From Times of San Diego
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is celebrating the completion of 5,000 sound-insulated homes through its Quieter Home Program.
The Quieter Home Program is San Diego International Airport’s residential sound insulation program in which certain residences around SAN, as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration, may be eligible for sound insulation treatments to mitigate aircraft noise.
Eligible homes may receive retrofitted exterior doors and windows, installation of a ventilation system, and other items such as weather stripping and caulking around openings, reducing noise levels by at least five decibels inside the home, and providing a noticeable noise reduction.
Since its inception, the Quieter Home Program has retrofitted 5,000 single-family and multi-family residences immediately east and west of the airport, including the neighborhoods of Bankers Hill, Point Loma, Ocean Beach, South Park, and Golden Hill. …
The Airport Authority encourages area residents to see if their homes or non-residential facilities can benefit from the Quieter Home Program by visiting here san.org/airportnoise
For the balance of this article, please go here.
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Interesting that there is no mention of the “Avigation Agreement” homeowners must sign before any of this work will be done. The agreement states the owner gives up all rights to the airspace above their property. I read it for my place and declined to sign it. What I do not understand is why homeowners have to sign this when it is federal tax money – our money – being used for the work. I tried to find out once before with no luck. Perhaps it is time to try again.
“… , to grant to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, a local governmental entity of regional government (the “Authority”), an air and avigation easement, also known as a perpetual air, flight or noise easement, on, upon, over, across, above, or in the vicinity of the Subject Property, and to all of the airspace (as hereinafter defined) above the Subject Property, whereby Grantor(s) relinquishes certain rights relative to the Subject Property, as described in this Grant of Avigation Easement (“Avigation Easement”)…”
sample avigation (easement) agreement…
https://www.san.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?EntryId=15458&Command=Core_Download&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=652
Kind of a moot point as the FAA controls the skies above your home. No altitude restrictions in a takeoff or landing areas (initial climb and approach areas or missed approach area) that are considered safe for the transition of aircraft. Other altitude limits apply beyond that.
https://aviation.uslegal.com/ownership-of-airspace-over-property/
We know that people will sell their soul for a few bucks and their freedome for the promise of “security”. In this case they’re willing to sell the air rights over their home for new windows and air conditioning.
Good luck when you want to remodel and add a second story. Or when crews show up unannounced to cut down that tree you planted 30 years ago.
People are funny.
What “air rights” do you think homeowners have? This is one of the only government mitigation programs around the SD airport. It definitely has problems and not every homeowner is into the “restrictions” and requirements. But apparently, many have.
If I recall correctly, it releases the airport for any liability for anything that may drop from the sky on hour home.
You don’t like the terms of the easement, don’t enter the program. Your choice.
Exactly, which was why I did not do it. But, I am going to try again to see why I have to give the airport anything in return for use of my tax dollars.
Just saw this U-T article from October:
Moves to reduce airplane noise on Point Loma Peninsula leave some unsatisfied
Some community residents in Point Loma and Ocean Beach still have concerns following a noise compatibility study. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2022-10-26/moves-to-reduce-airplane-noise-on-point-loma-peninsula-leave-some-unsatisfied