Valley residents press council over Van Nuys Airport RFPs and advisory council changes at heated public comment
February 28, 2026 | Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California
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At the Van Nuys hearing on Feb. 27, a sustained public comment period featured multiple residents and advocates urging the City Council to intervene in actions by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) related to Van Nuys Airport.
Speakers described alleged governance changes to the Van Nuys Citizens Advisory Council, questioned residency rules and asked the council to require master planning and environmental review prior to further operational changes. Several commenters warned that recent RFPs and lease proposals could displace small aviation businesses, eliminate pilot schools and remove jobs while increasing noise and pollution near neighborhoods.
A resident who identified himself as a member of the Van Nuys Advisory Council warned that recent BOAC changes “deprive us from the opportunity to prevent our recommendations” and urged the council to pay close attention to file 25‑1414 and related materials. Other commenters described quality‑of‑life impacts: one speaker said planes now wake them every night and referenced health concerns, while others asked the council to require environmental review and master planning before approving further changes at the airport.
Multiple speakers alleged improper LAWA conduct. One commenter described a “systemic toxic culture within LAWA” and criticized recent RFPs as “so poorly drafted missing data that a true competitive process cannot occur,” warning of extensive renegotiations and long‑term harms to existing tenants and workforce. Several speakers requested that the council ensure community advisory bodies are notified and protected when airport operations change.
Council leadership acknowledged the concerns and reiterated that the LAWA matter had been placed on the agenda in the Valley so residents could speak directly to the council; the City Attorney reminded speakers that any member of the public could speak on city jurisdictional matters during public comment.
No formal council vote on LAWA governance or specific RFPs was recorded during the session; members motioned for posting and referral of matters raised during public comment.
Speakers described alleged governance changes to the Van Nuys Citizens Advisory Council, questioned residency rules and asked the council to require master planning and environmental review prior to further operational changes. Several commenters warned that recent RFPs and lease proposals could displace small aviation businesses, eliminate pilot schools and remove jobs while increasing noise and pollution near neighborhoods.
A resident who identified himself as a member of the Van Nuys Advisory Council warned that recent BOAC changes “deprive us from the opportunity to prevent our recommendations” and urged the council to pay close attention to file 25‑1414 and related materials. Other commenters described quality‑of‑life impacts: one speaker said planes now wake them every night and referenced health concerns, while others asked the council to require environmental review and master planning before approving further changes at the airport.
Multiple speakers alleged improper LAWA conduct. One commenter described a “systemic toxic culture within LAWA” and criticized recent RFPs as “so poorly drafted missing data that a true competitive process cannot occur,” warning of extensive renegotiations and long‑term harms to existing tenants and workforce. Several speakers requested that the council ensure community advisory bodies are notified and protected when airport operations change.
Council leadership acknowledged the concerns and reiterated that the LAWA matter had been placed on the agenda in the Valley so residents could speak directly to the council; the City Attorney reminded speakers that any member of the public could speak on city jurisdictional matters during public comment.
No formal council vote on LAWA governance or specific RFPs was recorded during the session; members motioned for posting and referral of matters raised during public comment.
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