Proposed code rules offer no noise relief

By Dan Sorenson
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
6/23/04

A plan designed to help Davis-Monthan Air Force Base survive the next round of base closings would restrict building near the ends and sides of runways but offer no relief from increased noise from a new fighter plane expected to be stationed here, according to a city official.

The proposed changes to city building and development codes, based on the Davis-Monthan Joint Land-Use Study, were revealed at a public meeting at Randolph Golf Course Clubhouse, 600 S. Alvernon Way, on Tuesday.

Sarah More, city of Tucson planning administrator, said the changes were intended to reduce the impact of noise and danger from operation of aircraft anticipated at D-M if it continues to serve as an active base for jet fighters, in particular the new Joint Strike Fighter. The computer-modeled noise projections assume a louder aircraft and more flights from the base.

" That doesn't mean there won't be higher noise over the city," said More. "On average it will be in an acceptable range. But there will be noise, and more noise."

Proposed building restrictions vary, based on which of three noise zones the property is in. More said most of the undeveloped land that would be affected is in the areas extending from the southeast end of the base's runways - the farther from the end and the sides of the runways, the less restrictive the regulations.

More said adapting city regulations is only the first part of dealing with the future of the base. She said getting support from the federal government to pay for noise abatement modifications to buildings in the base's operational zones and acquiring buffer land around the base are the other steps.

But even if the Department of Defense budgeted money for soundproofing houses against D-M aircraft noise, More predicted it wouldn't go to homes outside the zones.

Curt Bradley, who lives near the flight path west of the University of Arizona, questioned the entire premise of trying to attract the noisier, and potentially more dangerous, aircraft to D-M. He said he was particularly concerned that it was a single-engine fighter, "like that plane that crashed" near Arizona Stadium in 1978.

" The city of Tucson is bending over backwards to accommodate this new joint Strike Fighter and my concerns are being blown off. What about the health and safety of those who are going to be living underneath (the flight path)," said Bradley. "They're sacrificing a great place to live for D-M. I think this is a struggle for the future of Tucson."

More said there will be a planning commission study session and public hearing before the mayor and council act on the proposed code changes in October.

-Contact reporter Dan Sorenson at 434-4073 or dsorenson@azstarnet.com.