Part of a noise-mitigation plan for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has fallen apart after the Federal Aviation Administration disapproved portions of it.
The noise plan — hailed as a landmark agreement in November — is related to a $1.5 billion major runway extension and airport improvement project under way by airport owner Broward County.
The plan also had been approved by nearby Dania Beach, which fought the county for years over the effect of noise on nearby homeowners.
The plan was the first of its kind to offer homeowners a one-time payment of 20% of the fair-market value of the home if they gave up the right to sue.
The payment plan was to be federally funded, but the FAA said that was unacceptable.
The Dania Beach City Commission last week voted to withdraw from the agreement.
The noise program is an essential part of the county’s long-planned effort to build the $751 million runway extension to relieve congestion and delays. The capital plan also includes work on the airfield, terminal, parking and related improvements.
The runway extension was approved by an FAA record of decision in 2008 giving Broward County authorization to proceed with the runway expansion, though it had been delayed by Dania Beach’s legal challenge.
It is not clear how the city’s rejection will affect the project. Groundbreaking was in January.
The runway will be lengthened to 8,600 feet from its current 5,275. The project will require a new runway and taxiway to be elevated by 64 feet to extend over a railroad and highway U.S. 1.
