HomeMy WebLinkAbout0557.091December 12, 199L
HONORABLE CITY CO~~CIL
Palo Alto, California
PALO ALTO AIRPORT NO~S~ CO~ATIBILITY PROG~TUDY
Members of the council:
Raport in Brie.t
'Ibis is an infor~ational report on the status of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 .a.irport Noise ~ompatibility
Program study for Palo Alto Airport~ No council action is
required.
Background
In 1986# in response to citizen complaints about noise from
overhead ai~c~aft, the City Council requested that the County ~
S~nta Clara and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fund an
independent study of noise and flight patterns in the Palo Alto
area. Part 150 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR Part 150)
sets forth a process combining technical analyses and public
pa~ticipation to address airport/community noise exposure issues.
In December 1990, the Board of supervisors of the county of San~a
Clara contracted ~ith MCClintock, Becker , Associates for a FAR
Pa"t't 150 study. The study began in Jam.lary 1991.
The noise compatibility study is a means by ~hich the Santa Clara
county Transportation Agency can examine and analyze the impact of
aircraft operation£ on areas surrounding the Palo Alto Airport and
explore alternative mean$ to manage current and projected aircraft
noise effects. The study is being carried out in cooperation vith
airport neighbors, interested public agenci~s and users of the
Airport. City staff from the Planning Department, the Real Estate
Division of the Finance Department, and the City Manager's Office
are also participating~ The principal means of soli=iting public,
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agency and u~er input has been through the Palo'Alt~ Airport Joint
Community Relations co~~ittee (PAAJCRC). Established in 1987 by
the. Santa Clara county Airp::l'rts Commission at tr,e suggestion of the
City of Palo Alto. this committee. serves as an advisory committee
to facilitate communication between the County Aviation Division,
the city and residents of Palo Alto on ~atters related to aircraft
noise and other airport operational concerns.
).,irpor __ t-__ t!..~ __ ~_. _____ Compa tibi 1 i ty St1J~y
The airport noise compatibility stud;l is being done in two phases.
The first phase deals .... i th eXisting and fut· .. re airport noise and
the second phase ... ith holool to prope:ly address aircreft noise and
land use issues. Three public hearings on the study have been
held: February 13, 1991, August 19, 1991 and November 4, 1991. In
addition, the FAR Part 150 Program stvdy has appeared on the
PAA.]CRC agenda c-.pproximately every other month since the study
began in January 1991. The final report for phase 1 of the study,
the Airport Noise Exposure Map Report, .. as corr.pleted in September
1991. The Executive Summary of that report is attached (Attachment
A). Briefly, the report makes the findings that! 1) based on 1990
operational conditions, there are no nonco~patible land uses
located in the airport cr.virons ",'hich are subject to aircraft noise
levels in excess of local, state, O~ federal land use compatibility
guidelines; ar.d 2} forecast 1935/96 airport noise conditions would
not result in any nonco'::lpatible land uses within the airport
environs. However. the report anticip~tes that noise complaints
will likely continue irolll areas subj ect to frequent aircraft
OVerflight, and in light of this, recommends that operational noise
control measures be develuped to deal ~ith single event aircraft
noise intrusions and that steps be takeTl to prevent the introduc
tion of new noncompatible land uses in the airport's immediate
approach and departl.!re corridors. These measures are being
developed and analyzed in Phase 2 of the study.
The public nearing on the Phase 2 report. the Final Draft Pa.l0 Alto
Airport F~ Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Program, ~ill be
held Tuesday r December 17, 1991. A copy of the not5.ce for this
meeting is attached (Attachment B).
The Palo Alto AirpDrt FAR Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility
program proposed in the Final Draft consists of implementation
measures to ma.nage both existing and future no ise problems and land
use is~ues. Emphasis has been placed on achieving noise control
through the combined continuation of Airport operational procedures
and application of ne ...... land use and development measures. These
remedial measure:::; and preventive measures are o'L.l.tlined in the
attached Executive Summary from the final draft (J\.ttaclunent C).
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Responsibili ties for implementin'3 the proposed noise control
program 'Will be shared amon'1, and depend upon, the cooperative
efforts of the Cities of Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, the Sant~
Clara ccunty and San Mateo County Airport Land Use Ccmmissions, the
state of California, the FAA and other agencies.
Copies of the Airport Noise ExposurE Map Report and the Final Draft
Phase II RepOl"t Airport Nois.e Co~patibility Prograre for Palo Alto
Airport are available for review in the office of the City Clerk.
Respectfully submitted,
<?uJdl'·'-( ! \ .~
JA>lET FREELAND
Financial Analyst
L '( --1i::tL~t;,Z'-d(
Director of Finance r.fL. 0
'-l':LIAM Z ANER
city Manager
cc: Don~ld Fly~n, Director of Aviation, County of santa clara
Joint Community Relations committee for Palo Alto Airport
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ATT.~CMMENT A
from ~t..r:~ra ft Noise E)(pos~~_e~~~port
( Pna se 1 of E~:_~ ____ f __ ~_T_tJ __ 5_Q ____ ~_.iJ1lP_~_~_ No_~seCOf"1pa t; b 11 it v Prog '"31]J)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In January 1991, the Santa Oara COUl"'lty Transportation Agency initiated ~"l airport
noise and land \I5C compatibility planning" study for the Palo Alto Airport of Santa
ClarlI County. This report sets forth the findings of the first phase of the study.
Th. study was funded and is being prepared lIIIder provisions of Part 150 of the Federal
Avi2.!inn Regulations (FAR p,.rt 150). FAR Part 150 sets forJl a straightforward
process combining technic.! analyses and public participation to address impor.ant
aiIyortlcommunity noise exposure issues.
Goa" and Objec;tives
The principal goals of the s"Jdy are to:
Q Explore options to meet increasing general a\.;ation needs while enhancing the
long-tenn compatibility of the Airport and the slJrrounding community~
1:1 To invclve interested citizens, Airport users and public age!"lcies in a joint effort
to maintain a workable noise program.
The principil objectives of the study are to:
o Determine existir.g aircraft -md neighborhood background noise levels;
III E.umine aircraft flight patterns and operating procedures in ord.er to evaluate
potential noise irnparu all people;
~mmend mea..nlres to reduce any incompanoilities between existir.g
neighborhood land u..o;es and the effects of continuing aircraft operations;
• Recommend measures to prevent the creation DC new incompatible land uses in
areas which are forecast to be seriously effected by aircraft operations~
Establish procedures for (1) implementation of the noise compatibility progra!Tl.
a.,d (2) periodically monitoring and reviewing the implemented plan.
Conduct or the Study
The Santa Clara County Transportation AgeJk."Y is sponsoring the study which is jointly
funded by the County and the U.S. Fedenl Aviation Administration. The project
consultant is the fmn of McClintock, Becker &:: Associates (MBA), a specialized
aviation environmental and noise abatement plannir.g organization. The noise
compau"bility study is being conducted as a means by which the Santa Gara County
Transportation Agency C'"dJ1 examine and analyze the impact of aircraft operations Oil
ueas surrounding the Palo Alto Airport. Tne study is being carried out in coopera.tion
with airport neighbors, interested public agencies and users of the Airport. Public,
agency and user input to the study will be jointly solicited and evaluated by the County
and its consultant.
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The principal means of soliciting public, agency and user input has been through the
Palo Alto Airport Joint Community Relations Comminee. ~ joint Community
Rela!:ions Committee is comprised of rcpresentati· ... es from:
local Palo Alto neighborhoods.
~ the Palo Alto City Council,
o tht: aviation community,
o the Palo Alto Airport Air Traffic Control Tower,
o the Santa Clara County Aviation Commission~ 2nd
Palo Alto Airport commercial operators.
The study is a t'No-fold effort dealing \lrtith (1) existing and future A.irport noise, and
(2) how to properly address aircraft noise 3.Jld land use issues. This .repon. represents
completion of Part 1 of this two part process.
:Major elements of the Paio Alto Airport FAR Part 150 noise eXJX)sure map :study
mcluded:
M~uring actual aircraft noise ar.d any oilier significant sources of community
nOise;
o Tracking aircraft operations to identify where and when those operations occur,
o Detenni..l'1ing existing and probable futu:e noise impacts;
Identifying potential noise abatement and land use compauoility implementation
measures.
Findings
Analyses ~ in this noise exposure map reJXJrt have verified the: magnitude of
cumulative (CNEL) noise exposure within t1e environs of Palo Alto Airport. Noise "'posun: maps for existing (1990) and five-year (1995-~6) oonditioos are discussed. In
a !iubsequent report -t.ie Airport Noise Compatibility Program -the issues of
preventive noise abarement and land J.'se compauoility alternatives wili be deaJt with in
detaI1, and a program for maintaining noise control will be dC\leloped. Although the
discussion and analyses of noise abatement has been deferred to a subsequent phase,
this report identifies two primary findlngs:
Based on an a:na1ysis of 1990 operational cOrlditio!1s, it has been determined that
there are no noncompatfble {i.e., noise sensitiv~) land Llse5 located U1 the airpon
environs which are subject to aircraft noise levels in excess of local, state, or
federal land use compan"bility guidelines;
o Forecast 1995/96 airport noise conditions ',l,'ould not result in any nOrKompatible
land uses within the airport er",'rrons.
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These findings .are supported by th~ following conclusions as .set forth in t~ report..:
~ Noise aposure from F:lio Alto Airport operations, is expected. to R:main
n:latively unchanged in furure years dewite forecast mode.it increases in aviation
activity;
t The continued use of light, relatively quiet, piston-engine aircraft and the
>1>= of l>rger. higher performance aircraft will help to limit 00; .. future
exposure from the Airport.
Nevertheless, it is anticipated that noise complaints will likely continue from area.s
subject to f~uent aircraft Qverfligtu. In light of this consideration, tl,.e report
recommends that operational noise control measures be developed to deal with single
event aircraft no~ intrusions and that steps be taken 10 prevent the introduction of new
nonC(lmpab."ble land uses in the Airport's immediate :approach and departure corridors.
These measures will be developed and analyzed in Phase 2 of the study in the noise
companlJitity program component.
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ATi.~CHMENT 1:1
OF PUBLIC IEAAIIC COICEJlll~ rHE FEDERAL 'VI'rIOI
(r •• ) PAAr ISO AIlPOa! 10151 CO.P'!I~ILltY PIOGJAM FOI
P~lo Alto Alr~rt 01 Saat. Clar. Coa~t7
~hereas tbe Soard 01 Supervisors oI the County of Santa Clar. oc 11 nec •• ber 1990
acted to c-o .. .1.ssicn iii Federal .Aviat.ion Reglll"at1ou (FA.R) Part 150 JIiPOn JOISE
COHPA'IBJt!TY PBOGR~M stud) for Palo Alto A1rpcrt. and
~~eTeas thrG~ Public ~Eetlng8 have been cOQvened 13 februar~ 199J. 8 August 1991 and
t love.be~ J991 for the purpose of ~re3enting ztcdy f!Ddi~gs, ~s veIl is receiving
cHhen input.
lev, therefore, Dotice is ber&by gi~eD that on fyesday, )1 Dace.ber 19~1~ It
7:15 p .•. , there vill be convened aD Dpen publiC Bearing on the Final Draft Palo Alto
AIrport FAi Part ISO Airport IOise Coapat1bility frQgrda before tbe iirports
Coaaisslon of tne Co~nty of Santa Clara, io the aaiD asse.bly roo. at the M!tchell
Part Com.unity Ceoter, 3800 Nl~dlerleld ~oad, Palo Alto, to receive input fre.
interested publIc ~od airport user~ coucernlng the FAa Part 150 Airport teise
Coapatlbllity Progra •.
The Public Bearing will be convened by the Santa Clara County Alcpe~(s (0 •• 1s,100 and
staffed by repre~entat1ves of the Santa Clara County fraaspo,tation Ageficy-~viation
Division.
~be consultJng tir. of WcCILntoct, BeGker , Associates will present • ~rlef Bu •• ary of
the Airpo~t ioise Co.patihl!ity Progra., and 10dJvJduals ~ill be afforded tbe
opportl.lnHy to pruent written or verbal co •• ent". All oral co..-enls ... :111 be
recorded.
Copies of the Draft IQise CoapallbllJly ~ro9ra. ace avaJlable for public revlev at tbe
f~11ovln9 locat1ons:
1. County of Santa Clara, Coc~~eots Library. Adainistration Building, East iing,
70 ~e~t ~edding Street, San Jose, C~ 95110:
2. OffJce ~t the Clert ot t~g Clty of Palo Alto, 250 Baa1ltao Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
94301;
3. Office of the Plann1~g Director of tbe City of East Palo Alto, l4l5 Unlierslty
Av~nu~, East Falo Alto, CA 9~303;
... City of Palo Alto Main Fubl1c Library, 1213 .ewell load, Palo Alto, CA 9~303;
5. Di~ector of Aviation, ~e1d-Hillvle~ Airpurt, Airport TeralBel Buildjng. 2500
Cunningha. Avenu~, San Jose, CA 95l~a;
6. Wanager. Palo 41to A1rport, Airport re!~lnal 2ul1dJng, lQ25 Eabareadero Bo~d, Palo
Alto, CA. 9"3{13.
10556
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By: Lalo'rence Reuter
Director-!rADsportatio~ Agency
County of Santa Clara
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A TTACf~fl[NT C
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from Phase 11 __ ~{;_!:l..lM. Par"J:_ 150 Airport Noise Compati.~PrD..9!~
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TI-Js d~ument sets forth the program of Ole Santa Clara County Aviaticn Division \/with
respect to the protection and enhanctment of long-term compatibility between the Palo
Alto Airport and its surrounding cr.virons.
This report is designed to provide guidance to loca1 agency decision makers and devei
opcrs with the aim of L'\SUring the orderly, safe and efficient usc of land an d airspace in
the Palo Alto Auport Environs. Its purpose is to =ffirm County and FAA noise
abatemen[ measures as s.!t fOM in vanous published documents and to update the as
sumptions and conditions supporting these measures wb~ necessary.
This report represents the culmination <If a year long ~ffort ID pr.:pare a viable mecha
nism to guide the environmentally compa"ole growth of the Airport through the year
2010 and to preserve the quality of life for residents of the Airport environs.
This Airport Noise ComparibUiry Program (NCP) evaluates several aircnft op<rationaI
and land use concept alternatives to preserve Airporticommurury compatIoilit)'. Nu
merous alternative measures have been considered. and among them several have re
ceived further analysis and recommendations for implementation b)' Santa Clara
County, the Cities of Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, the Santa Clara and San Mateo
County ALUCs, the FAA and other r):SjXlosibie pMies.
The noise compauoility progrun is also aimed at protection of the Airport's airspace
from encro.achment-an issue of concern to the County Aviation Division. Accord
ingly, the updated plan presented here has considered past measures recommended to
protect and enhance Ai1port environs airspace. Si miIarly, Ille revised measures rec
ommended in this noise compa"bility program are designed ID permit full realization of
the development potential of the Airport environs while preserving the operational
requirements of the Airport.
An important resource for this effort is the Airport Noise Compatib:lity Program pre
pared in conformance with the criteria ",I forth in Part ISO of the Feder.!! A vi.tion
Regulations. Approval of the FAR Part 150 study by the FAA will facilitate federal
cooperation in a."1d funding of importa.'1t measures contained in the NCP.
The NCP sets forth specific measures designed to effectively reduce or limit noise ex
posure in the Airport environs. As a result of continued application of t.l,.e existing op-
erational noise centrol measures developed by the County and FAA. no populated area
will be exposed to interior. cumulative noise levels in excess of C NEL 45dB in the fu
ture.
Several land use control and operational measures are designed to remedy existing and
forecast Airport/community compatibility problems, and additional measures are aimed
at the preve.·ltlon of potential future problems.
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RemNial Measures
, Real Esta~. If they have nO! dene 50 alrearly, the Cities
of Palo Alto and East Pal" Alto and Santa ClAra County should adopt
the fair di.sclosun: pra<:tices recommende<! by the California Real
Estate Association.
• Nojse Mnnitgrirw EgYipmeot_ fhe Aviation Division should acqyUe
and operate portable noise mea.'"Uftment and analysis equipment to
expedite evaluatio[l or Doi5e complaints and to hel, enforce air~'T.ift
Z'I()t~ abatefTjent operational procedures.
o Noise Abatement Pnx;;;dum. Al. ain;raft traffic increases in the fu
ture, tile Aviation Dfvisior. should work with the FAA to establisb a
visua1 departure proce:!= for Runway 30 depart"'"' to sidestqJ and
avoid overflight of residential a.rea..s of East Palo Alto. This measure,
which should be i:nplemente<l a! some future date as dictated by r.ee<!,
would permit aircraft activity to grow while reducing noise exposure
in East Palo Alto.
Pn:;-,entive Measures
o Deyelnpment CoMrol s. The Cities of Palo Alto and East Palo Alto
31\d Santa Clara County should impose restrictions and acoustical per
formance r~uifements on new residential and other noise $e%lsitive
develop men t In the Airport Environs.
o Baxment5. The Santa Clara and San Mal.e() County ALUes should
require that developers .of nOLse sensitive land uses within Ute CNEL
60dB noise uposure contour grant perpetual. assignzhIe avigatioo
easements 10 Santa Clara County as a buildIng pennit condition.
a AirsoaceJHcright Control. Santa Clara County and the Cities of Palo
Alto and East Palo Alto should adhere to the airsp;= and height con
trol criteria and notification requirements set forth in Part n O[ the
Federal Aviation Regulatiorls.
These measures have been designed to ultimately benefit aU residents of the Airport's
CNEL 55dB (aJ'd gn=ater) noise exposure a..'"'e8.. It is important to note that as AL.'"'POrt
proprietot, the authoritj and abilities of the Santa Clara County are limited. Thus, the
responsibilities to implement these measures are shared .among several parties. The
success of this noise compan'bility program depends upon the cooperative efforts of the
Cities of Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, the Santa Clara and San Mat"" County ALUCs,
the State of California, the FAA and other responsible agencies.
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