Ven-Mar Neighborhood Association

Santa Monica Airport - Update

Jun 07, 2003

"Friends of Sunst Park" [Contact: 310-392-1907 or rcbreeze@labridge.com ] report the following items of interet to the neighbors of Santa Monica Airport, including those residing in LA City:


STATUS OF SMAA vs. CITY OF SANTA MONICA.
The lawsuit brought by Santa Monica Airport Association (SMAA), an organization of local pilots, against the City of Santa Monica is coming to a close. Testimony finished last week and written closing arguments are due by mid-June. SMAA is challenging the Airport Noise Ordinance and its enforcement. We will post the decision as soon as we know the outcome.


AIRCRAFT CONFORMANCE PLAN/SAFETY ZONE IMPLEMENTATION.
This VERY important Safety Enhancement Proposal is still on hold until after the SMAA trial is completed.

Airport Staff promised that this issue will become a priority at the termination of the SMAA Case. They have had meetings with representatives from the FAA in Washington regarding the implementation of the Aircraft Conformance Standard (B-II Standard) and Safety Zones. These proposed Safety Enhancements would create size appropriate standards for aircraft utilizing Santa Monica Airport. Currently 50% of the Jet Aircraft (basically the larger ones) using the SM Airport are not compliant with the FAA own Safety Guidelines for the runway length at SM Airport. Also, SM Airport currently has no Safety Zones at the ends of the runway. Establishment of Safety Zones, a 300ft declared distance of unusable runway at both runway ends, compliant with FAA standards is paramount to the Safety of the surrounding residences.
Stay Tuned?….


2002 NOISE REPORT.
The 2002 Noise Report presented at the April 28th Airport Commission Meeting. In spite of the fact that overall operations at the SM Airport rose a slight 2.5% and jet operations rose a whopping 22% over 2001, Noise Violations dropped 30%!

The drop in Noise Violations can be directly attributed to the implementation of the Revised Noise Ordinance in Dec. 2001 establishing fines from $2000-$10,000 for progressive violators.

Friends of Sunset Park would like to thank all community members and City Councilmembers who supported our efforts to get the Noise Ordinance Changed. All that hard work paid off!


PARK PROJECT FOR NW CORNER OF AIRPORT AVE. AND BUNDY DR.
The comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Santa Monica Airport Park Project -- The project includes ca. 3 acres of sports fields, lawns, restrooms, children's play area, and an off-leash dog area and will be located at the NW corner of Airport Avenue and Bundy Drive, replacing the SMC shuttle parking lot. It also includes streetscape improvements along the length of Airport Ave. A copy of the DEIR is available in the Santa Monica City Planning Division, at the Airport Administration Building, at Fairview Library, in the City Clerk's office, and on the city website. Send comments to:

Community and Cultural Services
Attention: Karen Ginsberg
1685 Main St., Rm. 210
Santa Monica, CA 90401

For more information or to obtain a personal copy of the DEIR, phone
310-458-8310.


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