Draft EUG Master Plan Update, February 2010

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CHAPTER 6 LANDUSECOMPATIBILITY the Airport to continue safe and efficient operations without detrimentally impacting the surrounding community. 1.1 Federal Regulations and Guidance There are three FAA criteria that lay the foundation for airport land use compatibility planning: grant assurances, design standards, and Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77 surfaces. These criteria are discussed in the following sections. 1.1.1 Grant Assurances Airport sponsors agree to federal grant assurances as part of their project funding applications. Upon acceptance of grant money, these assurances are incorporated into and become part of the grant agreement, and the airport sponsor is obligated to comply with them. Grant Assurance 21, included in the September 1999 amendment to 49 USC 47107, requires all airports that accept federal money to take appropriate actions against incompatible land uses in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Such actions include adopting zoning laws, changing existing zoning, and purchasing neighboring land to protect federal investments through the maintenance of a safe operating environment. 1.1.2 Design Standards Design standards, as defined by FAA AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design,are implemented for the safe operation of an airport. These standards fulfill safety-related functions for airports and aircraft, and have a role in land use. Design standards for Eugene Airport are shown on the Airport Layout Plan (ALP). One design standard is the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). An RPZ is an area beyond each runway end that protects against incompatible objects and land uses. It is desirable to clear all objects from the RPZ, although some objects and land uses are permitted, provided they do not attract wildlife and do not interfere with navigational aids. Land uses specifically prohibited from the RPZ include fuel storage facilities, residences, and places of public assembly (churches, schools, hospitals, office buildings, shopping centers, or other uses with similar concentrations of people). The RPZ is designed with the intent to protect people and property on the ground. RPZs for Eugene’s Runway Ends 16R and 16L extend beyond airport property. From an off-airport land use compatibility perspective, the RPZ is a critical FAA design standard. Control is preferably exercised by acquisition of sufficient property interest to achieve and maintain an area that is clear of all incompatible objects and land uses. Where acquisition is impractical, avigation easements are recommended to obtain the right to maintain the height of structures and vegetation within the RPZ. 1.1.3 FAR Part 77 Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 77 (FAR Part 77), Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace, establishes standards for determining and defining objects as obstructions to air navigation. While design standards contained in FAA AC 150/5300-13 are intended to protect ground areas near airports, FAR Part 77 is intended to protect airspace near airports. Section 77.25, Civil Airport Imaginary Surfaces, establishes surfaces in relation to the airport and to each runway. 6-2 Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (February 2010)