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1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area <br />300 Metro Square Building, 7th and Robert Streets <br />St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Tel. 612 291-6359/TDD 291-0904 <br />DATE: April 7, 1988 <br />TO: Metro Systems Committee <br />FROM: Chauncey Case, Transportation <br />SUBJECT: Gateway North Industrial Airport Environmental Impact <br />Assessment Report, Referral # 12505-2, Council District 9 <br />AUTHORITY TO REVIEW <br />On April 14, 1988, the City of Ramsey held a public hearing to take <br />citizen and agency comments on the Gateway North Industrial Airport EIAR. The <br />Metropolitan Council is providing review and comment due to its designation as <br />a clearinghouse for federally funded projects. It is also being reviewed for <br />consistency with the Aviation Guide Chapter and requirements of the <br />Metropolitan Land Planning Act concerning community comprehensive plan <br />development and amendment. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Gateway North has been a privately owned, public -use facility which has been in <br />operation since 1972. It is classified as a minor airport within the <br />Metropolitan Airports System. A series of studies conducted for Ramsey between <br />1979 and 1981 assessed the need for an upgraded facility. A first study <br />concluded that development of a facility on the present site would be "very <br />difficult, if not financially impractical." An analysis of two alternate sites <br />identified a parcel of property owned by General Mills as a preferred location, <br />and recommended that the City proceed with negotiations for site acquisition. <br />Community response, among other reasons, contributed to the ultimate rejection <br />of that site. A comprehensive reassessment of the existing site was then <br />undertaken and a draft master plan was completed in 1984. The Airport Layout <br />Plan (ALP), developed as part of the master plan, was approved by the Federal <br />Aviation Administration (FAA) on July 24, 1987 after acceptance of the airport <br />into the National Plan of Integrated Airports System in April 1986. <br />DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION <br />The 1984 draft airport master plan for Gateway Airport examined acquisition of <br />the airport by the City of Ramsey and determined the improvements that would be <br />necessary for compliance with standard federal airport standards. The master <br />plan addressed the future activity growth and facility requirements for a 20- <br />year planning period. The major facility improvements recommended are: <br />1. Acquisition of approximately 230 acres of land including two <br />commercial establishments and 19 residences to provide public <br />ownership of the airport facility and associated runway approach <br />zones. <br />-1- <br />8-5 <br />