Higher buildings: Google developers win, SJC loses

Re: “SJ City Council should back raising downtown building heights” (Letters to the editor, Feb. 14):

Should San Jose International Airport regress to a regional airport? Flying for a business trip to Boston or London? Vacation in Hawaii? Think again!

When the San Jose City Council votes to increase building heights in Downtown/Diridon station areas (Scenario 4), SJC’s international and longhaul flights will be sacrificed for money. SJC loses, Google and developers win.

Pay attention, Silicon Valley, because you’ll be boarding these flights at SFO or OAK.

Pilots plan for engine failure (One Engine Inoperative/OEI) on every departure, including south flow. Aircraft must clear buildings. Under Scenario 4, airlines may suffer weight penalties, meaning passengers and cargo may be removed to safely make the climb over taller buildings. Will you be removed from your long-haul international flight?

No formal Obstruction Clearance Report exists for the $940,000 spent on the study. The City Council must demand a professional report.

If rushed, the council should adopt Scenario 10B, recommended by the Airport Commission — a smart compromise that offers economic benefits, sensible building-height increases while keeping SJC “international” and preserving existing OEI safety-level protections. — Catherine Hendrix, San Jose Airport commissioner, San Jose