A Los Angeles City Council committee advanced a motion Thursday regarding future planning for Van Nuys Airport.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the airport adopted a plan and zoning ordinance. The motion by Councilmember Imelda Padilla calls for the Planning Department to prepare a new Specific Plan for VNY, and to convene a Citizens Advisory Committee to provide input during the development.
A number of Van Nuys residents spoke out in support of the motion, citing the airport’s impact on quality of life in nearby communities.
“We need responsible and organized studies done before any further development happens,” a resident said. “Several years ago; the sound got worse, the noise got worse, the fumes got worse.”
Sue Steinberg, who has lived near Van Nuys Airport for decades, highlighted how much the airport has changed since the last plan was adopted in 2006.
“We've seen such exponential growth just within the last 10 years with the bringing in of charters – charter jets, charter services, more private jets, more flight schools,” she said. “It's already the most congested airspace in the world, and they want to bring in more.”
The motion still needs to go before the full City Council for a vote.
In a statement, Los Angeles World Airports’ Chief Operations and Maintenance Officer Michael Christensen said LAWA supports the development of a Specific Plan for VNY, and will work closely with the Planning Department and other stakeholders on that effort.
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