Airport Master Plan Definition

-What is an airport Master Plan and why is it important to residents near PDK?
-Chapters in the Master Plan process and the Advisory Circular that are most important to understand


What is an airport Master Plan and why is it important to residents near PDK?
Master Plan Definition: The airport master plan is the planners concept of the long-term development of an airport. It displays the concept graphically and reports the data and logic upon which the plan is based. Master plans are prepared to support the modernization of existing airports and creation of new airports, regardless of size, complexity, or role.

(This clearly indicates the plan is for airport development. It is silent to retaining the airport as it currently exists. To control airport development for all citizens, not just airport users and businessmen and staff, we must have a good vision and policy statement for the airport or the planners will simply do what the FAA , the airport staff, airport users, and Mr. CEO's bidding. You can modernize an airport without making changes that adversely impact the community if the right direction is provided to the planners.)

Goal and Objectives of a Master Plan: The goal of a master plan is to provide guidelines for future airport development which will satisfy aviation demand in a financially feasible manner, while at the same time resolving the aviation, environmental and socioeconomic issues existing in the community. Specific objectives of the plan can be developed with community input.

(Socioeconomic issues are not defined in airport guidelines because they differ at different airports, so they need to be defined by by community groups as much as by airport focused people. No one is going to define the socioeconomic issues if we do not do it early in the planning process.

Environmental issues are more clear cut and are defined in many regulatory and guidelines that planners must follow.

Aviation issues are obvious - growth, safety, making money and having others pay for the the airport services. (There are few fees collected from users of our airport.)

As a community, we must create a good planning message and stick to it. We must not be placed in the position of continually reacting to the airport staff and county staff desires. One thing we need is at least one commissioner who will listen to our concerns and make certain they are heard by other Board of Commissioners (GBO) members.

As a community, we must have the negative economic costs of airport development included upfront and to have the BOC ensure any adverse impacts from the proposed development are taken care of before they authorize the development.

A good start would be the employment of an Airport Ombudsman or staff person who relates to community concerns. The airport director has his staff and the full direction and support of Mr. CEO and, more importantly, the entire FAA structure. One person charged with representing community interests is not too much to ask for.

Our county land use plans, current land uses and facilities become very important as they are impacted by proposed airport development.)

One thing that would move us forward in this regard is the official and long term designation of the Clairmont area buyout and the runway protection zones permanently designated as sound barriers and greenspace.

a. the Master plan will provide an effective graphic presentation of the future development of the airport and anticipated land uses in the vicinity of the airport. (As a community, we must ensure that the future development ties in to the FAA national policy of a doubled need for airport capacity around 2020. Forcing this issue will help us know the FAA intent. This will not be easy since they do not believe citizens have any right to know their plans. This is something the consultants must do since we cannot get straight answers from the FAA. If the FAA does not respond, the County should be in a position to do what is right for the County and not for the FAA.

The consultant must be required to address the current land use plans and how they will be impacted by the plan. This is not something that needs to be accomplished after the plan is adopted.)

b. The Master Plan will establish a realistic schedule for the implementation of the development proposed in the plan, particularly for the short term capital improvement program. (Since this is a long-term plan as well as short term, the costs for all aspects must be shown so the BOC knows what it is being required for future years.

The time has come for the full cost of operating the airport be shown to the BOC and ways the revenues can be raised from airport users.

A minor issue is having the BOC understand the horrendous implications of the grant assurances they get with each federal grant. These always come us as “by the way, you have agreed to...”)

c. To propose an achievable financial plan to support the implementation schedule.
d. To justify the plan technically and procedurally through a thorough investigation of concepts and alternatives on technical, economic and environmental grounds. (As a community, we simply must assure the consultant does not plan only along the path of least resistance. We must ensure tough issues like a flat prohibition of scheduled passenger service and a realistic noise objective and adoption of the weight limit the County and the FAA identified are covered.)

e. To present for public consideration, in a convincing and candid manner, a plan which adequately addresses the issues and satisfies local, state and Federal regulations. (As a community, we must ensure that adequately is defined and followed. Remember the problems we had with through the fence, hotels, and the Grayson newly found land. In short, we cannot let them leave one square foot of land out of this planning process.)

f. To document policies and future aeronautical demands for reference in municipal deliberations on spending and debt incurrence and land use controls, e.g., subdivision regulations and the erection of potential obstructions to air navigation. (If we as a community, can be active participants in the planning process and have an impact of the planning process, this should be taken care of as the plan is developed.)

g. To set the stage and establish the framework for a continuing planning process. Such a process should monitor key conditions and adjust plan recommendations if required by changed circumstances. (This was required under the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program but it was ignored by the airport staff. It will be ignored again unless we make it happen as a condition of approval by the BOC.)

Chapters in the Master Plan process and the Advisory Circular that are most important to understand are:

1. The planning constraints unanimously adopted by the BOC and a legitimate way to let them know how well these are being addressed. (See the section defining the BOC requirements for the Master Plan grant to be accepted.)

2. The citizen participation guidance is somewhat covered by the above but it is crucial.

3. Chapter 1. has the concepts down which community participants need to know.

4. Chapter 2. is the planning process that we all need to understand. It brings up the importance of existing FAA, state and ARC plans.

5. Chapter 3. has probably been completed.

6. Chapter 4. is where we need to get community people with skills in these areas involved. They will know if the documents developed make sense and if they consider all of the major issues that should be considered.

7. Chapter 5. is being done as part of the Environmental Assessment. Consequently we must be sure this is as accurate it can be. It probably becomes the major input for future needs in their projections section.

8. Chapter 6. becomes a key area that results from activity described above. If we get the right issues resolved above, this should reflect those.

9. Chapter 10. is the last real “policy” document that the BOC will consider. It should be developed with our previous concerns addressed and resolved.

Chapters 7 is not applicable and 8 and 9 are technical and basically driven by regulations. They are crucial but not something to consider at this time.

(Full document available on the FAA Web site)

Read Master Plan related items:
Vision and Policy Document- April 2005
Public Participation in PDK Master Plan Derailed by PDK Airport Advisory Board
PDK Policy Omissions Document 1 (pdf)
PDK Policy Omissions Document 2 (pdf)
PDK Policy Omissions Document 3 (pdf)
Letter to DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon -discusses Master Plan concerns.
Concerns Regarding Public Involvement with the PDK Master Plan Process (6/15/05)

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