Hawthorne under siege—again
Hawthorne Airport is once again under siege—this time from interests that want to turn the airport property into an NFL football stadium. The area would also include a hotel, theme park, museum, and 100,000 square feet of retail space.
The item appeared unexpectedly on the agenda for the June 12 Hawthorne City Council meeting and was brought to AOPA's attention by Airport Support Network volunteer Gary Parsons. A major lobbying effort by Parsons, other airport supporters, and local residents stopped the planned vote, but observers expect the issue to reemerge soon.
If the proposal had passed the council, a developer would have been given an 18-month "exclusive right to negotiate" with the city. If another developer had come along who wanted to keep the airport as an airport, the company would not have been allowed to discuss its proposals with the city staff, effectively shutting down the recently established airport development commission.
Hawthorne has been under near-constant siege by assorted developers in recent months. Proposals have included building a school a few hundred yards from the airport.
AOPA, pilots fighting school planned near Watsonville
AOPA and local pilots, under the leadership of Airport Support Network volunteer Kerrick Philleo, are working together to fight plans to build a new high school just one and one-half miles from Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District hopes that a planned hearing on the matter before the California Coastal Commission will result in a final ruling on plans to build the school. Amendments that would allow the school to be built already have been made to the local coastal plan and the Watsonville general plan.
The FAA is not involved in the process because the plan does not violate the federal aviation regulations, leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of Caltrans Aeronautics.
Victory for Carmel Valley short-lived
Last month we reported that Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield had won a small victory. Already that victory has turned to defeat. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has voted to adopt an amortization ordinance that will ultimately result in closure of the airport.
For nearly two years, airport owner Lars de Jounge and AOPA have worked to protect the airport from a push to restrict operations and growth at the field. Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, recently wrote a letter to the board of supervisors defending the airport and criticizing the amortization ordinance, which will gradually phase out the airport and prevent any expansion or improvements during the phaseout period. In his letter, Dunn said that the ordinance was discriminatory and that the incompatible development issues plaguing the airport were the result of city and county planners failing to follow state law.
Initially, the supervisors responded by halting efforts to pass the amortization ordinance, which was first introduced at a surprise hearing. Unfortunately, now that panel has voted to adopt the ordinance.
Measure would guarantee aviation input in land use plans
AOPA and other members of the California Aviation Alliance are providing support to a state Senate bill that would have Caltrans Aeronautics review all local airport land use plans while they are still in the draft stage.
S.B.1084 would help to ensure that some degree of aviation expertise is brought to bear on review of land use plans and development plans around airports. Not only would the measure give Caltrans Aeronautics the opportunity to check that the provisions of the Caltrans Airport Land Use Planning Handbook are considered in any airport land use plans, but it would also require local planning commissioners to refer to the handbook when reviewing any project within the airport's sphere of influence.
Jack Kemmerly, AOPA's regional representative for California, helped to write the language for the current amended version of the bill. But the bill is facing some opposition from a local airport watchdog group, People Over Planes. Members of this group are concerned that the bill will detract from local control of land use. AOPA is working with those who oppose the measure to create acceptable language for the bill.
Opposition to Brown Field privatization increases
Following opposition from AOPA and other aviation groups, the San Diego Planning Commission has rejected a proposal to privatize Brown Field Municipal Airport, placing the final decision in the hands of the San Diego City Council.
The commission voted to reject the proposal on May 26, but the city council is not obligated to follow the commission's lead. The developer is expected to move forward with attempts to seek city council approval for the plan. The council may consider this item in early August.
In a recent letter to the planning commission, AOPA asked the group to reject the proposed development that would turn the general aviation reliever airport into a cargo facility. In the letter, Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, wrote that the plan ignores the needs of general aviation. In fact, the development proposal would leave only 38 acres for general aviation, while 253 acres would be dedicated to a cargo handling facility and an additional 173 acres would be given over to nonaviation uses.
AOPA also requested a detailed airspace study because of concerns that the plan did not take into account air traffic en route to other area airports.
To add to the problem, a number of interests have suggested that the environmental impact report did not cover issues relating to both existing and proposed residential neighborhoods.
AOPA opposing tax-credit measure
A state Assembly bill that would give tax credits to some airport neighbors could have a negative effect on the state general aviation infrastructure.
AOPA recently wrote a letter to the chair of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations expressing concern about the ineffectiveness of A.B.2065.
The bill would offer a $500 annual tax credit for five years to residents located within the "noise-impact boundary of a noise-problem airport." Eligible residents would be in areas subjected to noise levels of at least 65 dB.
The number of airports affected by the measure has not yet been determined, but the financial impact could be significant if all eligible taxpayers take advantage of the credit. Some aviation supporters fear that the bill could be amended so that the cost of the tax credit ultimately comes from state aeronautics funds. If that happens, the loss of funds could seriously affect the state's aviation infrastructure.
The bill has passed out of the Assembly Review and Taxation Committee and is now being held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, awaiting passage of the state's annual budget bill.
Bill could excuse airlines from millions in taxes
AOPA is opposing a measure in the state legislature that would exempt airlines from paying some sales taxes on jet fuel.
Under A.B.2470, airlines would not have to pay sales tax on fuel purchased in California for immediate shipment outside the state for consumption in the conduct of their business after the first out-of-state destination. The exemption would cost the state general fund millions of dollars each year.
Airlines are already exempt from paying a two-cent-per-gallon excise tax on jet fuel that general aviation aircraft must pay in addition to the regular sales tax on fuel.
AOPA has long been trying to have these tax funds moved from the general fund into the state aeronautics account where they could be used for aviation infrastructure. Under the bill, it would be almost impossible to redirect that sales tax revenue into the aeronautics account. No hearing on the measure had been scheduled at presstime.
L.A. County, Caltrans could enforce airport noise violations
A measure currently before the state Senate would allow people affected by a general aviation airport in Los Angeles County to refer allegations of noise violations to the county for enforcement. Under S.B.2036, if the county does bring an enforcement action within 90 days, Caltrans may take action to enforce the regulation. A noise violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 per day as determined by a court or by Caltrans, which would also be allowed to take action to revoke the airport permit.
The bill is directed at Van Nuys Airport and is a legislative response to complaints by well-organized homeowners who are frustrated by the City of Los Angeles' failure to set and enforce noise standards.
AOPA has sent several letters opposing the bill, and a number of AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers and other pilots have followed suit. At presstime the measure was waiting to be heard by the Assembly Transportation Committee.
San Luis Obispo appoints technical advisory committee
The San Luis Obispo Airport Land Use Commission has voted to appoint a technical advisory commission. The new technical panel will advise the commission on revising and updating land use plans for the county's three airports. Airport Support Network volunteer Robert G. Tefft has been appointed to the technical committee and will be working to represent the interests of general aviation.
General sessions set for Expo
AOPA Expo planners have announced the topics for the three general sessions at this year's convention in Long Beach, California. The Friday, October 20, general session is titled "GA Safety—50 Years and Rising" and will be presented by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. The general session on Saturday, October 21 will give you a chance to "Meet the FAA Administrator." On Sunday, October 22, you'll meet "Team AOPA" and will get the latest reports on what AOPA is doing on your behalf on a variety of issues. AOPA Expo 2000 will take place in newly rejuvenated Long Beach, California. Along with the three general sessions you'll find more than 500 exhibits, 80 seminars, product demonstrations, social events, and 70 aircraft on display. Call 888/GO-2-EXPO or go to the Web site ( www.aopa.org/expo/) for information.
French Valley gets long-awaited new restaurant
After almost 10 years in operation, French Valley Airport is finally home to a restaurant. The French Valley Café opened its doors on June 1. Since the café opened, airplane and automobile traffic at the airport have increased dramatically. Both flight schools at the airport have reported new student starts as a result of people visiting the airport to try out the new restaurant. Café owner Darci Castillejos is also a skydiver. The menu offers a variety of meals including shrimp scampi and filet mignon and has a bar serving beer and wine. Prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is outstanding. — Dan Murray, Airport Support Network Volunteer
