CRITICS VOW TO FIGHT NEW AIRPORT PACT.Byline: David R. Baker Staff Writer Critics of a landmark agreement to expand Burbank Burbank, city (1990 pop. 93,643), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1911. Tourism and the entertainment industry are central to its economy; several motion-picture studios and television headquarters are here. Burbank's aerospace industry collapsed with the end of the Cold War. Airport vowed Thursday Thursday: see week. to continue the fight against the expansion, possibly by launching a citywide referendum referendum, referral of proposed laws or constitutional amendments to the electorate for final approval. This direct form of legislation, along with the initiative, was known in Greece and other early democracies. to scuttle or change the deal. One day after airport and city officials announced the agreement to end their years-long battle over growth, opponents said that among their considerations are a ballot initiative to restrict expansion or a recall campaign against Burbank City Council members who vote for the agreement. ``The peace and quiet of Burbank residents is more important than expanding this airport,'' said Ted McConkey Several people share the surname McConkey
Many of the people and homeowners groups who have fought the airport's expansion are banding together into a new group to oppose the deal, McConkey said. He said the group's opposition centers on a single, central point of the agreement - allowing the airport to nearly double the size of its terminal without a curfew curfew [O.Fr.,=cover fire], originally a signal, such as the ringing of a bell, to damp the fire, extinguish all lights in the dwelling, and retire for the night. The custom originated as a precaution against fires and was common throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. on night-time flights. ``If they give us that curfew, and it's enforceable, then we will congratulate them,'' McConkey said. The agreement's key backers, Airport Authority President Carl Meseck and Mayor Stacey Murphy, couldn't be reached Thursday. Although the airport would be able to build a larger terminal under the deal, the building would have the same 14 gates as the current terminal. In order to add gates, airport officials would have to secure a federally approved curfew on flights between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The deal must first be approved by Burbank's City Council, which will hold an Aug. 19 town hall meeting on the proposal. And despite calls for changes to the agreement, tinkering tin·ker n. 1. A traveling mender of metal household utensils. 2. Chiefly British A member of any of various traditionally itinerant groups of people living especially in Scotland and Ireland; a traveler. 3. with its details could plunge The term Plunge has multiple meanings:
``Of course, the council has the power to do whatever it wants,'' said city Special Counsel Peter Kirsch kirsch n. A colorless brandy made from the fermented juice of cherries. [French, short for German Kirschwasser; see kirschwasser. . ``But it's fairly clear that should the City Council make any changes in the deal that's proposed, that would have to be renegotiated with the Airport Authority. And that's very difficult.'' Murphy and Councilman David Golonski have already said they will ask colleagues to back the deal. Councilman David Laurell said that while he is still waiting for public input on the agreement, the basic framework appears to be sound. ``The broad-brush concept appears to be a very workable one,'' he said. Although he would have preferred to have an enforceable curfew from the start, he liked one element of the agreement stating that the terminal's concessions and services will be closed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. ``It's not a curfew, but it has the same effect,'' he said. He said pressure from those staunchly staunch 1 also stanch adj. staunch·er also stanch·er, staunch·est also stanch·est 1. Firm and steadfast; true. See Synonyms at faithful. 2. opposed to expansion would not play into his consideration of the agreement, although he would listen to their comments. And he doubted a referendum or initiative against the deal would succeed. ``Do I think any of those things has a chance? No,'' he said. ``If most people felt about this expansion the way Mr. McConkey does, he'd still be on the council.'' The agreement drew complaints from airport commissioner Chris Holden Holden, town (1990 pop. 14,628), Worcester co., central Mass., a residential suburb of Worcester; settled 1723, set off and inc. 1741. Manufactures include electrical and metal products, plastics, and machinery. of Pasadena, who unlike McConkey considered it too restrictive on the airport. Holden and Joyce Streator, also representing Pasadena, were the only commissioners to vote against the deal. ``The kinds of conditions they've placed in the agreement are just unworkable,'' Holden said. ``It's a terrible agreement as it relates to the operation of the airport.'' Carl Raggio, a former airport commissioner from Glendale who wanted even more gates than the agreement allows, said he doesn't agree with all aspects of the agreement, but it's done. ``I just wish the naysayers would let it work,'' he said. WHAT'S NEXT While the two sides in the airport expansion dispute have reached a framework agreement, the proposal still needs the approval of the city of Burbank. The airport is expected to submit a new application by Aug. 9. From that point on, the tentative tentative, adj not final or definite, such as an experimental or clinical finding that has not been validated. schedule is as follows: Aug. 19, the Burbank City Council will hold a Town Hall meeting on the framework deal. Sept. 17, city staff would release its preliminary analysis and staff report on the airport's application. Oct. 4, the city's planning board Noun 1. planning board - a board appointed to advise the chief administrator advisory board governance, governing body, organisation, administration, brass, establishment, organization - the persons (or committees or departments etc. will hold a public hearing on the airport's proposal. Oct. 19, the Burbank City Council will hold a public hearing on the airport's proposal. A date has not been set for a final Burbank City Council hearing. CAPTION(S): Box Box: WHAT'S NEXT (See text) |
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