Move 'Strongly' Opposed By The FAA

Santa Clara County may be trying to take a page from Santa Monica's book and close Reid-Hillview airport in East San Jose, but the FAA says it will vigorously oppose any closure plans.

The San Jose Mercury-News reports that last December, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to stop accepting new federal AIP grants for the airport, allowing it to close as soon as 2031. But the FAA said 'not so fast."

The agency's Office of Airports director for the Western Pacific Area Mark McClardy sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors in October saying Reid-Hillview (KHRV) is a "crucial asset" for aviation in the region. "We appreciate the County’s interest in finding adequate locations to build low income housing, however, we ask the Board to also consider the adverse impacts of closing [Reid-Hillview],” McClardy wrote. “Please understand that many of the public use airports in the Bay Area are physically constrained and may find it difficult to absorb the air traffic activity currently served by RHV."

While Harry Freitas, director of the county’s roads and airports, said he does not view the letter as a "threat" from the FAA, he also says they can't prevent the airport from closing once its federal grant obligations have been met. “The way we interpret the law is that once the grant assurances expire, the FAA does not have discretion,” he said. “But we’re not even in that mode, of closing the airport, at this point.”

The Board of Supervisors has not voted to close the airport, only to stop accepting grants.

The paper reports that residents living near the airport have been complaining about noise from the field for quite some time. The airport was built in 1939, and homes have encroached around the airport as the region has grown. Some residents say the property should be converted into a public park rather than remain a place reserved for private pilots and flight schools.

FMI: Source report