Sonoma County supervisors oust antidevelopment ALUC members
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has removed two members of the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) who wanted to tighten restrictions on development around area airports. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that the dispute between the board and the five-member ALUC had been brewing for more than a year.
Supervisors justified their decision to remove the ALUC members by saying that the move was an attempt to head off potentially expensive litigation. The ALUC's efforts to prevent incompatible development at some airports in the county have resulted in lawsuits by developers.
Since removing the ALUC members in April, the supervisors have replaced the two with prodevelopment appointees, according to Airport Support Network volunteer Bill Massey. The reconfigured ALUC was expected to modify land use plans to accommodate developers and satisfy the board of supervisors.
Arcata/Eureka to get tower, lose human weather observers
Arcata/Eureka Airport will soon be home to a control tower but is expected to lose its on-field weather observation facility. A recent traffic count showed that the field was home to enough operations to qualify for a control tower. Funding for tower personnel is not expected to become available until October, but a portable control tower was scheduled to be placed on the field in early June.
Also in June, the airport's weather observation facility was scheduled to close. Closing the facility will leave the field without human observers and make automated surface observation system (ASOS) the only source of weather information until the new tower opens. According to Airport Support Network volunteer David Ravetti, pilots are concerned that the switch to ASOS-only weather reporting could pose a hazard because the airport often is the site of rapidly developing fog. Pilots who use the airport are being urged to carry enough fuel to reach a suitable alternate during the summer months.
Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield likely to close
Despite the long-term opposition of AOPA, pilots, and members of the general public, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has taken action that is expected to lead to the closure of Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield.
During an April meeting, the supervisors unanimously agreed to require county officials to determine whether the airfield's use constitutes a public threat to the health, safety, and welfare of county residents. A series of public hearings that will determine the fate of the airport is planned between now and November.
Colusa pilots fight proposed obstruction
Pilots and airport advocates are fighting a proposal to build a communications tower less than a mile from the runway threshold at Colusa County Airport.
Airport Support Network volunteer Bruce Cook joined with John Goodman, chairman of the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), and other aviation advocates to persuade the Colusa County Planning Commission that the proposed Nextel tower would create a hazard for air traffic.
The tower was to be located just more than 3,800 feet from the end of the existing runway and only 2,800 feet from the end of a proposed runway extension. In addition, the top of the tower would be located 46 feet below the approach path for the airport.
During a meeting of the county planning commission in May, Cook and Goodman spoke about the safety issues associated with the tower proposal. After hearing their arguments, the commission referred the matter back to the Technical Advisory Committee with instructions that the project would not be approved until the ALUC was satisfied that the tower would not interfere with air traffic.
Nextel representatives have said they will work with Cook, Goodman, and the planning commission to come up with an acceptable proposal, possibly at another site.
Boeing development plan for Long Beach Municipal includes residential sites
A proposed Boeing plan to redevelop 265 acres abutting Long Beach Municipal Airport includes a proposal to create more than 2,200 residential units.
Airport Support Network volunteer Candace Robinson reports that the proposed development, which would also include space for high-tech companies, is located directly beneath the downwind leg of the pattern for Runway 25R and on the approach path for runways 16L and 16R. Boeing has said that at this time it would not require residents to sign easements that could mitigate future noise complaints.
Demolition of existing structures on the property was set to begin in late summer.
ASN volunteer to serve on noise committee
Airport Support Network volunteer Gordon Feingold will serve on the Part 150 noise advisory committee for Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. The group began holding meetings in May.
Major improvements planned for Auburn
Auburn Airport will be the site of a $3.6 million improvement project. Airport Support Network volunteer David Gagnon reports that the airport is expected to be closed from late July through August while the runway is lengthened by 600 feet and widened by 15 feet. Related improvements will include new lighting, signs, and taxiways.
Salinas pilots hopeful about resolution of ILS delays
Pilots who use Salinas Municipal Airport have expressed hopes that the airport's ILS would return to operation by June after a series of delays has left the airport without a functional ILS for nearly two years. Airport Support Network volunteer Robert McGregor says that good weather has limited the number of days when pilots could not land using the airport's VOR approach or two GPS approaches. Nevertheless, with 40 new T-hangars for small aircraft at the field, the need to ensure airport access during low weather conditions is greater than ever. Pilots have been waiting for the ILS to be replaced for some 23 months.
Noise study proceeds at Reid-Hillview
A Part 150 noise study is under way at Reid-Hillview Airport near San Jose. A second meeting to present the study to the public and receive feedback was held in May. At that meeting, a number of area residents and business owners complained about noise from the airport. Airport Support Network volunteer Robert Luten reports that the next meeting is likely to be held in late summer and will focus on proposed noise-mitigation plans, which could include operating restrictions.
In other news at Reid-Hillview, the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) was scheduled to rule on an updated proposal to build a three-story self-storage facility inside the runway safety zone at the approach end of Runway 31L. The ALUC is expected to reject the plan, but airport observers believe that such a decision could be just the beginning of a protracted fight over the property. If the ALUC rejects the plan, the property owner could attempt to get the city council to override the decision or even sue the ALUC.
Visalia master plan expected by September
A draft of the new master plan for Visalia Municipal Airport was recently opened to public comment, marking the end stages of plan development. Airport supporters hope that the Visalia City Council will approve the plan before the end of September. In the meantime, construction was set to begin on 10 new T-hangars at the airport. Those hangars also were scheduled for completion in September, according to Airport Support Network volunteer Darryl Grant.
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