Government Advocacy
AOPA asks Auburn to prevent residential encroachment
Building a continuing care facility in a restricted development area underneath the traffic pattern for Runway 7/25 at Auburn Municipal is a bad idea, AOPA told Auburn city officials.
In a Sept. 24 letter, AOPA pointed out that the proposed Timberline development would put a continuing care facility about one mile from the airport and completely within compatibility zones C1 and C2. Under the airport’s compatible land use plan, nursing homes are prohibited in those zones. The letter also noted that the property intended for development is adjacent to land that has a maximum residential density of one home per two acres and that the artificial boundary between the two areas will do nothing to protect residents from noise and safety concerns associated with the airport.
“Putting high density development so close to a busy general aviation airport is bad for everyone,” said John Collins, AOPA senior liaison for airports. “Residents are negatively impacted by noise, and as a result airports suffer under pressure to restrict operations. Everyone loses.”
AOPA, which learned about the opportunity to comment on the project from local Airport Support Network volunteer Wayne Manning, is asking Placer County Community Redevelopment Coordination Services to carefully consider all the potential impacts from aircraft overflight of the proposed project. Before construction can begin on the project, a final environmental impact report must be released and multiple approval hurdles overcome.
September 25, 2008
