By Cindi Andrews and James Pilcher
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County may hire its own expert to see whether increasing traffic at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport could cause more west-side residents to lose sleep in coming years.

Joseph Allen, Hamilton County's representative on the Kenton County Airport Board, is recommending that the county employ an aviation consultant to monitor progress on a $1.2 million study of noise at the region's largest airport.

The study was prompted by an increase in night flights, the upcoming opening of a new north-south runway and the possibility of more freight air traffic - all of which could increase airplane noise on both sides of the Ohio River.

Delhi Township, Westwood, Covedale and Price Hill are among the Hamilton County communities most likely to be affected, Allen wrote in a letter to commissioners last week. "These are serious things that people need to be aware of," he said Monday.

Commissioners Todd Portune and Phil Heimlich both reacted warmly to his recommendation.

"If this is a way to give us the ammunition to protect some of these areas on the west side. ... I'm all for it," Heimlich said.

Portune said he would like to hire a consultant as early as Wednesday. He has asked the county administrator to recommend someone for the job.

The airport study is expected to redraw the boundaries of the area most affected by noise. Homes in that noise corridor are eligible for soundproofing, purchase assistance or buyouts.

Consultants conducting the study said the noise corridor could grow by 24 percent and reach into Hamilton County for the first time since the early 1990s if DHL Worldwide Express decides to centralize all operations here and no changes are made to the airport's noise program.

That scenario could jeopardize the airport's agreements with Delhi Township and the Sisters of Charity limiting noise in Delhi. Airport officials said they remain committed to the agreements.

One option could be to shift flights to other parts of Hamilton County, Allen wrote in his letter.

The airport board welcomes more input and the hiring of another consultant, Chairman John Domaschko said Monday.

"We want to hear from various sources, because who knows where the next great idea will come from?" Domaschko said. "We're looking for the best solution for the community as a whole."

Hamilton County hired a consultant in the early 1990s, when the last new runway came on line.

"Technically, they don't have to listen to us, but practically, pragmatically and politically they do," Portune said. "They have in the past shown a willingness to take steps in response to what we have proposed be done."

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E-mail candrews@enquirer.com and jpilcher@enquirer.com