1. Airport Land-Use Compatibility
International Right of Way Association
61st Annual Education Conference
San Diego, CA
June 15, 2015
Presented by:
Jacqueline Sweatt-Essick
FAA Southern Regional Airports Division,
College Park, Georgia
Rick Etter
FAA Office of Airports, Airport Planning and Environmental Division, Washington, DC

2. Topics FAA Role for Compatible Land Use Land Use Basics
FAA Advisory Circular “Airport Land Use Compatibility Planning”
Consequences of Incompatible Development on Airports and Communities
Airport and Local Land Use Planning Coordination
Tools and Techniques
FAA Regulations and Guidance
Schedule for the Advisory Circular
Questions and Answers
Which one to highlight? Part 150? Guidance on airport master planning? Atlanta or BHM for Part CVG for master planning.
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

3. Land Use Controls in the U.S.
Government
Agency
Roles and Functions
Federal
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Manage airspace and air traffic
Airport safety and capacity
Financial assistance to airports
Environmental review
Department of Defense
Military Installation Protection
State
State legislatures
Establish levels of local authority for land use control; e.g. zoning, land development permitting
Local
Counties
Cities
Independent authorities
Establish and enforce actual land use and development rules: Zoning laws, site and building permitting
Slide shows the roles and functions of the various levels of government in the U.S. FAA at the Federal level is charged with the safe and efficient operation of the nation’ airspace. Part of this involves assisting the safe airport development to meet the nation’s need for air travel and commerce. However, the control and regulation of land use and community development in the U.S. is the purview of the state and local government. The FAA has no direct authority to approve or disapprove proposed land use developments, although the FAA works closely with the local airport owner, often owned by the local city or county government to implement effective airport land use compatibility planning and development controls.
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

4. FAA Airport Land Use Compatibility Planning Guidance Objectives
Encourage compatible land uses around airports
Facilitate coordination between entities developing airport master plans and local land use or general plans.
Educate airport planners about local land use planning
Inform local land use planners about airport planning
Many communities in CA adopt local airport land use compatibility plans as part of their general plans.
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

5. Office of Airports Key Stakeholders
Airport owners and operators
Traveling public
Airlines and other aviation system users
Neighboring and impacted communities
State aeronautical agencies
Elected and appointed officials (Federal, state and local)
Other units within the FAA (e.g., Air Traffic Organization, Runway Safety Office, Flight Standards, Flight Procedures, Policy Office)
Other Federal agencies (e.g., FHWA, FTA,TSA, USFWS, EPA, Corps of Engineers, HUD,etc.)
Federal oversight units (GAO, OIG, OMB)
June 15, 2014
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

6. Land Use Basics What is considered “compatible”?
Airport compatible land use:
Complies with location, height, and activity restrictions
Provides for safe aircraft movement and airport operations
Preserves public health, safety, and welfare for people located in proximity of airport
January 2014 issue of Airport Improvement Magazine
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

7. Land Use Basics 5 common concerns: What are the areas of concern?
Noise
Concentrations of people
Wildlife attractants
Tall structures
Visual obstructions
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

8. Community and Airport Perspectives
How do they differ?
Example: Industrial land use
What a community sees:
Jobs
Property & income taxes
Economic impact
What the airport sees:
Visual obstructions
Hazards to flight
Concentrations of people
Google
Google
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

9. A Difference in Perspectives
Regardless of the variables…maintaining compatibility near airports is important!
US Airways Airbus A320 (flight 1549) struck a flock of migrating Canada geese at 3,100 feet above ground level following departure from LaGuardia Airport; power was lost in both engines.
Washington Post – May 31, 2013
HERNDON, Va. -- Two people were taken to a hospital after a two-seat, single engine Cessna crashed into the living room of a third-story apartment…The plane crashed through the roof of the apartment building in Herndon after it had electrical problems and its engine cut off, and came to rest on the living room floor… - Huffington Post
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

10. Need for Improved FAA Guidance
Enhance coordination and consistency between airport master plans and comprehensive land use and general plans
Identify compatible development opportunities and preserve long term operational capability of the airport.
Airports and airspace are often located within and influence multiple jurisdictions
Federal government has limited authority for land use regulation
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

11. Which brings us to the FAA’s Advisory Circular Update
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

12. Advisory Circular Outline
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Land Use Compatibility Concerns
Chapter 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Chapter 4 – Airport and Local Land Use Planning Coordination
Chapter 5 – Tools and Techniques for Land Use Compatibility
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

13. Common Areas of Concern
Noise Sensitive Land Uses
Concentrations of People
Obstructions to Airspace
Tall Structures
Visual Obstructions
Wildlife Attractants
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

14. Noise Sensitive Land Uses
Normally concerned with speech interference indoors.
Federal Standard of Significance
DNL 65 dB
Based on Annoyance
Noise sensitive land uses include:
Schools
Churches
Residences
Natural Areas Managed for Quiet
Schools
Residential subdivision
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

15. Concentrations of People Near Airports
Runway Protection Zone “RPZ”
Places of Assembly
Recreational
Residential X
Concern regarding concentrations of people in close proximity to airports, and especially within runway protection zones (RPZs) and noise sensitive areas
Land uses include:
Residential development
Hospitals
Schools
Recreational/special uses
Parking and other transportation facilities
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

16. Tall Structures
Concern regarding obstructions to flight, including penetrations of FAR Part 77 and other airspace surfaces
Land uses include:
Cell towers
Power lines
Vegetation
Wind turbines
Buildings (high-rises)
Transportation Structures (elevated roadways, rail facilities)
Cell towers and trees (or towers that look like trees)
Power lines
Wind turbines
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

17. Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT) at: www.sandia.gov/glare
Visual Obstructions
Concern regarding:
Smoke/steam
Dust
Glare
Light emissions
Land uses include:
Industrial
Water bodies
Solar facilities
Glint or glare – solar panels
Source: FAA
Dust – gravel extraction
Light emissions
Some background information on FAA solar glare concerns:
BACKGROUND
There is growing interest in installing solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water (SHW) systems on airports. While solar PV or SHW systems (henceforth referred to as solar energy systems) are designed to absorb solar energy to maximize electrical energy production or the heating of water, in certain situations the glass surfaces of the solar energy systems can reflect sunlight and produce glint (a momentary flash of bright light) and glare (a continuous source of bright light). In conjunction with the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that glint and glare from solar energy systems could result in an ocular impact to pilots and/or air traffic control (ATC) facilities and compromise the safety of the air transportation system. While the FAA supports solar energy systems on airports, the FAA seeks to ensure safety by eliminating the potential for ocular impact to pilots and/or air traffic control facilities due to glare from such projects.
The FAA established a cross-organizational working group in 2012, to establish a standard for measuring glint and glare, and clear thresholds for when glint and glare would impact aviation safety. The standards that this working group developed have been incorporated into an Interim Policy requiring an airport sponsor (sponsor) to take specific steps when proposing an on-airport solar energy system on a federally obligated airport.
Steam emissions – industrial
Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT) at:
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

18. Wildlife Attractants Concern regarding hazards to aircraft
Land uses include:
Municipal solid waste facilities/landfills
Sewage treatment facilities
Farmland
Water bodies including retention ponds
Recreational
Wetlands
Land Fills
Farmland
Talking points / strike stats for draft AC updated from Amy Anderson:
Wildlife & Bird Attractants
Aircraft collisions with wildlife are steadily increasing each year and threaten the health and safety of pilots, passengers, and communities. According to the FAA Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States , wildlife strikes have killed more than 250 people and destroyed over 229 aircraft around the world since For the 23-year period (1990 to 2012), 131,096 wildlife strikes were reported to the FAA. Of these, 10 wildlife strikes resulted in 24 human fatalities and 57 aircraft were destroyed or damaged beyond repair.
Minimizing uses that attract wildlife near airports reduces the likelihood of wildlife strikes on aircraft operating in an airport’s vicinity. FAA AC 150/ B Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or Near Airports defines wildlife attractants as “any human-made structure, land-use practice, or human-made or natural geographic feature that can attract or sustain hazardous wildlife within the landing or departure airspace or the airport’s Airport Operations Area (AOA).” There are typically three categories of attractants: food, shelter/cover, and water. Common attractants include certain agricultural or aquaculture activities, architectural features, landscaping, surface mining, waste disposal sites, wastewater treatment facilities, and wetlands.
Recreational uses
Ponds
Source: Mead & Hunt
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

19. Engine Ingestion of Wildlife
Although US Airways Flight 1549 ingested at least two Canada geese into each engine, the strikes occurred off airport property approximately 4 miles out on departure and 3,000 feet AGL.
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

20. Consequences of Non-Compatible Uses
Consequences to the aviation system and users:
Impacts to airport viability and air service, including constraining the airport’s operations and limiting future airport development
Impacts to runway approach and departure surfaces
Increased safety risk due to obstructions or wildlife hazards
Consequences to people living near airports:
Exposure to aircraft noise and emissions, and safety concerns
Consequences to local and regional jurisdictions:
Unrealized local/regional economic development due to airport growth constraints
Economic consequences (airport and community):
Potential for litigation (and associated costs)
Lost revenue and development opportunities
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

21. Advisory Circular Outline
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Land Use Compatibility Concerns
Chapter 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Chapter 4 – Airport and Local Land Use Planning Coordination
Chapter 5 – Tools and Techniques for Land Use Compatibility
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

22. Numerous Planning Partners
Airport
Compatible
Land Use
Airport Owners/ Operators (Managers,
Commissions
Authorities)
Airlines
Pilots
Metropolitan
Planning
Organization
(MPO)
State Aviation Agencies
FAA
Counties
Cities near
airports
Local jurisdictions – Implement and enforce land use decisions through comprehensive planning and zoning ordinances.
FAA – Reviews air space, develops standards and guidelines, funds projects with grant assurances, makes recommendations
State – Technical assistance, may authorize zoning, develops standards and guidelines
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility 22

23. Advisory Circular Outline
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Land Use Compatibility Concerns
Chapter 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Chapter 4 – Airport and Local Land Use Planning Coordination
Chapter 5 – Tools and Techniques for Land Use Compatibility
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

24. Airport and Local Planning Coordination
Airport Master Plan / Airport Layout Plan Development
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (FAA 150 Process)
Community Comprehensive Land Use Plan
Intermodal Transportation Plan
Zoning and Land Development Ordinances
Site Plan and Development Permitting
Airport Planning
Local Planning
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

25. Advisory Circular Outline
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Land Use Compatibility Concerns
Chapter 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Chapter 4 – Airport and Local Land Use Planning Coordination
Chapter 5 – Tools and Techniques for Land Use Compatibility
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

26. Tools and Techniques Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans
Airport Noise Compatibility Plans
Zoning / Permitting Ordinance Development
Overlay Zoning
Natural Features – Inventory and Mitigation
Real Property Acquisition and Disclosure
Avigation Easements
Dedications, Deed Restrictions
Transfer of Development Rights
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

27. FAA Regulatory / Guidance References
Code of Federal Regulations
14 CFR Part 77 SAFE, EFFICIENT USE, AND PRESERVATION OF THE NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE
14 CFR Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Planning
14 CFR Part Wildlife Hazards
40 CFR Part , Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, Location Restrictions, Airport Safety
FAA Advisory Circulars (AC)
AC 150/5190-4A A Model Zoning Ordinance to Limit Height of Objects Around Airports (Airport Compatible Land Use Planning)
AC 150/ Noise Control and Compatibility Planning for Airports
AC 150/5070 Airport System Planning Process
AC 150/ Land Acquisition and Relocation Assistance for AIP Assisted Airport Projects
AC 150/ Hazardous Wildlife Attractants on or near Airports
AC 150/ Construction or Establishment of Landfills near Public Airports
AC 150/ A Airport Design
AC 70/7460-2K Proposed Construction or Alteration of Objects that May Affect the Navigable Airspace
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

28. Ongoing Coordination and Input
Aviation/Airport stakeholders, including:
National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA)
Airports Consultant Council (ACC)
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
American Planning Association
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

29. Advisory Circular Completion Schedule
Complete Draft AC – March 2015
Region / LOB Clearances – June 2015
Industry Review / Comment – August 2015
Final ARP/AGC Review – October 2015
Publication – December 2015
Outreach and Education – Ongoing
June 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility

30. Questions?
Where to Get More Information:
Jackie Sweatt-Essick,
Rick Etter,
June, 15, 2015
Airport Land-Use Compatibility