Santa Cruz City Council looks to take flight path debate to DC

The planes have to go somewhere, but no one seems to want them above their heads.

The flight path debate continues in Santa Cruz, and the city is asking members of Congress to take its objection to Washington.

On Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to object to the select committee’s recommendation to move the flight path back over the city.

The city says it wasn’t well represented in the select committee, which made the recommendation to move the flight. The city wants the FAA to make an objective decision instead.

“It’s understandable that they wanted it to move away from them, but those of us under what will be a new track are not so happy about that,” councilman Don Lane said.

What council member Lane and many others in Santa Cruz are concerned about is the return of a flight path above their city, and that’s exactly what a select committee of local law lawmakers has recommended.

“We felt like we were not very well represented, and our concerns were not taken into accounts sufficiently enough,” Lane said.

Noise complaints continue to concern both sides; the reason for the committee in the first place.

“There was a real division within the select committee. They did not reach a consensus decision and we feel like there was more work that needed to be done,” Lane said.

On Tuesday night, the Santa Cruz City Council voted to ask Rep. Sam Farr, incoming Rep. Jimmy Panetta and the FAA to take another look.

Some under the current path are trying to be understanding.

“There are reasons for why the path is the way that it is. There were reasons for why the flight path was the way that it was,” Happy Valley resident Alexander Gershenson said.

But they want the noise gone as well.

“About every 20 minutes, there is a plane going directly over our head. During the day it’s not so bad, but when there is a 12:30 a.m. large plane flying through, the house actually sometimes shakes,” Gershenson said.

And “Save Our Skies Santa Cruz County,” the group that’s been fighting for the change, wants everyone to understand, it’s a problem.

“Wherever this flight path goes, we don’t want anyone to experience the kind of horrendous noise we’ve experienced in the last 18 to 19 months. People don’t understand. It is incredibly loud. It sounds like you are right next to the airport,” Patrick Meyer said.