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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02041986 - T.6 �O THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this' Order on February 14, 1986 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Fanden, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: -None -------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: PSA Service at Buchanan Field The Board on January 28, 1986 approved the recommendations of the Public Works Director and the Director of Community Development with respect to proposed PSA Service at Buchanan Field which included authorization of the hiring of a consultant to under- take an independent risk analysis study on the safety aspects of Buchanan Fied, review and analyze environmental impacts, mitigation measures, land use considerations identified in the 1983 Buchanan Field EIR, impact differences if any between PSA communter service proposal and the previous West Air Airline service, noise impacts, analysis of the fire protection and emergency response capabilities at the airport and the relationship to regional air transportation plans, and fixed this time to receive comments from the public on the scope of the specialized studies as outlined in the above recommendations. Chairman Powers announced that this time was fixed for the Board to receive public comments on the scope of three special stu- dies which the Board has ordered related to Buchanan Field and requested that all speakers confine their remarks to the iden- tification of items which they believe should be added to and included within the scope of study for these three reports. He requested that speakers identify the specific study for which they would be recommending additional items of study as follows: 1 . The Saftey Study, which is the independent risk analysis study on the safety aspects of Buchanan Fied, identified as Recommendation 1 in the Board' s order of January 28, 1986 . 2. The Commuter Service Impact Sutdy, identified as Recommendation 2 of the aforesaid order. 3., The Access Study, which will provide an airport access plan for regulating both commercial and general aviation access to Buchanan Field, which was addressed in a separate order. The following persons appeared and expressed their concerns: Mel C. Eckerstrom, 1962 Elinor Drive, Pleasant Hill, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce, advised that the Chamber ,is in support of PSA Service at Buchanan Field and in favor of accepting the recommen- dations of the Aviation Advisory Committee. He stated that they feel that service to Buchanan will be of great econommic value to the County. Dia McCulloch, 3035 Vessing Road, Pleasant Hill, repre- senting herself and Citizens for Reponsible Use of Buchanan Field, spoke against commuter air service at Buchanan Field and requested more time to study the matter and to consult experts. She submitted "for the record" a February 3, 1986 letter to The City of Pleasant Hill from Wilson, Ihrig & Associates, Inc. , Acoustical Consultants, bearing the subject line: "Review of Report Titled 'Acoustical Analysis of the Introduction of Schedule BAe-146 Operations' October 309 1985 by 'Mestre Greve Associates, Inc." John Fitzgerald, 2591 Montgomery Avenue, Concord, repre- senting himself and Citizens for Responsible Use of Buchanan Field, commented that he did not think that the public opinion has been tested on this matter and that the people of Concord are entitled to a full EIR not only because of noise but because of traffic and safety issue's. He suggested the airport be relocated where it would be safer and more practical. He recommended that PSA not be allowed to provide commuter servcie from Buchanan Field. John Mulhall, 156 Loralee Place, Pleasant Hill, Mayor or the City of Pleasant Hill, representing himself and the City of Pleasant Hill, submitted a copy of a February 4, 1986 letter to the Manager of' Airports from the City of Pleasant Hill setting forth four Airport Access Plan Study Recommendations. He also addressed fire codes and commented on what he considered to be the current lack of ability to adequately service commercial aircraft at Buchanan Field. He stated that he was opposed to PSA service pending adequate fire- fighting capability. Pamela Sousa, 15 Palo Alto Court, Pleasant Hill, requested a full EIR, and commented on noise and safety factors. The Chair read a February 4, 1986 letter from Marilyn C. King, 14 William Henry Court, Pleasant Hill, which expressed con- cens with respect to the safety, environment and economic factors of the proposed' PSA service. Byron Campbell, 1874 Denkinger Road, Concord, representing Citizens for, Responsible Use of Buchanan Field, asked for clarifica=, tion of "access plan, " which Supervisor McPeak thereupon explained to him. He suggested first doing a full EIR and then decide which company will' come in and provide service. He commented that, in his opinion, scheduled airlines do not belong at Buchanan Field. Harry Bowers, 3330 Clayton Road, Concord, President of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, commented that much of the information required for the sutdy is already available from various sources. He also recommended that the study be accomplished in the shortest possible time frame. He expressed strong support for the proposed service. Councilwoman Terri William, 212 Poshard Street, Pleasant Hill commented that the buildings were approved first and then PSA, suggesting that if it were the other way around, if commercial air ser- vice were in , place, the buildings would not be allowed. She asked that the noise study be reconsidered. No - one else appeared to speak. Chairman Powers -commented on the testimony with respect to the difference between commercial and general aviation, and requested staff to advise whether the standards are different. He commented on . the need to address access plans. He advised that the Board is going forward with the EIR process. He asked staff to take into consideration the letters submitted with the testimony today. Supervisor Schroder commented on the question raised of the possibility of. allowing other carriers and unlimited number of flights into 'Buchanan Field. He asked staff to address this concern in its report, as well as the relationship to the proposal for a regional airport transportation plan. Supervisor McPeak requested that staff report on the four recommendations contained in the letter from the City of Pleasant Hill. She also requested a report on the difference in air space requirements and regulations for a commuter service and scheduled commercial service. She commented on the need for a full legal review on ability to control access. She commented on the need for further detail on the access plan preparation schedule in terms of timetable and scoping session and preparation of the EIR. She stated that, lbased on the input received today and the report before the Board on ;Janaury 28, she believed that there is a need for the safety study ;to begin immediately. 2 Supervisor Torlakson asked for report from the Chief of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the Airport Manager with respect to capability of providing adequate fire ser- vice at Buchanan Field. Supervisor Fanden requested the Public Works Director to research the comment made during testimony that if the air service were in place, the tall buildings surrounding the airport would not have been allowed, but because the buildings were in place first, the air service would be permitted. IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that staff is DIRECTED to respond to the above concerns of the Board members and to include in the scope of' special studies on Buchanan Field Airport: 1. The concerns expressed by the City of Pleasant Hill. 2.; The question of possible difference in Federal Aviation Administration requirements for commercial and general aviation, including the difference in space requirements. ITIS FURTHER ORDERED that the Chief of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the Manager of Airports are DIRECTED to report on the District' s ability to deal with fire and emergencies at Buchanan Field. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that County Counsel is DIRECTED to review and report on the Board' s ability to legally control access at Buchanan Field Airport. thereby cortffy that thls is a true and correct copy of an action taker:end Qhtt led on the srinutes tit the Board of Supvrvis a on the date shown. j ATTESTED: PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the 13oard of Supen►isoto and Cotmty Administrator By .Deputy cc: County Administrator Public Works Director Director of Community Development County Counsel Chief of the CCC Fire Protection District I' 3