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Airplane Noise and Construction/Renovation Issues
Date Sent: August 30, 2020

 

Dear Neighbors: I am writing to update you on an airplane noise survey and our covenants committee.

Airplane Noise. As previously reported, the Montgomery and Arlington county governments have hired a consulting team to identify, evaluate and propose ways to reduce aviation noise impacts on communities north of Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The controversy arose because the FAA changed routes to concentrate flights in a line from the airport to a path over Montgomery County.

This effort already is generating a high level of participation and interest. About 2300 people viewed the recent online kick-off meeting. If you would like to watch it now, it can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsEYYgaYxNI.

The next step in this effort is a public survey to gauge the noise experience and gather feedback from people in the impacted communities. We strongly urge all neighbors to complete the online questionnaire about airplane noise that is currently available at this link: https://engage.arlingtonva.us/engagement-initiatives/aircraft-noise-mitigation-study.

As you complete the survey, item 4a of the questionnaire will ask you to rank your preferences as to principles for selecting flight paths. As I understand it, the option to consider historical flight paths refers to the pre-2015 paths; that option has the virtue of restoring the lower noise levels that people experienced when they bought homes in our neighborhood. A second choice would be to change the current flight paths to equitably spread flights and noise over all communities so that no communities are experiencing the entire noise burden for the region. On the other end of the spectrum, the option to select flight paths that reduce noise in areas of highest residential density seems problematic, since we live in a low density area that our neighbors selected because of the peace and quiet it offered, among other values.

The study team wants to hear from you. If you have questions or wish to get involved, you can email Anne Hollander our BCA representative to the Quiet Skies coalition.

Construction/Renovation. Our Covenants Committee chair, Mark Pollak, continues to monitor neighborhood construction and permit applications and communicates with owners and builders about compliance with the BCA covenants, which address front and side setbacks and any change to the footprint of the house, among other matters. See the covenants area of our website: http://bannockburncitizens.org/covanants-constitution/covenant-faqs.php.

We still encounter instances where home renovation or construction is planned by individuals who are not aware of our covenants. That is why it is important for us to promptly identify such situations and contact the homeowner or builder to explain our covenants and the review process. You can help. If you learn of, or have questions about, a new construction, renovation or sale, please email Mark.

Stay well and safe. Best Wishes,
Ted Garrett,
BCA President

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