Settlement Possible In Longtime Fight Over Ft. Laud. Airport
DANIA BEACH (CBS4) -- Broward County is hoping that money will talk when it comes to settling a years-long battle over expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
In an unprecedented move, the county is offering to pay more than 850 residents who live near the airport 20% of the value of their homes. In exchange, the residents would agree not to pursue legal action against the county or airport.
"This is a way of saying, you have been impacted and we are trying to make it better," said Kent George, Aviation Director.
If this settlement passes, all litigation would end.
Bob Anton, a former Dania Beach City Commissioner and one of the affected residents, called the proposal "fair" for him but not for many of his neighbors.
He said hundreds of residents who qualified for soundproof windows and doors would not qualify for the payment plan because their homes fall below the noise threshold required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Anton believes the county should expand the program to all residents in the affected areas.
"If the county really wanted to be fair, they would do this to the natural boundaries," Anton told CBS 4's Carey Codd.
Marilyn Parry agrees. She lives a few doors down from Anton but would not qualify for the proposal.
"If they're gonna pass money out they should either do it for everybody or no one. It isn't equitable," Parry said.
For years, residents who live just south of the airport have been fighting the airport expansion. During a visit with our CBS4 cameras we saw a small jet take off from the south runway. The sound roared through the neighborhood.
Anton fears what it will sound like once large jets start taking off from the south runway.
"Everybody's home here has been impacted by the airport," he said. "People are unable to sell their homes. Their homes are diminished. People are afraid of the noise and the pollution."
Anton also questions the need for the runway.
"The actual number of planes landing and taking off utilizing the runways is down -- lower than it was in 2002," Anton said.
Aviation Director George said the runway expansion will provide an important economic benefit to the county. Plus, he said the county is stepping forward with millions in soundproofing plans, home selling assistance plans and now, the payment plan, to prove to residents that the county understands the impact on their lives.
"I think it's an innovative program that's gonna give so many people the opportunity to be able to put closure to this long-standing controversy," George said.
A meeting Tuesday night informed residents about the proposal. The actual settlement agreement will be considered by the Dania Beach Commission at their next regular meeting scheduled for September 13th. The Dania Beach Commission must pass the agreement during two meetings and then the Broward County Commission will take up the proposal.
After that, the FAA must agree to the plan.
Another facet of the plan -- the county would agree to put a curfew on flights from the south runway from 10 pm to 5 am.
