Narrative:

Aircraft X was cleared for a touch and go on runway 16R; but used runway 16L as aircraft Y was taxiing onto runway for departure. I was working 4 positions combined. It was getting busier with IFR departures and the practice pattern (runway 16L) had 4 aircraft.aircraft X was inbound from the southeast for the runway 16L pattern. Left traffic would have been the normal entry; but because I had IFR departures departing to the southeast I made aircraft X fly west and make right traffic for runway 16R to avoid. Once on the right downwind I had aircraft X pass behind a [business] jet and cleared him for runway 16L. When this [business] jet was short final I had to call 2 different sectors to get releases on IFR aircraft. I got a release on aircraft Y and when the previously mentioned landing [business] jet cleared the runway I then cleared aircraft Y for takeoff. As I was on the land line I noticed an aircraft landing runway 16R and aircraft Y taxiing across the hold short line to depart the runway. I was startled for a second as aircraft Y said something about the landing aircraft. I told aircraft Y to hold short of the runway as the aircraft (aircraft X) powered up and departed runway 16R. I then cleared aircraft Y for takeoff and continued as though nothing had happened. I also made sure aircraft X knew which runway he would be using as I told him to make left closed traffic for runway 16L.I probably should have made extra sure aircraft X knew which runway he would be using. Vny is working from a temporary tower that is not suited for busy traffic. The temporary tower is lower and visual perceptions of the airport and airspace are off. The equipment is at an awkward level as to working the positions. To see out the windows you have to stand up. To see your equipment while standing; you have to look down at an angle that is hard to see the touch screen monitors and such. If you sit you can see your monitors; but not out the windows.the temporary tower is more than 20 feet lower than the original tower and the inside has a 3 foot wide working area. 4 years ago; vny was approved for and was getting a new tower. This tower refurbishment is a joke. Warnings went out; which is why vny's got a special brand new larger/taller temporary tower that would supposedly suffice for a year or two. It's not working well.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: VNY Controller working from a temporary Tower with limited visibility reported he did not notice an aircraft making a touch and go on the wrong runway from which he had cleared another aircraft for takeoff.

Narrative: Aircraft X was cleared for a touch and go on Runway 16R; but used Runway 16L as Aircraft Y was taxiing onto runway for departure. I was working 4 positions combined. It was getting busier with IFR departures and the practice pattern (Runway 16L) had 4 aircraft.Aircraft X was inbound from the southeast for the Runway 16L pattern. Left traffic would have been the normal entry; but because I had IFR departures departing to the southeast I made Aircraft X fly west and make right traffic for Runway 16R to avoid. Once on the right downwind I had Aircraft X pass behind a [business] jet and cleared him for Runway 16L. When this [business] jet was short final I had to call 2 different sectors to get releases on IFR aircraft. I got a release on Aircraft Y and when the previously mentioned landing [business] jet cleared the runway I then cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff. As I was on the land line I noticed an aircraft landing Runway 16R and Aircraft Y taxiing across the hold short line to depart the runway. I was startled for a second as Aircraft Y said something about the landing aircraft. I told Aircraft Y to hold short of the runway as the aircraft (Aircraft X) powered up and departed Runway 16R. I then cleared Aircraft Y for takeoff and continued as though nothing had happened. I also made sure Aircraft X knew which runway he would be using as I told him to make left closed traffic for Runway 16L.I probably should have made extra sure Aircraft X knew which runway he would be using. VNY is working from a temporary tower that is not suited for busy traffic. The temporary tower is lower and visual perceptions of the airport and airspace are off. The equipment is at an awkward level as to working the positions. To see out the windows you have to stand up. To see your equipment while standing; you have to look down at an angle that is hard to see the touch screen monitors and such. If you sit you can see your monitors; but not out the windows.The temporary tower is more than 20 feet lower than the original tower and the inside has a 3 foot wide working area. 4 years ago; VNY was approved for and was getting a new tower. This tower refurbishment is a joke. Warnings went out; which is why VNY's got a special brand new larger/taller temporary tower that would supposedly suffice for a year or two. It's not working well.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.