Time is running out for city officials in San Jose, California, who need to clear one of the largest and most established homeless encampments in the area or face losing millions of dollars from the FAA. The encampment is located on undeveloped land south of Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (KSJC).
The parcel is located south of Interstate 880 and off the approach end of Runways 30L and 30R. Aircraft overfly the property during takeoffs and landings at an altitude of a few hundred feet. The property was purchased with FAA grant money for the purpose of being a buffer zone. As such, it is required to be undeveloped and free of human habitation to meet the FAA’s criteria for a buffer area. The buffer is designed to prevent loss of life in the event of an aircraft overrun or undershoot.
