April 20, 2004
Honorable Michael D. Antonovich Supervisor, Fifth District Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration #869
500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA. 90012
Dear Supervisor Antonovich,
Over the last several weeks the Agua Dulce Airpark has embarked on expanding the airport's operational facilities. Without public hearing or approval by the Department of Regional Planning and it would appear without prior approval by the State Division of Aeronautics they have expanded the airpark's taxiways and gross tiedown area by approximately 50%. This expansion of the airpark is located in an area south of the runway that has never been approved nor used for aviation facilities since 1958. Further, this new tiedown area and the new road leading to it do not appear to be wholly within the legal description of the airpark's special use permit.
The airpark has also expanded their permitted use which is restricted to “propeller driven aircraft” to include jet operations. The updated FAA Airport Master Record of February 2004 has a new addition to the “Remarks” section that reads, "PRIOR APPROVAL FOR JET OPERATIONS REQUIRED". This is a violation of SP1404. According to John Milligan of the FAA Safety Division in Los Angeles, the items listed under remarks are provided to the State Airport Inspector by the airport manager. The inspector does not check these remarks against the special permit, counting on the accuracy of the airport manager. This information is subsequently made available to every pilot in the country in places such as aviation websites like airnav.com and in the federally published, Airport Facilities Directory.
Since 1959, when this community agreed to allow a landing strip to be built for a maximum of 20 planes, for a ten-year period, we have had to continuously and vigorously fight to keep expansion from occurring. On each occasion, aviation interests along with the aviation agencies at the county, state and federal level have maintained that it is only a few who oppose expansion. As our County Supervisor for the last 24 years you know that the majority of property owners has consistently voted against any expansion. As you know, expansion of aircraft operations in the center of Agua Dulce and the subsequent increase in environmental impacts such as noise and safety concerns is devastating to our peaceful enjoyment of our homes and to our property values. Our citizens and community leaders with your office's help have designed Agua Dulce to be built-out as a residential community.
As our Supervisor, you are our representative to the aviation interests. We need you to support Agua Dulce and its citizens, some of which have signed below, who have invested their hearts and souls into their homes. We need you to understand our situation so you can represent our views to the aviation agencies. To this end, we respectfully request a meeting with you, County Counselor Fries and Aviation Chief Ted Gustin at your earliest convenience.
In the interim, due to the controversial nature of this issue we also request that all proposals or site map changes that affect the Agua Dulce Airpark property be brought to a public hearing instead of being processed by Regional Planning for approval by Director's review, in order that the community can identify impacts and concerns and have their voice heard.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to meeting with you.
Respectfully,
Douglas Turner President