Santa Barbara airport noise working group unanimously recommends postponing — and likely not pursuing — a FAA Part 150 study

The Santa Barbara Airport noise working group has voted to postpone, and indicated it is likely not to pursue, a Federal Aviation Administration Part 150 airport noise study, Airport Director Mister Hastert told the Airport Commission at its Nov. 22, 2024 meeting.

"It was a unanimous decision to, at a minimum postpone doing a part 150 noise study but likely not ever do 1 at all," Hastert said during his director's report. He said the working group plans to report its findings and recommendations to the City of Goleta, Santa Barbara County and the City of Santa Barbara and to seek guidance on next steps.

A Part 150 study is an FAA-regulated airport noise-compatibility planning process that can inform mitigation measures and eligibility for certain federal funding. Hastert said the working group will report on the group's accomplishments to date and discuss alternative approaches for achieving its goals without the Part 150 process.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the recommendation at the meeting; Hastert said the group would present more details in future reports to the commission and to the affected cities. The commission meeting packet did not include a formal staff recommendation or timeline for a final decision on whether to initiate or reject a Part 150 study.

The director framed the decision as part of an ongoing discussion about how to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and how to accomplish the group's goals. Hastert said the group may pursue other measures and that the commission would be updated at later meetings.