AOPA fights back against Hawthorne development proposal
AOPA has put a development group and the City of Hawthorne on notice that it will fight to prevent the latest attempt to close Jack Northrop Field/ Hawthorne Municipal Airport. The most recent attack on the airport stems from an agreement between the city, Paladin Partners LLC, and Arden Realty to develop a "highest and best use" proposal for the property.
In a letter to the chairman of Arden Realty, Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, said that AOPA has fought previous attempts to close the airport and will fight this one. Dunn also pointed out potential obstacles to any plans to close the airport, including the fact that the city has accepted FAA Airport Improvement Program funds. In accepting those funds, the city agreed to continue to operate that airport as an airport. In addition, Dunn pointed out that portions of the property under development consideration were granted to the city with deed restrictions. Under those restrictions, if the city no longer operates the property as an airport, the land reverts to the federal government.
Dunn went on to write that a proposal to relocate the airport to a more southerly portion of the property was unlikely to prove economical because of the cost of environmental cleanup and of building a new airport. Finally, Dunn reminded both the city and the developers that the need to protect the airspace over the airport is the only thing preventing jet traffic en route to Los Angeles International Airport from overflying downtown Hawthorne at low altitudes.
Airport Support Network volunteer Gary Parsons, working closely with AOPA for the past two years on preserving Hawthorne Airport, alerted AOPA in August to the 18-month exclusive agreement between the city and the developers. Parsons and other airport supporters are planning to form a political action committee that will raise funds to support council candidates who support the airport and hopefully put an end to the long struggle to save the field from development. The next council elections will take place in November 2001.
AOPA representative to review updates to state system plan
Jack Kemmerly, AOPA's California representative, serves on two panels that will review an update of the policy element of the California Aviation System Plan. The update, which is required by state law, will reflect changes in the law as well as a new administration. The policy element establishes the policy guidelines for the state aeronautics program.
Once the proposed update has been through an internal review by top managers at Caltrans Aeronautics, a draft document will be reviewed by the Aviation System Planning Committee of the Regional Transportation Planning Agencies and by the Technical Advisory Committee on Aeronautics of the California Transportation Commission. Kemmerly serves on both of those committees.
Legislation supported by AOPA becomes law
Two legislative proposals supported by AOPA have become law after being signed by the governor.
Assembly Bill 1966, which affects the way possessory interest taxes are assessed, was signed on September 11 and took effect immediately. The bill means that someone newly leasing a hangar at a publicly owned airport will not be taxed on the possessory interest at the start of the lease. Instead, the first tax bill will be issued during the next fiscal year. The measure tries to eliminate the inequity of charging a tax on possessory interest in cases where the interest is terminated before the end of the fiscal year.
In addition, Senate Bill 1350 was signed by the governor on September 19 and will take effect January 1. The law contains a variety of provisions affecting local governments, including a provision that makes current airport land use law applicable to special districts, including airport districts.
Preparatios under way for new ALUC handbook
The new version of the Caltrans Airport Land Use Commission handbook is targeted for completion early in the new year, and preparations to make use of the handbook have begun. Training workshops will be scheduled throughout the state as soon as the new book is available.
A consultant is in the process of updating the ALUC handbook. The most current information available already has been used to update the accident data study included in the book. The original handbook, which was produced in 1993, has been widely distributed and accepted as an important land use planning tool for airports and neighboring property. AOPA has long lobbied for an update to reflect changes in airport and community needs.
El Toro's future still in doubt
When El Toro Marine Corps Air Station closed in July 1999, the Orange County Board of Supervisors planned to convert the site to a commercial airport. But that plan is now in doubt following the passage of Measure F. The measure requires that two-thirds of voters agree before an airport or jail facility can be developed in the county. The legality of Measure F is now being challenged.
AOPA seeks statewide economic impact study
AOPA and other members of the California Aviation Alliance have asked Caltrans Aeronautics to conduct a statewide study of the economic impact of aviation on California's economy.
Caltrans plans to hire a consultant to conduct the study and has applied for funding for the study from the State Planning and Research fund. In addition, the agency has set out five goals for the study. The study will attempt to quantify aviation's role in economic development in the state; calculate the value of the flow of commerce through California's airports; determine constraints on economic growth that result from inadequate airport capacity; recommend improvements to the airport system; and identify the extent to which California's airports serve as the Pacific Rim's gateway to the United States.
Caltrans hopes to use the report and findings to demonstrate the explicit value of aviation to individuals and agencies, whether general interest or transportation-related. If funded, this study will begin in early 2001 and be completed by the end of 2002.
Santa Clara considers minimum standards changes
The Santa Clara County Airport Commission is working on changes to the minimum standards rules and regulations that would affect businesses operating at the airport. Any changes will be applied to the county's three airports—Reid-Hillview, Palo Alto, and South County.
Capital improvement program to be updated
In accordance with state law, the capital improvement program element of the California Aviation System Plan will receive an update in the coming year. Work on that update already has begun and is scheduled for completion in July 2001. The update will serve as the basis for prioritizing airport improvement and land use study projects for 2002. The capital improvement program, which is updated every two years, provides the basis for developing the State Aeronautics Program, which consists of projects adopted by the California Transportation Commission. Under state law, updates to the capital improvement program must be made in conjunction with regional transportation planning agencies and airport managers.
Desert pilots work to educate public about GA
The AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer for Apple Valley Airport, John Herrington, is working with members of the High Desert Pilots Association to educate the public about general aviation and the value of airports.
At a recent meeting of the association, Herrington showed AOPA's video Local Airports to the group. The presentation was followed by a discussion of how to best educate the public. The group's first step in that effort will be to make a presentation to the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the pilots' association will be holding aircraft displays in front of the airport terminal on the second Sunday of every month.
Improvements going strong at Stockton
Dick Mesa, who tracks issues at Stockton Metropolitan Airport for AOPA, says improvement projects at the airport are going strong. Among the projects now under way are reconstruction of the primary runway along with the installation of high-intensity runway lights, new signs, and the installation of a blast fence. In addition, the localizer is being relocated. The projects are expected to vastly improve the utility of the airport.
Salinas Municipal gets new T-hangars
Pilots who base their aircraft at Salinas Municipal Airport will soon have new hangars to call home. Airport Support Network volunteer Robert McGregor says that the city is currently in the process of building 40 new T-hangars at the airport. AOPA has supported construction of these needed facilities.
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