FAA,City to Buy Out Homes in Noisy Airport Neighborhood - Bush Intercontinental Airport

FAA, City to Buy Out Homes in Noisy Airport Neighborhood
News 24 Houston, TX

11/13/2003 10:03 PM


This house's proximity to the airport makes it a noisy place to live.
Planes from Bush Intercontinental Airport usually take off over Robert
Maxwell's house, but today the wind shift means they are taking off in
another direction.

"At times it's pretty bad," said Maxwell.

Because of a newly expanded runway, the FAA says the plane noise over the
Greenview Manor subdivision exceeds federal limits, making homes in the
area unlivable.

In the end, the city and the FAA will buy out 100 properties in this
neighborhood, which means everyone will have to move in the next few
years.

Maxwell is one of the first five to sell. The city approved the $85,000
selling price Wednesday.

"My wife and I -- we have already found us a home, another place and
everything, so I think everything's going to work out good," said Maxwell.

But some neighbors, like Jerry Narvaez, say they're not bothered by the
jets and they like the neighborhood.

"Well, I actually work at the airport. And if you look at the
neighborhood, it's like you're in the country," said Narvaez.

But for Narvaez, it's not just about planes -- it's about money the
government's offering.

Melissa Blasius tells us about one neighborhood that will be bought out by
the city and the FAA.

"Basically I've thrown $70,000, $90,000 out the window. Because I've got
the appraisals in my hand, so I'm going to lose a lot. And to them -- they
didn't care," said Narvaez.

He's hired a lawyer to help him negotiate with the city, but Maxwell says
the city's offer was enough to fuel his decision.

Some residents in other neighborhoods near Bush Intercontineintal also
want to be bought out. But an airport spokesman says the FAA follows a
strict noise formula to determine which properties to purchase.


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