North Tustin Focuses on Airport Concerns

An advisory committee would address residents' concerns of noise, environmental pollution and a decrease in home values.

By ERIKA M. TORRES

STAFF WRITER

More than 200 North Tustin residents gathered Monday evening at Hewes Middle School to discuss moving forward with a John Wayne Airport advisory committee that would address residents' concerns and complaints with the airport.

The discussion was part of the Foothill Communities Association's annual community meeting to focus on issues concerning North Tustin residents.

An ongoing survey conducted by the association revealed that 50 percent of more than 400 responses believed the airport has a negative impact on the community, with noise, environmental pollution and reduction in home values listed as the top three concerns.

Airport Director Alan Murphy told the audience that 2008 should see a decrease of three flight arrivals and departures from an average of 125 arrivals and departures a day in 2007.

Murphy confirmed that airlines are fined for violating the airport's curfew rule, which prohibits arrivals and departures before 7 a.m. and departures after 10 p.m. No arrivals are allowed after 11 p.m.

"We heavily fine any airlines that violate that," Murphy said. "That's just unacceptable behavior."

Private jets are exempt from the curfew rule because they are regulated by noise levels according to federal law, Murphy said.

Many residents expressed concerns over a perceived change in planes' flight patterns after the closure of the former Marine helicopter base in Tustin.

"It really does seem like the flight paths have changed; I'm concerned that flights will increase," North Tustin resident Mary Nesbitt said. "We just don't want to see it grow anymore because we're afraid it's going to get worse."

Murphy said the change in flight patterns is a misconception and that patterns have remained the same since 1965 when the Foothill Communities Association was formed. Tustin is so close to the airport that planes have to be on path to land before they fly over Tustin, Murphy said. However, he added, flight patterns are not controlled by the airport but rather by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Supervisor Bill Campbell said he would encourage an airport advisory committee formed by the residents.

Richard Nelson, president of the Foothill Communities Association, said he is excited to see a more active airport committee form after Tuesday's meeting.

"People are concerned about the noise and the potential future expansion," he said. "Nobody wants to see it become another LAX."

While no course of action has been decided, the airport advisory committee hopes to become a liaison between the community and the airport. The goal of the committee, Nelson said, is to make the airport's evolution compatible with the community's concerns. The committee hopes to work in conjunction with the airport, county and the FAA to address these concerns.

"It's encouraging that we're going to set a committee together," Nesbitt said. "We're not just going to sit back; we're getting involved."

For more information on the Foothill Communities Association, visit www.fcahome.org.

Contact the writer: 949-553-2918 or etorres@ocregister.com