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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-HFAC-rpt.pdf .1""*".. SFt.Errr4EN -A )9, JAN 41182 TO. Alfred Busa, Chairman, and members of the Board of Selectmen FROM: Jacquie Smith, Representative to the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission RE: The 1982 Business Plan for Hanscom Field At their Nov. 19 Board Meeting, the Massport Board voted (1) to prepare an annual business plan- for Hanscom covering the ensuing 1 to 2 years and submit it p.- to the HFAC for review, (2) to conduct jointly with the HFAC a review of the Noise Rules during the first half of 1982, and (3) to establish a data collection and management system which will be the basis of annual review of "the effect of fleet mix and operations on the noise environment" in the surrounding communities. (A copy of the full vote is attached. ) This commitment by the MPA Board is a significant action, particularly since the Board vote was unanimous. It is the only assurance we have that we will continue to be informed and be able to react to developments at Hanscom in the next few years. Another reassuring fact is that Chairman Robert Weinberg will continue in office for another 22 years. He is sympathetic to community concerns and has assured HFAC that our concerns will be heard and considered. THE 1982 BUSINESS PLAN This annual review of the Hanscom business plan gives each community a chance to react knowledgeably to developments as they are proposed and, hopefully, to influence the choice of development options. MPA's financial goal is to make Hanscom a "break-even" operation after years of running in the red. (I won't debate here the accounting methodology MPA should use to set up its books, i.e. , treating Hanscom as either a separate transportation facility or as the general aviation reliever field for Logan. This issue may become important over time if development pressures become too intense. ) With this stated MPA goal in mind it would seem wise for the towns to support those elements in the plan which will be good revenue generators for MPA but with minimum noise and traffic impacts for the towns. I am enclosing a complete copy of the plan for your review, and have listed briefly below the elements in this year's plan. It should be noted that all development projects listed will require an environmental review at the time they are actually proposed so the towns will have the opportunity to comment specifically on details of each project. This particular review should be used to express over-all concerns or support for the whole plan - or for elements of it - and for formation of town policies toward development at Hanscom in general . 14, ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN #1 -- The most immediate project for consideration is purchase of the Dalli property on Old Bedford Rd. near the entrance to Hanscom Field. An ENF is out on this purchase now with comments due to MEPA by Jan. 13. HFAC has not taken a formal position on this purchase. The ENF notes that this is part of MPA's policy of establishing a transition or buffer zone between the field and residential areas HFAC supports this policy but the HFAC community representatives would like to have a covenant from MPA covering these properties stating that the land be used as a buffer - not for airport related uses and that its use compatible with the prevailing character of the neighborhood. From Lexington's perspective I would recommend that we support in principal the purchase of property suitable for a transition zone as long as (1) the sellers are willing sellers; (2) the use of the property will conform to local zoning regulation; (3) the property will not be used for airport related activity; and (4) that the property will not be allowed to deteriorate to the detriment of the neighborhood. #2 - The next most immediate project on the list will probably be a restaurant situated near Hartwell Road in Bedford. Negotiations are almost complete on this enterprise. There seems no reason to oppose this revenue generator unless the Town of Bedford raises some. 3# - The _FAkplans to build a flight service facility on MPA property at the intersection of Old Bedford Road and Hanscom Drive within a few years. During an ENF review last year the main concern expressed by the communities was the probable increase in traffic of up to 100 cars a day from this facility. However, with the development explosion on Virginia Road, Concord, the aggressive development projects on Air Force land, and our own Marrett Road development proposals, the FAA contribution to traffic congestion seems inconsequential . The service is "handy" although not vital to have adjacent to an airfield and the aviation community is anxious to have it sited at Hanscom. I see no reason to object in light of the above. #4 - Landing fees for aircraft over 10,000 lbs. This fee would be used in part to help fund the cost of the annual noise review. It would not apply to small private planes - but to corporate aircraft in general . The HFAC aviation members have not made their position available to the Commission as yet. Therefore, I would recommend ( o position at this time although the fees collection mechanism is a good way to collect data on noise and to pay for that collection. #5 - Fueling rights, T-hangar rental , terminal space rental , East Coast Aerotech rates are all MPA management decisions on which I assume the towns do not wish to comment. #6 - The major development issue for the towns 15 element #3 of the plan - promotion of potential corporate tenants, i .e. , hangared corporate jets. Even with the noise rule restrictions against "noisy jets" most jets are noisier than the small training planes which were prevalent at Hanscom until recently. The impact of increased jet traffic can be quantified in terms of noise through the annual noise review process.However, it is obvious that only a modest growth in jet traffic can take place before noise levels begin to rise. HFAC has been assured that although corporate tenants are a very lucrative source of revenue, economic factors preclude rapid growth in this area. I would recommend that we ask MPA to move very slowly on this element of the plan so that adverse impacts (if any) can be picked up in the annual noise review Once you have had an opportunity to read and discuss the business plan and this report, I would appreciate your direction in responding to the plan for the Town of Lexington OTHER ISSUES Two other major events are on the HFAC agenda for 1982. #1 - The Noise Rule Review MPA consultants and staff will complete a draft analysis of the current data and a draft methodology for an annual review of this material by March 16. The issue of whether changes to the Noise Rules are needed or not will then have to be addressed. #2 - In July Governor King will make his fourth appointment to the MPA Board. It is generally assumed that this will result in a total turn-over in staff -- a staff which I noted earlier has been most receptive to community concerns and needs as well as very professional in their approach to problems. Is there anything that you as a Board can do to forestall this change-over -- or at least put Lexington on record as in support of an administration that has community needs as one of its major priorities? The Original Hanscom Task Force was brought into being because the towns were completely shut out of planning at Hanscom. Through the past seven years an open and effective process has been developed between Massport and our communities. I think it is of major importance to Lexington that we do all we can to insure that there is no step backward from the present open relationship between Hanscom°s proprietor and the towns impacted by Hanscom operations.