Rowlett Radio Controlled Airplane Field Sparks a Noisy Debate at the City Park and Recreation Board Meeting

The City of Rowlett Park and Recreation Department held a monthly meeting yesterday which included a noisy issue. Approximately a year ago, the city opened a Radio Control Flying field across the street from a residential neighborhood. At the annual review of the city created park, both sides turned up to voice a interactive debate.

(PRWEB) June 11, 2005 -- The City of Rowlett Park and Recreation Department held a monthly meeting yesterday which included a noisy issue. Approximately a year ago, the city opened a Radio Control Flying field across the street from a residential neighborhood. At the annual review of the city created park, both sides turned up to voice a interactive debate.

Residents directly adjacent to the park stated that the park was opened without any notification from the city. According to the homeowners, the City of Rowlett chose to only meet with the flying club members prior to opening the park and never asked the residents for input. Just imagine a weed whacker, leaf blower, lawn mower or any other kind of engine suddenly appearing behind your house and constantly revving up, and then joined by another friend doing the same, and then another for 8-9 hours or more at a time. How long would it take before you tried to do something about it? How would you feel if your complaint was ignored?", said one homeowner.

In defense of their position, the head of the flying club argued that they self-monitor their noise levels and make sure their members meet designated requirements. They stated that radio controlled airplanes are expensive, take a long time to build and are fun to fly with friends. He also stated that though they put restrictions on their members as to noise levels and regulations, their club members only makeup about one third of the people flying in the park. He indicated that they have a list of about 110 flyers and that the total number of participants who use the field could be up toward 400. Since flyers are not required to become part of the club, they can bring in large planes that are potentially very noisy. He also insisted that flying planes is safe even though it is next to a walking path, elementary school and residential homes.

The homeowners voiced concerns of seeing planes flying outside of the designated fly zone while they did not know if this practice was by club members or non-club members. Their main concern was hearing loud, engine noise even inside their homes all day, every day. A physician who is also a resident stated that she cannot even take a nap in her own home due to the noise. She went on to say that she had to buy another property to escape to on the weekends to catch up on her rest.

Another homeowner stated that the constant drone is inconsiderate and disrespectful, the violations for which the residents have little practical resource are reckless and disrespectful and placing an airfield in a most unlikely and unsuitable location was a decision that displayed disrespect to nearby residents and other park guests."

A father and son who enjoy the airfield spoke at the meeting to thank the park board for putting an airfield in Rowlett where they have met friends and can enjoy a fun activity together. A disabled man who uses a cane to walk thanked the board for creating an activity that he could also enjoy in his retirement as he cannot play golf and other recreational activities that involve locomotion.

To the homeowners that attended the meeting, their problem was not with the club or that flying is a fun activity, but that the field should not be located next to their homes. They argued that an activity that produces continuous noise which disrupts their quality of life should not be in their backyards and should be moved to a non-residential area, thus satisfying all parties.

One park board member stated that she had driven past the park in question and did not find the noise to be overly objectionable. The board agreed to consider additional limits, possible requirements to join the club before utilizing the field and the inquiry into electrical planes that produce less noise. They agreed to revisit the topic at their next meeting on July 13th, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

###