Northern Hills Homeowner's Association

Lower the decibel level on airport noise debate

Feb 09, 2001

Though the city plans to conduct more testing around San Antonio International Airport to reduce noise, the outcry from critics shows no sign of leveling off.
But both sides - neighbors and city officials - should work harder to moderate their own decibel levels, or a workable compromise could be drowned out.

One city-sponsored plan by Ricondo & Associates Inc. has already been scrapped after residents of neighborhoods including Northern Hills objected. Now, a solution could be two or more years away.
At one time this was a problem for the Oak Park-Northwood neighborhood just north of Alamo Heights. After years of protest and meetings with the city, many of the homes have been soundproofed.

The new plan called for a majority of planes to take off over a less-populated area east of Wetmore Road.

But neighbors say it dangerously mixes fast and slow aircraft; requires pilots to execute an immediate 15-degree right turn on liftoff, followed by a 15-degree left turn; will result in many takeoff delays; and could lower property values.

Two things seem sure. One, San Antonio is growing and the growth shows no signs of letting up. Two, as a consequence, air travel will likely increase.
The outcome is inevitable. Some neighborhoods are going to have airplanes flying over them and landing.

What both sides in this debate must realize is that compromise is possible.

Other cities have achieved such a goal.
Planes make noise, and that is not going to go away. And what goes up must come down.

Considering the revenue produced by San Antonio's promotion as a tourist Mecca and gateway to Mexico, it would be economic suicide to discourage air travel here.

Other options must be sought. Stories abound today in the scientific and aviation journals of larger jetliners that accommodate more passengers but have quieter engines.

The city should be pursuing a business agenda to convince commercial airline companies to land such planes here. Federal restrictions on decibel levels for subsidized insulation of homes should also be relaxed.

At the same time, the heated, "not-in-my-back-yard" rhetoric of some neighborhood associations should be put aside so that all sides can engage in tactful, productive negotiations.