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Home My WebLink About11/16/2011 - STAFF REPORTS - 5B I Sunmor Neighborhood Organization PO Box 1178 Palm Springs, CA 92263 Subject: Airport Noise Mitigation Our neighborhood borders the airport to the west from Andreas Road to Tamarisk Road. Sunmor is a single family residential neighborhood with over 140 homes. Over the years, and more recently with the last 2 Airport Directors, our board has met with the airport regarding a number of concerns, with noise being one of them. Sunmor fully supports the creation of a City Council Subcommittee on noise mitigation. However, we believe it important to include representatives from adjoining affected neighborhoods. Palm Springs Municipal Code, title 2, chapter 2.16.04 states that the standing noise subcommittee shall consist of 5 members, 2 members shall be Palm Springs residents. We don't believe this Code is being followed by the city. We know of NO residents on any noise subcommittee. I would also like to make the following 4 comments: 1 . The last airport noise study was performed over 17 years ago. We believe it is time to bring this current. 2. Most airports of our size, have in place a noise monitoring system and can better address and access how best to mitigate noise. We believe the airport should be more responsible and actively monitor its own noise levels around it's noise contours. 3. Enough excuses for the loud military jets. Solutions must be pursued. Some airports in Southern California have banned non- emergency military landing due to the noise and associated danger. /l�tb�l art /�o,B�er�R,ecs� 5:,6 4. We believe the permitted noise level under Municipal Code Title 11.74.031 is constantly exceeded as described for our residential Low Density Zone. Please appoint affected neighborhood representatives to your new ad-hoc noise mitigation subcommittee. Yours truly, Robert Carlson Sunmor Chair 11/16/11 Increased Airport Noise Military Jets Palm Springs City Council November 16, 2011 Presented by: Scott Connelly, Bill Cook,Joanne Herdt, Rick Purnell Who we are • Concerned residents who care about about our neighborhoods • Realistic about living near an airport • Proud of our neighborhoods • Work toward continual improvements • Want to work with officials to create a better city and better place to live R�� 1 11/16/11 Who we are not • Not anti-military • Not unpatriotic • Not CAVE people — Citizens Against Virtually Everything • Not anti-progress Our objectives • To help facilitate a dialogue that creates better understanding of the current situation and why it has changed • To create a process that results in mutually beneficial outcomes z 11/16/11 The situation • Recently increased frequency of high noise levels from military aircraft • Diminished quality of life, in general • Business interruptions — conference calls, webinars • No community outreach from city prior to the change in airport usage • No apparent "ownership" among officials Impacts • Image — Does not fit with "relaxing getaway" — Does not fit with "quiet neighborhoods" — Flies in the face of any marketing message 3 11/16/11 Impacts • Health concerns — Hypertension risks' — Increased stroke risk2 — Increased risk of hearing loss — Neighbor with cerebral palsy experiences convulsions — Neighbor w/Parkinson's had noise-induced convulsions. Required four-day hospitalization. 1) Tft ER of Cm�k&x ureroAimreRNai wHw Pre� of Hypertemw Rm,Kim.RM,Kim.Kwn,H wi Ins4Wte of H"M I) F mlEnwmn MAWmy,Gemwy Impacts • Health Concerns -Anxiety, irritability, fatigue, stress • Financial — Reduced real estate values/rental income — Real-estate disclosures regarding flight patterns — Structural damage from vibrations 4 11/16/11 Impacts • Effects on Wildlife and Pets' 2 — Potential of reproductive difficulties — Behavioral changes — Similar changes in domestic animals 1) Increased enzyme stress levels in elk.Scott Creel,Montana State University 2) Stampedes,conception dAwlties.U.S.Dept,of the Interiw,Fish and Wildlife Service Impacts • Safety — Crashes in residential neighborhoods — In 2008, four San Diego residents were killed —Aircraft exhaust: JP fuel toxic hazards 5 si/16/11 Where do we go from here? • Next steps • Determine responsibilities • Determine action items • Determine deadlines • Determine review procedures Thanks for listening! 6 MILITARY AIRCRAFT AT PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HISTORY OF MILITARY AT PSP U.S. Military utilize nation's network of public airports. PSP was originally a military installation during WWII. I Property transferred to the City of Palm Springs. Military aircraft continue to use PSP. 2 HISTORY OF MILITARY AT PSP FAA manages the airways. Air traffic statistics do not track type or origination of military aircraft. i Small number of flight operations (historically 1 % - 2%), but prominent footprint. I 3 PSP FLIGHT ACTIVITY TRENDS PSP Flight Operations 1205000 1005000 80,000 60,000 0 Military ❑ Total 40,000 20,000 0 - fell, o'` o`L o`, o°` o`' o`er o, o° o°' �.° �a r ( ( �yo r eo (o eo ( �o � 4 i MILITARY OPERATION TRENDS PSP Average Daily Military Departure Trends 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 I 1 .0 0.0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YTD If OBLIGATIONS TO MILITARY OPERATIONS FAA Grants include conditional elements to preserve the federal government's right to utilize the public airport system for military and non-military government aircraft usage. "USE BY GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT. IT WILL MAKE AVAILABLE ALL OF THE FACILITIES OF THE AIRPORT DEVELOPED WITH FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND ALL THOSE USABLE FOR LANDING AND TAKEOFF OF AIRCRAFT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR USE BY GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT IN COMMON WITH OTHER AIRCRAFT AT ALL TIMES WITHOUT CHARGE". 6 I i I i ACTIONS TAKEN Four years ago, new "Good Neighbor" outreach program was designed and implemented. More cooperative and partnering approach was used. Two specific policies were implemented: Message 1 : "Dear Military Aviators, We wish you a safe flight and ask that you please only use "Good Neighbor" flying procedures in respect of the residential areas that surround this airport. Thank you, Airport Management" 7 ACTIONS TAKEN Message 2: "In an effort to be a "Good Neighbor" to the residential areas that surround most of Palm Springs International Airport . .. specific volunteer procedures that would assist in this mission would include: - Minimization of idle and AP's on the flight line. - Taxi to hold-short for extended checklist. - Taxi to tower-approved area for extended run-up. - Judicious use of throttle/afterburner. - General avoidance of residential areas. Anything else that you can voluntarily employ without in any way jeopardizing a safe and efficient flight would be greatly appreciated by all. FBO General Manager' 8 I ACTIONS TAKEN Two specific areas were the focus of attention: A reduction of "Top Gunning" type flying has been a primary element of the Good Neighbor policy. Partnership with FAA Air Traffic Control relative to military aircraft taking off in formation groups has been specifically stressed. Both initiatives have collectively focused on the specific military operations considered more impactful than normal landings and takeoffs. 9 , RECENT ACTIONS Several more ideas were identified through the Airport Commission in August 2011 : 1 . Executive Director continues to work with FAA on national level disseminating the "Good Neighbor" message to military users around the country, not just Southern CA. 2. Airport staff produced 2 airfield signs specifically directed to military flight crews. 3. A new web link specifically for military pilots was developed and posted to the airport's web site. A map illustrating noise sensitive areas surrounding the airport with a solicitation by the City requesting "Good Neighbor" flight tactics. 10 RECENT ACTIONS 4. Additional meetings have been held with the managers of the FBOs to request their assistance in reminding the pilots to employ "Good Neighbor" flying practices whenever they receive a phone call from a military installation advising of an operation. 5. Airport staff has done outreach to air bases in Southern California and request their assistance in PSP's "Good Neighbor" initiative. 6. The airport's noise contours, as developed in the late 1990's, are being updated in the current environmental analysis phase of the master plan update. 11 y; z mm.r�z Cl) — zc� � m T ci x � .,t f X n N in 1 CL T 0 -0 r t 1 xr • C c� � Jl x r,, r ^cn r �o L ! t t ., a —zn 'A it �� K y m m '� cn N n • OTHER POSSIBLE STEPS Communicate directly with Department of Defense officials in Washington, DC. Evaluate methods to identify bases outside of California and communicate the message directly with them. As mentioned in current actions, results of the updated noise contours will be provided at the completion of the master plan environmental phase. Staff will work with city attorney to monitor and evaluate potential DOD and other FAA regulations regarding aircraft military noise and civilian airport use. 13 5.13. REPORT ON NOISE MITIGATION AT THE PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND APPOINTMENT OF AN AD-HOC CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY AIRPORT NOISE MITIGATION: RECOMMENDATION: 1) Receive and file report; and 2) Appoint two members of the City Council to an ad-hoc subcommittee to study airport noise mitigation. Item No. 53 ,