Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 9, 1993 TAG: 9304090046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
AIRPORT NOISE CURBS PROPOSED
The noise is worst when the weather is cloudy and foggy, Harry Morgan says. Because of reduced visibility, the planes come in lower than normal as they prepare to land at Roanoke Regional Airport.The aircraft pass over houses in the vicinity of Cove Road and Countryside golf course. Houses in the Boxley Hills neighborhood and one home near Interstate 581 and Peters Creek Road also are within the noise zone.
"Sometimes it sounds like they are going take the roof and chimney off the house," Morgan said.
Morgan is one of 218 homeowners who live in the airport noise zone.
Homeowners have complained for years about the noise that they say wakes them in the night, drowns out their television sets and makes it impossible to hold conservations.
About 75 people attended a meeting this week to hear a report on a consultant's study of noise around the airport.
Consultants have proposed more than a dozen measures to help reduce the noise in neighborhoods at both ends of the east-west runway, which parallels Peters Creek Road.
The residents had a mixed reaction. Several said they believe the proposals will help reduce noise, but they are tired of waiting.
The recommendations call for changes in the airport's operations:
Different taxiway procedures as planes prepare to take off.
Construction of a noise barrier near the Boxley Hills neighborhood.
The use of quieter aircraft at night and fewer maintenance procedures that involve running the planes' engines.
More use of the north-south runway for landings so that more planes will come from the south, over Valley View Mall.
Federal money might be available for the airport for various land-use options:
A purchase-assurance program that would make it easier for homeowners to sell their houses and move away from the noise zone. The airport would pay the owners the difference between the market value of their houses and what they are offered by potential buyers. The buyers, not the airport, would own the houses - but the airport would have the right for planes to fly over the property.
Soundproofing of houses.
Purchase of noise easements and the rights to fly over noise-sensitive areas.
"We've tried to provide many options for noise abatement," said consultant Ed Beale of Delta Associates.
Beale said the recommendations will hinge on federal approval and funding. He estimated that it might take up to a year to get the Federal Aviation Administration's approval.
Once the recommendations have been approved, the airport would apply for federal funds. Some measures could be implemented by next year, Beale said.
The consultants estimated the cost for implementing the proposals at $4 million.
Without federal funds, airport officials said they would be hard-pressed to finance them.
Under FAA's special funding program for noise abatement, airports may be eligible for federal funds to pay 80 percent of the cost.
Jacqueline Shuck, airport executive director, said she believes the airport ultimately can obtain federal funds. But she said it might take several years. "I don't doubt that we [will] get the money, but how long it will take I'm not sure."
The Roanoke Regional Airport will be competing with other airports for the funds.
Airports in Charlotte, N.C.; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and other cities have received federal grants in recent years to reduce the impact of noise, Shuck said.
Roanoke County Supervisor Bob Johnson said he believes the consultants have made a thorough study and provided realistic recommendations.
"The real key is whether you can get the FAA to provide funds for the proposals," said Johnson, who also is chairman of the Regional Airport Commission. "We are not a wealthy airport, so we'll need help."
Johnson said he understands the complaints because he lives on Northway Drive, in the flight path for the east-west runway.
He represents the Hollins magisterial district, which includes several houses in the noise zone. Most of the affected houses are in the city, however.
Johnson said he likes the proposal for the airport to buy noise easements.
Beale said the airport could acquire easements by paying the difference between the current value of the houses and their market value if they were not near the airport.
The consultants also recommended that the city and county update their comprehensive plans to recognize aircraft-noise areas. They have proposed that the localities enact ordinances that would require potential buyers of property in the noise zone to be informed about aircraft noise before the sale is completed.