Dear Homeowners,

CLASS is pleased to report that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed a noise survey involving 20 airports.  It now seeks public opinion before moving forward. The good news is that the FAA now appears to be more responsive to consumer complaints than in the past, so this is a great opportunity for Alameda to be heard, and perhaps bring about change.

The FAA will accept comments through April 14th, and you are encouraged to share your thoughts. You may comment about whatever you wish, but the FAA is particularly interested in complaints about noise impact on health, sleep, the economy, children’s learning, and interference with speech communication.

Although the FAA surveyed consumers about how annoying airport noise is, a key issue concerns how the FAA measures acceptable noise. It uses an invalid method for determining annoyance, in which an average noise level below 65 decibels per day is acceptable. Thus, even piercing noises that are periodic or of short duration have little impact on what the FAA considers acceptable levels of noise. It’s like saying that Babe Ruth was not a great baseball hitter because most of his at-bats resulted in outs. It ignores the intense significance of the occasional big blast.

CLASS asks that you also consider criticizing this average noise level measurement method used by the FAA.  Alameda needs relief from the highly annoying noise of jet takeoffs over our environment, not from any daily average. For more details on the survey and how to submit comments on the FAA’s standard for noise evaluation, see the attached memorandum from CLASS’s planning consultant.

Another issue that deserves attention is that noise levels in Alameda increased dramatically four years ago when the FAA imposed the HUSSH takeoff procedure from Oakland International. Previously, departing jets turned quickly to fly over the bay, but now they hug the coastline nearer our populated communities. This change was made despite community concerns, and the FAA has not given satisfactory reason why it can’t return to the previous takeoff procedure. It was safe and much less disturbing.

Click the button below to log a complaint through the FAA website: 

For other ways to complain, or if you are interested in more technical assessment of the FAA survey, please refer to the attached memo.

Thank you for your service to your community.

Note: Click HERE to access the FAA report to Congress on airport noise measurement.

Following federal, state, and local guidelines on social distancing and the Shelter in Place Order for Alameda County, the Community of Harbor Bay Isle Owners’ Association (CHBIOA) Offices and the Community Center will remain closed to membership and the public until further notice. CHBIOA staff are working to complete essential functions.  Non-essential functions will wait until the Shelter in Place order is lifted.  Email your association manager or leave a voicemail with them regarding essential concerns. When leaving a voicemail to reach your manager, please include:

• Name
• Property Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Item of Concern

The Security force is in operations. Similar to Alameda PD, it is requested that individuals call in or provide email reports.  Non-essential functions will not be conducted.

Landscape and maintenance will continue providing essential functions.

Homeowner dues may be deposited in the mailbox slot to the right of the Community Office front doors, under the window.

Thank you for understanding and helping us prioritize the safety of our staff, Community members, and visitors.

Dawn Jaeger
Executive Director

• Health Officer Order No. 20-21 (Revised January 26, 2021)
• Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Public Health Department
• Statement on State’s Regional Stay-At-Home Order – December 3, 2020
• Approved Open & Closed Businesses as of December 7, 2020
• Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response
• Employers Grapple With Essential Business Designations Resulting From Shelter-in-Place and Shutdown Orders

Located on what was once Bay Farm Island, the Community of Harbor Bay Isle Owners’ Association is a 917-acre planned community in the City of Alameda at the geographic center of the San Francisco Bay Area. Harbor Bay Isle includes a Master Community (consisting of 20 separate project associations), two salt water lagoons, a business park, spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, and extensive opportunities for recreation in a park-like environment…truly a beautiful place to live, work and play.