R-24 Correspondence – Glennis Dolce
From: Glennis Dolce <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2023 4:30 PM
To: Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]>; Mayor <[email protected]>; CityClerk <[email protected]> Subject: LGB item on tomorrow's agenda #24
-EXTERNAL-
Please include these comments in the official record.
Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding General Aviation Noise and Leaded Avgas in Cal Heights Dear Mayor and Esteemed Council Members,
I write to you as a long-standing resident of Cal Heights, having called this vibrant community my home for the past 43 years. Over the years, I have witnessed a significant and concerning increase in General Aviation activity, particularly the influx of training flights departing from the Long Beach Airport, that have taken a toll on the quality of life in our neighborhood.
The frequency and volume of these flights passing directly over our homes have become untenable.
What was once a peaceful and tranquil neighborhood now resonates with incessant noise, robbing us of the simple pleasures of enjoying our homes, yards, and the sense of community that defines Cal Heights.
Engaging in basic communication within our own residences has become a daily challenge. The constant interruptions caused by these flights make even the most ordinary activities, such as talking, listening (even with headphones), or watching television, nearly impossible. It is with great frustration that I find myself composing this letter while enduring nonstop flights overhead, the noise penetrating even through closed windows. This situation has reached a point where I can no longer conduct online workshops due to the constant interference. The advice to close our doors and windows, while well-intentioned, provides no real respite.
Living in our homes should not equate to feeling like prisoners. Many of us lack air conditioning, and for those who do, the financial burden of running it is prohibitive. We rely on the simple pleasure of opening our windows to let in fresh air, particularly after sweltering summer days. Yet, this too has been compromised by the relentless training flights passing overhead.
These flights begin as early as 6 AM and extend well into the night, sometimes lasting past 11 PM.
Throughout the day, there are often mere minutes between flights, leaving us with no respite from the constant noise intrusion. Only those who live here can truly appreciate how this relentless barrage affects our daily lives. While Council Member Kerr may claim to live in Cal Heights under the flight path, it is important to note that her experience is not reflective of the reality we face. Her
residence is situated significantly west of the main training flight path, nearly reaching Atlantic Avenue and several blocks north.
We acknowledge the presence of an airport nearby, but it is imperative to emphasize that the current situation starkly contrasts with the conditions we experienced when many of us settled here. While we have accepted the noise associated with commercial flights and are grateful for the Noise Ordinance governing them, the recent escalation in General Aviation activity has stretched our understanding to its limits.
It is essential to recognize the urgent need for more stringent regulations on General Aviation flights.
The impact on the lives of thousands of residents cannot be ignored. Even the recent Congressional Report highlights the detrimental effects of frequent noise occurrences on health and well-being.
When noise events occur at such high frequencies that flights pass overhead every five minutes, it becomes a severe issue, even if individual events do not violate established noise levels.
The practice of touch-and-go landings, while financially efficient for flight trainees, comes at a considerable cost to our sanity and health. This practice not only disrupts our lives but also poses a loophole in the system. Following the curfew for touch-and-go operations, flight schools transition to "stop/taxi back/and go" maneuvers, which, though marginally longer, still contribute to the ongoing disturbance.
We must question the intent behind limiting the hours of touch-and-go operations if these restrictions are simply circumvented by stop/taxi back/and go activities, which seem to operate without meaningful constraints.
In light of these pressing concerns, I urge you to consider the following solutions:
1. Implement landing fees for training flights.
2. Restrict the number of flight schools permitted to operate from Long Beach Airport.
3. Limit the frequency of training flights to reduce noise pollution.
4. Redirect training flights to turn at Cherry Avenue, away from residential areas.
5. Apply consistent regulations to "stop/taxi back/and go" operations, as with "stop and go" flights.
Additionally, the issue of leaded avgas emissions is a matter of significant concern. It is disheartening that this issue only gained attention during the last election, despite the city's responsibility to address it proactively. The presence of a single unleaded avgas truck that visits once a week is an inadequate response. Real incentives for transitioning to unleaded fuel must be developed, as the existing measures fall far short of providing meaningful motivation. Meanwhile, the lead particulate fallout on our homes and neighborhoods continues unabated, posing health risks to our community.
In conclusion, I implore you to act swiftly and decisively to address these pressing issues. Cal Heights residents should not have to endure the daily burdens of noise pollution and environmental hazards caused by leaded avgas emissions. We rely on your leadership and commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our community.
Thank you for your attention to these matters, and I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Glennis Dolce A Concerned Resident of Cal Heights