Item 5: An Ordinance Adopting an Updated Eugene Airport Master Plan

Home Browse Search

Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Area General Plan (Metro Plan), and is found to be consistent with the policy framework already established by the Metro Plan, and related adopted plans including Transplan. As required by the approval criteria for adoption of this refinement plan update, findings regarding consistency with the relevant provisions of the Metro Plan are provided later in this evaluation. The proposed update also follows applicable procedures for coordinated adoption by the local governing bodies including the City of Eugene and Lane County. In addition to its status as a component of the overall comprehensive planning framework, the master plan update is also required to meet FAA requirements for aviation planning and remain eligible for FAA funding for needed Airport improvements. As in the past, the current master plan update was developed consistent with the FAA guidelines for Airport master plans and also accounts for numerous aviation standards relating to airport operations safety, noise and compatibility with surrounding land uses contained in applicable FAA Federal Aviation Regulations. The current update is also consistent with state airport-related objectives outlined in the Oregon Aviation Plan and promulgated through the state’s adopted Aviation System Plan (ASP) and related statutes and administrative rules. ORS 836.610, Airports and Landing Fields, requires that local comprehensive plans and land use regulations accommodate airport zones and uses for certain publicly owned and privately owned public use airports. Pursuant to OAR 738-090-0030, the Eugene Airport (a.k.a. Mahlon Sweet Field) is listed as one of the publicly owned airports registered, licensed, or otherwise recognized by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon Aviation Department (ODA). For airports so listed, ORS 836.610 requires that comprehensive plans be consistent with the provisions in ORS 836.616, which establish rules for airport uses and activities, and ORS 836.619, relating to state rules establishing safety and compatibility standards of land uses near airports. The Airport Planning Rules contained in OAR 660, Division 13 implement ORS 836.600 through 836.630 and Statewide Planning Goal 12, Transportation. These rules establish parameters for airport planning to support the vitality and economic function of airports and their host communities. As stated in OAR 660-013-0010(1): The policy of the State of Oregon is to encourage and support the continued operation and vitality of Oregon's airports. These rules are intended to promote a convenient and economic system of airports in the state and for land use planning to reduce risks to aircraft operations and nearby land uses. OAR 660-013-0030 requires that local plans for airport operations and development be consistent with the state’s adopted ASP. The current master plan update serves as the local aviation plan consistent with the ASP, under the requirements of ORS 836.600 through 836.630 and applicable OARs. Beyond consistency with these statutory requirements, the current update complies with applicable FAA regulations as described in the master plan update. Under the state’s Transportation Planning Rule, OAR 660-012-0065(1) and (3)(n) permit expansions or alterations of public use airports on rural lands when such improvements do not permit service to a larger class of airplanes, and preclude the need to take an exception to Statewide Planning Goals under the standards outlined in Goal 2. The current master plan update Findings – Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (RA 10-2 and PA 10-5284) Page 4