HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 11/29/1988 EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , 1988 7 : 30 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7600 Executive Drive
COUNCIL MEMBERS : Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson,
George Bentley, Jean Harris, and
Patricia Pidcock
CITY COUNCIL STAFF : City Manager Carl J . Jullie, Assistant
to the City Manager Craig Dawson, City
Attorney Roger Pauly, Director of
Planning Chris Enger, Director of
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources
Robert Lambert, Director of Public
Works Eugene A. Dietz, and Recording
Secretary Deb Edlund
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL : All Members Present
I . APPEQVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER I TENS gF BUSINESS
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Pidcock moved, seconded by Harris to approve the Agenda as
published . Motion carried unanimously.
N BY M TROPOLITAN AIRPORTS CQtJN1gS1ON ON DRAFT
M 9TER PLAN FOR FLXING CL VD, AIRPORT
Members of MAC Present :
Mark Ryan, Airport Planner; Jim Fortman, Director of Airport
Development; Gary Schmidt, Manager of Reliever Airport
Systems; Greg Albjerg, representing the Consultant, Howard
Needles Tammen Bergendoff .
Albjerg stated that the presentation would be an update of the
Master Plan originally done in 1976 . Albjerg added that the
update was necessary due to the ongoing changes in aviation .
The following had been completed to update the Master Plan. 1 )
An inventory of existing conditions at the airport, 2) traffic
and forecasts to the year 2010, 3 ) facility requirements
determined based on the forecasts, and 4 ) alternatives
developed considering constrained and unconstrained
development . The number of flights had been steadily
increasing since 1982 . Albjerg stated that the unconstrained
forecast would be an Increase in the number of operations from
210, 000 currently to 390, 000 projected for the year 2010, with
the constrained forecast showing an increase to 255, 000 by the
year 2010 . The FAA projected an increase to 310,000 by the
City Council Minutes 2 November 29, 1988
year 2010 . The number of aircraft based at the airport would
Increase from 492 currently to 858 by the year 2010 . Albierg
stated that the majority of the air traffic would remain
single-engine-piston and multi-engine-piston planes; however,
there would be an increase in jet and turbo-prop operations .
Albjerg presented the following facility requirements, based
on the forecasts : 1 ) Increase the area for hanger storage from
the current 90 acres to 129 acres, and 2 ) the runway be
lengthened from the current 3900 feet to 5000 feet _ Six jets
currently use Flying Cloud Airport and were considered the
critical aircraft for the airport . The FAA planning criteria
stated that the critical aircraft should be the main concern
when planning an airport; therefore, a proposal resulted to
lengthen the runway. T:ie ideal runway length for a suall jet
would be 5500 feet; however, the State limit for the Flying
Cloud Airport was 5000 feet . Albjerg added that the jets
could only operate on a limited basis with the current runway
length of 3900 feet .
Albjerg outlined four alternatives for the building locations
and three alternatives for the runway length.
Albjerg stated that the noise levels appeared to be the major
concern of the residents . The noise contours were used to
evaluate the noise levels, based on the Ldn, or the average of
the noise generated over a year 's time . Albjerg explained the
four noise levels used by MAC and the appropriate land uses
for each level . The FAA and HUD consider any land use to be
compatible with a 65 Ldn noise level . The EPA documents
stated that 87% of all urban areas have an Ldn rating of 55 or
greater . Albjerg stated that the noise levels would increase.
however, based on the data collected, he did not believe the
Impact would be great because the increase would occur
gradually over the next 20 years .
Albjerg stated that the preferred alternative of the
Consultant would be Alternate A for the runway to 5000 feet
and Alternate 1 for the building location placing new hangers
to the north of the MAC property, immediately west of the
existing hangers and south of Pioneer Trail . He noted that
MAC had not stated a preference at this time .
Zoning Administrator Jean Johnson reported that the City had
received a number of letters regarding the proposed preferred
alternate presented by Howard, Needles, Tammen& Hergendorf .
The Planning Department found the preferred alternative to be
incompatible with surrounding land uses and the City's
Comprehensive Guide Plan for the six reasons outlined on Page
6 and 7 of the Staff Report dated October 26, 1988. A study
was currently being done for a proposed Minor Airport at a
location in the northwestern Hennepin County area, and Staff
believed this new airport would better serve the small jets
and corporate planes . Planning Staff believed that
City Council Minutes 3 November 29, 1988
Alternative C, the no-build alternative would respond well to
the majority of users at the airport and would adequately meet
the demands for the next 10 years or more . Johnson suggested
that the present hangers be rehabilitated prior to a new
hanger area being studied . The Flying Cloud Airport Advisory
Commission voted 3-2 to approve the recommendation of HNTB.
The Planning Commission had reviewed the documents and voted
7-0 to support the Planning Staff recommendation per the Staff
Report dated October 26, 1988 .
Lambert reported that this item was reviewed by the Parks,
Recreation a Natural Resources Commission at its November 7,
1989 meeting and voted 6-0 to support the Planning Staff 's
recommendation for the no-build alternative per the Staff a
Report dated October 26, 1988 .
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Bentley asked City Manager Jullie for clarification on what
action was expected of the City Council at this time . Jullie
replied that the purpose of the meeting tonight was to provide
a public forum for MAC to present its proposal . MAC would
then take the comments of the City Council, City Staff, and
the public under advisement. Jullie recommended that the
Council take the matter under advisement, allow time to review
the public 's comments, and review the legal rights of the
City. Bentley said that the City's position would only be
advisory and the Council did not have the authority approve or
deny. City Attorney Pauly replied that MAC had the authority
to adopt various regulatory ordinances; however, at the time
that the legislature gave authority to locate and site a new
major airport, there was a provision inserted in that
authority which permitted local regulation in the case of a
major airport . Pauly added that a major airport was one that
serves regularly scheduled flights : by definition, Flying
Cloud Airport would not be considered a major airport_ Pauly
believed that there was local authority. Pauly stated that
there were State provisions which provided for the development
of joint airport zoning boards, which stated that in the event
of a conflict between local regulations, other regulations,
and regulations imposed by a joint airport zoning board the
more restrictive regulation would prevail . Pauly suggested
seeking an opinion of the State Attorney General for the
interpretation of the provision.
Peterson suggested that after hearing all the information
presented the Council should consider one of three possible
actions : 1 ) no action, 2) defer action, and 3 ) take action
immediately.
Anderson stated that he was concerned because the airport
expansion was an important issue and he was not sure of where
the City stood and what rules needed to he followed. Pauly
replied that the purpose of tonight 's meeting was to gather
information, react, and comment regarding the information
presented .
City Council Minutes 4 November 29, 1988
Harris asked at what point in MAC' s process would the City
Council have an opportunity to react to the final proposal .
Jim Fortman concurred with City Attorney Pauly regarding the
purpose of tonight ' s meeting . He added that it did not
require Council action at this time . The next step for MAC
would be to hold a public hearing to bring out the issues, the
recommendation for a public hearing would be presented to the
Metropolitan Airports Commission on December 19, 1988 with the
actual hearing scheduled for sometime in January, after which
the information would be forwarded through the committee
process . The final recommendation would be considered by MAC
in March 1989 .
Bentley asked Fortman if the action by MAC would be to adopt
the favored alternative as part of the Master Plan, but any
actual development would require another plan . Fortman
concurred . Fortman added that additional public hearings
would be req;:ired .
Anderson asked Fortman if the flight data presented tonight
was prepared before or after action was taken at the major ='
airport to limit use by small aircraft . Anderson then asked
if MAC was actively attempting to direct the smaller aircraft
to the minor airports . Fortman replied that MAC owned 7
airports in the Metropolitan area; a major facility at MSP
International, an intermediate facility in St . Paul, and the
five minor facilities . Fortman added that the forecasts were
developed after MAC established the policy to encourage small
aircraft to use other facilities; however, there was nothing
in the forecast stating that a specific number of flights
would be directed to Flying Cloud Airport .
Peterson asked Schmidt if the evaluation summary had taken
into consideration the proposed land uses and safety zones
which are currently within the City's Comprehensive Guide
Plan . Schmidt replied that the noise zones where established
to let potential property owners know that a noise factor
would be expected for that property area . He added that 20
existing homes were located in Zone D; however, this study did
not project any potential new development . Schmidt said that
the City 's Comprehensive Guide Plan depicted safety zones;
however, as the Joint Zoning Board ceased in 1980, and there
were no established safety zones at Flying Cloud Airport .
Schmidt stated that Safety Zone A would suggest no residential
development (but possible be use for a park or a golf course ) ;
Safety Zone B would suggest 1 residential home per 3-acre lot .
Schmidt added that actual safety zones would not be determined
until a Joint Zoning Board was established to take action .
Pidcock asked Schmidt how recent were the data regarding the
number of homes in the noise evaluation study. Schmidt
replied that aerial photos had been taken in 1987 and a street
survey conducted in 1988 .
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City Council Minutes 5 November 29, 1988
Pidcock asked Fortman for clarification of MAC' s position
regarding the redirection of small aircraft traffic . Pidcock
commented that she understood that directing the small
aircraft to the outlying airports would have a negative affect
on areas around those airports . Fortman replied that the MAC
as a matter of policy was trying to encourage general aviation
to use facilities other than Wold Chamberlin Field . He added
that MAC had invested considerable money in the St . Paul-
Downtown Airport to encourage the business jets to use this
facility. Fortman said that in some instances it was
uneconomical for businesses to have the business jets at
outlying airports; depending on how the firms used their
aircraft . `
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Schmidt asked to respond to the Planning Staff ' s memo .
Schmidt stated that MAC disagreed with Staff 's comment that
the forecasts indicated that Flying Cloud Airport would be
adequate until 2003 . He said the current number of operations
was at 209, 000 , which was quickly closing in on the year 2003 f
prediction of 229, 000 .
Schmidt did not believe that rehabilitating the existing
hangers would provide additional hanger storage . He said the
existing hangers were designed to provide the most efficient
use of space possible and added that if the existing hangers
were rehabilitated using the current development standard of
larger single door hangers, there would be less density.
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Schmidt disagreed that developable acreage would be removed
from Zones A & B . He added that Zone A could be compatible
for park use and/or a golf course and that Zone B could be
guided for residential use . Schmidt stated that a Joint
Zoning Board would enact the guidelines .
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Schmidt believed that the concerns regarding the landfill and
the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge being incompatible were;
unfounded . He said that MAC had donated land to the US Fish
and Wildlife Refuge and noted that the land elevations tended
to keep the birds in the Refuge area and not affect the
aircraft . Schmidt said that the landfill was not currently in
operation and the FAA had not determined it necessary to take
action at this time to suspend operations of the landfill .
Schmidt concluded by stating that the flight patterns would
not change drastically from the existing patterns . The
Downtown-St . Paul Airport served the mix of corporate jets and
small-engine planes without any major difficulty and the MAC
team believed the same operation could occur at Flying Cloud
Airport . Schmidt did not view the mix of jets and small-
engine aircraft as a major safety issue .
Doug Fell, 10449 Huntington Drive, believed that the City
Q needed to weigh who made up the Flying Cloud Advisory
Commission and what its business relations were to Flying
City Council Minutes 6 November 29, 1988
Cloud Airport . Fell questioned the claims that the expansion
of Flying Cloud Airport would benefit Eden Prairie and added
the he had not seen any facts or figures to substantiate any
benefit to Eden Prairie . Fell asked MAC to comment on what
percentage of the flights at Flying Cloud Airport were
corporate business flights, a type which would contribute to
Eden Prairie 's success .
Fell stated that the noise studies had been conducted during
the week and asked if a further study would be done for the
weekend air traffic. Fell believed that the noise data
presented were inadequate and that the frequency of flights
should also be considered as a major factor .
Fell asked why Flying Cloud Airport was able to accommodate
440, 000 operations in 1968, yet MAC indicated that 1 the year
2013 the airport would not be able to accommodate 392,000 .
Fell believed that there was no true need for the expansion;
however, he also believed that the City or its residents '
comments would not have any effect if MAC wanted the airport
expanded .
Fell asked what the current weight class was for aircraft a
utilizing Flying Cloud Airport and how the weight limits would
be increased . He stated that Flying Cloud Airport was =.
currently classified as a small airport; however, it would
only take the action of the Legislature to change the
classification to a major airport . Fell concluded by stating
that he would not like to see this expansion as part of the °
Master Plan and added that the Eden Prairie Planning
Commission had voted for the denial of the plan .
Ron Funk, 13700 Theresa Place, stated that as a pilot and
owner of planes located at Flying Cloud Airport, he believed
that Flying Cloud Airport was good in its current state . Funk
added that Flying Cloud Airport was like a club, a place to
communicate with other pilots . Funk believed that special,
consideration regarding safety measures needed to be
considered when combining the small jets and the small-engine
planes .
Mary Jane Swanson, 9440 Eden Prairie Road, stated that she vas
concerned that the noise level studies were done before the
opening the ILS ( Instrument Landing System) . She believed
that the ILS system would drastically change the character of
Flying Cloud Airport . Swanson added that Flying Cloud Airport
could become a training field for the pilots which needed to
re-certify for instrument training. Swanson said that because
Flying Cloud Airport was a controlled field the pilots
considered it a safer field than the Lakeville Airport.
Swanson believed that a noise study should be conducted after
the ILS was installed .
Swanson asked if the projection for operations included
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City Council Minutes 7 November 29, 1988
training flights . She asked why MAC believed it was necessary
to house more aircraft when new airplane sales were at a
minimum . Swanson believed that the installation of the ILS
and the extension of the runway indicated the encouragement of
the turbine aircraft moving to Flying Cloud Airport . She
added that due to the minimal sales of the new turbine
aircraft the planes would be the older turbines, which were
noisier than the new models .
Kent Barker, 15801 Cedar Ridge Road, stated that he had served
on the original Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission,
which had been developed due to the noise disturbance to the
surrounding neighborhoods . Barker stated that the now-defunct
FTC wanted �o use Flying Cloud Airport as a touch-and-go
training area for jets . He added that MAC and the City of
Eden Prairie had worked jointly to block this use of Flying
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Cloud Airport . Barker said that an agreement had been made
reluctantly to increase the length of the runway to its
present length and to have some additional navigational
support . Barker said that MAC's rationale was that by
directing the traffic over the river it would decrease the
noise over the homes; however, the actual control over the
flight pattern still remained with the pilot . The noise level
regulations of FAR 36 for Flying Cloud Airport were the same
as those for JFK or O 'Hare MAC wanted heavier aircraft and
had agreed to a 20,000 pound gross limit; however, it had j
never been enforced. Barker added that at the time when the
heavier limits were permitted MAC agreed that it would not
request any further expansion of the limits and in fact had
indicated that the purchase of the Lakeville Airport would be
the airport of choice for the jet traffic due to the
convenience of ground transportation at I-35. The objective
of the Flying Cloud Airport Commission was to create a balance
between the businessmen in the community to help create a
better relationship between the community and the airport .
Barker questioned where the expansion would stop, it was now
considered that the proposed expansion was to accommodate the
critical aircraft, which were the 6 jets currently housed at
Flying Cloud Airport, but what will happen when heavier
aircraft is brought in, will further expansions again be
necessary.
Barker stated that MAC had said that there was no significant
impact to the residential area; however , on two separate
occasions noise level readings had been taken from his yard
which indicated noise levels which exceeded the acceptable
levels of MAC. He added that MAC had said these levels were
aberrations caused by inversions . Barker asked if the
residents of Eden Prairie, because it was considered a quiet
area, should be subject to the addition of aircraft noise
because Eden Prairie was not up to the acceptable noise level . P
Barker stated that another subject, which had not been
mentioned, was the helicopter traffic. He added there was no
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City Council Minutes 8 November 29, 1988
control over the flight patterns or the elevations of the
helicopters, which were very noisy. Barker also questioned
what the possible tax loss could be to the community if Flying
Claud Airport continued to buy up more and more land . Barker
questioned what the limits would be on night traffic at the
airport and would any regulations be enforced .
Barker concluded by stating that he lived as a neighbor to the
airport and did not have a problem with the airport as it was
originally intended to operate . Barker believed that the
community had given a great deal to the airport, but with the
proposed expansion questioned if Flying Cloud Airport would
continue to be a good neighbor in the community.
Dean Edstrom, 10133 Eden Prairie Road, stated that Mr . Barker
had addressed many of the points he had intended to make and
endorsed Barkers comments . Edstrom believed that Flying
Cloud Airport was to become a reliever for the International
Airport to solve MAC's problem of small jet aircraft at the
International Airport . He did not believe that this type of
aircraft would be compatible with a residential area . Edstrom
did not see any benefit to Eden Prairie . Edstrom believed
that there would be pressure from the businesses to bring the
small Jet aircraft to Eden Prairie rather than the St . Paul-
Downtown facility. He added that he considered this to be a
breach of an agreement . Edstrom believed that these issues
had all been resolved with the agreement made years ago that
no further expansion would be requested .
Wallace Hustad, 10470 White 'Tail Crossing, believed that the
original agreement had been to keep the jets out of Flying
Cloud Airport, which MAC had said would be accomplished by not
providing jet fuel at Flying Cloud Airport . Hustad believed
the current existence of the 6 Jets housed at the airport as a
direct violation of a commitment made by MAC.
Larry Simonson, 16199 Valley Road, stated that he and 7 other
residents on Valley Road opposed the extension of the runway.
Simonson believed that the expansion would open many issues in
the future and added that he would prefer the airport remained
as is.
Clark Horn, 7608 Erie Avenue, Chanhassen, stated that he was a
pilot of one of the smaller aircraft housed at Flying Cloud
Airport and added that he would like to keep his plane at
Flying Cloud . Hangar space is in demand at Flying Cloud and
he questioned if the hangar space was needed for the jets . He
believed that the greatest demand for hangar space was
currently coming from the smaller aircraft. Horn noted that
MAC was also conducting hearings on how to handle the
operating deficits at the outlying airports, which included
Flying Cloud Airport; and added that he was concerned that the
hangar space rent would be increased, which would drastically
affect the smaller operators . Horn stated that if Mode C was I
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City Council Minutes 9 November 29 , 1988
accepted additional navigational equipment would have to be
installed in the smaller aircraft or they would no longer be
able to use the Flying Cloud facility. Horn believed that the
character of Flying Cloud Airport should be kept to
accommodate the small aviation pilots . Horn said that instead
of having no jet fuel available at Flying Cloud Airport, the
situation was just the opposite and with limited fuel
available for the smaller aircraft .
Doug Sandstad, 8921 Knollwood Drive, stated that he was
pleased with the Staff Report and believed the Master Plan had
been nicely summarized . Sandstad encouraged the Council to
listen to the Staff 's recommendations .
Chad Worcester, 17120 Cedarcrest Drive, stated that he was
still confused on what Eden Prairie could do to stop the
expansion of the airport . Worcester stated that he had been
Informed when he purchased the property that his home was in
the flight pattern, but had also been told that it was not a
problem. Worcester concurred that currently there was no real
problem with noise with the exception of one noisy jet .
Worcester was concerned about the jet traffic increasing and
the affect on the noise levels . He noted that a DC9 could
conceivably land on a 5, 000 foot runway. Worcester was
concerned about the value of his property being reduced if the
Jet traffic was allowed to be increased.
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Peterson asked City Attorney Pauly to address what the
position of the City was at this time . Pauly replied that the
answers were not clear at this time and he recommended taking
steps to acquire information from the Attorney General .
Bob Gardner, 15701 Cedar Ridge Road, stated that he had
replaced Kent Barker on the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory
Commission . MAC's intent was to keep aircraft flying and the
airport operating and, therefore, was not sensitive to the
residents of the community. Gardner noted that the airport
control tower was only open from 6AM to IOPM; however, planes
did land at Flying Cloud Airport after 1OPM. He added that
MAC had not acknowledged that planes did land after IOPM or
were flying too low and current regulations were not being
enforced . Gardner believed that the noise data provided were
biased and should be obtained from an independent group.
Gardner requested that the City collect its own data .
Jack Va nRemortel, 16031 Summit Drive, stated that he was not
bothered by the planes; however, he had noticed an increase in
the use by jets . He believed that Staff had given the Council
a disservice by not presenting both sides of the issue, both
negative and positive aspects of the plan . VanRemor to l said
that many residents throughout the country today had a "not in
my backyard" attitude . He believed that the expanded airport
would be an asset to the community which should be shared with
the surrounding communities . VanRemortel stated that he did
City Council Minutes 10 November 29, 1988
? not have enough information at this time to support a plan .
He presented the Council with an article written about "grid-
lock" for our airports . VanRemortel believed that the City
needed to begin preparing today for the needs of the future .
Daryl Benson, 8676 Shiloh Court, believed that Staff had done
a good job in considering the facts . Benson noted that not
only was the noise study done during the week but it did not
include any jet traffic. Benson added that he was concerned
about the control over the flight patterns; because the pilot
determined the pattern now, he believed there should be more
control . Benson stated that at the end of the proposed runway
was a riding stable where horses had actually run through
fences when jets had flown over .
Scott Mace, 16150 valley Road, stated that he was opposed to
the expansion . He believed that Flying Cloud Airport was a
tolerable neighbor now, but an expansion would not be
tolerable . Noise was the primary objection and it was this
area of the study which he considered to be the least
accurate . Mace believed the study to be unscientific, there
was no information regarding peak traffic noise levels. He
believed that the consultants had avoided areas that would
conflict with the result that it wanted . Mace concluded that
the use would be incompatible with the area.
Joel Lehrke, 8901 Knollwood Drive, stated that he was in favor
of the airport expansion . Lehrke believed that an economic
benefit would be realized by Eden Prairie from the surrounding
communities . Lehrke noted that the new Citation 3 engine
which was newer and quieter than the older jets would not be
able to land at Flying Cloud Airport because of the 20,000
pound weight restriction . The newer aircraft also needed a
longer runway to operate, which would also create a safer
runway. Lehrke noted that the safety zone limits were to
limit the height of the buildings constructed in the area .
Lehrke stated that being a pilot for Northwest Airlines, he
believed that it would not be feasible to bring in the larger
aircraft such as the DC9 or the 727 because of the larger
ground support which would be necessary to serve these larger
airplanes .
Jay Olson, a Richfield resident and Flying Cloud Airport
businessman and member of the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory
Commission, stated that an open house was scheduled for
December 3, 1988 to show the type of aircraft which would be
utilizing Flying Cloud Airport and extended an invitation for
the Council to attend . The Flying Cloud Airport Advisory
Commission did want a good neighbor policy. The airport did
contribute to the community and was totally self-supporting.
100 aircraft housed at Flying Cloud Airport were owned by Eden
Prairie residents and 72 percent of the flights were business
related. 43 percent of those having aircraft at Flying Cloud
Airport had said they would relocate their businesses if
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City Council Minutes 11 November 29, 1988
Flying Cloud Airport was not available .
Jay Peterson, 8626 Coachman Lane, stated that his concern was
the impact of lengthening the runway and the increased noise .
He had noted a big difference in noise levels between the
small engine planes and the jets . He believed that any
increase in jet traffic would contribute to unacceptable and
intolerable noise levels .
Fortman stated that he appreciated everyone coming out to
present their opinions . He requested a copy of the tape being
made of the meeting to allow MAC to respond in detail to the
many questions presented tonight . Mayor Peterson acknowledged
that a copy of the tape would be provided. Fortman stated
that the reason for the meeting tonight was because MAC did
consider the residents of Eden Prairie to be important . He 4
added that this was why the study had been presented to the
Planning Commission, the Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources Commission and two open public meetings had been
conducted . Fortman stated that noise was always a sensitive
subject and was difficult due to the different perceptions by
individuals of acceptable and unacceptable levels . Fortman
stated that the noise study was a scientific study
accomplished by using accepted procedures . Fortman understood
the sentiments of the residents . Fortman stated that MAC was
responsible for providing aviation facilities for the 7-county
metro area . It was the current policy to update plans every 5
years . Fortman questioned how MAC was to fulfill its
obligations without having an airport in someone 's "backyard" .
He commented that the same comments made here tonight were
heard in each community. MAC 's policy was to maximize the use
of all existing facilities before building new ones . Fortman
noted that this proposal was part of a planning process and
not that of a construction process . Fortman stated that a
substantial investment was being projected; however, if the
users could not help support the facility, it would be
unlikely that MAC would proceed with the investment . Fortman
noted that there would be no financial contribution from the
City of Eden Prairie as all revenues for the airport were
derived from the users, or State and Federal funding which
comes from user taxes .
Pidcock asked Fortman if after hearing the same objections
from every community, MAC had not become blase to the
comments . Fortman replied that it actually reinforced to MAC
that the concerns were real .
Anderson was concerned about the City having little or no
control over the expansion .
Bentley stated that what he heard from the residents tonight
was a concern about the potential for a completely different
use than what currently existed with the number one concern
being the increased jet traffic . Bentley believed that there
City Council Minutes 12 November 29, 1988
was an economic benefit to the community. The flaw in the
report was that it did not address the concept of the entire
metro area, it only addressed what was proposed for Flying
Cloud Airport . He said it would have been helpful to see
where Flying Cloud Airport fits in with the 7-county airport
scheme . Bentley noted that it would only take the addition of
one foot to the proposed 5000-foot runway to have Flying Cloud
Airport classified as an intermediate airport . He believed
that the fear of many of the residents was that the push was
to eventually create an intermediate facility. Bentley
believed that the residents were not concerned with an
increase in air traffic, but rather the type of air traffic.
Bentley did not believe that Eden Prairie could tolerate an
Increase in jet traffic and added that he did not believe that
the report had shown the need for the increase .
Peterson stated that he was concerned with the recurring theme
that the City of Eden Prairie or the MAC has little control
over the recreational and commercial aviation and that there
was an absolute right of these aircraft to land whenever and
wherever they wanted . Peterson noted that as a city Eden
Prairie exerts its authority to monitor recreational water
craft, but it yet could not control the air traffic . Peterson
believed that if MAC could not control the number of planes or
the noise level of those planes, then it was MAC•s
responsibility to look ahead and purchase the land to allow
7 recreational and commercial aircraft absolute access to the
facility. Peterson did not believe that the residents of Eden
Prairie were saying "not in my backyard" , but by asking that
the good-neighbor relationship be continued, they were simply
expressing their legitimate concern about the increase in jet
traffic . Peterson believed that the residents wanted to let
MAC know that Eden Prairie had rights too, and added that
those rights were just as absolute as those who will use the
airport . He believed that MAC needed to either manage the air
traffic or buy the land .
MOTION :
Anderson moved, seconded by Harris to accept the reports of
the Planning Commission, Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources
Commission, and Staff to deny the proposed plan by MAC for the
expansion of Flying Cloud Airport Motion carried
unanimously.
III . OTHER HUSINE,jS
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10 : 00 PM.