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.