Here are a couple of updates on the on-going claims against the City of SF and SFO regarding runway noise. When the city lost the decision for some of the plaintiffs to recover damages because they have owned their homes since before 1980 (see the original decision here), it appealed that ruling. The appeal wound its way through court and the appeals judge, Judge Novak, sided with the plaintiffs, so seven people are entitled to damages. Finally. Readers who have owned their homes since 1980 should think about joining Round 3.
We wrapped up the second round of complaints in court on January 21st with the original judge, Judge Mazzei, again hearing the cases. Just as that day in court arrived, the city made an appeal to dismiss Round 2 complaints as being the same as Round 1. The plaintiffs presented information indicating that plaintiffs who are continually sustaining damages can continually file complaints in Small Claims court. The judge allowed another two weeks for plaintiffs to present more information. I have done that myself using the fact that I have new data from my personal monitoring station report for Round 2. You can read about that report here. We also presented more information disputing the applicability of the case law that limits damages to pre-1980 owners. We do not have a date for the decision on dismissal nor the base Round 2 decision.
Lastly, under my questioning, the aircraft noise expert witness that the City has been using from the beginning, Steve Alverson from Environmental Sciences Associates, confirmed my suspicion that trees and vegetation don't have any impact in blocking noise. This is interesting because the SFO Community Roundtable is spending time and money to investigate "vegetative attenuation" as I noted here when I went to the last Runway Noise subcommitte meeting. I understand that in sprawling organizations (really two organizations here-- the airport and its owner, the City)-- things can get lost, but when one expert says something is irrelevant one would hope the other experts would take note and not waste effort investigating it. The time would be much better spent figuring out what else has changed and what they can do about it.
My husband and I have owned our Burlingame home since 1977. The change in flight patterns is ruining our quality of life. It's ruining the quality of life for many Burlingame Residents. We remember when it was quiet here and the only time we heard jets take off was in stormy weather when the flight patterns were changed. Please let us know when and where are the next meetings. I don't see why we should suffer for the pleasure of SFO.
Posted by: Linda Fairclough | February 08, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Thanks, Linda. You are far from alone. We have had 60+ residents join the mass claim suits and more express interest as the word gets out. Please go to https://www.sforunwaynoise.com/
and follow the instructions. You will also meet some really nice people!
Posted by: Joe | February 08, 2020 at 01:26 PM
Our local yokel, hollyroller, wrote this on the wrong thread:
As far as the Airport Noise Abatement. San Bruno, CA. got @ $10,000.00 per home to stop the Noise. Where are the organizers? 10 miles away from Burlingame is the Template to receive Noise Abatement... Come On Now. Get your S... together. Or STOP WHINING.
-------
Sorry, Hollyroller, you really have no idea what the heck you are talking about. There is no distance "template". Distance is not the issue, it's when the 24 hour average noise level known as CNEL (Community Noise Equivalent Level) is above 65db. This is well-documented on a number of previous posts. Please try to keep up with the knowledgeable people....or just keep it shut.
Posted by: Joe | February 08, 2020 at 08:29 PM
It's getting loud out there right now just like last night. This morning wasn't great either.
Posted by: resident | February 08, 2020 at 11:34 PM
Booming from 12-1:30 non-stop.
Why not, say, 10-11 and then quiet?
Posted by: Peter Garrison | February 09, 2020 at 07:28 AM
While this strong wind has you reaching for the Kleenex due to the pollen being stirred up, you can also step outside and watch the rare "Reverse Operation" when the big airliners come in low northbound over Hillsborough, bang a tight right turn and land on 1L & R (instead of the usual taking off on 1L & R).
Posted by: Joe | February 09, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Played Crystal Springs this morning and was on the 15th hole around 1030a and saw the 1st one coming low....real low. Guys said that is the lowest they have seen. Steady stream of flights taking that path up until we we done.
Posted by: Barking Dog | February 09, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Yes, 'saw that one here on the flats, from a completely different direction --it seemed to be on same path as the helicopters use, and nearly as low :(
Posted by: Jennifer Pfaff | February 09, 2020 at 11:28 PM
12:45 Saturday March 28
For the record:
No noise except the refrigerator.
No airplanes, leaf blowers, crows, sirens, backup-warning beepers,
lawn mowers, cars, kids, phone calls, dogs...
Posted by: Peter Garrison | March 28, 2020 at 12:48 PM
3am
Asiana Cargo flight to S. Korea.
Not 6am.
Not 11pm.
Not another plane over the Bay.
3 am
Posted by: Cassandra | April 21, 2020 at 07:54 AM
Our Round 2 hearing has been postponed again. The first long postponement took the group to June 26th, but that pales in comparison to the latest postponement - April 4, 2022. I get the whole Covid slowdown, but ten months more? I was reminded of this by this piece in the DJ today:
Three judge positions for the San Mateo County Superior Court are now filled following several retirements, with judges Chinhayi Cadet and Nicole Healy starting work Monday and Alameda County chief assistant district attorney Kevin Dunleavy expected to start soon.
The Court is now fully staffed judge-wise with 28, but there is a forthcoming opening due to another retirement.
Posted by: Joe | August 04, 2021 at 12:32 PM