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We thought you would find the stories in today's LA Times interesting.
Prompted by complaints from Encino residents, city attorney's office will check possible curfew violations at Van Nuys Airport.
By HOLLY EDWARDS
City Atty. James Hahn has vowed to investigate complaints of curfew violations at Van Nuys Airport after several people objected to late-night airplane noise during a recent public meeting with city officials.
At a meeting last week sponsored by the Tarzana Property Owners Assn., Felice Catena of Encino said she is awakened several times a night by roaring planes overhead. "There is airport noise after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m. all the time," she said. "My dogs go crazy when they fly over, so it wakes me up." "That's news to me, but I'll certainly investigate ," Hahn said.
The airport unit of the city attorney's office is looking into the matter, said Mike Qualls, a spokesman for Hahn. Although the city attorney's office prosecutes about 12 curfew violations a year at Van Nuys Airport, residents who complain of violations often don't understand the curfew ordinance, said Deputy City Atty. Lynn Mayo.
For example, she said, although many people believe no flights are allowed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the curfew ordinance applies only to takeoffs and not to landings or helicopter flights, which often begin at 4:30 a.m. Also exempt from the ordinance are medical emergency flights, military aircraft and any government-operated aircraft involved in law enforcement, emergency, fire or rescue operations.
In addition, the ban on takeoffs applies only to older , noisier aircraft, said airport spokeswoman Stacy Geere.
"It's only a partial curfew," she said. "But airport police monitor all takeoffs and landings during the curfew closely and very rarely do we have a violation." But residents who live near the airport -- the busiest general aviation airport in the world -- say they'd like to see the scope of the curfew broadened. Located south of the airport, Encino is part of the area that endures most of the noise from the 1,500 daily takeoffs and landings.
Homeowners of Encino President Gerald Silver also serves as president of Stop the Noise!, a group that has opposed the addition of new aircraft based at the airport and supported a broader curfew.
"What's the point of having a curfew if it only affects takeoffs?" said Pam Senator of Encino. Senator said she is frequently awakened by aircraft noise during the wee hours of the morning. She has filed several complaints with the Van Nuys Airport complaint hotline, but says so far she's heard nothing in response.
"The level of arrogance there is a bit off-putting," Senator said. "I've never gotten a response in writing or by phone." Ghislaine Jacob said she has lived in Encino for 28 years and has never experienced airport noise at its current level of intensity.
"It's getting worse and worse all the time," she said. "And it goes on all night long." While the city has no immediate plans to beef up the curfew ordinance, it is taking steps to improve the quality of life for those who live in the flight path of Van Nuys Airport.
In December, the City Council voted to begin soundproofing 1,032 homes this summer. The city is seeking help from the federal government to pay for the project's $15 million cost. ***
FYI ***
Adopted by the City Council in 1981, the Van Nuys Airport Noise Abatement and Curfew Regulation Ordinance is the only mandatory noise restriction at the airport. It prohibits takeoffs of aircraft generating a noise level at or above 74 decibels between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Exemptions include arrivals, helicopter flights, and medical emergency, military and many government-operated aircraft. Penalties for breaking the curfew are $750 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second violation, $3,500 for the third offense, and loss of permission to use the airport for three years for additional offenses.
Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times. All Rights Reserved
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. **
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