Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. Boycotts Session : Meeting Gets Study of Burbank Airport Noise Off Ground

Government officials and representatives of communities near Burbank Airport met for the first time Monday to begin a long-term study of ways to reduce the effect of jet noise.

The meeting was boycotted, however, by one influential group of homeowners. Richard H. Close, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn., a leading opponent of airport development, said his group would not participate in the federally funded study because of doubts that it will have any effect on airport policies.

But Richard M. Vacar, Burbank Airport noise specialist, has said the study’s findings could lead to significant planning changes, including soundproofing and condemnation of homes and schools near the airport.

The meeting was attended by about 30 members of two advisory committees formed last month by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority to explore proposals to make the airport more compatible with neighboring communities. The study is expected to take 18 months to two years, Vacar said.

Options Under Study

One committee--which includes representatives of homeowners’ associations, industry, school districts, planning agencies and commercial and private aviation groups--will study technical options available to reduce noise. The second committee, made up of government officials, will recommend policies that could be adopted by local, state and federal authorities.

Although the Sherman Oaks homeowners were not represented, leaders of several other homeowners’ groups were at the meeting. Joyce Blaine, acting president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn., expressed similar fears that the advisory group “is another stacked committee” that may have no impact on airport operations. Blaine said she has fought increased flights and airport noise problems for more than 10 years.

Vacar replied that “it is not the authority’s desire to run this process down the road. You choose the road.”

Tours Suggested

Tom Paterson, president of the North Hollywood Homeowners Assn., suggested that committee members tour neighborhoods outside an airport-defined noise impact area to discover what he said is “not the problem on paper, but the problem in the real world.”

Airport officials agreed to arrange the tour.

The two committees’ recommendations will be presented to the airport authority for its final recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration. Although the airport authority does not have the power of condemnation, which would permit it to purchase land for government projects, the panel could recommend that federal funds be given local or state governments for that purpose.

Close said members of his group are concerned that the airport will seek to condemn homes rather than limit jet flights.

New Terminal Planned

The airport plans to replace its 55-year-old terminal with a building twice as large that could handle up to 50,440 landings and takeoffs annually. The airport now handles about 46,000 commercial jetliner flights a year.

In a letter to airport officials, Close said it is very important that the study “be conducted properly to ensure that a proper noise-abatement program is developed.” But, because homeowners will not participate in a policy-making role, he said, “I do not believe it would be productive to participate.”

The airport has hired the accounting firm Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. to conduct the study, expected to cost about $350,000. The federal government in January provided $282,065 to help offset that expense.