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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 26 1989 State Bill May Cause Confusion on Sebastian Airport's Future Role6A, Monday, June 26, 1989, Vero Beach, Fla., Press -Journal State Bill May Cause Confusion On Sebastian Airport's Future Role By PATRICIA DiLALLA Sebastian Bureau Chief A bill that would restrict land uses at the ends of runways and in the vicinity of airports was recent- ly passed by the Florida Legis- lature and now awaits Gov. Bob Martinez's signature. 1. If signed into law, the bill could complicate Sebastian's latest effort to resolve the dispute over what role the Sebastian Municipal Air- port should play in the community. "Certain activities and uses of 'land in the immediate vicinity of airports," the bill reads, "are not compatible with normal airport operations, and may, if not regu- lated, also endanger the lives of the Participants, adversely affect their health, or otherwise limit the accomplishment of normal activi- ties." The bill, versions of which have appeared in the past, came about because of Rep. James Hargrett Jr.'s concern over the encroach- ment of development around air- ports, which affects their ability to operate' says a member of Har- grett's staff. According to studies, 60 percent of Florida's visitors currently arrive by air each year; that figure ,s expected to increase to 77 per- cent over the next five years. "The zoning legislation is intended to preserve airport capacity by pro- tecting airports from encroaching devel- opment that may force airports to reduce avail- able runway space, close existing runways altogether, or at a minimum pre- vent airports from meeting in- creasing capacity demands,' according to a press release issued by Hargrett. Hargrett, chairman of the House Public Transportation Committee, said he drafted the bill in response to the Legislature's "recognition of the need to develop Florida's role as a major player in an interna- tional economy and of the impor- tance airports have in developing this role." Although the bulk of the bill is geared toward international air- ports, one section addresses airport land use compatibility zoning for all airports. The bill doesn't prohibit resi- dential developments from being adjacent to airports, but rather that a. community must consider noise standards restricting resi- Van Antwerp dential use around air- flights over the same time period, dential development, said airport ports, says a say House staff members. manager John Van Antwerp. spokeswoman for the committee. Until state -mandated comprehensive plans, which will have to include airports and surrounding land, are approved by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, cities such as Sebastian that operate air- ports will have to adopt interim zoning regulations under the terms of the bill. The interim regulations, in part, will have to define how close resi- dential developments will be al- lowed to the airport runways. The bill requires that where a noise study has been done, resi- dential construction should not be permitted within the area contigu- ous to the airport determined by a noise contour line that approxi- mates a noise level of 65 ldn or an equivalent noise. The term "ldn" averages decibel levels over a 24-hour period, so an airport with a number of flights probably will have a higher ldn rating than an airport with few Where a noise study has not been done, residential construction "should not be permitted within an area contiguous to the airport measuring one-half. the length of the longest runway on either side of each runway centerline." Now, Sebastian does not have an appropriate noise study. It is, how- ever, groping toward a compro- mise with the Federal Aviation Administration, which objects to noise provisions adopted by voters that would restrict aircraft using the city airport to 65 decibels. Part of the interim compromise being negotiated with the FAA is that a planning study of the airport would be conducted that could in- clude a study. But until one is done, Sebastian would have to abide by the non - study provisions of the bill, if it be- comes law. Since Sebastian's runways are 4,000 feet long, that means up to 2,- 000 feet on each side of the runway would have to be clear of resi- That could affect, the Collier Place Planned Unit Development south of the airport, Van Antwerp said. Other requirements of the bill relate to uses of land within the clear zones at the end of runways. The bill also would establish an; Airport Safety and Land Use Com-i patibility Study Commission,, which would hold public hearings) and prepare a report by March 1, 1990 on publicly owned public -use airports. The report would evaluate the effectiveness of local comprehen- sive plans in preserving the safety and capacity of airports, assess FAA findings relating to the impact of land use around airports, and determine what role the state should assume, if any, in regulat- ing land use around such airports. Whether the city will have to abide by the provisions of this bill depends on the governor's decision. Van Antwerp said Martinez could go either way, either sign the bill into law or veto it because of financial provisions concerning other parts of the bill.