CARLSBAD, Calif. — The City of Carlsbad is taking steps to gain more control of McClellan-Palomar Airport and have final say in airport expansion.
"This whole thing is really about local control. The airport is owned by the county but sits smack down in the middle of Carlsbad and Carlsbad has the legal right to have the final say," said Hope Nelson, with Citizens for a Friendly Airport.
She says the airport was annexed by the city decades ago.
"The city is taking the first steps to retain or regain its local control," said Vickey Syage, with Citizens for a Friendly Airport.
Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously to begin the process of gaining local control of the airport and final word in expansion projects. Next they'll draft amendments and local agencies will weigh in.
CBS 8 learned the county's airport master plan includes extending the runway to allow for larger aircrafts. Under these new changes the city would get the final word on the project.
"This whole thing about local control will ultimately give Carlsbad the opportunity to weigh in if that happens or not and essentially have final approval," Syage said.
When it comes to noise complaints at the airport especially in the late night hours, the FAA is in charge. The agency controls who flies in, flight paths and what times flights happen.
"It's voluntary at Palomar Airport the community has to rely on the good will and discipline of pilots who fly in there and ultimately that control lies within the FAA and federal government," Syage said.
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