City officials on Thursday approved plans for a large new hangar complex for private chartered flights out of Long Beach Airport.
The project along Spring Street near Redondo Avenue is a 74,000-square-foot complex on 7.5 acres that includes three hangars and a 10,000-square-foot space for offices and shops. The project also includes 60,131 square feet of new concrete aircraft ramp paving and 117 parking spots.
The company behind the project at 3605 E. Spring St. is Aeroplex Group Partners, which will lease the space to private operators. The company has similar operations at Van Nuys and Santa Monica airports.
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Though there was no public comment or opposition to the project at Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting, staff addressed a common concern among residents near the airport: Noise. Officials said the project does not involve an expansion or increase in flight operations, nor will it result in an increase in noise.
The company is taking over a property that was previously occupied by an older — and significantly smaller — hangar complex and is located within the active airfield at LGB.
Officials also addressed recent complaints about the number of flight schools and others using older machinery and leaded fuel, exposing residents who live below to toxins in the air.
The discussions over environmental impacts from airport operations will continue, “but this proposal should be differentiated as it will serve newer, clean and quiet jet aircraft associated with private travel,” according to the staff report.
It was not immediately clear when work on the new complex would begin.