[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7815-7818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4204]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Tallahassee Regional
Airport, Tallahassee, FL
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the City of
Tallahassee, Florida, under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation
Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-193) and 14 CFR
Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of
Federal and non-Federal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52
(1980). On June 25, 1996, the FAA determined that
[[Page 7816]]
the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Tallahassee, Florida,
under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On
December 20, 1996, the Administrator approved the Tallahassee Regional
Airport noise compatibility program. Thirteen (13) of fifteen (15)
recommendations of the program were approved in full. Two
recommendations were partially approved.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the
Tallahassee Regional Airport noise compatibility program is December
20, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Tommy J. Pickering, P.E., Federal Aviation Administration, Orlando
Airports District Office, 5950 Hazeltine National Drive, Suite 400,
Orlando, Florida 32822-5024, (407) 812-6331, Extension 29. Documents
reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed at this same location.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for Tallahassee
Regional Airport, effective December 20, 1996.
Under Section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act
of 1979 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), an airport operator
who has previously submitted a noise exposure map may submit to the FAA
a noise compatibility program which sets forth the measures taken or
proposed by the airport operator for the reduction of existing
noncompatible land uses and prevention of additional noncompatible land
uses within the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act
requires such programs to be developed in consultation with interested
and affected parties including local communities, government agencies,
airport users, and FAA personnel.
Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance
with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 is a local program,
not a Federal program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for
that of the airport proprietor with respect to which measure should be
recommended for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of FAR Part
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards
expressed in Part 150 of the Act, and is limited to the following
determinations:
a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with
the provisions and procedures of FAR Part 150;
b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the
goals of reducing existing noncompatible land uses around the airport
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses;
c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types or classes of
aeronautical users, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or
intrude into areas preempted by the Federal government; and
d. Program measures relating to the use of flight procedures can be
implemented within the period covered by the program without derogating
safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the
navigable airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator
prescribed by law.
Specific limitations with respect to FAA's approval of an airport
noise compatibility program are delineated in FAR Part 150, Section
150.5. Approval is not a determination concerning the acceptability of
land uses under Federal, state, or local law. Approval does not by
itself constitute an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures
may be required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an
environmental assessment of the proposed action. Approval does not
constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the
implementation of the program nor a determination that all measures
covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid funding from the
FAA. Where Federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must
be submitted to the FAA Airports District Office in Orlando, Florida.
The City of Tallahassee, Florida, submitted to the FAA on June 4,
1996, updated noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study
conducted from January 3, 1994 through May 30, 1996. The Tallahassee
Regional Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in
compliance with applicable requirements on June 25, 1996. Notice of
this determination was published in the Federal Register.
The Tallahassee Regional Airport study contains a proposed noise
compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from
the date of study completion to the year 2001. It was requested that
FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise compatibility program
as described in Section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began its review of
the program on June 25, 1996, and was required by a provision of the
Act to approve or disapprove the program within 180 days (other than
the use of new flight procedures for noise control). Failure to approve
or disapprove such program within the 180-day period shall be deemed to
be an approval of such program.
The submitted program contained fifteen (15) proposed actions for
noise mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review
and determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the
Act and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program,
therefore, was approved by the Administrator effective December 20,
1996.
Outright approval was granted for thirteen (13) of the fifteen (15)
specific program measures. Two (2) measures were partially approved.
The approval action was for the following program measures:
[[Page 7817]]
Operational Controls
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Operational control number Description NCP pages
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1............................ Balance the air carrier and military jet departure Pgs. 35-36; p. 12; and Table
activity on Runways 27 and 36 (approximately 40 14.
percent of the departure activity on each runway)
to reduce noise exposure north of the airport.
Departure activity on other runways should remain
the same as the current conditions. This measure
recommends a modification of Air Traffic Control
procedures to increase the use of Runway 27
departures of air carrier and military jet
activity to approximately 40 percent and to reduce
departure of these aircraft to approximately 40
percent on Runways 36. For military jet
departures, approximately 40 percent of these
represent touch and go activity and would need to
remain on Runway 36. The remaining military jet
activity would be assigned to the same as the
proposed air carrier activity. Other aircraft
runway utilization would remain the same as the
current condition. This would reduce noise
exposure on sensitive areas north of the Airport
and reduce the number of impacts within their 65
DNL contour by 53 people. FAA Action: Approved as
a voluntary measure.
2............................ This measure recommends the implementation of a Pgs. 36-37; Table 14; and AC
``close-in'' departure procedure for Runways 36 91-53.
and 09 and a ``distant'' departure for Runway 18
based on Advisory Circular 91-53A. This will
increase aircraft altitude over noise sensitive
areas south of the Airport and reduce noise levels
in residential areas north and east of the
Airport. FAA Action: Approved as a voluntary
measure.
3............................ This measure recommends that when precision Pg. 37 and Table 14.
approach Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology becomes available, a GPS should be
installed and alternative approach procedures to
Runway 27 should be reviewed to determine if
approach track modifications are warranted. This
will provide for future flexibility in reducing
arrival noise to areas east of the Airport. FAA
Action: Approved in part. FAA approves the review
of alternative approach procedures to Runway 27 to
determine if approach track modifications are
warranted for noise benefits when precision
approach GPS technology becomes available. The
airport operator may submit supplemental
information, including the noise benefits, upon
completion of its review and may request approval
under Part 150 of specified approach procedures to
be used. However, the installation of a GPS under
Part 150 is disapproved. The primary benefits of a
GPS would be related to a development upgrade
rather than noise benefits. This does not prevent
the installation of a GPS outside of Part 150.
4............................ This measure supports the Federal legislation for Pg. 37 and Table 14.
the phase-out of Stage 2 aircraft by the year
2000. The phase-out of Stage 2 aircraft will
reduce the impact of aircraft noise on areas
surrounding the Airport. FAA Action: Approved as
an expression of airport operator support for the
Federal transition sechedule.
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Land Use Measures
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Land use control number Description NCP pages
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1............................ This measure recommends that current zoning for the Pg. 42-43; Exhibit 12; and
City of Tallahassee and Leon County be amended to Tables 13 & 15.
implement noise overlay zoning to supplement the
underlying zoning categories. Overlay Zone 1
should be associated with the 60 DNL contour and
Zone 2 should be associated with the 65 DNL
contour using identifiable features to define the
limits. Generally, residential uses, churches,
hospitals and schools would be excluded from the
65 DNL contour and consideration would be given to
precluding the location of additional mobile homes
from the 60 DNL contour and above. This could
preclude the potential for future incompatible
development in areas subject to overflight and
noise exposure. FAA Action: Approved.
2............................ It is recommended that current zoning for the City Pgs. 43-44; Exhibits 11 and
of Tallahassee and Leon County be changed to 13; and Tables 13 & 15.
designate land north of the Airport, east of Sand
Road, West of Capitol Circle S.W., and south of
S.R. 20 for future compatible forms of commercial
and industrial development; and to designate land
north of S.R. 20, west of Capitol Circle S.W.,
south of Gum Road and east of a north-south line
situated approximately 3,600 feet west of Capitol
Circle S.W. for low density residential
development. This would preclude the potential for
future incompatible development in areas subject
to overflight and noise exposure. FAA Action:
Approved in part. The portion of this
recommendation related to any new residential
development, regardless of density, does not meet
Part 150 approval criteria to prevent the
introduction of noncompatible land uses and is
disapproved. This disapproval for purposes of Part
150 is not intended to discourage planning efforts
to reduce the potential for future noncompatible
land uses.
3............................ It is recommended that existing building codes for Pgs. 44-45 and Tables 13 &
the City of Tallahassee and Leon County be amended 15.
to require soundproofing in new residential and
noise sensitive institutional land uses (churches,
hospitals, etc.) that may occur within the
composite current and future 65 DNL noise
contours. This addresses noise impacts which may
occur on new noise sensitive uses in undeveloped
areas. The application of these standards should
only impact vested residential lots or parcels
available for development, and only if the
acquisition program proposed is not implemented.
FAA Action: Approved. Sound attenuation consistent
with Part 150 Table 1 will make these structures
compatible. The FAA believes that the prevention
of additional residential land uses within the DNL
65dB contour is highly preferred over allowing
such uses even at lower densities and combined
with sound attenuation. The airport operator and
local land use jurisdiction are urged to pursue
all possible avenues to discourage new residential
development within these levels of noise exposure.
4............................ It is recommended that the City of Tallahassee and Pgs. 47-48 and Tables 13 &
Leon County amend the current Tallahassee-Leon 15.
County Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the
recommendations of the updated FAR part 150 Noise
Compatibility Study into the provisions of their
planning document. This would identify noise and
land use compatibility areas within the aircraft
noise impact areas. FAA Action: Approved.
[[Page 7818]]
5............................ It is recommended that procedures be implemented to Pg. 48 and Tables 13 & 15.
factor noise compatibility considerations into the
project review process of local planning
commissions, Boards of Adjustment and staff review
of land development proposals. This measure would
include the development of specific checklist
items relating to issues of noise compatibility
and a map showing the area where noise
compatibility issues are critical. FAA Action:
Approved.
6............................ It is recommended that the Broadmoor Estates Mobile Pgs. 50-51; Exhibit 13; and
Home Park be considered for voluntary fee simple Tables 13 & 15.
acquisition and the present occupants be relocated
to other compatible locations not impacted by
aircraft related noise. This would remove
approximately 210 residences (incompatible land
uses) from high noise contour areas. FAA Action:
Approved.
7............................ It is recommended that a voluntary purchase program Pgs. 49-52; Exhibit 13; and
be implemented for the acquisition of all 52 Tables 13 & 15.
existing single-family residential units in The
Cascades, depending upon the extent of
neighborhood disruption, and 17 existing
predominantly mobile homes located near the
eastern terminus of Sullivan Road. This would
remove these residences from high noise contour
areas. FAA Action: Approved as a voluntary measure.
8............................ Acquisition is recommended for three parcels of Pgs 52-53; Exhibit 13; and
undeveloped land located almost entirely within Tables 13 & 15.
the 65dB contour: west of Capitol Circle S.W.,
south of Jackson Bluff Road, and north of Lake
Cascade that has the potential for residential
development. This will provide positive control
over land use within high noise contour areas or
land available for potential residential
development. FAA Action: Approved. This measure is
subject to a determination at the time of
implementation that the purchase is necessary to
prevent new noncompatible development because
noncompatible development on the vacant land is
highly likely and local land use controls will not
prevent such development.
9............................ It is recommended that as a final option, owners of Pgs. 53-54; Exhibit 13; and
noise impacted property who either opt not to Tables 13 & 15.
participate in the voluntary purchase program, or
whose dwellings are not technologically or
financially feasible to undergo soundproofing will
be offered the opportunity to sell an avigation
easement to the airport. The avigation easement
purchase offer will be made only after the
completion of the voluntary purchase program and
the residential soundproofing program is
completed. This will provide protection to the
airport from litigation and will provide
notification to future residents of noise
exposure. FAA Action: Approved.
10........................... It is recommended that soundproofing should be Pgs. 54-55; Exhibit 13; and
offered as an option to owners of permanent Tables 13 & 15.
residential structures located within the DNL 65dB
voluntary purchase areas, if in doing so, it is
both technologically feasible and cost efficient.
The soundproofing option would not commence until
completion of the voluntary acquisition program.
Mobile homes would not be eligible. This would
address impacts on existing residences and result
in notification of future residents of noise
impacts. In exchange for the soundproofing, the
residents will be required to dedicate an easement
and nonsuite covenant to the airport. FAA Action:
Approved.
11........................... It is recommended that the City of Tallahassee and Pg. 46 and Tables 13 & 15.
Leon County should continue practicing
environmental land use controls during their
development review process. This supports the
prohibition of residential land use within noise
impacted portions of the study area. FAA Action:
Approved.
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These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on December 20, 1996. The Record
of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the documents
comprising the submittal, are available for review at the FAA office
listed above and at the administrative office of the City of
Tallahassee, Florida.
Issued in Orlando, Florida on February 4, 1997.
Charles E. Blair,
Manager, Orlando Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 97-4204 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
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