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MacDill Stirs Noisy Debate

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By MARK HOLAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2008

Updated: 01/24/2008 08:11 pm

BALLAST POINT - Passions flared this week as some residents complained about noise from MacDill Air Force Base while others defended the military installation.

About a quarter of the 36 people attending a city meeting Tuesday at Ballast Point Elementary School raised their hands when asked if they are bothered by aircraft noise.

Michael Waite, who lives below MacDill's flight paths, criticized the base for failing to update noise maps since 1998. Other residents worried about the dangers of tanker planes laden with fuel or fighters carrying bombs.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Bob Taylor, who ended his career at the base, suggested such criticism "could be disruptive to the community." He appealed to the audience's patriotism and pocketbooks, reminding them of MacDill's role in Iraq and Afghanistan and its economic benefit to the region.

Base aircraft noise is getting attention this year as the city considers proposed changes to its growth-management plan for the neighborhoods surrounding MacDill. One amendment calls for new buildings to have sound-softening features; another would create a committee allowing residents to discuss noise and other concerns about the base with military and city officials.

The Hillsborough Planning Commission plans a public hearing on about a dozen land-use amendments on March 24 or March 31. A city council hearing is scheduled for April 10.

MacDill is updating its noise data for the first time in 10 years. Two base representatives attended Tuesday's meeting but didn't comment. Afterward, they said the updated noise report will be released this spring and the base will hold its own meeting for the public.

Nighttime training missions caused a flurry of noise complaints from Ballast Point residents last year. About 5,700 people lived below MacDill's two flight paths over Ballast Point during the 2000 Census.

"Finally there are enough people down here that have had enough," Waite said afterward. He said he doesn't want MacDill closed but does want more done to protect the public's health and safety.

City planner Randy Goers said neighborhood land use must be compatible with MacDill's activity, rather than the base being compatible with the neighborhood.

Since residents and landowners typically balk at the type of rules that would make that possible, he said, the way forward is "coordination rather than regulation."

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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