AOPA, local pilots team to prevent encroachment at Washington airport
AOPA on Monday joined Vancouver pilots and the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division (WSDOT) to voice their opposition against a proposal to rezone the land near Pearson Field. Rezoning the land from "light industrial" to "general commercial" would allow a shopping center to be built within the airport's runway protection zone (RPZ).
AOPA Northwest Regional Representative Mike Ferguson reminded the Vancouver City Council that federal and WSDOT guidelines prohibit residences and places of public assembly, like shopping centers, from being built within the RPZ.
Ferguson also pointed out the city's obligation to comply with land-use requirements attached to grants from the FAA Airport Improvement Program.
The six-member council was split on the issue, but Mayor Royce Pollard broke the tie, voting in favor of rezoning - the first step in allowing the shopping center to be built.
"AOPA will continue to support local pilots to help prevent the gradual encroachment around Pearson Field," said Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs.
May 5, 2005
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