North Bay residents want change after increase in airport noise complaints
A sudden spike in noise complaints from residents living near the Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport has triggered an effort to get the FAA to make some changes.
Theresa Martinelli Jones has lived in her Sebastopol home for more than 17 years. The noise of airplanes above has never been an issue, until recently.
"It's a high engine pitch; it's a scream," said Martinelli-Jones.
Starting early last year, she and her partner suddenly noticed larger commercial airlines, with louder engines, at seemingly lower altitudes, making more frequent flight paths directly above their home.
"We could not hear each other trying to talk three feet away. I mean, the sound was just deafening," said Ron Anderson.
County records show hundreds of residents submitted noise complaints to local officials and the airport over about a 10 month span.
Complaints shot up by a range of 200% to more than 600% last year over 2023.
"We've seen a sharp uptick in noise complaints regarding the airport, in places that really never experienced a lot of airplane noise before," said Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.
Hopkins said even local farmers she's never heard from before have reached out for help.
The FAA initiated new departure procedures in January last year.
"It feels like they're trying to push the planes lower in Sonoma County to make way for the larger metro Bay Area, to have the higher space," said Hopkins.
Hopkins and the board of supervisors are conducting their own study to present to the FAA a new flight plan that would have to be approved and adopted.
They're asking for a defined flight path, saying too many residents especially in West Sonoma, including parts of Sebastopol, Occidental, and lower Russian River are being impacted the most.
Other residents see the situation differently.
"I feel we're quite lucky to be getting more airline flights out of Sonoma County airport. I'm not sure what they're hearing. I think this is one of the quietest places in Sonoma County," said one Sebastopol resident who asked for anonymity.
Airport records show continued growth, more flights, and record passenger number year after year post pandemic.
Martinelli-Jones understands she's up against a federal agency with ultimate authority over flight paths.
"I'm just asking that the airport and FAA my little request right that they please work with us," said Martinelli-Jones.
But she also knows if residents make enough noise of their own, it could put the pressure on authorities to bend in their favor.
Airport officials are leading the study to submit to the FAA after getting approval by the Board of Supervisors. The airport has been holding town hall meetings for residents with any updates.
The county has also hired a consultant to help with their proposal for flight path changes to the FAA.
