Title
Adoption of Resolution Requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to Address Increased Aircraft Noise in Alameda. (Community Development 481005)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution Requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to Address Increased Aircraft Noise in Alameda
BACKGROUND
The authority to regulate flight patterns of aircraft is vested exclusively in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2014, the FAA implemented the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) to improve aircraft efficiency and flight safety using GPS navigation. An unintended consequence of the program is the concentration of air traffic over residential neighborhoods. As a result, there has been a spike in the number of noise complaints across the nation.
NextGen implementation in the East Bay has impacted residents in the Oakland and Berkeley hills most severely. In Alameda, planes departing Oakland Airport are flying closer to Bay Farm Island than before, but on October 19, 2016, the FAA West Region Administrator Glen Martin announced at the Oakland Airport Noise Forum that possible resolution for Alameda could come in six to eight months. The City is actively participating in the Oakland Airport Noise Forum to ensure there is a continuous dialogue with the FAA to address Alameda concerns.
DISCUSSION
The City of Alameda is an active member of the Oakland Airport Noise Forum, an advisory body to the Port of Oakland made up of elected officials and residents from East Bay cities. Alameda is represented by Mayor Spencer and resident Walt Jacobs, and alternate Vice Mayor Vella. In response to NextGen, the member cities of the Noise Forum, including Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro, are adopting resolutions requesting FAA action to address increased aircraft noise in our respective cities. Adoption of this resolution is intended to coincide with a Noise Forum report being presented to the FAA in March that highlights regional concerns and possible solutions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from adopting this resolution.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with objectives in the General Plan Safety and Noise Element to advocate for federal actions that minimize the community’s exposure to aircraft noise.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This resolution is an administrative activity of the City that will not results in direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore it is not a project and is exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 15378 (b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution requesting the FAA to address increased aircraft noise in Alameda.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Allen Tai, Planning Services Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. City Council Resolutions from Oakland and Berkeley