Airport Talks Seek to Separate Antagonists

The Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council will hold two public meetings to hear comments from residents and aircraft operators, diplomatically planning to separate the antagonistic groups.

The first meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4, “is directed to listening to the residents to learn how the airport affects them,” said former Los Angeles City Atty. Burt Pines, chairman of the council.

At a second meeting, on March 4, “the aviation community will have its opportunity to address the council,” Pines said.

The council, a volunteer citizens’ advisory group, was formed last year after complaints about aircraft noise led to an emotional confrontation between neighborhood groups and aircraft operators at a hearing sponsored by the Los Angeles City Council.

Advisory council members agreed earlier this month that, although both meetings will be open to anyone, the two groups should be encouraged to attend on different nights to prevent another shouting match.

Both meetings are to be in the auditorium of the Air National Guard base on Balboa Boulevard at the northwest corner of the airport.