Airport
Do You Want a Say in SM Airport’s Future?
Open? Closed? More flights? Fewer flights? Business Park?
Playing fields? Parkland? Housing? Artist Studios? SMC Expansion?
How would various options affect Sunset Park traffic congestion?
Friends of Sunset Park wants you to participate.
How?
- Complete a questionnaire designed by community members online at www.casmat.org (click on the “Survey” tab)
- Let your voice be heard! — Go to http://smovisioning.org/discussions/ or call 310-458-8221 to sign for a Community Discussion Group regarding the future of Santa Monica Airport. New groups have been added! Comments at the meetings will be summarized and presented to the City Council in May.
- Attend Santa Monica Airport Commission meetings — The Commission meets on the 4th Monday of the month at Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main Street, in the 2nd floor City Council Chambers. You can comment on any agenda item by filling out a speaker card. Agendas are posted at: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/Airport/Airport_Commission/Airport_Commission.aspx
The Future of Santa Monica Airport
On October 4th, the City Council held a special meeting, as part of the “Airport Visioning” process. The staff report and the Powerpoint presentations are posted at http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2011/20111004/a20111004.htm
The airport consists of 227 acres located at the southeast corner of the city. The 5000-ft runway is embedded in a residential area, and the environmental and safety impacts have been a longtime concern for airport neighbors. In addition to the runway itself, the airport property hosts airport staff offices, aircraft tie-downs (parking spaces), aircraft hangers, restaurants, artist studios, sports playing fields, a dog park, a theatre, and SMC classrooms.
With the 2015 expiration of the operating agreement between the City and the FAA rapidly approaching, the City hired three consultant firms to explore future options of the airport property. Point C interviewed residents, business owners, aviation and non-aviation interests regarding the range of possibilities for the airport’s future. The RAND Corporation produced a study of potential development concepts. HR&A Advisors analyzed the economic and fiscal impacts of the airport.
At the meeting, the City Attorney spoke about legal constraints that could influence possible future airport options. Representatives from Point C, HR&A, and The RAND Corporation presented their findings.
The overflow audience was surprised to learn that the RAND report only consisted of development proposals for the 40 acres of non-aviation and did not present options to mitigate environmental and safety concerns. The HR&A economic evaluation calculated economic benefits by treating the “airport campus” as a single entity—lumping aviation, non-aviation, governmental agencies, and the SMC campus all together. The general tone of the public comment exhibited dissatisfaction with the manner in which the consultants’ studies were conducted and the lack of pertinent information their findings revealed.
At the October 24th Airport Commission meeting, the Airport Director announced an Airport Open House on December 10th, as a kick-off for the Airport Visioning Phase 2 focus groups. Commissioner discussion included the following:
- Since the public didn’t receive information on airport operations “options and alternatives” during Phase 1, it will be difficult for them to reach consensus on “the middle road” for SMO during Phase 2. Residents are looking to the City for guidance on identifying the range of options.
- The HR&A analysis didn’t distinguish between economic impacts that were the result of aviation activities and non-aviation activities at SMO. It’s impossible to make informed decisions about the future of the airport without this information.
- Based on past experience with public process in Santa Monica, some residents are doubtful as to any meaningful outcome from Phase 2 focus groups.
- December 10th is in the middle of the holiday shopping season, so a good turn-out for the Airport Open House is unlikely.
The Airport Commission hopes to address some of these concerns by holding a public workshop at their next meeting on November 28. RAND and HR&A consultants have been invited to return. The work shop format will allow the public to make comment and pose questions to the presenters.
Recent Accident Renews Flight School Concerns
On August 29, 2011, an airplane being flown by a student pilot collided with a wall and the side of a home at 21st and Navy. The FOSP web site includes a listing of SMO-related accidents at: http://www.friendsofsunsetpark.org/airport/safety-concerns/
On September 2nd, the Public Works Director reported that “Staff is reviewing flight school operations since they do constitute a significant amount of aircraft operations at SMO. Staff is also pursuing multiple approaches involving discussion with the FAA, lease analysis, and discussions with the flight schools on frequency of and time of operations.”
On September 26th, the Airport Commission held a Flight School Workshop. Sunset Park resident John Fairweather, Joe Justice, the owner of Justice Aviation, and Jay Elder, Director of American Flyers at Santa Monica Airport all presented Powerpoints, followed by Q and A with members of the large audience. Community studies show that approximately 60% of air traffic at SMO is flight school or training related. http://www.friendsofsunsetpark.org/airport/departure-analysis-2011/
