RESIDENTS SEEK CURFEW AT AIRPORT MEETINGS PART OF NOISE STUDY.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

Residents from Burbank and surrounding San Fernando Valley communities made it clear Monday night they think a curfew is sorely needed at the Burbank Airport before the terminal is expanded there.

Although the airport already has a voluntary curfew, residents complained about being wakened at night by the sound of jets overhead.

``We hear passenger jets and general aviation planes taking off all night. They have no curfew,'' said Gail Romero, a Burbank resident.

``I hear them at 2 o'clock in the morning. I hear them all night long,'' said Romero, adding she lives close enough to smell the jet fuel.

Several of the residents said they already have 500 signatures on a letter from neighbors insisting on a curfew and a cap on the number of flights.

There were about 50 people at the meeting from communities such as Burbank, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Northridge, Sun Valley and Sherman Oaks.

This was one of several meetings this week that are part of the public outreach effort in the airport authority's Part 161 noise study, which is necessary to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a mandatory flight curfew.

The authority embarked on the multimillion-dollar study this summer in its decade-long effort to gain approval for a new terminal. It wants to replace the 70-year-old original building because it is too close to the runway and a potential safety hazard.

Residents of Burbank have said they will accept a new 14-gate terminal as long as a mandatory flight curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and a cap on future flights are in place. Residents in nearby Los Angeles also have complained about the noise.

The authority is requesting those curfew hours but said they might have to be flexible for the FAA.

Airport spokesman Victor Gill said the stories residents tell about noise will help make a strong case for the curfew.

``We have to be so persuasive that in the end, the FAA can't turn us down,'' Gill said.

Burbank city officials are evaluating a new proposal by the authority for a 250,000-square-foot facility with 14 gates.

In a letter to airport commissioners, state Sen. Richard Alarcon asked that the authority consider rescheduling a 2 p.m. meeting in Sun Valley today to 8 p.m. or adding a sixth session there in the evening, so that residents in that area have the same chance to comment.

Airport spokesman Victor Gill said Monday it was too late to change the schedule but the authority will consider holding an evening information meeting in the Sun Valley area in the future.

MEETINGS SCHEDULE

The meetings will continue today from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Glenwood Elementary School, 8001 Ledge Ave., Sun Valley; and 6:30-9 p.m. at Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood.

On Wednesday, the session will be held, 6:30-9 p.m. at the Radisson Valley Center Hotel, 15433 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

On Thursday, the meeting will be held, 4-8 p.m. at the Hilton Glendale, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd.

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