Agenda Packets - 1998/01/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

JAN-21-1998 11:03 METRO. AIRPORT COMM. 612 726 5296 P.04/05 • Planning & Environment Committee January 6, 1998 Page 20 The Commission, at its June 16, 1997 meeting; authorized a public hearing to be held on the LTCP Update. On July 10, 1997, at 7:00 p:m., the public hearing was held and Commissioners Edward Fiore and Georgiann Stenerson acted as hearing officers. Following the hearing, the record remained open through July 25, 1997. Seventeen oral statements and ten written statements were presented for the record. Several communities (Mounds View, Lexington, Blaine, Circle Pines) submitted letters and also presented oral statements. Three communities, Mounds View, Lexington and Circle Pines were opposed to further airport development. They expressed concerns that the Anoka County - Blaine Airport was transitioning to an intermediate airport. These three cities also expressed concern regarding safety, noise, and the air traffic control tower's ability to regulate operation of aircraft. The airport's increasing popularity as a base for historic aircraft was also a.concern. Similar concerns were expressed by many of the private citizens who responded. The City of Blaine stated that they do not oppose the plan and that they desire to work with the MAC to minimize land use and noise impacts. Several on-airport businesses stated that the airport provides an important service to the community. The Coon Creek Watershed District expressed concerns regarding planned and ongoing development of aircraft storage areas and the resulting impact on their wetlands. A copy of the Hearing Officers'Report was contained in the Committee package. The LTCP Update's major recommendations include extending Runway 8R/26L from 4000 feet to 5,000 feet, widening the runway to 100 feet, and installing a precision approach on Runway 26L. Parallel runways are justified to improve capacity, therefore, Runway 17R/35L should be constructed to a length of 4,855. The existing North/South Runway( 17L/35R) should be reduced to a length of 3,500 feet, when Runway 17R/35L is completed. A 3,500-foot long east/west parallel runway should also be considered. The ultimate phasing of the crosswind runways will depend on the availability of funding and the outcome of an environmental assessment. Other projects include taxiway improvements, developing additional hangar storage areas, and NAVAID improvements. A golf/outdoor recreation complex is being considered for the northwest quadrant of the airport. Besides physical improvements, a permanent airport/adjacent community advisory committee should also be established to provide an ongoing°communication link between airport users and the adjacent community. Once the LTCP is adopted by the Commission, it must be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for a determination of consistency with the Metropolitan Development Guide. Committee discussion followed with Commissioner Gasper asking if the LTCP maintains minor airport status for the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Mr. Ryan responded that the plan is based on continuing Anoka County-Blaine as a minor airport, as defined in the Metropolitan Aviation Development Guide. Bob Long, City of Mounds View Attorney, appeared before the Committee stating that previous meetings between MAC, the City and legislators had focussed on how to proceed on this matter. He indicated the City has been wailing for a response from