‘Stupidity in the worst case’: Councillor voices opposition to Burnaby flight path reroute

Strong words of opposition to proposed flight path changes that would impact Burnaby were shared by one councillor on Monday night.

Coun. Pietro Calendino took the lead during this week’s council meeting to express concerns about the proposal from NAV Canada, which could result in more planes flying over North Burnaby.

Calendino said the proposal is “creating a lot of anxiety among many of the residents in all of the communities [impacted], including Burnaby.”

“I think redirecting flight paths away from Oakridge and over Burnaby North, which has higher buildings than Oakridge does, is stupidity in the worst case,” he said.

NAV Canada, a private not-for-profit organization responsible for planning and managing airspace in Canada, is currently reviewing its aircraft approach in the Greater Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island regions with its Vancouver Airspace Modernization Project (VAMP).

Its proposal aims to incorporate technological advances to enhance safety and reduce flying times, aircraft pollution, and noise levels.

These changes include adopting new satellite-based practices, known as Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR), which essentially allows aircraft to fly shorter distances to land.

As a result, a shift in flight paths across the Metro Vancouver region would need to take place.

In Burnaby, a new flight path for YVR’s Runay 26 L/R would result in planes flying over residential neighbourhoods north of Hastings Street, the Lochdale Urban Village, Forest Grove, and the Lougheed Town Centre.

North Burnaby would be impacted more by the Runway 26L/R flight path over areas in South Burnaby, due to a wider turn being required towards the airport with the RNP AR procedure.

At Monday night’s meeting, council received a staff report that requests more information and consultation from NAV Canada regarding the potential flight path change.

Specifically, staff noted that more clarity was needed on noise impacts, especially for residents living in highrises (with consideration that the tallest mix-use building proposed in Lougheed Town Centre would be 850 ft above ground level), as well as risk-impacts involving planes flying over industrial areas like the Parkland Refinery.

Calendino noted that while he appreciated staff’s recommendations in the report, he felt there was “one thing missing; we’re not being strong enough.”

He asked Leon Gous, the city’s chief administrative officer, to add an additional recommendation in the form of a letter from the mayor and council “objecting to the NAV [Canada] proposals.”

“I realize that they [NAV Canada] also have their job to do, but if they were communicating a little better with all of us they would understand what the issues are, but they aren’t,” said Calendino.

Gous noted that this could be worked into the report.

Council approved staff’s recommendations outlined in the report and Calendino’s additional recommendation.

NAV Canada is expected to produce a community consultation report that takes into consideration the public and municipal input it received before proceeding with any changes.