HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-01; McClellan-Palomar Airport Update (Districts - All); Haber, JasonCouncil Memo -McClell an-Palomar Airport Update (Districts -All)
August 1, 2024
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Prior to approving any code amendments, the city must refer the proposed land use actions to
different agencies and provide for a public review period.
1. The city must refer the proposed code amendments to the region's Airport Land Use
Commission (ALUC) for a determination of consistency with the Airport Land Use
Compatibility Plan (ALUCP). The city submitted an application to the ALUC on May 20, 2024.
As of this writing, city staff are still awaiting comments from the ALUC (see Section 2,
below). Per state law, the ALUC must take final action on the city's request by August 16,
2024, or the request will automatically be deemed approved.
2. The city must also refer the proposed land use actions to California Native American tribes.
The city submitted notification letters to 32 local tribes on May 20, 2024. Two tribes
responded and requested consultation. As of this writing, both tribal consultation requests
remain open and active.
3. Prior to approving any code amendments, the city must also refer the proposed land use
actions to regional and state agencies and provide notice of availability to the public.
Notices were sent to regional and state agencies, including the County of San Diego, on
May 20, 2024. A Public Notice of Availability of proposed Local Coastal Program
Amendments (LCPA) was issued, which opened a six -week public review period that ran
from May 21, 2024, through July 8, 2024. During the public review period, the County of
San Diego's Land Use and Environmental Group and Department of Public Works both
responded and submitted public comment. The city also received comments from C4FA.
Once all public comments are received, staff will work through issues, responses, and develop
options on how best to move forward with the code amendments. It is anticipated that this
process will take a couple of months. City staff continues to meet every two weeks with C4FA
representatives and staff has indicated that it is a priority to complete the work program and
target hearing dates before the Planning Commission and City Council by t he end of the year.
2. San Diego County Regional Airport Authority: Airport Land Use Commission -July 11, 2024
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Authority) is an independent agency charged
with managing the day-to-day operations of San Diego International Airport (SAN) and
addressing the region's long-term air transportation needs. The Authority has three main
responsibilities:
• Operate San Diego International Airport;
• Plan for the future air t ransportation needs of the region; and
• Serve as the region's Airport Land Use Commission -and ensure the adoption of land use
plans that protect public health and safety surrounding all 16 of the county's airports.
Council Memo -McClellan-Palomar Airport Update (Districts -All)
August 1, 2024
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As mentioned above, on May 20, 2024, the city submitted the draft amendments to the ALUC for
an ALUCP consistency determination. On June 18, 2024, ALUC staff issued the attached letter
(Attachment A) indicating that the proposed changes were found to be "consistent with the
McClellan-Palomar Airport ALUCP." The letter further stated that "the [consistency
determination would] be reported to the ALUC to confirm [ ... ] at its public meeting on July 11,
2024. The determination of consistency will be final as of that meeting, unless the ALUC finds
cause to delay such action, in which case a determination will be rendered within 60 days of the
date of this letter[ ... ]."
On July 11, 2024, the McClellan-Palomar Airport ALUCP Consistency Determination was pulled
from the ALUC Consent Agenda for discussion. After a motion to approve failed due to lack of a
second, a motion to continue the item to a date prior to August 16, 2024, that is convenient to a
quorum of the Airport Land Use Commission carried by a vote of 7-1.
At this time, the ALUC has not scheduled the item to be re-heard. Should the ALUC fail to act on
the item prior to August 16, 2024, the consistency determination will be deemed approved.
Regardless of the ALU C's next steps, city staff remain optimistic that the necessary review and
approvals by the city and other reviewing agencies can be secured for transmittal to the
California Coastal Commission prior to the end of 2024.
3. San Diego County Palomar Airport Advisory Committee: American Airlines -July 18, 2024
The San Diego County Palomar Airport Advisory Committee (PAAC) advises the San Diego County
Board of Supervisors and the County Chief Administrative Officer on matters related to
McClellan-Palomar Airport. Item 10 on the Committee's July 18, 2024, agenda was to consider an
"American Airlines Lease Agreement."
Proposed lease terms:
-Two-year term: Feb. 2025 -Feb. 2027
-Lease premises: 260 sf office and 50 sf ticket counter and kiosk area
-Use of passenger terminal, parking facilities and aircraft ramp space
American Airlines is expected to offer two flights per day from Carlsbad to Phoenix, AZ, utilizing a
76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights are anticipated to depart Carlsbad at 6:15 a.m. (during the
San Diego County's recommended (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) voluntary quiet hours for jet aircraft) and
at an evening time to be determined.
The San Diego County staff-recommended motion was that: "Palomar Airport Advisory
Committee recommends that the County Board of Supervisors approve the proposed lease with
American Airlines;" however, after discussion and public comment the item was continued to the
Committee's next meeting on September 19, 2024.
Council Memo -McClellan-Palomar Airport Updat e (Districts -All)
August 1, 2024
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Regardless of the Committee's ultimate recommendation regarding the lease, San Diego County
staff indicated the matter would be presented to the County Board of Supervisors at a future
meeting to:
1. Approve the proposed lease;
2. Amend or rescind County Board Policy F-44, or exempt the American Airlines
operations from the policy, which states: "Scheduled commuter airline operations are
limited to aircraft having 70 seats and meeting the approach speed and wingspan
categories for McClellan-Palomar Airport in accordance with FAA regulations;" and
3. Accept the CEQA determination.
Also of note, Carlsbad representative to the PAAC, Shirley Anderson, was elected to serve as Vice
Chair of the Committee at this meeting.
4. Efforts to Initiate a FAA Community Roundtable
To reduce aircraft noise impacts, the City Council, on February 13, 2024, directed staff to work
with San Diego County to request a FAA community roundtable to resolve differences between
the San Diego County's VNAP-recommended flight procedures and FAA flight control practices.
On March 27, 2024, the city requested that San Diego County "submit a proposal to the FAA to
convene a community roundtable aimed at addressing the growing community concerns
surrounding aircraft operations at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad."
On April 23, 2024, city staff received confirmation that San Diego County would attempt to
facilitate the city's request through Senators Butler and Padilla and Congressman Levin. San
Diego County Economic Development and Government Affairs department staff have been
leading the San Diego County effort.
During a recent update to city staff, San Diego County shared the following regarding next steps:
1. FAA representatives have confirmed that the decision and logistics of establishing a
community roundtable are entirely up to the county/airport operator.
2. Upon organizing and scheduling a community roundtable meeting(s), the organization
may invite an FAA representative(s) to participate.
3. As discussed in the attached community roundtable information sheet
(Attachment B), "the FAA[ ... ] may participate in roundtables [ ... ] to offer technical and
subject matter expertise on operational questions."
4. A roundtable may then elect to make formal recommendations to the FAA. "The FAA
looks to roundtables to make recommendations, ideally in coordination with the
Council Memo -McClellan-Palomar Airport Update (Districts -All)
August 1, 2024
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airport, because they have some recognition of the airspace operation and the impact
on the potentially affected communities."
5. The FAA takes these recommendations and raises them to the applicable FAA
organization, as a formal recommendation, following discussion and proper vetting.
6. After the FAA receives a formal recommendation for a change to a flight procedure or
a change to airspace operations, the FAA will determine if the recommendation is
feasible.
7. The information sheet describes the feasibility criteria and processes required to
complete an amendment, noting that these types of changes are likely to take several
years to implement.
Next Steps
Staff will remain engaged throughout the next steps on each of these items and will provide
future updates to City Council.
Attachments:
A. ALUC Consistency Determination Letter -July 18, 2024
B. FAA Community Roundtable Information Sheet
cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
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Attachment A
June 18, 2024
Mr. Mike Strong
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, California 92008
Re: Airport Land Use Commission Consistency Determination -Amendments to General
Plan and Zoning Ordinance Governing Expansion of Airport Uses Related to
McClellan-Palomar Airport, City of Carlsbad
Dear Mr. Strong:
As the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for San Diego County, the San Diego County
Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) acknowledges receipt of an application for a
determination of consistency for the project described above. The area covered by this
project lies within the Airport Influence Area (AIA) for the McClellan-Palomar Airport -
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP).
ALUC staff has reviewed your application and accompanying materials and has determined
that it meets our requirements for completeness. In accordance with SDCRAA Policy 8.30
and applicable provisions of the State Aeronautics Act {Cal. Pub. Util. Code §21670-21679.5),
ALUC staff will report to the ALUC that the proposed project is consistent with the
McClellan-Palomar Airport ALUCP based upon the facts and findings summarized below:
(1) The project involves amendments to the City of Carlsbad General Plan and Zoning
Ordinance to specify and clarify policy objectives, code requirements, and permit review
procedures for new and expanded airport land uses on and around the property of
McClellan-Palomar Airport.
a) General plan amendments propose the following:
i. Specify as a policy statement City opposition to any changes to the
McClellan-Palomar Airport Master Plan that would increase the wingspan
or approach speed for the airfield or that would accommodate larger
aircraft than are currently in use at the airport such that the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) airport design classification would require
revision to anything other than a B-II Enhanced Alternative; and
ii. Specify definitions for "airport" and "airport expansion" congruent
respectively with the State Aeronautics Act definition of "airport" (Cal. Pub.
Util. Code §21013) and the standards of the Aeronautics Act which, if
exceeded, would require an amended Airport Permit from Caltrans Division
of Aeronautics (Cal. Pub. Util. Code §21661.6); and
iii. Require new or expanded "airport" uses to obtain a new or amended
conditional use permit; and
PO Box 82776
San Diego, CA 92138-2776
www.san.org/aluc
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iv. Permit "airport" uses only within the current boundary of McClellan-
Palomar Airport.
b) Zoning ordinance amendments propose the following:
i. Permit "airport" uses only by issuance of a new or amended conditional use
permit; and
ii. Amend the zoning on properties adjacent to McClellan-Palomar Airport to
remove "airport" as permissible uses, such that only the property within
the current boundary of McClellan-Palomar Airport as depicted in the city
zoning map would remain as permissible for "airport" uses.
(2) The ALUC does not exercise jurisdiction over operations of any airport, and its statutory
role and duty is to advise local agencies on the consistency of proposed projects within
the AIA of an adopted ALUCP (Cal. Pub. Util. Code §21674).
(3) The proposed project does not involve any actual development and, thus, would not
establish any use which would be incompatible within any ALUCP noise contours.
(4) The proposed project does not involve any actual development and, thus, would not
establish any use which would be incompatible within any ALUCP airspace protection
surfaces.
(5) The proposed project does not involve any actual development and, thus, would not
establish any use which would be incompatible within any ALUCP safety zones.
(6) The proposed project does not involve any actual development and, thus, would not
establish any use which would be incompatible within the ALUCP overflight notification
area.
(7) Therefore, the proposed project is consistent with the McClellan-Palomar Airport ALUCP.
(8) A determination of consistency is not a "project" as defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Cal. Pub. Res. Code §21065, and is not a
"development" as defined by the California Coastal Act, Cal. Pub. Res. Code §30106.
The information above will be reported to the ALUC to confirm this letter at its public
meeting on July 11, 2024. The determination of consistency will be final as of that meeting,
unless the ALUC finds cause to delay such action, in which case a determination will be
rendered within 60 days of the date of this letter, to be confirmed by additional
correspondence.
Any determination of consistency rendered by the ALUC is limited to the project plans and
descriptions submitted with the application and is not transferable to any revision of this or
any similar, future project involving a change in land use, in building or crane height, or in
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