Committee recommends acceptance of 132 avigation easements for SFO noise‑insulation program

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on Jan. 13, 2025, to recommend that the full Board accept and record 132 avigation easements from property owners in San Mateo County as part of the San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) federally funded noise insulation program.

The measure, introduced by committee chair Supervisor Mirana Melgar, affirms the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and authorizes the director of property to execute and file easement documents related to the program.

Diana Volek, representing SFO, told the committee the easements are part of a federally funded program to minimize aircraft noise impacts and provide insulation to eligible properties in an FAA‑defined geographic range. Volek said property owners who receive insulation sign avigation easements that acknowledge the city’s right to permit aircraft operations over affected properties and that grant the city the right to “employ impose noise, sound, vibration, and other environmental effects incidental to the operation of aircraft.”

Luis Moreno, with the airport’s noise‑impact program, said there is no memorandum of understanding with San Mateo County for this work. “To my knowledge, there is no existing MOU,” he said, and added that the airport now conducts outreach directly to eligible properties and maintains a website for resident inquiries.

There was no public comment on the item. Chair Melgar moved to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation to the full Board; Supervisor Jackie Fielder seconded. The clerk recorded three ayes from Member Mokwaen, Member Fielder and Chair Melgar and the motion passed.

According to the committee clerk, items acted on at the meeting are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on Jan. 28, 2025, unless otherwise stated.