To the Editor,

Proper planning and research is key to good land-use programs. Can it be done? Is it legal? How about the neighbors?

When a developer comes before the City Council with crazy plans, eyes roll. How can someone propose something that is so off the wall that it can't possibly get through the Planning Board, Zoning, and City Council approval? All kinds of rules would be broken. How would the neighbors be impacted?

But when a City Council member brings in the deal, check in hand, bedlam ensues. They say "money talks."

The deal must meet code requirements. Otherwise, spot zoning takes over. Has anyone been to Mexico?

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) wants to build its Boston Air Freight terminal next to Strawberry Field Road. That will mean noisy air freighters coming in day and night, laden with cargo from far-away places. Dubai, Istanbul, Dutch, German, or Spanish airports — the sky's the limit.

Attempting to solve the potential noise problem, Councilperson Tim Howe recently came before the City Council with the idea to "build the berm," a sound wall on Strawberry Field Road. Okay, that does make sense.

But then he jumps down to Palace Avenue, a street at a 90-degree angle to the proposed Boston terminal. Build the berm there too, Mr. Howe says. But why? It's not positioned to decrease the noise from the Boston terminal. Could this be a not-so-secret plan or pact between RIAC and Mr. Howe? The airport master plan shows jet plane parking right up to Palace Avenue back yards.

But hold on. This land is zoned residential. Upon receipt, the city quickly and quietly cashed RIAC's check for $409,000 to buy the land. In return, RIAC expects an unobstructed path to use the land to accommodate cargo planes. One that allows for the berm. But, that is illegal.

When the city sells the land (legally, that is), it must include a restriction: No fences, walls, or berms.

It behooves all parties to do the right thing. The ordinance says we must bring in the City Solicitor. He must draft the deeds, including the required restrictions.

Then we'll see how fast RIAC demands its money back.

Richard Langseth

Warwick