Draft EUG Master Plan Update, February 2010

Home Browse Search

CHAPTER 6 LANDUSECOMPATIBILITY operate. As aircraft become quieter, the number of affected parcels will decrease, as will the need for noise abatement. While the State of Oregon defines its Noise Impact Boundary at 55 DNL, many of the criteria requiring airport action correlate with the 65 DNL contour. OAR 340-035-0045 Part C recommends that the airport purchase land within the 65 DNL contour and mandates soundproofing within the 65 DNL contour. Within the 65 DNL contour for 2006, there are four single family home parcels and one mobile home parcel. This number decreases to three home parcels in 2026. 2.3 Recommendations While the results of the noise analysis show the Airport’s noise exposure contours shrinking between 2006 to 2026, the 2026 contours are based upon today’s land uses. As the populations of City of Eugene, Junction City, and Lane County grow, there will likely be pressure to build and develop agricultural and vacant land surrounding Airport property. The Airport should continue to be protected from incompatible land uses through enforcement of Lane County and City of Eugene zoning regulations, and through the enforcement of the UGB as defined in the Metro Plan. It is recommended that the Airport consider acquiring land within the 55 DNL contour when feasible. The Lane Code prevents tall structures from penetrating the FAR Part 77 surfaces, but does not prevent residential development within the 55 DNL contour. Approximately 375 acres of land in the CAS-RCP Combining Zone south of Runway End 34R is zoned for residential use, with housing already in place Exhibit 6-6 (see ). Some of these areas are partially impacted by the 55 DNL noise contours for 2006 and 2026. Although these parcels are not located within the 65 DNL contour, and not eligible for FAA noise mitigation, OAR 340-035-0045 states that airports must develop a noise abatement program to minimize the effects of aircraft noise on local residents, and that all levels of government should cooperate to prevent impacts by encouraging compatible land use. This can be interpreted as governments taking steps to minimizing the construction of noise sensitive parcels within the 55 DNL contours. OAR 340-035-0005(38) defines noise sensitive properties as “real property normally used for sleeping, or normally used as schools, churches, hospitals or public libraries”. As shown in Exhibit 6-6, Eugene’s UGB may present development pressure near the Airport, and proper planning between the Airport and the City will be necessary to address land use conflicts. Under OAR 340-035-0045, air carrier airports such as Eugene Airport are required to submit their existing noise impact boundary to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, along with their projections for the next five, ten and twenty year periods, when they update their master plan. It is recommended that the Airport take steps to comply with this state requirement. 6-15 Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (February 2010)