COUNCIL TAKES AIRPORT POWERS VOTE A RESPONSE TO SECURITY EXPANSION PLAN.

Byline: Susan Abram  Staff Writer

BURBANK - In an attempt to secure land-use rights at the Burbank Airport, the City Council late Tuesday night unanimously approved an ordinance that would place a restriction on security enhancement construction plans proposed by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.

The Interim Development Control Ordinance ensures the city can limit airport growth if Measure A, a voter-approved initiative that prohibits airport expansion, is ruled illegal in the coming days.

The ordinance also gives the city more power to determine if construction on the site is exclusively for security.

The approval came a day after the Airport Authority voted to award a $24.5 million construction contract for a 40,000-square-foot security annex.

During a two-hour public hearing, council members berated the Airport Authority for moving forward with security-related construction without filing for safety permits first.

``I think the Airport Authority has shown us no courtesy,'' said Burbank Mayor David Laurell.

Councilwoman Stacey Murphy said she was concerned that the Airport Authority's plans to beef up security on 40,000 square feet was excessive.

``I don't think this is all for security measures,'' Murphy said. ``I have a problem with them building without permits. They are intended in taking whatever they want, when they want it.''

Construction at the airport could begin as soon as this week even if building permits have not been approved.

An assessment of the airport by the federal Transportation Security Administration concluded that expansion of about 24,500 square feet at both Terminals A and B was necessary to enhance both passenger and baggage screening.

The additional 15,500 square feet, although not accounted for by the TSA, would expand a concourse that would be used as an emergency exit, said Airport Authority spokesman Victor Gill.

Travelers will likely not feel the impact of the work any time soon, Gill said. ``The early part of the process will be work done in back office space,'' Gill said. ``It's not dramatic.''

Crews will have to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet the Dec. 30 deadline mandated by the TSA, Gill said.

``The equipment has to be in place and operational by that deadline,'' Gill said. ``This is complex equipment. The requirement is that it's operational.''

A second emergency ordinance, which would expedite the process of building permits submitted by the Airport Authority, was scheduled to be decided on later Tuesday night.