A Westchester community group seems a little tee’d off that LAX is planning to build a new runway closer to homes and businesses in the area. The group has began seeking mediation with the city of Los Angeles. Council voted 10-3 to move forward on the proposal to demolish the North Runway at LAX and rebuild it 260 feet further north despite intense opposition from residents.The one-page letter addressed to the city clerk comes two days after the Los Angeles City Council approved, on a vote of 10-3, a proposal to move the airport’s northernmost runway 260 feet closer to Westchester homes and businesses. Airport officials say the change is vital to improve safety and increase operation efficiency. The city has five business days to respond to the request for mediation. If it chooses not to accept it, the alliance will have about 30 calendar days to file a lawsuit, according to Douglas Carstens, an attorney for the alliance.
This is all part of a $4.76 billion project is intended to upgrade the airport’s layout to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380, but Westchester and Playa del Rey community groups have claimed the project would increase traffic congestion and air pollution.
SouthLA 