Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1982, 09/27) - B-2 - Amended - Another B-2 created (Limitations of John Wayne Airport and Promotion of a New Regional Airport)B -2 LIMITATIONS OF JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT AND PROMOTION OF A NEW REGIONAL AIRPORT The City of Newport Beach supports the recommendations of the SCAG Executive Committee and the Orange County Blue Ribbon Regional Airport Advisory Committee to locate a new regional airport. Newport Beach encourages and offers to assist the Board of Supervisors and the SCAG Executive Committee to follow up the site selection with airport Master Plans. All three sites recommended for consideration by the two Committees now require a complete Master Plan effort.. Each Master Plan should consider several alternatives including not only the largest, most environmentally damaging design, but also smaller more attractive designs complete with environmental impact mitigation measures. Selection of the best site could, therefore, be coupled with the selection of the most attractive and most practicable design. John Wayne Airport cannot be expected to expand beyond very minimal levels. The Southern California Association of Governments Aviation System Plan calls for only 3.5 MAP at John Wayne Airport. A report by the 1980 -81 Orange County Grand Jury states "...John Wayne Airport will never totally serve the air service needs of Orange County." And, "...there will be over '12 million potential annual passengers who want short -haul air service but.'will not be able to get it." The recent Blue Ribbon Regional Airport Advisory Committee called for John Wayne Airport to remain at its present livel of passenger service. All forecasts of the airport's capability reveal that John Wayne Airport can serve only a small portion of the Orange County air travel demands. The work of these two Committees must not be ignored. Potential solutions to the airport dilemma are fast disappearing. Newport Beach proposes that SCAG and the Orange County Board of Supervisors immediately convene a technical committee to formulate a scope of work for a Regional Airport Comprehensive Master Plan Program and to identify sources of funding for the program. The City Council of Newport Beach offers its time and effort, the support of City staff, and possibly funds to assist the County and /or other appropriate agencies to locate and design a new airport for Orange County. The City Council urges all Orange County cities, businesses, and residents to join this effort. Demand for air travel in Orange County far exceeds the capability of John Wayne Airport. In 1990, 18 million air passengers (MAP) in Orange County will need to be served. By 2000, nearly 30 MAP will demand service. In contrast, John Wayne Airport currently serves only 2.6 MAP in extremely crowded conditions. John Wayne Airport cannot be expected to expand beyond very minimal levels. The Southern California Association of Governments Aviation System Plan calls for only 3.5 MAP at John Wayne Airport. A report by the 1980 -81 Orange County Grand Jury states "...John Wayne Airport will never totally serve the air service needs of Orange County." And, "...there will be over '12 million potential annual passengers who want short -haul air service but.'will not be able to get it." The recent Blue Ribbon Regional Airport Advisory Committee called for John Wayne Airport to remain at its present livel of passenger service. All forecasts of the airport's capability reveal that John Wayne Airport can serve only a small portion of the Orange County air travel demands. B -2 LIMITATIONS OF JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT AND PROMOTION OF A NEW REGIONAL AIRPORT - Page Two John Wayne Airport is too small, too congested, and too troublesome to be expanded. Only 460 acres, the airport has little land available for auto parking and terminal facilities. The relatively short runway re- stricts medium -haul and long -haul flights. Crowded air traffic control facilities limit the usefulness of the airspace. The access roads to the airport are heavily congested and becoming more so each year. Nearby residential neighborhoods suffer unbearable noise impacts and cannot be expected to accept additional noise burdens. The physical limitations imposed by inadequate land area, overcongested ground access routes, overcrowded airspace, and heavily noise impacted nearby residential neighborhoods guarantee that John Wayne Airport can never serve the air travel needs of Orange County. Adopted - September 27, 1982 0 0 0