TITLE
Recommendation to refer the City's Noise Compatibility Ordinance
(Long Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 16.43) to the Charter Amendment Committee of the City Council for consideration of placement of its core provisions into the Long Beach City Charter. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
As you are aware, in 1995, the Long Beach City Council enacted an Airport Noise
Compatibility Ordinance (LBMC 16.43). The Ordinance signaled the settlement of longstanding
and contentious litigation with a number of airlines. Since that date, the City
Council has repeatedly indicated its support for the terms of the Ordinance, and has
correctly affirmed that it represents an effective deterrent to unacceptable airport
expansion. Further, because of Federal law and Federal administrative regulations, it is
the tightest permissible constraint upon aircraft noise.
Notwithstanding current City Council support, any future City Council could alter
or eliminate this chapter of the Municipal Code. Since this fact inserts a level of
uncertainty as to the City's long-term commitment to maintaining present law, you may
wish to consider inserting its core provisions into the City Charter. If they were to be
added to the Charter by a vote of the electorate, they could thereafter only be altered or
removed by a vote of the electorate.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]