Madison unlikely to ban housing in areas affected by F-35 noise

A work group to explore concerns about future housing in areas affected by the sound of F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field is unlikely to ban development, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The City Council President’s Work Group on Environmental Justice has been looking at possible solutions to avoid having poor and minority people bear a disproportionate share of the environmental impacts from the F-35s, which are slated to begin operations in 2023. The work group has considered a development moratorium and a special district with requirements and regulations for housing or zoning changes. Despite concerns about noise, Madison appears unlikely to prohibit future housing in an area that could be affected by sound from the fighter jets. The group clarified that none of its members wish to prohibit housing in the area around the airport subject to noise levels of 65 decibels or more. The group will likely ask developers to include soundproofing in new housing instead, but it has yet to produce a formal report or recommendations.