SR-9-A (55)
AP : JPM: TAW: mh : improv
Council Meeting 11/15/94
9A
Santa Monica, California
NOV 1 5 199't
To:
Mayor and City Council
From:
City Staff
SubJect:
Recommendation ~o Direct the City Attorney to Prepare an
Ordinance Establishing Procedures for Rev~ew of
Improvements at the Santa Monica Airport.
Tnt ""oduc~ ~ on
This report requests the City Council to direct the City Attorney
to prepare an ordinance establishing procedures for review of
improvements at the Santa Monica Airport.
Background
~he City Council requested that staff provide a list of approved
or proposed improvements at the A~rport. Airport improvements are
made in accordance with the 1984 Master Plan and Airport Agreement
wh~ch obligates ~he City to mainta~n and improve the Airport to
mitigate noise and ensure the safety of aircraft operations.
To minimize noise and improve the safety of the Airport the City
Council approved a grant from the Federal Av~ation Administration
on June 28, 1994 in the amount of $1,604,700. The projects
approved to be constructed in the spring of 1995 are detailed in
attachment A. In addition to the approved projects the City has
applied for a federal grant in the amount of $1,989,000 for future
noise and safety improvements. These improvements are detailed in
Attachment B. There is no guarantee the City will receive any
1
NOV 1 5 199Jt
9A
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federal funds for the projects listed ~n Attahment B.
In addition to the federal 1mprovement projects underway or on
file with the Federal Aviation Administration the City will be
solicit1ng request for proposals for the existing Cloverfield
Fixed Base Operator (FBO) lease Wh1Ch expires in March of 1996.
The City is obligated to provide space for three FBO's under the
terms of the 1984 Airport Agreement. The Cloverfield FBO has been
operating at the Airport since 1966 and serves as the third FBO.
The new lease for the six acre FBO will include replacement of the
fuel farm, remodeling of the terminal building, fencing and
landscape improvements and construction of light aircraft hangars
which will serve as a noise barr1er to the homes south of the
Airport.
Discussion
The construction of the light aircraft covers in August of 1994
created neighborhood concerns about the process of approval for
improvements at the Airport. The City Council asked staff to
develop a public process for improvements at the Airport. It is
recommended that an ordinance be prepared providing thresholds for
review, the criteria for review and the public notification
process. Staff recommends a two tier process similar to that for
other development projects in the City. This process would
provide for administrative review by Planning staff if the project
is below the established threshold provided the project will not
2
have an adverse impac~ on surrounding residential uses. If the
project is over the threshold or may have an adverse impact on
surround1ng res1dential uses, the project would be subject to a
public hearing before the Planning Commission. The follow1ng
outl1nes the proposed review process:
ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL
Threshold
Any new construction under 2,500 square feet.
Any new building under 18 feet in height.
Any addition to an existing structure or expansion of an existing
use under 10%.
Any new wall up to eight feet in height or extensions to existing
walls up to eight feet in height located at least 150 from any
residential use.
Installa~ion of access control gates, lighting, markings or
s1gnage.
Installation of aircraft monitoring and directional equipment.
Review Criteria
Staff will refine the criteria for approval, however, the
following will be the general criteria to approve a project:
The project would not be detrimental or inJur10us to surrounding
residential uses.
The proJect would not be contrary nor in conflict with the goals,
polic1es and objectives of the General Plan and the Airport Master
Plan.
The site is physically suitable for the project.
Public Notice
No notice will be required for administrative approval projects.
PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW
Threshold
Any new building over 2,500 square feet.
Any new building over 18 feet in height.
Any addition or expansion of an existing use over 10%.
Any new walls or extensions to existing walls located within 150
from any residential use.
Any new walls or extensions to existing walls over eight feet in
3
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height.
Construction of any new access roads.
Review Criteria
Staff will develop the findings for review, however, the c=iteria
will be similar to the standards for a development review
appl~cacion.
Public Notice
If the project is located with~n 500 feet of any res~dential use,
all property owners and tenants with 500 feet of the project shall
be notified of the planning Commission hearing.
If the project is located more than 500 feet from any residential
use, the Planning Commission public hearing shall be noticed in
the local newspaper and posted on the Planning Commission agenda.
The proposed thresholds are considerably more restrictive than for
other zoning districts throughout the City. For example, the C2
Ne~ghborhood Commercial District has a Development Review
Threshold of 11,000 square feet and the C4 District has a
Development Review Threshold of 25,000 square feet.
City staff will follow these guidleines until they are established
as an ordinance. The guidelines outlined above are in addition to
the current City requirements of review including the Building and
Safety Divis~on, Fire Department, Environmental and Public Works
Department, and the Architectural Review Board for improvements at
the Airport. Minor Airport maincenance and repair such as
resurfacing and seal coating will be subject to the review and
approval of the Airport D~rector.
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In addition, any lease with a term longer than month-to-month is
reviewed and approved by the City Council. The Council will also
award the construction contrac~s for all of the 1mprovements
outlined in Attachment A and B and the new Fixed Base Operator
lease.
Budaetarv Fiscal Imnaci.
- - -
The development of the ordinance will not have any budgetary or
fiscal impact.
Recommendat:ion
It is recommended that the City Attorney be directed to prepare an
ordinance establishing procedures for review of improvements at
the San~a Monica Airport in consultation w1th the Resource
Management and Plann1ng and Community Development Departments.
Prepared by:
Jeffrey P. Mathieu, Director Resource Management
Timothy A. Walsh, Airport Manager
Suzanne Frick, Director, Planning and Community DevelopmentS
5
ATTACHMENT A
APPROVED PROJECTS
Project 1 - Blast Walls - Phase II
Aircraft Blast from depamng on Runway 3-21 has become an mcreasmg problem at Santa Momca
Airpon. Phase I of the Blast Wall Project placed walls near the departure runup areas. The walls
have effecDvely prevented debns from blowmg across roadways and mto resldenoal areas. Phase
IT of the Blast Wall Project will prevent and deflect the lngh veloclty blast of depamng 3.l1'(;.laft from
reachIng the reSldenoal areas east of the runway end. TIns will proVlde sigmficam rellef to those
affected by the arrcraft blast.
Project 2 - Fencing and Gates - Phase II
Runway mcurslOns cononue to be a problem at Santa Monica., requiring further restricoons on
access. The Phase I Access Control Project involved the mstallation of six (6) access control gates
and penmeter fencmg. Addinonal slgnage, road closures, resaictions to access, and educanon of
users have reduced the number of runway mCUI'Slons. Further amons are requrred. mcluding the
mstallaoon ~rlrlitJ.onal access control gates and fencing.
Project 3 - Perimeter Road Realignment
The crrculaoon of velncles on the Alrpon's amlde has caused slgmficant safety problems over the
past several years. Numerous Improvements have been made to reduce runway mcurslOns and
vehicle and arrcraft confliCtS mcluding the mstallanon of an FAA access control project. With ail of
the unprovements. runway mcurslOns conanue to be a SIgnificant problem. To complete the safety
improvements. the City proposed to realign the west penmeter road to connect with Airpon
Avenue TIns will greatly enhance safety by reduecnng velnc1es OlltSlCle the air operations area.
Project 4 - Repair, Seal Coat, and Mark Existing Taxiways
TIns project conslSts of a crack seal and seal coat of the exIStmg north and south parallel taxiways.
The condition of the taxiways at the Anpon has detenorated because of frequent use by aircraft.
Some of the taXIway pavement IS part of the onglnal runway bUllt in 1942. Numerous longnuchnal
cracks eXIst on the taxIway. Some reconstructton will be requrred m isolated areas where structural
fallures have occurred because of the arrcraft usmg the facility.
Project S - Lighting and Signing
ThIs project conSISts of the mstallanon of runway dIstance remaimng markers that are needed by
aucraft reqUJIlllg the full runway length. Addinonally. guIdance SIgnS are to be mstalled to define
the runway better and to prevent runway mcurslons. The final component of this project is to
recess taxlway lights in those areas where above-ground lights are repeatedly struck by arrcraft
maneuvenng on the ground.
Project 6 - Repair, Seal Coat and Mark Existing Parking Aprons - Phase II
This project consist of a follow-up to the ongmal project subantted as pan of the AlP-04 project ill
1988. The aircraft parking aprons have permanently been estabhshed as a result of the significant
change that occurred in 1986 when the aeronauncal acti.vines were moved from the southslde to the
nonhSlde of the Auport. As a result, some of the City parlang areas require crack repair, seal coat.
and nedown reconfiguranon.
Project 7 - Aircraft Maintenance Kunup Enclosure
Ai!cHill runup nOlse for maIntenance inspecnons has become an mcreasing problem at urban
anports like Santa Momca. The amount of space allocated on the Aupon to conduct these
operatIons safely and With as hnle mttuSlon to the surroundIng nC1ghborhoods has become
increasmgly difficult. The m~intenance runup enclosure IS requU'ed to abate the nOIse of engme
nmups at the A1rpon:. The mamtenance nmup enclosure will handle arrcra:ft With up to 60 foot
Wing spans.
Project 8 - Pavefield Areas
The infield areas between the north and south parallel taxlways and the runway presently conSIst of
oiled natIve matenal. These areas have detenorated, causing dramage problems and dcbns that IS
blown onto the nmway by mcraft blasts. Project 8 will cap these areas With asphalt to elimmate
drainage and FOD problems now bemg experienced.
Project 9 - Refurbish Rotating Beacon
The present airpon rotating beacon is low-powered and difficult to see at night or in Low visibility
in the Los Angeles Basin. The beacon IS over 40 years old and is 10 need of replacement
Additionally, the eXisting tower needs pamttng and reparrs.
SANT A MONICA AIRPORT
PROJECT COST SUMMARY
Total Federal Local
Project Cost Share Share
Blast Walls - Phase II $ 300,000 $297,000 $33,000
FencinglGares 111,111 100,000 11,111
Perimeter Road Realignment 311,000 279,900 31,100
Repair, Seal, and Mark Taxiways 202,000 181,800 20,200
Lighnng and Sigmng 63,889 57,500 6,389
Repair. Seal, and Mark Aprons 220,000 198,000 22,000
Aircraft Maintenance Runup Enclosure 385,000 346,500 38,500
Pave Infield Areas 125,000 112,500 12,500
Refurbish Rotating Beacon . 35.0OQ J 1.500 3.500
TOTAL $1,783,000 $1,604,700 $178,300
ATTACHMENT B
PROPOSED PROJECTS
Project 1 . Airport Layout Plan Update
Recent development and FAA projects reqwre an update of the Airport Layout Plan. The
last update was approved by FAA m 1986.
Project 2 - Obstruction Marking and Lighting
The addmon of blast walls and other obstrucnons near the object free area and the runway
protecnon zone reqUIre l1ghnng and marlang.
Project 3 - Runway Protection Zone Enhancements
The operanon of aircraft on the 4,987 foot runway reqUIreS the study and construction of
runway overrun protectton. The Arrport's current runway protecnon zones are very small
With residennal uses as close as 275' from the runway end. Enhancements to the runway
protectton zone would muror research conducted at the FAA Research and Development
facility in Adannc City to protect arrcraft and passengers from arrcraft overrun incidents.
Project 4 - Noise Monitoring System Upgrade
NOIse Impacts on surroundmg communIties continue to affect the role of the Airport ill the
Nanonal Transponanon System. An upgrade to the nOIse momtonng system to mclude
fhght track capability and add.1uonal InOmtors ill Vemce. West Los Angeles and Santa
Momca ill conformance WIth the 1984 A1rpon. Agreement WIll funher reduce nOIse unpact
on surrounding neighborhoods.
Project S . General Aviation Noise Study
The 1984 A1rport Agreement reqwred the aty to implement an expenmental pexformance-
based nOIse program. The program was designed to lower the nOIse levels of smgle and
muln-engme piston arrcraft wh1ch compnse 80% of the fleet at Santa Monica. This general
aVIatton nOIse study would develop specific general aVlanon nOIse abatement flight profiles
by tesung vanous safe pilot techmques to lower nOlse levels. The study would promote the
Adnumstrator's General A VIanon Acnon Plan goal 3D reganhng lowenng of general
aVIan on nOlse through changes ill mcraft flight manual operanons. This project was one of
the recommendanons of the Santa MOnIca Allport Safety Committee.
Project 6 - Blast Walls - Final Phase
TIns IS the final phase of Blast Wall mstallation at Santa MODIca Arrport. The blast walls
proposed ill dus project would be placed at the west-end of the auport to mitigate run-up
and reverse thrust nOIse from mcraft deparong on Runway 3.
Project 7. Helicopter Approach Path Indicator
TIns f!Hlject will include the mstallanon of a helicopter approach path mdIcator (HAPD for
hehcopter operanons at Santa MonlCa Auport. The Hehcopter Approach Path Indicator
will ensme adequate clearance from obstrucnons for helicopters operanng at Santa MOnIca.
The Hehcopter Approach Path Indicator will also lower conunumty nOIse levels by ralsmg
the alntude of hehcopter arrivals. The Hehcopter Approach Path Indicator was a
recommendanon of the Santa Momca AIrport Safety Repon dated July 25. 1994.
Project 8 . Fencing and Access Control . Final Phase
The final phase of access control and penmeter fencmg will involve the mstallanon of two
more gates and the separanon of arrsl(ie and landside acttVlttes resulnng from aIi~laft
parkIng ramp changes. The addInonal gates will further unprove the reduction m runway
mcumons resulnng to date from preVIOUS FAA fencmg improvements.
Project 9 . East Perimeter Road Realignment
The clIculanon of vehicles on the arrslde has caused significant safety concerns over the
past several years. To complete the safety Improvements and reduce the vehicle/aircraft
conflict a realignment of the east penmeter road to connect with A1rport Avenue IS
necessary and will separate vehIcles and mcraft completely. TIus was also a
reCOliW.leDcI~t10n of the AllpOrt Safety CommIttee.
Project 10 . Taxiway Centerline Lighting
The North and South parnllel taxIways are currently marked with centerlme reflectors. TIns
project would provide for the mstallanon of 10.000 feet of taXIway centerline lighting and
the adc:htion of a regulator and electncal vault expanSIon. Flush mounted taxiway centerhne
lighnng IS requIred because of the extensive dnft-off areas North and South of the runway
Project 11 . Alternative Aircraft Fuels Study
The FAA General A Vlation Acnon Plan reconnnended the orderly development of
altemanve general aVlanon fuels to reduce emissions. Santa Monica Arrpon is faced with
the potennal Federal Implementanon Program by the EnVlIOnmental Protecnon Agency to
1IDpOse monetary takeoff charges per operanon to rmmmize errnssions. The Santa MonIca
A1rport proposes to study and fly an alternanve fuel auCiaft WhICh IS safe and nnmmizes
eIDlSSIons to exceed future local and federal arr quahty mandates. The study would be
coordinated with the appropnate FAA agenCIes mc1uding m.fc.nift cernficanon and system
engmeering and development Altemanve fueled aircraft will funher general avianon and
aVOId its delI1lse by proposals such as the FIP
Project 12 - Runway Exit Zone Pavement Reconstruction
This project will complete the work begun in the 05 FAA project to pave the eXIt zone edge
to the Nonh and South taxIway With full strength pavement of 30,000 smgle wheel 60.000
dual wheel and 105,000 dual tandum weIghts.
SANTA MONICA AlRPORT
Project Cost Summary
Prolect Total Cost Federal Share Local Share
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AIrport Layout Plan Update $10,000 $ 9,000 $1,000
Obstructton Marlang and Lightmg 50,000 45,000 5,000
Runway Protecnon Zone 400,000 360,000 40,000
Enhancements
NOIse Monitonng System Upgrade 300,000 70,000 30,000
General A Vlarion NOIse Study 100.000 90.000 10,000
Blast Walls - Fmal Phase 250,000 225,000 25,000
Helicopter Approach Path Indicator 50.000 45.000 5,000
Fencmg and Access Control - Fmal Phase 100,000 90,000 10,000
East Peroneter Road Realignment 400,000 360,000 40.000
T3X1way Centerline Lighnng 125.000 112,500 12,500
Alremanve AIrcraft Fuels Study 250.000 225.000 25,000
Runway Exit Zone Pavement 175.()(X} 157.500 17.500
Total $2,210,000 $1,989,000 $221,000