Queens Residents Complain About ‘Constant Noise’ From LaGuardia Airport

New York Community Board 11 has unanimously passed a resolution that calls on Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation that would require a study of flight patterns around LaGuardia Airport.

A bill requiring the study was passed by the New York State legislature in July, but it has not yet been signed by the Governor. The resolution follows meetings between two state legislators and the FAA about LaGuardia's flight patterns.

The Bayside-Douglaston Patch reports that the Community Board, which is one of 59 such volunteer citizens panels set up by the New York City government to get input on community issues, passed a resolution calling on the governor to "require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to conduct a noise and land use compatibility survey as outlined under federal aviation regulations as well as biennial public hearings regarding aircraft noise issues.”

Community boards are local representative bodies. Each one consists of up to 50 unsalaried members, half of whom are nominated by their district's City Council members. Board members are selected and appointed by the Borough Presidents from among active, involved people of each community and must reside, work, or have some other significant interest in the community.

Janet McEneaney, who is on the Community Board and also is a founder of Queens Quiet Skies, said that the message to the state legislators is that "if people are going to get a lot of noise and pollution, there should be a review."

Member Andy Rothman said the study should have voluntarily been done years ago. He said that planes used to be at 5,000 feet when they flew over the Borough, but now pass overhead at about 2,500 feet following a new departure pattern.

FMI: www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/about.shtml