February 14, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Santa Monica City Council Calls for Closure of its Airport

The Santa Monica City Council said today it has adopted a resolution calling for the closure of its airport as soon as legally permitted, with the goal of shutting down the facility on or before July 1, 2018.

The council late Tuesday also directed the city manager to implement a series of measures intended to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of the airport until operations permanently cease, it said in a statement early this morning.

In its resolution, the council declared the airport produces a wide range of adverse impacts, including noise and air pollution, as well as safety issues. It noted the positive consequences of converting the land to open space, parks, recreation, educational, and cultural uses as required by Measure LC, a ballot measure Santa Monica voters approved in 2014.

“Through our unanimous vote (Tuesday),  the council demonstrated our commitment to stop the harmful impacts the airport has on our community. Transitioning our land into a ‘great-park’ is the single most transformative action this council can take,” said Mayor Tony Vazquez.  “The land needs to be transformed from a source of pollution and potential danger into a community asset.”

The council said it has directed the city manager to implement a series of measures intended to reduce the adverse impacts of the airport until operations cease permanently.

“Our council and community in solidarity want to close the airport that predominantly caters to the 1 percent that can afford to travel by private jet. We have directed the city manager to take every step possible to expedite the transformation of our land from airport to park,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ted Winterer.

“There are real legal obstacles and while we need to be conscientious as we navigate the court system, our resolve to close the airport is firm.”

The measures the city manager is authorized to implement include petitioning the Federal Aviation Administration to remove the far west segment of the runway from aviation use. This would shrink the runway by 2,000 feet and consequently reduce the adverse impacts of the airport, the statement said.

The council also directed the city manager to begin the planning and environmental analysis of converting Santa Monica Airport into a park.

And it adopted a Fixed Based Operations policy for the city manager to implement to replace private aircraft support services with services provided by the city. Currently, aeronautical services, such as fuel and aircraft storage, are provided by two private companies. The council directed the city manager to create a city-run FBO service by Dec.  31, or as soon as feasible.

“This change, allowed under FAA regulations, would significantly diminish the incentive for private companies to market their services to corporate and personal jet traffic,” the statement said.

The effort to shutter the airport gained steam after actor Harrison Ford, flying out of the airport, experienced engine trouble and crash-landed his World War II-era light plane at Penmar Golf Course in Venice in March 2015. He was injured but has since recovered.

The FAA ruled last December that the airport must stay open at least until 2023. Santa Monica elected officials and anti-airport activists countered that the airport could be closed earlier because all obligations to the federal government have expired. But the FAA said provisions of a $240,600 federal improvement grant received by the city in 2003 require that the general aviation hub remain open 20 years after accepting the money.

Related Posts

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Culver City Police Investigate Disturbing Incident in Culver City Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Police Secure Area as Investigation Unfolds on Thursday Morning The Culver City Police Department received a call around 7:23 a.m....

Here are Your Last Minute Ideas if You Still Haven’t Planned Your Valentine’s Day Date

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Luscious Cookies, Delightful Drinks, Full Dinners at Home or In House, We’ve Got Them Okay, maybe you have been a...

Beloved Baldwin Hills Family-Owned Restaurant Post & Beam to Close After 13 Years

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Community Icon Shuts Doors as Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Redevelopment  In yet another loss for the Los Angeles culinary community,...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Flour Pizzeria & Cafe to Bring Brooklyn-Style Pizza to Brentwood This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Family-Owned Favorite from the Palisades to Open on San Vicente  Flour Pizzeria & Cafe, a restaurant from Pacific Palisades run...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

ART& 2025: NeueHouse Unveils Inspiring Lineup Celebrating Feminine Leadership

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Four-Day Event in Venice Beach Explores Creativity, Activism, and Cultural Impact NeueHouse has unveiled the schedule for ART& 2025, a...

LA Attorney Who Represented Rodney King Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion Scheme

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Milton C. Grimes Ordered To Serve Time in Prison and Pay Restitution Milton C. Grimes, a longtime Los Angeles attorney,...

Canned Tuna Pulled from Shelves Over Botulism Contamination Risk

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

El Segundo Seafood Company Issues Voluntary Recall Through FDA Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall of certain canned tuna...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

Retailers Impose Egg Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Donate Blood, Save Lives: Culver City Hosts Valentine’s Week Drive

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Urgent Need for Donors as Red Cross Faces Critical Blood Shortages As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Culver City Police Department...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...