LA's Big Airport Begins Public Hearings On Master Plan

Mayor Jim Hahn wants the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners to extend the public comment period for his proposed $9 billion modernization of LAX from 45 to 120 days.

"My objective is to make Los Angeles International Airport the safest and most secure airport in America," Hahn said. "Public input is a vital component to this goal, adding to the refining process of the plan and allowing the proposal to address community interests and concerns. "I believe support will grow as more people become familiar with this environmentally superior alternative." 

In a letter to the commissioners, Hahn asked the public review period for his proposed LAX Master Plan to be extended from Aug. 25 to Nov. 7.

"I want the final document to represent the best possible plan for our airport and our city with as much extensive stakeholder involvement and input as possible," Hahn wrote.

The mayor also asked in the letter that at least three additional public hearings be scheduled for the fall because "some people may be on vacation" during the nine August meetings. Hahn's request comes a day before the City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to ask the airport board extend the public comment period.

Cindy Miscikowski, who represents the airport area, filed the request last week. Six other members signed the motion, which also asks for airport commissioners to brief the Council on the city's outreach efforts to inform the public about Hahn's plan.

Miscikowski supports proposed safety improvements in the proposal. But she is concerned with other elements, such as replacing homes a mile east from the airport with a remote check-in and parking site, said David Kissinger, the councilwoman's deputy for airport relations.

"The question is: Would we be receiving the value of the investment?" Kissinger said.

The remote site, which would be built in a residential area bordered by La Cienega Boulevard on the east, Aviation Boulevard on the west, Arbor Vitae Street on the north and Century Boulevard on the south, is known now as Manchester Square.

One of the most controversial parts of Hahn's proposal is that the area would be converted to a facility where almost all passengers park or are dropped off before taking a tram into the terminal area.

Hahn announced his proposal July 9 with a 45-day public comment period, the shortest time the law allows. Other parts of the plan include demolishing Terminals 1, 2 and 3, tearing down the central parking structure and building a 12,000-space employee parking structure at the airport's west end. The plan seeks to improve security and cap airport traffic at 78.9 million annual passengers.

Nine public hearings will begin Monday, August 11, for the public to comment to federal and local officials on the proposed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Master Plan and the Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (SDEIS/EIR).

The hearings will provide interested persons the opportunity to express their views on the environmental, economic and social effects of the development of the plan.

Each comment spoken or presented in writing at the hearings will be addressed in the final document. No decisions on the project will be made at the public hearings.

The public hearings will start with a one-hour workshop where attendees will be able to watch a video on the Master Plan, review exhibits, and talk to experts about the major elements of the LAX Master Plan. Following the workshop, the public will be invited to speak at each location.

Those who cannot attend the public hearings can submit their views in writing to the FAA or LAWA to be received not later than 5:00 PM, Pacific Daylight Time, Monday, August 25, 2003. Comments submitted by that date and time will be considered equally with those provided at the public hearings.

FMI: www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html