TEXT OF THE LETTER SENT MARCH 2, 2007

It has come to my attention that there is an encroachment/safety issue concerning the Nut Tree "Phase II" project and the Nut Tree Airport. I have enclosed several documents for your evaluation of this problem.

The current building plan by the Snell Group involves buildings that are placed within the runway protection zone (RPZ). The Runway protection zone is an area "off the end of the runway that serves to enhance the protection of people and property on the ground" in the event an aircraft lands or crashes beyond the runway end.

Compatible land use within the RPZ is generally restricted to such uses as agricultural, golf course, and similar uses which do not involve congregations of people or construction of buildings. Traditionally, land uses prohibited in the RPZ are: residences and places of public assembly, (churches, schools, hospitals, office buildings, shopping centers, and other uses with similar concentrations of persons).>

The first document is the Nut Tree Airport Land Use map with overlay of the Nut Tree Properties in Red (item 1). This clearly shows that the north-west portion of the development does encroach on the Runway Protection Zone.

The other documents are FAR Part 77. One of the functions of these reports is to "allow the FAA to identify potential aeronautical hazards in advance thus preventing or minimizing the adverse impacts to the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace." The four FAR Part 77 documents show present, interim and future plans for runway approaches and Runway Protection Zones. All 4 documents show the potential encroachment by the Snell Nut Tree Phase II plan.

I would invite you to consider the public safety issues concerning this project. This is the time to look at alternatives to the Snell proposed building plans. The Nut Tree Airport is a wonderful asset to our community. Continued encroachment on the airport and it’s designed safety plans will only decrease it’s value. More important is the risk due to inappropriate land use around it’s runways.

Sincerely,

 

David Aronson

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airport Network Volunteer

Cc:

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NOTE:  THE ITEMS BELOW REQUIRE ADOBE ACROBAT READER.

Item 1, (Land Use map with overlay, Oct 2, 2006)

Item 2. Part 77 Present

Item 3. Part 77 Interim

Item 4. Part 77 Assumes Proposed Approach expansion

Item 5. Part 77 Future Runway Protection Zone as described in Airport Master Plan

Item 6. Part 77 Future Surfaces as described in Airport Master Plan

 

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