"Bill may mean end of airport group"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Friday, June 27, 2008

Bill may mean end of airport group
By Lori Consalvo
The Redlands (CA) Daily Facts


UPLAND - For the past 15 years, the city has overseen the Airport Land Use
Commission, which makes recommendations and decisions about development
surrounding Cable Airport. 

But a new bill, SB 1118, submitted by state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, is
threatening to disband the city commission and institute replacements at the
county level, citing concerns about regulation of air-traffic safety. 

Officials at the privately owned airport and the city say the bill
unnecessarily complicates land-use matters related to Cable. 

"SB 1118 does nothing to improve air-traffic safety in the west end of San
Bernardino County," said Upland's Assistant City Manager Rod Foster. "In
fact, it worsens safety by creating a larger bureaucracy of multiple
agencies doing the exact same thing in order to govern local airport
planning." 

Cable Airport's takeoff safety zone is in Los Angeles County, while the
facility and runway are in San Bernardino County. If the bill passes as
written, the airport would have to seek the approval of two different
commissions for land-use decisions. 

Bob Cable, president of the Upland airport, said for most airports, SB 1118
is probably a good thing. 

"But there needs to be language for airports such as ours," Cable said. 

Over the years, Cable said he has built a working relationship with the city
and can approach them with concerns before any development decisions are
made. 

"I can sit and talk to the city, but my hands are tied with the Airport Land
Use Committee in the county," he said.

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