CITIZEN PANEL STALLS VOTE ON AIRPORT PLAN; AIRCRAFT FIGURES UNCERTAIN.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

Members of the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council decided Tuesday night to postpone making a decision on the airport's master plan until they can come back with firm figures on the number of aircraft projected to be based at the airport by 2015.

``We wanted to make sure of the acreage and the number of aircraft,'' said advisory council member Joyce Prager.

Another member, Lisa Barrena, said she wanted a cost estimate on building an underpass for Saticoy Street, which would extend under the airport.

The Master Plan Committee, which reports to the advisory council, presented its plan to allow for an expanded jet area on about three acres of land currently occupied by Syncro Aircraft Interiors, which provides sets for movies with aircraft models and spacecraft.

In February, the Department of Airports served Syncro with an eviction notice, with no explanation offered. The eviction has been postponed until a hearing before the Airport Commission.

Don Schultz, another member of the advisory council, lashed out at the jet-area expansion plan, saying it goes against what area residents want.

``It means more noise,'' Schultz said shortly before the meeting. ``It's not only frustrating, it's a waste of time. . . . We started backpedaling for no obvious reason and we got nothing in return.''

Van Nuys Airport Master Plan Committee members said they reached agreement with the Department of Airports on other aspects of the plan. Those areas of agreement are:

More centralized transient quarters for pilots to better identify where to taxi, take on fuel and get other instructions.

Improve the observation area for the public to view planes taking off and landing. Plans include a small park for children.

Build ``hush houses'' - an estimated $5 million, state-of-the-art project that would allow pilots to back planes into buildings that absorb noise and debris while testing their engines.

Extend Saticoy Street by building an underpass for the major east-west arterial.

``I think we've come forward with some pretty good agreements,'' said Sandor Winger, chairman of the Van Nuys Airport Master Plan Committee. ``We've worked hard. I think that we've got something that is good and acceptable to everyone.''

However, most of the 40 residents who attended the meeting opposed the plan, asking the advisory council to consider quality-of-life issues.

Steve Meister, who recently moved to Sherman Oaks, told council members he and other residents were concerned about the council's lack of information during the meeting.

``In the first meeting I've attended, I've seen confusion reign,'' he said. ``To me, you'd be reckless and irresponsible to make a decision tonight.''

Once the advisory panel makes a decision, it will go to the Board of Airport Commissioners and to the City Council.

Schultz, also president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association, contends that for more than a year, the advisory council and Master Plan Committee were interested in protecting the residents and their concerns about heightened noise levels they claim will come with the airport's 20-year plan.

The Department of Airports' proposed plan calls for a 54 percent increase in jets and a 57 percent increase in helicopters. However, department officials said the airport would be more quiet because newer aircraft make less noise.