Oct. 15, 2015 By Michael Florio
Residents who are fed up with noisy planes that soar above their homes will be able to voice their opposition at a town hall meeting this weekend.
Several local officials are co-hosting a town hall meeting Sunday regarding plane noise that stems from La Guardia Airport at P.S. 69’s Auditorium, located at 77-02 37thAve. The meeting takes place at 3 pm.
State Senator Jose Peralta has teamed up with several elected officials to put the town hall together after receiving complaints about airplane noise from Jackson Heights residents over the past few months.
“In the last few years, there has clearly been an increase in airplane noise and complaints in Jackson Heights,” Peralta said.
He added that the planes are disrupting the neighborhood.
“One hears the thundering noise from aircraft engines several times on a daily basis, and at times, it feels as if the jets are about to land on 37th Avenue,” he said. “This clearly has a negative impact on our quality of life.”
Peralta expects at least 200 residents to attend.
Attendees will also be able to voice their concerns about the projected multi-billion dollar LaGuardia Airport revamp.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will be sending representatives to the meeting.
Peralta is hopeful that the two agencies will work with the residents to devise a plan to reduce plane noise in the neighborhood.
He is not alone.
Congressman Joseph Crowley, one of the elected officials co-hosting the meeting, said they must work with the agencies to find a meaningful solution to the many problems caused by the airplanes.
“Unfortunately, aircraft noise pollution continues to burden the neighborhoods that surround our airports – posing health risks, disrupting student learning, and deteriorating their overall quality of life,” he said.
Assemblymember Francisco Moya, who is also co-hosting the town hall, echoed Crowley’s sentiment.
“The constant noise is more than just a nuisance for local residents; it may actually have a detrimental impact on health,” he said. “We must find ways to accommodate both the community’s need to reduce noise pollution and the airport’s need to operate effectively.”
Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, another elected official co-hosting the meeting, said both his house and office are located in the flight path to LaGuardia, so he understands the residents concerns.
Councilman Daniel Dromm has the same issue living on 78th Street in Jackson Heights. He says it negatively affects residents’ way of life.
“Frequent airplane noise continues to negatively impact the quality of life in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and other neighborhoods throughout the Borough of Queens,” he said.
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