Voters Deal a Blow Against Santa Monica Airport

Pia Bergqvist

Friday, November 07, 2014 at 10:15 PM ET

Verified

** Santa Monica Airport**

Key Takeaways:

Santa Monica voters defeated Measure D, which would have given them power over the airport, and instead passed Measure LC, granting the City Council full authority to manage and potentially close Santa Monica Airport (SMO).
Measure LC restricts future redevelopment of the airport land primarily to parks or public use, unless further public votes approve alternative uses.
Aviation proponents, like AOPA's Bill Dunn, expressed surprise at the outcome, citing misleading information in Measure LC's arguments, and vow to continue the fight to keep SMO open.
Despite the City Council's intent to begin closures, the FAA maintains the city is obligated to continue operating the airport indefinitely, indicating a prolonged legal and political battle ahead.

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Santa Monica Airport (SMO) supporters were dealt a heavy blow by voters this week as Measure D was defeated with 58 percent voting no. The measure was designed to transfer power over major decisions affecting the Santa Monica Airport from the city council to local voters. The Santa Monica City Council has made no secret of its desire to close the airport and redevelop the 227-acre property.

The results came as a surprise to AOPA’s vice president of airports, Bill Dunn, who has been fighting to keep SMO open for more than two decades. “The benchmark survey in the end of September showed Measure D polling at 68 percent positive and the city’s competing LC polling at 33 percent positive,” Dunn said in an interview with Flying.