City Council Backs Federal Legislation as Residents Call for Immediate Local Action
SoCalNewswire - October 12, 2025
Los Angeles, CA — Amid growing public pressure to address the impacts of general aviation, the Los Angeles City Council has endorsed H.R. 5202, the Aircraft Noise Reduction Act. Council’s resolution (CF No. 25-0002-S88), backed by Mayor Karen Bass and introduced by Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Imelda Padilla, and Monica Rodriguez —with Nithya Raman seconding, supports federal legislation that would allow airports such as Van Nuys (VNY), Whiteman, and Hawthorne to request adjustments to air traffic and training patterns for noncommercial charter flights.
The bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consult with airport operators and consider surrounding community input when evaluating noise mitigation measures. “This effort is about protecting public health, improving quality of life, and ensuring our communities are heard when it comes to noise in our skies,” Councilmember Padilla said in her October 11 newsletter.
Some community members, however, argue the resolution does nothing to address more immediate local concerns. Cathy Perenchio, a resident of Council District Six, described the resolution as “symbolic” and called on the Council to prioritize local measures. “We need action today —like pushing for the $2.2 million mitigation wall at VNY Airport and amending an applicable ordinance to prohibit rezoning before the completion of the new Specific Airport Plan,” Perenchio said.
The proposed rezoning of commercial parcels into aviation-use land at Van Nuys Airport —including the site of the Airtel Plaza Hotel, which is set to close Sunday, October 12— has drawn escalating criticism from residents who say it will lead to increased jet activity and worsen conditions in nearby neighborhoods. Critics note that the anticipated uptick in air traffic from such land recategorization could intensify the very noise issues H.R. 5202 seeks to address.
Suzanne Guitierez, co-founder of Fumefighters United VNY, echoed concerns about relying solely on federal solutions. “The City Council needs to do more within its own wheelhouse. These types of federal bills rarely lead to enforceable change,” she said.
H.R. 5202 could face turbulence. Aviation groups have opposed previous federal efforts similar to H.R. 5202. In 2020, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) urged congressional committees to reject legislation that would alter existing federal noise policy. “By enacting the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA) in 1990, Congress affirmed that aviation should be federally regulated and halted an epidemic of local noise restrictions that had begun to threaten the efficiency and safety of our nation’s airports,” AOPA stated on its website.
While the City Council’s resolution acknowledges need for targeted restrictions in tackling noise pollution, residents continue to press for immediate action from the city on a local level, including advancment on the proposed mitigation wall along Hayvenhurst Avenue at VNY airport's western border.
“If the City Council is listening, I urge you to consider a resolution that encourages the airport commission to work more cooperatively and take immediate steps to advance the mitigation wall lease —before my kids get cancer.”, added Guitierez.