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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationamendment to this Element 640. A public hearing was held on May 4, 2011 to receive public comments on theproposed new plan element. The proposed amendment to Element 640 represents RIAC’s plan for the stateairport system through the year 2021. The plan is applicable to facilities at Block Island (BID), Newport – RobertF. Wood (UUU), North Central (SFZ), Quonset (OQU), T. F. Green (PVD) and Westerly (WST). The proposedupdate inventories existing facilities and outlines enhancements that will be required for each airport tofunction within its designated role and to meet current and projected air transportation needs of the state inbalance with surrounding communities. The updated Plan “provides a valuable foundation for a balanced andintegrated system of airports with clearly defined roles developed in consideration of state, regional and localgoals and polices.” 314While the update of this element is not intended to recommend, support, or endorsespecific runway extension alternatives at T.F. Green Airport, it does support the EIS process as the appropriatevehicle to determine the preferred alternative. Alternatives B2 and B4 are consistent with the stated goals of the2010 State Guide Plan.5.4.5.2 Land Use 2025: Rhode Island’s State Land Use Policies and PlanThe purpose of the Rhode Island’s State Land Use Policies and Plan is to “guide and coordinate the land use plans andregulations of municipalities and State agencies and to direct good, strategic projects at both the State andmunicipal level.” 315 One of the land use policies related to airports is to “Develop land in the immediate vicinity ofairports in a manner that will be compatible with airport operations and to seek to minimize adverse impacts, ifany, to pre-existing land uses.” 316 Alternatives B2 and B4 are compatible with this land use policy because eachalternative supports the development of land that is compatible with airport operations. Through the previous,Current Part 150 , and Future Build VLAPs, noise impacts on residential areas bordering the Airport would beminimized.5.4.5.3 Warwick Station Redevelopment District Master PlanThe 1998 Warwick Station Redevelopment District Master Plan (WSRD Master Plan) includes recommendations thatsupport the long-term goals of T. F. Green Airport, including intermodal connection opportunities for“seamless” travel for airport customers. 317 Specific recommendations include construction of an automatedpeople mover with direct connection from the WSRD to the Airport across Post Road. At the time of this FEISfiling this intermodal facility has been realized (InterLink) and the City of Warwick is currently drafting anupdate to the WSRD Master Plan.5.4.5.4 Consistency with City of Warwick Comprehensive Plan and ZoningControlling land uses or changing zoning regulations lies under the jurisdiction of the City of Warwick through itsComprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, provided the comprehensive plan and ordinances are consistent withthe State Guide Plan. In general, the Improvement Program is reasonably consistent with the above-referenced landuse plans. RIAC has certified in a letter (included in Appendix C.6, RIAC Certifications and Assurances) that, as theairport sponsor, it has taken actions through zoning or other means to the extent reasonable to ensure the usesimmediately surrounding the Airport are compatible with airport operations.314 State of Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program, State Guide Plan Element 640: State of Rhode Island Airport System Plan Notice of Public Hearing,March 28, 2011.315 Rhode Island’s State Land Use Policies and Plan, p. v.316 Ibid, p. 2-12.317 Warwick Station Redevelopment District Master Plan, City of Warwick Planning Department and City of Warwick Department of Economic Development, July 1998.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-63 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc