Airport gets leeway on noise

From 2002-05, the last variance period, the airport reduced the amount of land close to the airport affected by noise through its acoustical treatment program from 214 acres to 61 acres, Gill said.

The airport helps outfit 175 residential units a year in the affected area with sound-proofing measures and about 600 units remain untreated, Gill said.

During the previous variance period, the airport received nearly $40 million in federal and airport funding for the acoustical treatment program and, with continued funding, could soundproof all homes by 2011, he said.

“If funding continues, it could take three to four years to get down to zero [homes],” Gill said.

The airport now has until 2011 to significantly reduce the affected noise areas or apply for another three-year variance, he said.

While council members were pleased with the progress the airport has made, some recommended reaching out to other cities to continue noise-abatement measures.

“We all need to do what we can to work together,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “We should consider high-level meetings with members of the airport authority and with Glendale and Pasadena to make sure we’re all pulling together to make sure the airport is . . . taking all possible steps to reduce noise.”

 JEREMY OBERSTEIN covers City Hall and public safety. He may be reached at (818) 637-3242 or by e-mail at jeremy.oberstein@ latimes.com.