Northern Hills Homeowner's Association

Mayor Peak Responds...

Finally, Mayor Peak Responds in Writing to the Ways

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Way:

Thank you for your e-mail to me dated June 7, 2000, addressing your concerns
regarding the possibility of re-directing air traffic over compatible land use areas and the acoustical treatment of homes under the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study.

The Noise Compatibility Study was developed with input from many communities around the airport. A number of options and alternatives have been assessed in identifying the most effective measures in developing a successful noise compatibility program. It is in everyone's interest to reduce noise and not simply move the noise to other areas. The 15-degree right turn after departure from Runway 3 was considered for its compatible land use areas, which includes the Capitol Cement plant and quarries. This flight corridor, coupled with a departure profile to allow aircraft to climb to a higher altitude, may provide less noise for our neighborhoods. This is only a recommendation for the study. At this time there have not been any changes in flight patterns at the airport. Appropriate testing and monitoring will have to occur before any such changes are made. Without testing, we have no way of knowing whether the procedure provides relief for our neighbors. We are hopeful that the FAR Part 150 process will effect a positive change for all of our airport neighbors, but it can only do so when the process is complete.

To date, 19 churches, 10 schools, 2 nursing homes and a public library have
been acoustically treated. Presently, the airport is implementing a residential acoustical treatment pilot program for five residential homes.
The FAA established certain guidelines categorizing an existing measurement
for noise levels and if they significantly impact neighborhoods. The effects of noise exposure on areas within various DNL contours, 65, 70 and 75, are used as a guide when undertaking these studies that include residential acoustical treatment. Currently, the FAA is not funding any residential acoustical treatment programs that are below the 65 DNL.

The existing Noise Compatibility Program was approved by the City in 1990
and then approved by the FAA in 1991. All of the items were carefully
reviewed and approved by the FAA. The current Noise Compatibility Program
revision has also been carefully reviewed and considered by my staff and the City's consultants. We are now carefully following the required process for approval and implementation of a comprehensive Noise Compatibility Program at San International Airport. The interests of all San Antonio
neighborhoods are best served if we permit the process to work.

I appreciate your input into the process concerning airport-related noise
issues.

Sincerely,


Howard W. Peak
Mayor

HWP:ml

I'm Not real happy about this - How about you?

1) Input from communities around the airport - except from Northern Hills.
2) Everyone's interest to reduce noise, not to move noise. When the flights come over my house instead of Eden, I'll remember that.
3) Chose this because of compatible land use areas. Who authorized the neighborhoods under the current flight path in the first place?
4) may provide less noise for our neighborhoods. Can moving flights that are currently a mile away to directly overhead really reduce our noise? I don't think so. Does Mayor Peak?
5) Appropriate testing... Without testing, we have no way of knowing whether the procedure provides relief for our neigbors. -
It will relieve everone else!
You don't need to test it.
It will create NEW noise for US.
6) The FAA is not funding any residential acoustical treatement programs that are below the 65 DNL.
This means that Northern Hills will get the noise and NO COMPENSATION!

And just think, you get to sacrifice your biggest investment for the good of the airlines, the government, this shipping companies, etc. Aren't you proud to live in such a democratic world?
We get to pay for the mistakes of some previous councilman and greedy land developers. Thanks San Antonio!

John Penry

This is Wrong. Join our Fight!

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John Penry