public comments,
are set up for August, Gill said.
Former Councilman Ted McConkey said he was glad the airport finally
decided to undertake the noise study. Still, he said the airport should
also seek a cap on annual flights to control growth.
"It's long overdue," McConkey said. "But I'm disappointed that they
limited the scope of the thing."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority meeting.
WHERE: Burbank Airport, 2627 Hollywood Way.
WHEN: 9 a.m.
