Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sfo Radp topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board affirms SFO long-range plan EIR over Palo Alto challenge about 2045 noise baseline
Summary
The board voted to affirm certification of the SFO Recommended Airport Development Plan EIR after the City of Palo Alto challenged the environmental review, arguing the EIR lacked a 2045 noise baseline. Planning and airport staff said the programmatic EIR appropriately used future baselines and that the ADP does not change runway capacity or induce flights.
The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3 affirmed the planning commissions certification of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Francisco International Airport Recommended Airport Development Plan (RADP), rejecting a CEQA appeal filed by the city of Palo Alto.
Palo Altos counsel argued the EIR used a 2045 baseline without presenting projections of what noise conditions would be in 2045 absent the project, meaning the environmental analysis failed to disclose impacts to Palo Alto neighborhoods. "The EIR takes the position that it can use the year 2045 as the baseline, even though normally you're supposed to use existing conditions," counsel Rick Jarvis said. He said the noise chapter summarizes 2019through2023 conditions but lacks a clear 2045 noise baseline for comparison.
Planning staff, airport representatives and the projects aviation consultant countered that the ADP is a 20-year programmatic plan that does not change runway capacity or aircraft flight procedures — the primary constraints on operations — and therefore would not induce additional flights. "Because this project would not alter the runway capacity, it would not induce additional passenger demand or aircraft operations at SFO," Planning's appeal response stated, and Ricondo consultant Steve Culberson testified the airfield operates near its sustainable capacity and the RADP is sized to that capacity.
After questioning and technical exchange about baselines, modeling and the community roundtable process, Supervisor Melgar moved to affirm certification of the EIR and table related motions; the motion passed with 10 ayes. Planning staff said the EIR complies with CEQA guidance allowing use of future baselines where informative and supported by substantial evidence.
Whathappens next: the airport can continue with long-range planning and design work under the RADP; Palo Alto and other jurisdictions retain any judicial review rights under CEQA.
