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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-1993 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION \WORK SESSION-AIRPORT RELOCATION FEASIBILITY STUDY IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY AUGUST 3, 1993 - 5:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Ockenfels, Robert Hicks, Pat Foster, Richard Blum, Howard Horan STAFF PRESENT: Ron O'Neil, Anne Burnside, Karin Franklin GUEST PRESENT: Tom Werderitsch, Gil Janes Ockenfels called the work session to order at 5: 39 p.m. He noted that there were several guests in attendance. The focus of the work session was to list advantages and disadvantages of moving to a different airport site. Karin Franklin, Director of Planning and Community Development, was introduced. The City Council has directed the Planning Department to conduct an Economic Impact Study for the Airport. Blum explained that the only alternative from the Feasibility Study for the current site is Option 1, which keeps the current configuration of the Airport and reduces the utility of the Airport to an A and B category airport. This would include acquisition of easements and land in the Runway Protection Zones. Hicks emphasized that the FAA is not negative on the current site. Franklin stated that the Planning department could be involved in two ways. 1) If the Airport is moved, how is the land at the existing site to be used ? and 2) What impact would a different site have on future City development ? Franklin presented a copy of the land use plan for areas east and south of the corporate limits. The Land Use Concept Plan would be reviewed and possibly amended if the Airport remains at the current site. Ockenfels detailed the improvements outlined in Option 1 for the current site. This included several construction projects and purchasing of easements and land for Runway Protection Zones. Werderitsch, representing the Chamber of Commerce, stated that the task force he represents believes there is a need for an airport in Iowa City. His subcommittee was given the task of providing an economic impact analysis of the airport, with the assistance of City staff. He said there was too much focus on Site 1, with some people feeling this was a done deal to move to Site 1. Hicks said, in his discussion with community leaders, he was given the impression that an economic impact analysis could be based on very concrete facts and would not have to be based entirely on analysis models. Survey work may be required to provide information on who uses the Airport on a daily basis. Franklin said Jeff Davidson and David Schoon would work on the study. When they have developed a proposal for completing a study, the Council would be informed of how the Planning Department would proceed. The Commission reviewed and revised the list of advantages and disadvantages of the current site and a generic alternate site. The Commission also compiled a list of decision factors that are to be used to develop a recommendation for the City Council. The Commission only listed factors that they were all in agreement with. Foster made a motion for adjournment. Horan seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Advantages and disadvantages of Option 1 at the current site. Advantages: 1. Proximity and convenience. 2 . Layout - three runways. 3 . Politically acceptable. 4. Would open up public and private development possibilities for Iowa City. Disadvantages: 1. Site can never achieve all FAA approach safety standards. 2. Restricts commercial development. 3. Declining physical facilities. 4 . Geography limits improvements. (example-no ability to site ILS) 5. Proximity to commercial and residential encroachment. 6. Restricted aviation growth. 7. Restricts contiguous city growth. Promotes urban sprawl. 8. Airport zoning lawsuits are a potential financial liability. 9 . Reduction to A and B category aircraft. 10. Impact on those in potential land acquisition and easement areas. 11. Potential for negative noise impact. Advantages and disadvantages of an alternate site. Advantages: 1. Safety. a. Site would be chosen that would incorporate 1989 Airport Design Safety Standards. b. Ability to site a precision instrument approach. Less conflict with encroachment of residential and commercial development. 2 . Long-term local costs less than to upgrade current site. 3. No immediate major maintenance projects. 4 . Noise contours of 55 DNL and above would be on airport site. 5. Potential ability to attract new on-airport businesses. 6. Potential to reduce financial liability from current airport zoning lawsuits. 7. Airside of airport would be smaller, requiring less maintenance. (mowing, snow plowing, hard surface repair, etc. ) 8. Possibility to accommodate all categories of general aviation aircraft. 9 . Number of people directly impacted by land acquisition and easements less than acquisitions for meeting standards at current site. 10. More income from farm land than current site. More agricultural acres than at current site. Disadvantages: 1. Not as convenient and close to downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa. 2 . May not be politically acceptable at this time. 3 . Accommodating all categories of general aviation aircraft may create noise problems. 4 . Airport development may have negative impact on people near the airport site. Decision factors: 1. The Iowa City/Johnson County area needs an airport. 2. The Iowa City/Johnson County area needs a safe and reliable airport. 3 . An airport in the Iowa City/Johnson County area is supported by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation. 4 . The current Airport is in compliance with the FAA but does not meet the most recent airport safety design standards. 5. The current site is valued at a minimum of $4 million dollars. 6. There is intense residential and commercial development in close proximity to the airport runway approach areas. 7. If the Airport remains at the current site, there will be renewed interest to move the Airport within the next five to ten years. 8 . Federal and state funding is necessary to safely maintain the current airport or to develop an alternate site. 9. To continue to receive Federal Aviation Administration and Iowa Department of Transportation funding for capital improvement projects, a current Airport Layout Plan is required. 10. The 1982 Airport Master Plan should be updated or a new Master Plan developed. This would include a current ALP. 11. The only option being considered for remaining at the current site is Option 1, as presented in the Feasibility Study by Coffman Associates. 12 . option 1 would reduce the utility of the Airport to A and B category aircraft. This may lower the FAA' s funding priority for the Iowa City Municipal Airport. 13 . A new site would be safer than the current site. 14 . Completion of updated Master Plan improvements at the current site would require more local funding than implementation of a Master Plan at a new site. 15. The Master Plan at the current site or a new site would be implemented over the next 7 - 10 years.