January 29, 2008

The Tussle For Territory

Everyone has personal space. When someone else breaks those boundaries of personal space, folks tend to get a little uncomfortable. According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall, there is even a numbers game to personal space. If you’re, shall we say, on “intimate” terms with someone - 6 to 18 inches away is appropriate. Personal distance moves to 18 inches to 4 feet. When you’re talking “public” space, the distance is more than 12 feet.

Of course, cultures and personal preferences all come into play. Now, when we’re talking about a major airport (LAX) moving into neighborhood space, local residents don’t always react with open arms, either.

According to the Argonaut, the Los Angeles International Airport has recently gotten an approval on an $8.7 million dollar contract. The airport will begin an environmental impact report to study redeveloping the facilities and possible reconfiguration of the northern runways.

Prior to the approval, one “Letter to the Editor” from the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC) strongly voiced objections to the expansion.

Here is an excerpt:

LAX has several proposals to move the north runway as far north as 1,000 feet into Westchester/Playa del Rey. This may mean the complete destruction of the Westchester Central Business District, the heart of our community, to create a “clear zone” for a new runway.

We could lose all of our local shopping and dining from Sepulveda and Manchester south to LAX. Businesses such as In-N-Out Burger, Bank of America, Office Depot, Ralphs, Mervyns, TJ Maxx and IHOP could disappear forever.

Once again, our homes and businesses are threatened by more LAX expansion. We need our friends and neighbors to tell the airport commission “no” to destroying our community.

The community has been invited to input their comments on potential designs. If you’re interested in what will happen or speaking your mind, here’s the info.

What: LAX Northside Land Use Community Workshop

When: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: St. Robert’s Auditorium

Loyola Marymount University

1 LMU Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90045

You can get more info by contacting the LAX Stakeholding Liaison Office at 800.919.3766

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