CAA: GA News, "Don't fix runways, neighbors of Georgia airport beg"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Don't fix runways, neighbors of PDK beg 
By ERIC STIRGUS 
The Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution

 
The federal government has offered DeKalb County a grant to repave
runways at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. Some residents who live nearby are
urging county commissioners not to take the money.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote today on whether to accept a $1.4
million Federal Aviation Administration grant to replace four
deteriorated asphalt runways at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport with concrete.
County officials have recommended that commissioners accept the grant,
asserting the concrete runways can better withstand the weight of planes
and cut repair costs.

Critics believe the repaving will allow heavier -- and thus noisier --
airplanes to fly over their neighborhoods.

County officials say the concerns are misguided, insisting the repaving
is needed for safety reasons.

"I am against any expansion of the runways," Vernon Jones, DeKalb's
chief executive officer, said in a recent interview. "I am against any
increase in the weight of planes landing there."

Despite the reassurances, some residents are still skeptical, including
Mickey Feltus, an active member of the airport's advisory board who
lives about a half-mile away.

"They want to do what they want with the airport," Feltus said. "Just be
honest about it."

Located off Clairmont Road in Chamblee, the airport has been a thorny
topic for county leaders for years. The county is testing new flight
patterns around the sub- divisions near the airport to see whether that
reduces noise complaints.

Commissioner Gale Walldorff, whose district includes many of the homes
in that area, toured the airport last week. Walldorff said she planned
to vote to accept the grant, citing concerns that the county could be
liable if a plane were damaged on the asphalt runway or someone in the
aircraft were hurt.

"There's a definite need for this issue to be addressed," she said.

A plane heavier than 66,000 pounds must get clearance from the county to
land at the airport. More than 40 planes that heavy or heavier have
landed at the airport this year, according to Walldorff.

Feltus worries the grant would provide clearance for more of the heavier
aircraft to land, accompanied by loud engine noise.

"Who created the liability by allowing those heavier planes in there?"
asked Feltus.

Jacq Marie Jack agrees with Feltus. A member of the airport advisory
board, Jack lives in the airport's flight path.

"This has created a great deal of grass-roots concern in the community,"
Jack said, pausing momentarily to wait for an airplane to pass over.
"The neighbors feel this would be a de facto expansion of the airport."

Attached Photo:

Terry Sandburn stands on his porch near PDK, talking on his wireless
phone as he works from home. He thinks if the county gets the grant, "it
will be a little louder over this way."

pdkairport.jpg