T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation4.3 Compatible Land UseThis section summarizes of the methodology of the land use inventory and briefly describes existing land useconditions, including land use compatibility and zoning within the Project and Study Areas.4.3.1 MethodologyLand use compatibility is defined by the FAA in 14 CFR 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, as the “use ofland that is identified as normally compatible with the outdoor noise environment.” 164 Baseline Condition landuses and zoning within the Study Area were identified using the Rhode Island Geographic Information System(RIGIS) and parcel-level information provided by the City of Warwick Planning Department and City of CranstonPlanning Department. Field surveys and review of aerial photographs were used to confirm and update land useswithin the Study Area. U.S. Census Bureau information and City of Warwick Chamber of Commerce maps providedadditional information for the base map, such as roads, road names, public buildings, and land uses. Meetings wereheld with municipal planning departments to collect and further verify data. The Study Area for the compatible landuse assessment is the same as the Noise Study Area.A detailed noise analysis and land use compatibility assessment for the Baseline Condition was undertaken in orderto identify areas of existing non-compatible land uses within the Study Area based on criteria established by the FAAand HUD (i.e., land uses exposed to noise at or above DNL 65 dB). The FAA and HUD established the threshold ofland use compatibility at DNL 65 dB based on a nation-wide survey that measured public responses to aircraft noise,165,166in particular levels of annoyance in relation to aircraft noise. Several land use categories (residential, schools,outdoor music shells, etc.) are not considered to be compatible with noise levels of DNL 65 dB or higher. Where thecommunity determines that these uses must be allowed within the DNL 65 dB, the FAA recommends that a “noiselevel reduction” (NLR) be implemented to achieve compatible noise levels in new construction. Noise attenuationmeasures such as sound insulation, which reduce the noise level by 25, 30, or 35 DNL, must be implemented in thedesign and/or construction of a structure. Commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses, however, are considered tobe compatible with all noise levels and do not require NLR measures.Local and state land use plans were collected and analyzed in accordance with Section 2 of theExecutive Order 12372 - Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. 167 The Executive Order requires the FAA toconsider any existing plans of public agencies in the area in which the Airport is located includingcomprehensive plans adopted by municipalities. 168 Only those promulgated plans that are reasonably consistentwith the City Comprehensive Plan and consistent with the State Guide Plan are applicable. Table 4-6 lists landuse plans applicable to the Study Area.164 14 CFR Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, paragraph 150.7.165 T.F. Green Airport Final 14 FAR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study, prepared by Landrum & Brown, April 2000.166 Environmental Criteria and Standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 24 CFRPart 51; 44 Federal Register 40861, Washington DC, 12 July 1979.167 Executive Order 12372 - Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, 47 Federal Register 30959 (July 14, 1982).168 The FAA does not have the jurisdiction to adopt, amend, or repeal local zoning ordinances, issue or deny building permits, and has no police powers withregards to local land use. The objective of the review of these plans is to determine if the action proposed in this FEIS is consistent with local, regional,and state plans for development and growth.Chapter 4 – Affected Environment 4-13 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH04_Affected_Env_JUL_2011.doc