Master Plan Update (pdf) - Lansing/Capital City Airport

Capital Region Airport Authority
Capital City Airport Master Plan Update
variables such as the physical configuration of the airfield, the level of aircraft operations, and the
type of aircraft which characteristically use the airport.
Taken individually or as a cumulative effect, the proposed near-term projects should present no
significant impact on noise; however, there is one notable exception. The expansion of the Cargo
Facilities will occur commensurate with an increase in cargo activity. The nature of cargo
operations tends to be during nighttime hours, thus having more significant noise impacts than
operations occurring during daylight hours.
The Authority recently completed a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 150 Study for the
Capital City Airport. The FAR Part 150 Noise Study provides the opportunity for aviation
representatives, local government officials and the public to address aircraft noise and land use
compatibility issues related to Capital City Airport. The study estimates existing and future (fiveyear)
levels of aircraft noise exposure using methods approved by the FAA. Further information
regarding the noise impacts associated with the near-term proposed development is contained
within the FAR Part 150 Noise Study.
2. Land Use Compatibility
An important factor to be considered in the development of the Airport is the compatibility of the
airport development plans with adjacent off-airport land uses and land use plans. A prime factor in
land use planning is the ability for an airport to expand to meet increased demand without
infringing upon airport neighbors’ property requirements. Generally, the primary sources of conflict
between airports and adjacent non-airport land uses are aircraft noise and development
restrictions based on FAR Part 77 Imaginary Surfaces.
FAR Part 150 provides guidelines for land use compatibility around airports. Residences and
community facilities, such as schools, churches and hospitals, are generally considered to be
incompatible with noise levels of 65 DNL (Day-Night Average Sound Level) and greater.
Agricultural, commercial and industrial land uses are generally considered compatible with aircraft
noise levels exceeding 65 DNL.
As land use compatibility is largely determined by the types of land uses which occur, or are
permitted to occur, in the vicinity of an airport, the Part 150 Study examines existing land use,
planned land use, and zoning in the vicinity of the Airport to determine the existing and anticipated
impacts of airport development on off-airport land uses.
The FAR Part 77 Imaginary Surfaces for a civil airport, such as Capital City Airport, consist of a
series of imaginary planes extending outward and upward from the runway surfaces. The purpose
of identifying these “imaginary surfaces” is to delineate the area required for the safe operation of
aircraft during instrument meteorological condition (IMC). Objects which penetrate these Imaginary
Surfaces generally represent a hazard to the safe operation of aircraft and should be mitigated. To
the extent that a penetration cannot be mitigated, the penetrating object should be marked and
lighted in accordance with the FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1K, Obstruction Marking and
Lighting.
The Part 77 Imaginary Surfaces for the existing airfield configuration at Capital City Airport are
presented in Chapter 6 of this Master Plan Update, Airport Layout Plan.
3. Social Impacts
Airport development affects the natural environment as well as the human social environment.
This section describes what, if any, adverse impacts the proposed alternatives have on the human
Environmental Evaluation 5-3 Final