Laserfiche WebLink
MAY ! 996 <br /> <br />im <br /> <br />ii ii <br /> <br />AMERICAN <br />PLANNING <br />ASSOCIATION <br /> <br />The Trouble with Airports <br /> <br />By Scott Dvorak <br /> <br />It is hardly news that airports are the source of many <br />complaints to planning departments and the focus of heated <br />public meetings. But they are also a significant element ora <br />region's economy. Planners face few problems in which the ideal <br />parameters are more easily defined: a well-managed airport with <br />sufficient capacity and room to expand in an easily accessible <br />location far enough removed to not overburden nearby residents <br />with traffic, noise, and pollution. <br /> Few places remain where an airport will be useful but not <br />negatively affect somebody. Development inevitably will find it <br />and create nuisances. It is no longer possible simply to locate an <br />airport on a greenfield site and not worry about its externalities. <br />Existing airports are already nuisances for some citizens, and <br />their expansion will cause additional problems. Airports must <br />comply with federal regulations, but also integrate them and <br />their operating needs into area land-use plans. <br /> Historically, this has happened on an ad hoc basis, but <br />increasing use, larger airplanes, increased development around <br />airports, and more pressing economic development needs have <br />created an environment in which land-use planning has become <br />more critical to the continued viability of airports and their <br />regions. This issue of Zoning News examines the participants <br />and major issues in airport land-use planning and how some <br />communities are handling them. <br /> <br />Participants <br /> <br />improving their airports' economic viability. Their main concern <br />is the ability to increase capacity if needed, through either <br />building new runways or allowing additional flights. Ideally, they <br />would like to make decisions with a minimum of opposition. An <br />airport is a source of tax revenue for either the owning <br />municipality or the airport authority. Its viability directly affects <br />economic activity in the immediate area and, ultimately, in the <br />region as a whole. Airport operators are often significant land <br />owners in the surrounding area, and a vibrant airport is the best <br />sales tool in promoting development of undeveloped and <br />underdeveloped airport land to generate additional revenues. <br /> Municipalities. Neighboring municipalities confront a set of <br />conflicts. Proximity provides a great boost to their economic <br />development. Many businesses like to be near an airport for <br />quick access to long-distance travel and to expedite the shipping <br />and receiving of products and supplies. The major land uses in <br />demand around airports are warehousing, oflSce space, <br />manufacturing, overnight accommodations, and meeting space. <br />On the other hand, residents and some business owners are <br />often adversely affected by noise and traffic. Municipalities must <br />try to maximize their locational advantages while reducing <br />negative effects. They often try to join the regional airport <br />authority commission or airport planning process. If they <br />cannot do this formally, they find other ways to air their <br />concerns, usually through the news media or legal channels. <br /> <br /> Residents. An airport can provide thousands of direct and <br />indirect job opportunities. It acts as a magnet for all kinds of <br />development, including residential. Most airports are located in <br />formerly rural or low-density residential areas. As use increases, <br />they change from benevolent neighbors to threats to the <br />established quality of life. Increasing the number of flights or <br />changing flight patterns subjects new or different people to the <br />accompanying noise. While airports can sometimes change <br />flight patterns or build new runways, it is much more difficult <br />for families to sell their homes and uproot their lives because of <br />the resulting nuisance. Residents often feel their concerns will <br /> <br /> Land-use Compatibility with <br /> yearly Day-Night Average Sound Levels <br /> <br />Land Use. .. '.. . :, 65-70 dB 70-75 dB 75+ dB <br /> <br />Single-, two-family, and muJtifamiJy '~Y~ N <br />Manufactured housing, mobile homes N N <br />Hotels,' moteJs~ and lodges Y: Y~ <br />Alloth~r iesidenfial '- . ' ' Y~ Y~ <br /> <br />N <br />N <br />N <br />N <br /> <br /> CO/~ERCIAL ' ' ' ' <br /> <br />Business services y y2 y3 <br />Personal services" Y- .-. Y~ N <br />Professional services' . ~ y ry~. ya <br />' offides', y. y2 . N <br />All other' commercbl . . Y ' 't'2 Y~ <br /> <br /> ~/~d~IUFACI'U RIN O '- ' <br /> Manufacturing,'~arehousing, <br />..... di~trlbutlon .~.~-.'.:.'- ; 'L' y .... '~" y~ <br /> Parking fac itles '. ' . ' y y~ .. ya <br /> ~,11 o~elr mahukicltu,;i~g". :." - . :.-_. Y Y2 .~ ' Y~ <br /> <br />Hosbffals; nursing hom'e~.' !:. ,,.:~ ,' Y?. '[' -'...Y~ ' N <br />.Other medi6al facilities. <br />EdO~'.~tibnal focilltie~ ; ~..- .'..' .. ~ ". '..-: ' Y~ ". N <br />H0useofw6rship, pu~lik'assembly' '. ~ ' :.~' '~ : N <br />Government facilities";.;_-'-'" ::. :.'."' Y ' ' ~' y2.[.-...- y~ <br />Parks~ r~r~tion ':''_5'''' .:" ... ': "'.'. Y' <br />All othe'r public a~d semi-public:'" - Y <br /> <br />~' NOTES ' ' '' :' ' ' ' <br />} -. Y- Lahd use is permitted.. . . . · .' <br /> <br /> N Larzd usg is prohibited .- . . .' . . . . - <br /> "I.: Interior noise level ?~uctbn {NLR} of 25 dB is required in District A' and 30 <br /> "dB in District B. . .' <br /> 2.: Interior NLR of 25 dB is'requlred for all areas where the public is received, <br /> office areas, noise-sensitive areas, or where the normal noise level is Iow. <br /> 3. interior NLR of 30 dB is required for all areas where the public is received, <br /> office ar~s, noise-sensitive areas, or where the normal noise level is Iow. <br /> <br /> Source. PAS Report No. 437 <br /> <br /> <br />