Airplane noise – Palo Alto Matters – Community voices for sustainable solutions

D.C. residents take their battle over airplane noise to federal court

by paloaltomattersJanuary 22, 2018January 23, 2018Leave a comment

Washington Post – by Lori Aretani / January 22, 2018

The three-year battle between residents in Northwest Washington and the Federal Aviation Administration over noise from flights at Reagan National Airport is now in the hands of a federal appeals court.

The two sides presented their case to a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia last week. A ruling, which could take several months, will be closely watched by communities across the country grappling with similar issues tied to the FAA’s efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic system.

FAA considering making Surf Air flight path over Bay official

by paloaltomattersSeptember 29, 2017December 19, 2017Leave a comment

The Almanac – by Barbara Wood / September 29, 2017

Residents living near Sunnyvale have organized to fight the route

The Federal Aviation Administration is considering making the route Surf Air has used to avoid homes on the Midpeninsula – by flying over the Bay – an official fair-weather route. But an organized group of residents from Sunnyvale has turned out in force against the route saying it transfers the noise to their neighborhood.

Appeals Court nixes FAA flight-path changes in early court test

by paloaltomattersSeptember 1, 2017December 19, 2017Leave a comment

Palo Alto Weekly – by Sue Dremann / August 30, 2017

‘NextGen’ procedures and routes overturned in Phoenix, Arizona; locals studying implications for Palo Alto

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday overturned the Federal Aviation Administration’s controversial rerouting of flight paths in Phoenix, Arizona, calling the agency’s approval of its NextGen flight-procedures program at Sky Harbor International Airport “arbitrary and capricious.”

Editorial: Serious or mollifying?

by paloaltomattersAugust 4, 2017December 19, 2017Leave a comment

Palo Alto Weekly – by Palo Alto Weekly editorial board / August 4, 2017

FAA report raises hopes on airplane-noise reduction, but with a long and uncertain time table

The good news is that a long-awaited response to recommendations made eight months ago by a “select” committee of elected officials appointed by local Members of Congress suggest an acknowledgment by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the South Bay’s air traffic noise problems are real and can’t be ignored.

FAA report looks to change SFO arrivals path

by paloaltomattersJuly 31, 2017December 19, 2017Leave a comment

Palo Alto Weekly – by Sue Dremann / July 31, 2017

Federal agency evaluates the feasibility of 104 recommendations submitted in October

A new flight path that would reduce noise over Palo Alto and surrounding cities is being developed by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to a recently released report….

Notable Upcoming Action

Click here for full calendar

January 13, 2020

Weed Abatement: Council will hold a public hearing on objections to weed abatement and vote to adopt a resolution ordering the abatement of weed nuisances in the city. Beginning at 6:35 pm (City Hall). Click here for staff report.

State ADU Requirements: City Council will vote to adopt an interim urgency ordinance to implement state legislation effective January 2020. Beginning at 6:50 pm (City Hall). Click here for staff report.

New Priority Development Area and Priority Conservation Areas: City Council will vote to adopt resolutions designating a new PDA in Downtown/University Avenue and new PCAs in Baylands and Foothills Park. Council will also consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation to expand the PDA to all parcels adjacent to El Camino Real. Beginning at 8:00 pm (City Hall). Click here for staff report.

Overnight Safe Parking Pilot for Vehicle Dwellers: City Council will vote to adopt an interim ordinance to temporarily allow overnight safe parking as an ancillary use to churches and religious institutions and establishing temporary regulations related to safe parking. Beginning at 9:00 pm (City Hall). Click here for staff report.

January 16, 2020

788 San Antonio Avenue: The Architectural Review Board will provide input on a design plan to replace a 12,000 square foot commercial building that currently includes the popular Studio Kicks martial arts studio, with a four-story mixed use building with limited underground parking. The proposed project includes 102 residential units and 1,780 square feet of commercial space. Sixteen of the units would be Below Market Rate. A Draft Environmental Impact Report for the project is expected in late February. Meeting begins at 8:30 am (City Hall). Click here for staff report.

January 21, 2020 – Tentative

City Council is tentatively scheduled to hear an update on grade separations and discuss the Housing Workplan.

January 27, 2020 – Tentative

Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss the preferred alternative for improvements to the San Antonio Road and East Charleston Road Intersection, consider polling results and public outreach regarding a possible 2020 tax measure.