AGENDA ITEM: Resolution Expressing a City Policy of "No Airport
Expansion" Beyond That Provided for by the City’s Current Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance
BACKGROUND
Controversy related to aircraft noise at the Airport has existed for more than 20
years. The City has consistently attempted to strike a balance between the
concern for the quality of life in our neighborhoods with the recognition that the
Airport is a significant economic asset of the City. The City has exercised its
propriety powers to control aircraft noise by imposing some of the strictest flight
and curfew limitations of any airport in the country. These restrictions are
embodied in Chapter 16.43 of the Municipal Code, which contains the City’s
"Airport Noise Compatibility" ordinance which was adopted after many years of
contentious and divisive litigation. Recently, the FAA has acknowledged that the
City is exempt from the provisions of the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990
("ANCA"), which provides further assurance that the City will be able to maintain
local control over the workings of the Airport.
The City’s adopted "Strategic Plan" recognizes the need to expand Airport
business opportunities, but only within the context and limitations of the Airport
Noise Compatibility ordinance. The Airport, which exists within a fully built out
urban environment already bears a disproportionate share of the region’s air
traffic. In order to maintain the quality of life that exists in our neighborhoods it is
imperative that the City adopt a policy of "No Airport Expansion" beyond that
provided for in the current "Noise Compatibility" ordinance. Such policy will help
to protect and maintain local control of the Airport into the foreseeable future.
ACTION REQUESTED
Adopt a resolution establishing a policy of "No Airport Expansion" beyond that
Provided for by the City's current Noise Compatibility Ordinance.
[text]
RESOLUTION NO. C-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH SETTING FORTH AND ADOPTING
A POLICY OF "NO AIRPORT EXPANSION" BEYOND THAT PROVIDED FOR BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY’S
CURRENT NOISE COMPATIBILITY ORDINANCE REGULATING AIR CARRIER TRAFFIC AT THE LONG
BEACH MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
The City Council of the City of Long Beach, California, does hereby
resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, the City is the owner, operator, and "proprietor" of the Long
Beach Municipal Airport ("the Airport" or "LGB") which is located within the boundaries of
the City and which is a public use neighborhood airport serving scheduled commercial
users, general aviation users, the traveling public, manufacturers and other aviation uses;
and
WHEREAS, the Airport is located in proximity to residential neighborhoods
of the City which are impacted by aircraft noise generated by aircraft operations at LGB;
and
WHEREAS, the City has over many years attempted to strike a balance
between the concern for the quality of life in its neighborhoods and the recognition that the
Airport is a significant asset to the economic base of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City has exercised its propriety powers to control aircraft
noise by imposing various aircraft operating restrictions on persons and entities using LGB
for aircraft operations, which controls are currently implemented through the provisions of
Chapter 16.43 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, which Chapter was enacted by the City
in 1995 after many years of contentious and divisive litigation; and
WHEREAS, the City is exempt from the provisions of the federal Airport
Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 ("ANCA"), which exemption places the City amongst a very
few other municipalities in the country which are able to exercise local control over aircraft
curfews and the number of flights arriving or departing from the Airport; and
WHEREAS, the "Strategic Plan" of the City of Long Beach recognizes the
need to expand Airport business opportunities, but only within the context of the City’s
current Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance, and also whereas the Southern California
Association of Governments ("SCAG") draft 2004 "Regional Transportation Plan" is calling
for and projecting that in the year 2030 the City’s share of commercial passenger service
not exceed 3.8 million annual passengers, which projection is in keeping with the
restrictions imposed by the City’s current Noise Compatibility Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, highly urbanized areas of the region such as the City of Long
Beach, that operate in built out environments that are approaching or have already
exceeded the capacity of their airport facilities currently bear a disproportionate share of
the region’s air traffic which has, and continues to result in, adverse environmental and
social impacts;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Long Beach resolves
as follows:
Section 1. That it shall be the policy of the City not to undertake any activity
which will in any manner promote the expansion of the Long Beach Municipal Airport
beyond the provisions of the City’s current Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance which
regulates air carrier traffic at the Long Beach Municipal Airport.
Sec. 2. That it shall be the policy of the City to at all times endeavor to
maintain the City’s exempt status from the provisions of “ANCA, which continued
exemption will permit local control of the Airport and will allow the City to continue to
balance the interests of the neighborhoods impacted by Airport operations with the
economic benefits created by the Airport and the convenience provided to the air traveling
public.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
3ty Council, and the City Clerk shall certify to the vote adopting this resolution.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Long Beach at its meeting of ____________ 2003 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
AGENDA ITEM: Proposed Charter Amendment to Require a Vote of the People Prior to Any Amendment to the City’s Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance
BACKGROUND
Long Beach Airport is a neighborhood airport. The Long Beach City Council
adopted the current "noise compatibility" ordinance in 1995. The provisions of
this Ordinance are embodied in Chapter 16.43 of the Municipal Code. The
ordinance attempts to balance the interests of the neighborhoods impacted by
Airport operations with the economic benefits created by the Airport and the
convenience provided to the air traveling public.
The balance was struck through limiting the number of commercial air carrier
operations permitted under the ordinance and establishing curfew hours for
nighttime operations. These flight limitations and curfew hours are among the
most restrictive of any airports in the U.S. The City recently secured
acknowledgment from the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") that the City’s
current ordinance enjoys a "grandfathered" exemption status under the 1990
Federal Air and Noise Capacity Act ("ANCA"). This could provide additional
insurance that the City’s current ordinance will withstand possible future
challenge by the airlines and the courts.
As the number of flight operations approach their limits and considerations are
being made for accommodations of maximum projected passengers, the City
Council should reaffirm its commitment to the preservation and maintenance of
our neighborhood airport. This should include amending the City Charter to
require a vote of the people before permitting any change in the noise
compatibility ordinance.
ACTION REQUESTED
Refer to charter amendment committee for consideration of proposed charter
amendment.