Local residents submitted new appeals last week to halt the construction of a new stadium for the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Earthquakes have been trying to follow a range of MLS clubs in constructing a new soccer-specific stadium, however have encountered further delays in a process that started in 2007. The club has already secured a piece of land west of San Jose International Airport, and last month received a development permit from the local government, but has now again found local residents challenging this permit.
Though located in the vicinity of an airport and railway tracks, the residents worry about noise and light pollution, which has already led the club to decide not to stage any concerts at the venue, hereby foregoing on a potentially lucrative revenue stream. The residents have this time asked for a ban on artificial noisemakers and fireworks as a further concession for their concerns.
The club is confident that the planning commission will overturn the appeal, though the process will at least lead to a further delay of a few weeks, potentially setting back the project by months. The club still hopes to be able to occupy their new 18,000-seater stadium at the start of the 2013 MLS season.