01/22/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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c1a.y-i:o-day operation, their oonsu1't.inf;-ancl"tBe- AirPort ~Coiianission -agree on t:ne ~ recommendations, so there seems little chance of FAA opposition. Conun 1/17/73 Pub Hrng Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams to schedule public hearing on the recommendations for January 22 Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. !. Airport Commission recommends adoption with the following changes: Designation of 80 acres at northeast corner of Airport property as Agricultural rather than Industrial/Commercial, better definition of "noise sensitive animals" by Lane County Plan- ning Department in preparing permanent Airport zoning regulations together with careful evaluation of proposed grain crop restrictions in approach areas to preclude undue penalties on existing permitted uses, and request Lane County to reroute Greenhill Road around Air- port property to properly acconunodate the proposed expansion. Robert Shelby, Airport manager, explained that the Plan provides for expanding existing facilities in place by acquisition of property in clear zones so that the City will oWn all of the property under approaches to'the main runway; strengthening and lengthening of runway and upgrading ramps and taxiways to accominodate longer stage flights and heavier aircraft; relocation of Greenhill Road to remove auto traffic confiict whh secondary general aviation runway; recommendations with regard to space in terminal building and'parking facilities, ~ecurity measures, and additional access roads; and recommendations with regard to off- 9.:i-.:rport : land' us.e.' In answer to Marvin Ringsdorf, owner of property in the vicni ty of the airport" ~r. Shelby named the recolDIllendat'ions for amendments to the Plan made by the Air- port Conrinission. Al Urquhart, 1960' Agate Street, objected' to adoption ,of the MasterPlan, saying it was a question of assumptions upon which the Plan was based. He said the: Plan is p'roposed to provide convenient air traveL.facilities to accommodate future air travel'~ 'j;}uthe asked for whom the convenience is to be provided. He said it would be at the expense of the general public when only a small percentage of that general public uses airport facilities. He felt use of this airport should be discouraged and said he was not sure larger aircraft would be needed for which expanded facilities are projected in the Plan. The majority of use is for private planes and small aircraft operations. He said the Council should try to eliminate noise and air pollution factors rather than just accepting the argument that provision needs to be made for larger planes as a necessary part of increased activities. Nor should en- couragement be given to expansion calling for additional sewerage facilities. Promotion of increased air traveLwould alsoendanger,w:lldlife, since the airport is located within a JIlajor flyway for migratory birds. . Mr. Urquhart suggested the Council consult withi-c'ouncils or airport managers of Salem, Corvallis, Albany with regard to a regional airport rather than contributing to creation of a proliferation of small airports, and then support legislation for rapid rail transit in the Willamette Valley. He also suggested limiting improvements at Mahlon Sweet Field to those paid for by the air lines, general aviation' users, and passengers using the faciIi ties and commit no more public funds to its improvement. R9Y Freeman, 4980 West Hillside Drive, expressed the opinion that there is no need for facilities for larger aircraft nor for larger aircraft itself since.by.1975 vertical takeoff craft will be available. He objected to meters on the parking lot~saying tax money was spent to build the facility so the general public should not have to pay to park there. He also objected to lease arrangements at the airport whereby rent is paid for property upon which a building is constructe'd which after ten years reverts to City ownership. Another objection was uncertainty of land uses in the vicinity of the airport. He said he would like to see the Master Plan revised before it is adopted. Councilman Williams was concerned not so much with whether air travel in the future will be utilized as with the immediate and overriding consideration of keeping Mahlon Sweet Field a viable air travel center. He said experience with the old City airpark makes it desirable to keep land around Mahlon Sweet and to do those things necessary to keep that airport from being driven out. The long-range question of air travel in and out of this area is some- thing to be addressed three to five years from now, and to do that inteeligently the present proposed program should proceed now. Councilmari,Hershner asked about the amendment proposed by the Conunission with regard to "noise sensitive animals" permitting certain animals which graze on crops that 'do not attract birds. Mr. Shelby said it is the intent that. grazing of livestock would be limited only to avoid conflict with "noise sensitive" animals such as mink and turkeys. In answer to Mrs. Campbell's question about the possibility of curtailing Federal funds should the entire Plan plus amendments not be accepted, Mr. Shelby said Federal funds will not be advanced un- less the Plan is accepted by the FAA. The FAA will not take action until the Council approves the Plan. He said the estimated cost to strengthen the runway is $1.8 million, City is re- quired to' furnish 44.36% of that. In further answer to Councilwoman Campbell, Mr. Shelby commented on'the experimental efforts and legislation in the field of noise pollution with regard to jet engines. He said new jet engines are improved so far as noise and air pollu- tion problems but there is nothing required under proposed legislation for existing engines. I' 1'3 1/22/73 - 4 -e . . -,.