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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03261991 - 2.5 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on March 26, 1991 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson, Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Supervisor Fanden --------------------------------=--------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Buchanan Field Airport Helicopter Training The Board received the attached report dated March 26, 1991 from J. Michael Walford, Public Works Director, relative to the search for an alternate site for helicopter training operations based at Buchanan Field Airport. Mr. Walford advised that because of increasing complaints regarding helicopter flights his staff has been attempting to locate alternate flight patterns and training sites to lessen the impact in the affected areas. He noted that in late 1990 alternate flight paths were located north of the airport which were flown exclusively for a 60 days period and no helicopter complaints were received during that time. On March 16 , 1991 noise monitors were set up in the Blum Road and Arthur Road residential areas, which were most likely to be impacted by the proposed flight. paths. Mr. Walford advised that the noise monitors were unable to pick up any sounds from the helicopters in any of the six locations. He therefore requested that the Board authorize him to enter into discussions with landowners of potential sites within the test area for temporary landing sites for touch-and-go training activity, and when negotiations are completed, to move forward with the application and permit process. Dorothy Sakazaki, 737 Central Avenue, Martinez, advised that she had witnessed the test in the vicinity of Waterfront Road near the touch-and-go aspect of the test on Acme Fill property. She commented on the landing procedure causing dirt to blow around, and referred to the potential danger from toxic waste in that area. She urged that an environmental impact report be done immediately. Mrs. Sakazaki also questioned the accuracy of the noise monitoring, since only one helicopter was used, and she expressed the belief that there are generally two or more helicopters in the air together during the training operations. Tom Reilly, representing Acme Fill Corporation, stated that Acme Fill objects to the use of its property for helicopter flight training and does not want landings or take-offs conducted there. He advised that the reasons for their objection were discussed in detail in a letter submitted to the Board (see Correspondence Item 1. 61) . Mr. Reilly noted that particularly troubling to Acme Fill is the fact that the proposed helicopter training site is a noise generating activity in an area where Acme Fill has been required to install expensive sound walls and monitor noise levels. In response to Mrs. Sakazaki ' s comments relative to the noise test, Mr. Walford stated that the professional operators of the noise monitoring equipment had advised that if two helicopters were flying together the noise level would be increased by 3 decibels, which would not be discernible to most people. Mr. Walford stated that if four helicopters were flying at the same time in the same place on the flight path, which is unlikely to occur in this type of operation, the noise level would increase by 6 decibels which could be discerned. He noted, however, that since 1 the equipment was unable to measure the noise from one helicopter he did not believe noise was a factor. Mr. Walford further advised that the Acme Fill site was used for the test since that is the closest to the residential area. He stated that there is another potential site in the test area which is further away from the residents. Supervisor Nancy Fanden referred to the fact that the Acme Fill north parcel used for the test has been designated as containing hazardous waste material. She also noted that the Acme facility has a landfill gas system to recover methane gas, and they are required to maintain a certain thickness of cover on buried refuse. Supervisor Fanden further noted that there are petroleum- pipelines and storage tanks and the Tosco Refinery in the area. She expressed the belief that the issue is no longer just related to the noise factor but has become one of great environmental concern. Supervisor Sunne McPeak advised that she had witnessed the noise monitoring tests, and that there had been no noise or sight impact on the residential neighborhoods. She stated that under the circumstances she believed the project should move forward, unless there is a health hazard. She advised that the Fish & Wildlife Study Committee had reviewed potential sites and recommended that negotiations with Acme Fill be pursued. Supervisor McPeak therefore moved that the Public Works Director obtain input from the County Health Officer relative to any potential health hazards, initiate discussions with Acme Fill, and return to the Board in 30 days with a status report on the Acme site and any other potential alternative sites. Supervisor Tom Torlakson seconded the motion. He noted, however, that he would like to have further testing scheduled, at a time when all Supervisors could be present, to experience the impact of the landing and take-off operations. Supervisor Torlakson further noted for the record that if an acceptable alternative site is not found in the vicinity of Buchanan Field Airport, that he is not opposed to moving the helicopter operation out to the Contra Costa County-Byron Airport. Supervisor Fanden advised that she would abstain from voting since she feels there are serious environmental concerns and. the proposed actions are premature. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the following actions are APPROVED: 1) ACCEPTED report from the Public Works Director related to a training site for helicopter operations at Buchanan Field Airport; 2) AUTHORIZED the Public Works Director to enter into discussions with landowners within the test site area; and if successful, to submit an application for the proposed use to the Community Development Department and a request to CALTRANS and the FAA to develop a helicopter landing site; and 3 ) REQUESTED a report back to the Board on April 23 , 1991 on the status of the alternative landing sites. I hereby certify that this is a true and Correct copy of CC: Public Works Director an action taken end entered on the minutes of the H. Wight, Airport Board of Supervisors on the date shown. County Administrator ATTESTED: a6 Affl PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board Suu�pe vism and County Administrator gf► 2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 2 FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: March.26,.1991 SUBJECT: . FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON HELICOPTER ACTIVITY AT BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT SPECINC REQUESTS)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)dt BACKGROUND AID.TusnPICATlON I, . Recommended Action: ACCEPT following report from Public Works Director related to remote helicopter training site. AUTHORIZE Public Works Director to enter into discussions with landowners within the vicinity. , of test areaeand to submit an application for the proposed use to Community Development Department and further:to submit a request to Caltrans and FAA to develop a helicopter landing -site. II. Financiallmgact: None. III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: FLIGHT TESTING This .report-is a follow=up hof the Board Order dated December 11, 1990, subject, Helicopter Activity at Buchanan Field Airport. Public Works/Airport staff met with persons in the affected areas to assess level of Impact, and to determine requirements.for acquisition of alternate sites. In addition, a study was conducted to determine the feasibility of moving the helicopter operation to Byron Airport in East Contra Costa County. Continued on Attachment: X SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECONMENDATION BOARD COMMITTEE _APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): A>CTSS OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS _ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AYES- NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: HEW:gm c:BO\BO26.t3 Orig Div:Airports cc: County Administrator Public Works Director Aviation Advisory Committee Helicopter Activity March 26, 1991 Page 2 . During the period from December 11 to the present, a high level of use was made of the routes to and from the proposed sites with frequent overflights of the proposed area. On a few occasions, these flights reached 50 per day. Complaints were closely tracked to determine if any were directly associated with the new routes. There were none. It should be noted that flights along Highway, 680 continued for training flights going to training areas-in the Solano and Napa areas during the test period. We were able to identify helicopters in the proposed routes as opposed to those in more traditional routes. On February 28 1991, Harold Wight, Manager of Airports and Mike Walford, Public Works Director, met at Supervisor Fanden's office to discuss the compatibility of the proposed helicopter training sites. Also present were Dorothy Sakasaki of the Vine Hill area, Paul Macchia and Robert Gabriel of the Blum Road Area, James Pezzaglia representing the ACME Landfill, and Marcia Raines from the Martinez Planning Department. Mr.Walford and Mr. Wight showed the proposed routes and training site and answered questions about the project. On-March 8, 1991, airport. staff mailed approximately 1,000 notices, subject, Monitoring Of Alternative Helicopter Training Pattern, to residents in the Blum Road and Vine Hill areas. The purpose of the notice was to inform these potentially impacted residents of the day and time testing of the proposed flight tracks would be conducted, and to solicit participation. Notices were also sent to Bay Area news media. Articles were published in the Contra Costa Times and the Martinez Gazette as well as being aired on at least one radio station. On March 13, 1991, Tracy'Williams, Airport Noise Control Officer, provided a presentation at the PachecoTown Council meeting. The audience was comprised of approximately 30 homeowners from the areas of Vine Hill, Temple Drive, and residents of the Mobile Home Park located west the Airport. She distributed packets of information including a map of the proposed new routes for helicopter training, explained the expected impact on the community, and answered various questions regarding the testing process. Members of the audience were invited to accompany the pilot on the (Saturday) test flight, and were encouraged to call the airport after the testing if they felt that.the helicopters were intrusive on neighborhoods.. On March 16,'1991, between 10:00-11:00 a.m., and again from 5:00-6:00 p.m., members from the Aviation Advisory Committee,Airport Land Use Commission,Airport Staff,and others, conducted specific noise monitoring at various locations while HAI demonstrated the flight track of the proposed new pattern for helicopter training. Sophisticated and highly sensitive noise monitoring equipment was provided and operated by Richard Craig, Regional Manager of Bruel and Kjaer Instruments Inc., Foster City, California, in the Vine Hill area. This was set up at approximately Valley Drive and Arthur Rd as the closest residential areas to the landing site. Also in the Vine Hill Area monitoring was done at the end of Central Ave just before leaving the residential area as a site closest to the area where the helicopters would be travelling to and from the airport as well as being directly across from one of the area's most vocal opponents to the plan. Other locations monitored were at the home of Robert Gabriel on Blum Road, and at the end of Alan Way. In addition, the Manager.of Airports and other airport staff circulated around the areas with portable monitoring equipment in an attempt to determine whether the helicopters could be detected. Because the pattern is over a remote site away from residential areas,the helicopters did not trigger any noise events at any of the monitoring sites. Noteworthy is that the type of activities that did trigger noise events were barking dogs, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. It also should be noted that the distance to the proposed site was so great from the nearest residences that people had a difficult time seeing the test helicopter. During the 10:00 to 11:00 time period a helicopter did pass by the.areas along the freeway but was transient and not associated with the testing. A few people took that helicopter to be the test one. Specific details, charts, and graphs of the triggered activity are available at the Manager of Airports Office. No noise complaints were phoned in to the airport relating to the helicopter test. During the testing we were contacted at the test areas by a few residents asking when the testing would start, while the flights were occurring, It is also interesting to note that upon approval of a new location for training helicopters, the majority of them will no longer be commuting to and from areas north of Buchanan along Interstate 680. This should cause a significant decrease in helicopter traffic near the two residential test areas. Helicopter Activity March 26, 1991 Page 3 Joe Campbell representing the ALUC and Virginia Schaefer representing the AAC were also in attendance in monitoring the test activities. Each had monitoring equipment with them. Joe Campbell was in the Vine Hill Area and.Virginia Schaefer was in the Blum Road area. Their reports are attached. Once a site is identified, planning, zoning, airspace and state approvals must be received from FAA, Caltrans Division of Aeronautics, and appropriate County agencies. BYRON AIRPORT The Board also asked in the December 11 Board Order that we examine the possibility of relocating HAI to the Byron Airport. Moving the helicopter training operation to Byron Airport does not appear to be a reasonable alternative at the present time. There are five airports closer to central Contra Costa County (Buchanan Field Airport) than Byron. These airports include Napa, Rio Vista, Oakland, Hayward, and Livermore. All of these, except Rio Vista, are tower controlled airports which is highly desirable from the standpoint of training activities. In addition, the cost of commuting from Buchanan Field to one of these airports would be prohibitively expensive. If HAI remained based at Buchanan Field but flew to one of these other airports, the likely result would be the loss of all or most of their business. Flying between points provides very little actual training for helicopter students. Because of the nature of helicopters, the primary training occurs during the landing and take off process. It appears that there would be a much greater likelihood that if one of these other airports were used, the students would drive'to that airport and take training from operators at those airports. At the present time, both Hayward and Oakland have helicopter training capabilities. In addition to the reasons already stated, HAI is unwilling to move to the Byron Airport at present as the business is unlikely to survive in such a remote location. HAI is planning on building a quality facility to meet their needs. The commute distance from Central County to Byron by far exceeds the commute time from the Central County to Oakland or Hayward. In addition, at present the Byron airport is substandard and has no facilities. Also, the existing airport will be permanently closed some time after early 1993 once construction of the new airport has-begun. Furthermore, there is no place on the existing airport to constrict a building. HAI would be unable to even consider building anything until after 1993. There are also off-airport factors in the Byron area worth mentioning. According to HAI's general Manager, Patrick Corr, approximately 50010 of all HAI's students are from out of state and overseas locations. Necessary accommodations found in Central Costa County are not available in the immediate Byron area. These include apartments and housing, easily accessible transportation, dining and entertainment. -----: ----- --- - --- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ r1 rR s0 1 WE r, 15 - 44 CONCORD CHAMBER P r a Greater Concord C;hdmver of Commerce ("nt7fYQ Cnsro's i,pntlin,�Rv,vinpss As.crn,iniluR March 20, 1991 MEMO TO: Hal: Wight, Manager, Buchanan Field Airport ' r MEMO FROM: Hai , York, Executive Vice President , Concord Chamber of Commerce RE: Helicopter Practice Flights on Monday, March 18th the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Executive Board voted to reconfirm the Chamber's support of the Airport Management, and the Board of Supervisors ' efforts to seek an off-airport site for helicopter practice exercises. The Executive Committee would urge the Board of Supervisors to continue its support of the Airport Management in seeking an alternative practice site. r To: Hal Wight, Nfanager of Airports I rom: i'irgir,ia Schaefer Re: Helicopter Test flights ", Sarurda� . l-larch 16. 1991 HAI made test flights to try out a net% training Irea L)v the closed acme landfill area. I participated in the one hour test at the .Mum Road area near Pacheco, Equipped with a sophisticated hand held noise monitor and a two way radio. (plus my amateur radii installed in II1y car". I spent the first 40 minutes at the end of Alan Way. This street was selected because it is an area where noise complaints are generated. Also the houses in this neighborhood are among the closest to the the flight path of tieparting and incoming helicopters to Buchanan Field on.their way to and Crum the potential training area. The second nearby site I monitored «,as at tli,? end of Dium Rd. which afforded a better range of visibilitNI. =:i hoih siLes the test helicopter was yel'y unobtrusive. bar'Cly -isible and re,:;isle'rinh no sound either audibly or on the monitoring equipment. Barking dr,r6 and motor;.•cles registered over 100 db. myself in the middle of the streets I attracted some attend'.)n from cn.izens who came around to see what was going on. A few tip:-ere aNz.are of the tests from the mailout they received. Three were interested and said helicopters and airplanes were no problem to them. One. ratan said lie had lived there for 17 years and , "they were here before I a-as". One man said he didn't notice helicopters, but planes were sometimes noticeable. although he seemed somewhat philosophical saying, "what can 'ou do. I replied that we were doing something in conducting these tests and monitorin- his street to try. and maize the airport a better neighbor. He o Fumm;,ri2.e. the helicopter made no impact on this neighborhood either auui,):--C o!, visuail�:. In fact I didn*t even know it had returned to Buchanan ;e'::: �1; McPeak stopped bx' to see for herself the monitoring over. I therefore fee, assured that thi"• i'!citi' coinp.--:o,Ie vith the Bluin Rd. res1d* ntlai area. Airport Land UseCOl�tl"a Harvey E. Bragdon Director of Community Development Commission Costa -County Administration Building County 651 Pine Street 4th Floor, North Wing Martinez, California 94553.0095 Phone: 646-2091 March 21 , 1991 Tracy Williams Community.Relation Noise Abatement Officer Contra Costa County Airports 510 Sally Ride Drive Concord, CA 94520 Dear Tracy: RE: Helicopter Noise Monitoring Commissioner Donald Anthony and 1 conducted noise measurements in the Vine Hill area on March 16, 1991 . The exercise was held at 737 Central Avenue 'between 10:00 A.M. and 11 :00 A.M. to coincide with the Helicopter Testing activity scheduled for that time. The testing site was within one-half mile of the proposed helicopter training route between Buchanan Field and Acme Fill. Our measurements indicated the ambient noise level to be 63.00 dB. We measured the noise impacts of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and other noise- generating activity in the vicinity. Attached is a table listing the results of our " measurements. As you will note, helicopter and aircraft noise levels were within 10 decibels of the ambient noise level. The loudest noise impacts were associated with motorcycle activity. Sincere , i JOSEP L. Cg PBELL, Chairman Airport Land se Commission RD/aa ALUCII/Noise.RD Attach. - 3/16/91 Noise Measurement Table NOISE MONITORING OF HELICOPTER TESTING ACTIVITY PROPOSED ACME FILL TRAINING ROUTE DATE: 3-16-91 737 Central Avenue Martinez/Vine Hill Area .AMB.-Start @ 10:00 A.M., DB - 63.00 Airport Radio 1 . Hal • 3. Virginia 2. .Tracy 4. Joe & Don Wind from South .10:30/11:00 Time Noise Generator .Time DB Peak 78.5 Motorcycle 10:00 103.7 Inst 70.1 Motorcycle 10:03 104.5 Max P 93.3 Motorcycle 10:06 91 .2 idle (return) Max L 78.5. Motorcycle 10:11 92.1 idle (out) Min L 42.7 Plan Fly By 10:13 72.9 3 sec. Cher-OVH OV L Motorcycle 10:10 101 .0 OR R Train 10:13 66.5 VN R Landing 14 10:15 w/jet over flight Sel. Chain Saw 10:16 Leq Twin OVH 32 10:18 69.00 depart. 4 sec. SPI. Cesna OVH 10:20 No w/us talking read. *no reading Motorcycle 10:19 104.18 Cops looking 10:21 for motocy. Noise Generator. Time dB S.E. OV flg. 10:28 70.0 3 sec. US Air 10:33 65.0 Express landing 2 sec Copter 10:39 could ; heading back not to airport read OVFLG. S.E. 10:40 69.1 Piper 19 sec. 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