RCAA Online Library--Residential Impacts

RCAA ONLINE LIBRARY

Residential Impacts

Issues in Brief: All published studies show that airport noise drives down property values. In some States, new laws require disclosure of airport-noise impacts to potential buyers.

Property values are depressed far beyond the official noise-impact line on FAA-approved noise maps. That official line defines the area in which FAA will provide grants for buy-outs. The Port of Seattle will only make a buy-out with Federal support. So, many home-owners are left to take a loss of value with no recourse.

Highline-area residences are significantly lower in assessed value (about ten percent) than comparable homes in a similar district (Shoreline), which is not heavily impacted by airport-generated noise. The loss in value increases with proximity to the center line of established flight corridors: closer is worse.

There is no program in place to compensate owners for this loss of value. Aviation enthusiasts say that folks should have known better than to “move down by the Airport”. This overlooks the fact that many of the most-heavily impacted homes were built before the second runway came along (early 1970s), that no-one knew that future traffic would be so extensive or the noise so great. Worse, the Port and the regional FAA solemnly told the communities after the second runway that there would be no push for a third runway “for the foreseeable future”.

Owners who participate in the Port's noise-insulation program are required to enter into a covenant to waive their right to sue for past or future loss of property value.

The only remedy is very expensive, difficult litigation – theoretically possible but practically of little value.

This loss-of-value problem does not exist around modern, well-planned airports.

Documents:

Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc. , Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., SeaTac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Section 9 Potential SocioEconomic Impacts and Mitigation. Shows impact of flight corridors on residential property values. [Acrobat version - 44KB, 16 pages] (See also, Environmental Impact-Noise)

Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc., Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., SeaTac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Section 9 Potential SocioEconomic Impacts and Mitigation. Shows impact of flight corridors on residential values; small number of people in airport communties with airport jobs, etc., and suggests mitigation measures. [Acrobat version - 44KB, 16 pages]

RCAA Home Library Portal Background Introduction History, Chronology Charts and Graphs Photo Archive Maps, Flight Tracks Shelf List Purpose, Need, Alternatives Purpose and Need Alternatives Impacts Environ. Impact Statements Community Overview Air Pollution Equity and Cost Shifting Health Impacts on Local Govt's Noise Residential Impacts Social Changes Schools Water Pollution Wetlands and Streams Construction, Engineering Issues The Embankment Fill Other Elements Earthquake Risks Economics Rising Costs Costs Omitted Indirect Costs Comparable Projects Dumb Idea at Any Price Port Spin RCAA Newsletters Latest Edition Newsletter Archive Other Regional Airports		RCAA ONLINE LIBRARY Residential Impacts Issues in Brief: All published studies show that airport noise drives down property values. In some States, new laws require disclosure of airport-noise impacts to potential buyers. Property values are depressed far beyond the official noise-impact line on FAA-approved noise maps. That official line defines the area in which FAA will provide grants for buy-outs. The Port of Seattle will only make a buy-out with Federal support. So, many home-owners are left to take a loss of value with no recourse. Highline-area residences are significantly lower in assessed value (about ten percent) than comparable homes in a similar district (Shoreline), which is not heavily impacted by airport-generated noise. The loss in value increases with proximity to the center line of established flight corridors: closer is worse. There is no program in place to compensate owners for this loss of value. Aviation enthusiasts say that folks should have known better than to “move down by the Airport”. This overlooks the fact that many of the most-heavily impacted homes were built before the second runway came along (early 1970s), that no-one knew that future traffic would be so extensive or the noise so great. Worse, the Port and the regional FAA solemnly told the communities after the second runway that there would be no push for a third runway “for the foreseeable future”. Owners who participate in the Port's noise-insulation program are required to enter into a covenant to waive their right to sue for past or future loss of property value. The only remedy is very expensive, difficult litigation – theoretically possible but practically of little value. This loss-of-value problem does not exist around modern, well-planned airports. Documents: Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc. , Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., SeaTac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Section 9 Potential SocioEconomic Impacts and Mitigation. Shows impact of flight corridors on residential property values. [Acrobat version - 44KB, 16 pages] (See also, Environmental Impact-Noise) Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc., Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., SeaTac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Section 9 Potential SocioEconomic Impacts and Mitigation. Shows impact of flight corridors on residential values; small number of people in airport communties with airport jobs, etc., and suggests mitigation measures. [Acrobat version - 44KB, 16 pages] Home \| What's the Latest? \| Links \| Library \| Newsletter \| About Us