Jazmin Li
The Santa Monica Airport has been the subject of controversy for years, with neighbourhood groups springing up in opposition to it, citing reasons such as aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution. In February 2023, the City Council of Santa Monica voted to begin the process of closing the airport, with plans to redevelop the land for open space. The decision was made possible by a 2017 agreement with the FAA, which stipulated that the city must maintain operations until December 31, 2028, after which the airport can be closed. The future of the 227-acre site is still under discussion, with some advocating for a park, while others suggest high-density housing and offices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of closure | 31 December 2028 |
| Size of the airport property | 227 acres |
| Percentage of the city's total land area | 4.3% to 5% |
| Reasons for closure | Aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution |
| Post-closure development | Parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities |
| Development restrictions | Real estate development prohibited without voter approval |
| Community preferences | Mixed opinions on housing, green spaces, and commercial use |
| City Council involvement | Agreement with Sasaki Inc. for site assessment and planning |
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What You'll Learn
The City Council's decision to close the airport
The City Council of Santa Monica has voted to begin the process of closing Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO). The vote, which took place on January 24, 2023, was made possible by a 2017 agreement between the FAA and city officials. According to the agreement, the city must maintain the continuous and stable operation of the airport for 12 years until December 31, 2028, after which it has the right to close the airport.
The decision to close the airport has been a long time coming, with tensions between airport businesses and the city, as well as opposition from neighbourhood groups concerned about aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution. The airport has also been a source of conflict between the pilot community and those who wanted to redevelop the land. In the 1970s, city officials first argued with the FAA that the city should have the right to close the airport and redevelop the land.
The 2017 agreement also stipulated that the runway at KSMO be shortened from 4,973 feet to 3,500 feet, preventing most large jet-powered aircraft from using the airport. This reduction in runway length was opposed by aviation groups, who noted that it would make KSMO unusable for jets requiring at least 4,000 feet to operate.
The city has obtained authorization to close the airport for aviation uses after December 31, 2028, and passed a resolution in 2017 to that effect. The airport site will likely be redeveloped into parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities as per Measure LC, passed by Santa Monica voters in 2014. Real estate development is prohibited on airport land unless approved by voters.
The future of the airport land is still being discussed, with some calling for high-density housing and offices, and others advocating for renaturalizing the area and turning it into a park to improve air quality, stormwater management, and species habitation. The city has hired Sasaki Inc. to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land.
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The airport's history and relationship with the local community
Santa Monica Airport, also known as KSMO, has been the centre of controversy for decades. The airport was opened in 1922, making it one of the oldest continually operating airports in the United States. Over the years, the area surrounding the airport transformed from ranches and orchards to residential neighbourhoods. This urban development brought the airport's operations into conflict with the local community.
Santa Monica Airport is located in a densely populated area, with the airport site covering 227 acres of land, constituting nearly 5% of the city's total land area. The close proximity of the airport to residential areas led to concerns among locals about aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution. In response to these concerns, the pilot community implemented voluntary noise abatement procedures, with Santa Monica becoming one of the first airports to adopt such measures. However, these efforts were not enough to satisfy the anti-airport groups, who continued to advocate for the airport's closure.
The airport is home to a mix of aviation and non-aviation businesses, with a total of 166 businesses operating across 43 different sectors, generating approximately $20 million in annual revenue. The aviation industry's presence includes flight schools and aircraft storage, while non-aviation uses encompass recreational facilities, arts, culture, education, retail, and even a restaurant. The Museum of Flying, founded by Donald Douglas Jr., the second president of Douglas Aircraft, is also located on the airport premises.
The relationship between the airport businesses and the city has been strained due to leasing disputes. The city initially offered only month-to-month leases, which created uncertainty for businesses, leading to the closure of several flight schools and the airport restaurant. As a result, the city agreed to provide leases of at least three years in duration as part of the 2017 agreement with the FAA.
The decision to close the airport has been a contentious issue, with various stakeholders expressing differing opinions. Some individuals have expressed support for the closure, citing the potential for redeveloping the land into much-needed housing or renaturalising the area to improve air quality and stormwater management. On the other hand, aviation groups, including the California Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), have opposed the closure, particularly the reduction in runway length, which would render the airport unusable for jets.
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The future of the airport land
The future of the Santa Monica Airport site has been a topic of discussion for the city for many years. The airport covers 227 acres, representing nearly five percent of the city's total land area. With the airport set to close by December 31, 2028, the city has an opportunity to redevelop this significant parcel of land.
Measure LC, passed by Santa Monica voters in 2014, gives the city council the power to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities on the site. Real estate development is prohibited unless approved by voters, and any changes to the use of the land must be voted on. The city has hired Sasaki Inc. to assess the site, gather public input, and propose options for the future, with a focus on creating a ""Great Park".
There are various opinions on how the land should be used. Some residents advocate for renaturalizing the area, creating a park and improving air quality, stormwater management, and species habitation. Others suggest building high-density housing and offices to increase density in the city and provide more affordable living options. A mixed-use development, incorporating both park space and housing, has also been proposed.
The city must also consider the financial implications of each proposal. A park could be costly to build and maintain, whereas residential and commercial development could bring in revenue. The future use of the airport land will be a key decision for the city, impacting the lives of residents and the environment for years to come.
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The impact on local businesses and aviation groups
The impending closure of Santa Monica Airport has had a significant impact on local businesses and aviation groups. The airport is home to 166 businesses across 43 sectors, generating approximately $20 million in annual revenue. These businesses include flight schools, a restaurant, the Museum of Flying, the Airport Arts Campus, and many others. The uncertainty surrounding the airport's future has caused tension and disruption for these businesses, with some choosing to close due to the unstable lease terms offered by the city.
Aviation groups, including the California Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), have strongly opposed the shortening of the runway, which effectively prevents most large jet-powered aircraft from using the airport. They argue that this makes the airport unusable for jets requiring at least 4,000 feet to operate. The pilot community has tried to work with the city and neighbourhood groups to address concerns over aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution, even implementing voluntary noise abatement procedures. However, the decision to close the airport has been met with mixed reactions, with some community members expressing support for the closure and the potential to redevelop the land into much-needed housing or green space.
The closure of the airport will undoubtedly impact local businesses, and it remains to be seen how the city will support or relocate these businesses. The aviation groups and pilots who utilised the airport will also need to find alternative facilities, which may be limited in the area. The city's decision to hire Sasaki Inc. to assess the site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land will help shape the next steps and ensure that the process is environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible.
The impact on aviation groups and businesses at Santa Monica Airport has been significant, and the closure of the airport will likely result in a ripple effect of consequences for the aviation industry and local economy. However, the city's plans to redevelop the land offer an opportunity to create new businesses and revitalise the area, potentially attracting new investment and supporting different industries. The process of closing the airport and redeveloping the land will be a complex and lengthy one, requiring careful consideration and management to balance the needs of all stakeholders involved.
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The role of Measure LC and voter approval
The Santa Monica Airport has been a contentious issue for decades, with neighbourhood groups springing up in opposition to the airport, citing aircraft accidents, noise, and pollution as reasons for closure. In 2017, the City Council of Santa Monica voted to begin the process of closing the airport, with an agreement with the FAA that the closure would happen on December 31, 2028. This agreement also included a shortening of the runway, effectively preventing most large jet-powered aircraft from using the airport.
The measure also aligns with the community's desire to address the issues caused by the airport. By redeveloping the site into open spaces and recreational facilities, concerns about noise, pollution, and accidents can be mitigated. It also presents an opportunity to create a large green space in the city, with the potential to improve air quality and provide recreational opportunities for residents.
The City Council has taken steps to involve the community in the decision-making process. In December 2023, the Council approved an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess the site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land, in alignment with Measure LC. This process will include exploring environmentally sound and financially viable alternatives for the site, with a focus on creating a ""Great Park".
The involvement of Sasaki Inc. and the planned hiring of additional staff dedicated to the project demonstrate the City Council's commitment to a thorough and thoughtful transition process. By involving the community and seeking voter approval for any non-recreational development, the City Council can ensure that the future use of the airport land reflects the needs and desires of Santa Monica residents.
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