Airport

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SM Airport Update

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?

1. Complete a questionnaire designed by community members online at www.casmat.org (click on the “Survey” tab)
2. Attend the Santa Monica Airport Commission Workshop
   Monday, November 28th — 7:30 PM — 2nd floor, City Hall
   RAND Corporation and HR & A representatives will discuss Airport Visioning proposals and the Airport’s economic impact. You can comment AND ask questions during the workshop. RAND and HR&A Powerpoints are posted at www.smgov.net/departments/airport/
3. Attend the public hearing on Air Pollution and SM Airport to be conducted by California State Senator Ted W. Lieu
   Wednesday, November 30th – 6 PM – Felicia Mahood Senior Center
   11338 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025
   Learn about Legislative efforts regarding cleaner, safer air and reduced pollution around Santa Monica Airport. To RSVP, visit Sen. Lieu’s web site at www.sen.ca.gov/Lieu
4. Attend the Airport “Open House”
   Saturday, December 10th — 10 AM to 2 PM — Sign up for the Airport Visioning focus groups.
   Start the self-guided tour at the Airport Administration Building, 3223 Donald Douglas Loop South (near Airport Park). Sign up to participate in a January focus group to discuss options for the Airport’s future, or call 310-458-8221 to sign up. (In case of heavy rain, the Open House event will be delayed until December 17.)
5. Attend the Santa Monica Airport Commission
   Annual Environmental Workshop
   Monday, January 23rd — 7:30 PM — 2nd floor, City Hall

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/

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Santa Monica Airport Visioning Process Begins

As the operating agreement between the FAA and the City of Santa Monica regarding the Santa Monica Airport approaches its expiration in 2015, the City has begun a process to determine the options available for the airport’s future. The airport consists of 227 acres located at the southeast corner of the City’s borders. 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 aviation-related businesses, non-aviation business, airport staff offices, aircraft tie-downs (parking spaces), aircraft hangers, restaurants, artist studios, sports playing fields, a dog park, a theatre, and some SMC classrooms. The City has engaged the services of three consultant firms to conduct an airport visioning process. The RAND Corporation will produce a study of potential development concepts and applications for the aviation and non-aviation land. HR&A Advisors will analyze the economic and fiscal impacts of the airport. PointC will formulate and manage an extensive community process regarding the range of possibilities for the Airport’s future. This public outreach process will include all stakeholders, including residents, business owners, aviation and non-aviation interests. Phase I of the process will involve information gathering. Phase II will consist of a comprehensive public input process. After a full range of options are identified with the associated costs and benefits, the City will then undertake Phase III, a deliberative planning process for the future of the Airport.

Phase I: February to September 2011

• HR&A will prepare a study of Airport’s economic impact.
• RAND will prepare a report and analysis of general aviation airport best practices, potential alternative layouts, operational configurations and uses.
• Point C will identify stakeholders, formulate a public process plan that will include all the stakeholders, and design presentations and formats to disseminate the information collected and produced by HR&A and RAND.

If you are interested in SM Airport Issues you can be added to our notification list by contacting
Cathy Larson, Friends of Sunset Park Airport Committee Co-Chair.

Cathy Larson
fospairport@rocketmail.com.
Please give your name, email, street address, and phone number.

Email updates go out every 4-6 weeks, snail mail several times a year depending on the issues.