Fernandina Beach approves Airport Master Plan 5-0

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

October 1, 2015 5:15 p.m.

At a Special Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) on September 29, 2015, commissioners and the public viewed the final product of a 10 month-long, publicly noticed planning process to update the Airport Master Plan, last updated in 1990. Passero Associates prepared this lengthy, detailed study under grants provided by FAA and FDOT and with broad community input from the 28-member Airport Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee (AMPTAC). The AMPTAC was established solely for this effort and consisted of members with both aeronautical and non-aeronautical backgrounds with a variety of ties to the Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island community.

After a lengthy presentation and little discussion—other than thanking the consultants and committee members--the FBCC approved the plan on a 5-0 vote. The plan will now go to the FAA and FDOT for their review and approval.

City Manager Joe Gerrity began the meeting with some comments. “This is not the city manager’s vision for the airport,” he said. “This is not Passero’s vision for the airport, nor is it the city airport manager’s vision. This is a vision that has been developed by the community.” Gerrity explained the outreach efforts made to include airport neighbors, hospitality representatives and others.

Theresa Prince and Andrew Holesko explain the process leading to the creation of the Airport Master Plan.

Andrew Holesko (Passero Associates Program Manager) and Theresa Prince (AMPTAC Chair) jointly introduced the plan to the FBCC. Holesko stressed that during every meeting there was a clear focus on the airport as a community asset. He said that the advisory committee comments were supportive of the technical discussion, and that committee members asked tough questions. Holesko pointed to Prince and said that on occasion, “Theresa got mad at me, made us change some things in the interests of the community.” He concluded by saying, “I think we’ve got a very good master plan that still keeps that essence of a community airport, and that the plan fits what the airport and the community would like.”

Theresa Prince stresses community involvement in developing the plan.

Theresa Prince explained the efforts the AMPTAC made to publicize its meetings, focus, deliberations and work product. She explained that the group took pains to avoid misleading words like “expansion.” She said that she was disappointed that it was not always well attended, although some meetings were very well attended. She spoke about the wide range of background of the people who attended meetings, ranging from airport neighbors with no real knowledge of airport operations to highly knowledgeable airport operations professionals. “Everyone was listened to,” she said. “Every time we tried to get a consensus before we moved on. We attempted to get as much input as possible before bringing this item to you.”

Zach Nelson presents plan highlights to the FBCC.

Zach Nelson, Senior Aviation Planner for Passero Associates provided an overview of the highlights of the lengthy master plan document. Nelson explained the nature of a master plan and that it is a federal and state requirement for every airport to insure that proper planning and funding strategies are in place.

Although master plan updates are required every 5-10 years, the age of the Fernandina Airport Plan (25 years) meant that in effect the “update” was a new plan. The new plan takes the airport vision out to 2035.

Master plan development consists of three phases: investigation, recommendation and implementation. Also included are environmental review, the development of an airport layout plan and the capital improvement plan.

Nelson showed commissioners areas within the current airport property footprint that could be used for future commercial development in future years, as well as some proposed changes in taxiway configurations and runway lengths. Also identified was a need for a road on the west side of the airport in order to access upland airport property there. The critical aircraft for the airport is and will remain the Gulfstream G-IV. This is a corporate jet, the largest aircraft making regular use of the airport. There are no plans to increase the size of the aircraft that might be accommodated at the airport.

Capital improvement plans call for an investment of $9M to make improvements over the next 5 years. However, Nelson stressed that the noise level will remain the same, with the highest volume contained within the airport property.

AAC Chair Richard Gray speaks on behalf of the airport master plan.

Richard Gray, who chairs the city’s Airport Advisory Commission (AAC), informed the FBCC that AAC representatives had attended all meetings, and that the meeting format was open. “They did not do it in the dark,” he said. He thanked Passero Associates and the AMPTAC for their work. He advised commissioners that in considering matters relating to the airport in the future, they should ask themselves two questions first: Did the matter first go to the AAC for consideration? And is the matter part of the airport master plan?”

No one from the public spoke against adopting the plan as presented.

To view the entire presentation, visit http://www.fbfl.us/index.aspx?nid=815">click here, click on blue "Recorded City Commission Meetings," click on "Special Meeting, Sept 29"

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.