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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-06-13 Town Council MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING VAIL TOWN COUNCIL 13 JUNE 1977 A special meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Vail, Colorado, was duly called and convened at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, June 13, 1977, in the Vail Municipal Building Council Chambers. Mayor John Dobson and the following councilmembers were present: John Donovan Rod Slifer Bill Wilto Bob Ruder The Mayor explained that the special meeting had been called as a public hearing for input regarding the proposed Avon STOLport. He stated that the Town of Vail, Benchmark at:Beaver Creek, Eagle -Vail, Eagle County School District RE50J, the Vail Resort Association, and Vail Associates had jointly sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration on May 25, 1977, requesting Is answers to several areas of concern to the signors.- regarding operating approval, instrument procedures, safety, air space, airport use, and the environmental impact statement. He added that a reply had been received from the FAA addressing those concerns. He then introduced Mr. Gordon Autry of Rocky Mountain Airlines to make a presentation to the public regarding RMA's objectives. Mr. Autry explained that since air service to Eagle had begun in 1966 commuter airlines had been growing and that RMA expected to be carrying 100,000 passengers a year between Denver and Aspen and 50,000 a year between Denver and Steamboat Springs. He stated that RMA will continue to use the DH6 Twin Otter aircraft for awhile after it begins service to the Avon STOLport, but will change to the deHavilland Dash-7 in 1978 or 1979. He added that the Dash-7 aircraft will carry 50 passengers and will replace the equivalent of 350,000 automobile trips between Denver and Vail per year. He felt the environmental impact report, when finished, would be positive, and he asked for public support. Mr. Autry then showed a promotional slide presentation for the Dash-7. He stated that as far as pollution is concerned, the Dash-7 would be 52 times cleaner per passenger than the automobile. He extolled the Dash-7 as the "quietest aircraft in the world today". He finished his presentation with a short film and stated that the Avon airport had 4300 feet of runway length with 800 feet of overrun, an increased safety factor. The Mayor then asked for other prepared statements from the floor. There were none, so Mr. Autry invited questions regarding his presentation. In response to a question from Councilman Wilto, Mr. Autry stated that the Dash-7 would be placed in use first at Aspen and second at Avon and would eventually be used as .the only aircraft at Avon. In response to a question from Lou Parker, Mr. Autry stated that RMA envisioned 12 flights per day between Denver and Avon, amounting to about 180,000 passengers per year. Mr. Oran Palmateer asked whether RMA anticipated any night flights to Avon, and Mr. Autry's reply was yes, with the new precision guidance system to be incorporated at Avon, but that night flights would probably stop at 10:00 P.M. He added that the instrument landing procedure had been approved by the FAA but had not been flight check as yet. Councilman Donovan asked for comment regarding the economic impacts on Eagle if the STOLport is located at Avon. Mr. Autry stated that a similar situation existed at Steamboat Springs, when RMA began sending flights into Steamboat Springs, bypassing the airport at nearby Hayden. He added that Minutes/Special meeting 13 June 1977 Page Two both airports were now prospering. He then stated that in the ten years Rocky Mountain Airways has been serving Eagle it has consistently lost money, since most passengers from Denver are headed to Vail, and it is not economically practical to overfly the destination. He stated that as Adam's Rib and other Eagle County proposed ski areas are built, flights to Eagle will still be required, and that RMA does not plan to stop flights into Eagle. In fact, he stated, RMA plans to continue the same number of flights into Eagle since they cannot withdraw service legally without hearings. Councilman Donovan then asked for comment regarding noise, safety and pollution levels to be expected. Mr. Autry responded that there would be no compromises on safety regulations and that representatives of the FAA would attend the June 15 hearing before the Eagle County Planning Commission specifically to address safety. Mr. Merrill Hastings of the Eagle County Airport Authority asked if air rights had been obtained as yet. Mr. Autry explained that the landowner has noise and safety rights and is working with Benchmark to protect that development's rights, and will obtain air rights. He added that no aircraft except Rocky Mountain Airways and Nottingham private aircraft would use the STOLport. Mr. Hastings asked if RMA envisioned any competition. Mr. Autry stated that • RMA was investing too much money into Avon to encourage competition, and that RMA has monopoly rights as a public utility, regulated under Colorado monopoly law. In response to a question from Councilman Slifer, Mr. Autry stated that all take -offs and landings must be to the West, that the instrumentation was not set up to allow approaches and take -offs to the East. He added that fare between Denver and Avon would be less than between Denver and Eagle since it involved a shorter distance and that transportation between Avon and Vail would be by limousine. Mr. Bob Parker of Vail Associates, then expressed VA's support of the proposed STOLport as an economic boost to the Vail business community. He stated that Rocky Mountain Airways was making an attempt to serve Vail better, eliminating a number of automobiles in the area at the same time. He urged the Town Council to support the STOLport publicly at the Eagle County Planning Commission hearing on June 15. In response to a question from the floor, Mr. Autry stated that freight service would be scheduled for the future at rates comparable or lower than surface transportation. In response to another question;regarding the possible loss of $90,000 in federal funds to Eagle as a commuter destination, Mr. Autry stated that Eagle will continue to be qualified for those funds and that a possible loss of funding was misinformation. He added Rocky Mountain Airways'willingness to help secure those funds. There were no further comments from the floor or from Mr. Autry or from the Council. Councilman Donovan then proposed that the Council discuss the proposal at its work session on June 14 and then relay its opinion to the Eagle County Planning Commission at the June 15 hearing. Mr. Autry thanked the Council and the public, and Mayor Dobson invited any further comments to the June 14 work session. With no further business, the special hearing was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. a r ATTES;j: Town Clerk 3 . DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / FEDERAL AVIAT.ON ADMINISTURON f ROW MOUNT" REGION f .a.w., cua.w �oow jutI 10 i777 ' S .".a. John Donovan Co,mcilnan, Town a£ Vail P. 0. Box 100 Vail, Colorado 81657 Dear Ns. Donovan: The correspondence regarding the Avon, Colorado, STOL airport contains =ero'as q estions regazddiug aircraft operations at this location. The follo:.ina is mix res-ponse to the individual items. o-?rati-r A=crawl Route :wuntain Airways was issued approval and operating speoi£i- cationa for daytime Visual viigat Rules into the Avon STOLport on April 22, 19/7G pcc`y •".w y a �ainAirey :s plans to install a precision microwave laadi.ng system SYAUR) to assist in the safety of their STOL eiroxaft operation, La_ndir3s and takeoffs w411 be to the meat at all timea. sollowiug the certification of the gro=d TALAR navigational aid, appropriate instra- seat F14: rile aathorizatian will be issued to Roary Yountain Airways. Federal Aviation. Administration operation$ inspectors will certify, irStially and pericdicmll;/, pilots and aircraft involved in the Avon activity. Wety of Oreration 'D=atim specifications ars required by reEvlaticn. They contain authorizations pe rt-fnent to each situation, including the cstegozg and class of aircraft, the condition of operations end the area or operations. The iss'.,nce of operating Gpecifications indicates that tte Fe feral Ayiaticn Adrinistration believes Rocqr Vlw=tain Aizr aya can me:t reg lato%- standards of operational safety without coWpro- misint the safety and welfare of the citizens in the areas adjacent to the S;OLpert. S010ol Site All Rcdky .fountain aircraft :rill utilize the precise guidance provided by the =41I microwave lending system. The projected flight path will be north of the school, ewer l~ higaway complex and at an altitude of apptoximately 11001 above the school site. S^us operation should offer no adverse safety aspects to ooevpents of the school. .0 2 ASrGpaca A pubiia notice was issued for comments by interested parties regardin3 the proposed Avon STOLport. Rsaponses received by the ?-Q resulted in the determination'that the proposed airport would not adversely affect the safe and efficient utilization of airspzce by aircraft. Airoorrt Use Avon STOLport,is designated a private airport. As s'aoh, we will be restricted to the owner, Nottineim Ranch Co., and other perties authorized by the owcer,.pres-.;mabiy including Rock`? Mountain Airways. 7vironments Statement ddno t;cvimnman al I,^.paat Report on the Avon STOL Airport has been prepexed by the consultant' firm, Architects/Digireera West, Tnco -,crated, row Rocky Mountain Airways. We find that this document is reas=a:hly ca,�xre- hensive and should be suitable to support a negative declaration. It is requested that you relay this inforcatioa to :% Other sigamtcries involved in your original correspondence. We bank you for your interest . in the Won activity and if additional inZQ="ation is desired, please contact us. Sincerely, r, Ii. M. A:ARTIN Director S I MAILED: MAY 27. 1977 May 25. 1977 Mr. Marvin M. Martin Director, Rocky Fountain Region Federal Aviation Administration I0455 E. 25th Avenue Aurora, Colorado 80010 Re: Avon, Colorado STOL Airport Dear Mr. Partin: As concerned citizens of the upper Eagle Valley', the undersigned would like very ::uch to ask several questions of the F.A.A. with regard to the proposed Avon STOLport. As you no doubt know, there has been con- siderable local controversy over this project, and since we will be di- rectly effected by the project, would like to have the following questions ansoered insofar as the F.A.A. can respond. Ooeratinq Approval: Is it tree that Rocky Mountain Airways was issued approval and operating specifications for daytime. Visual Flight Rules operations into the Avon STOLport when such use is approved by Eagle County? Instrument Procedures: Does Pocky Fountain Airways also have approval for instrument proce- dures into Avon pending installation of the.requisite equipment and commence- ment of caaraercial operations? Safety of Ooeration: Does the F.A.A.'s issuance of operating approval indicate that the F.A.A. believes Rocky Mountain Airways can meet all requisite standards of operational safety without compromising the safety and welfare of the citizens in the areas adjacent to the STOLport? School Site: Does the F_A.A.'s operating approval indicate the F.A.A. does not be- lieve that the presence of a STOLport in the vicinity of a public school presents a significant hazard to the occupants of that school? continued... Mr. Marvin M. Martin Federal Aviation Adninistration May 25, 1977 Page Two Air Space: Does the existence of the Avon MI -port present an unreasonable hazard to the safe and orderly utilization by commercial or general aviation of the air space corridor in the general area of Vail -Avon -Eagle? Airport Use: Is it the understanding of the F.A.A. that the Avon STOLport will be restricted solely to .the private -use of.the owner, Mr. Nottingham, Rocky Mountain Airways and the necessary official and eaergancy aircraft, and will not be open to general aviation use? Environmental Statement: Has an Environmental Impact Statement on the Avon STOLport been filed, and what are the general findings of that statement? If you are in a position to answer any or all of the above questions. it would greatly assist the undersigned in our assessment of the safety and Viability of this project. Sincerely, Q EPICHI-INRK AT B AVER CREEK J / TC:;:i GF VAU By C J By, EAGLE-VAfC lniu R:Su iT r r y J B &LE COUNTY RE5Od CHOOL BOARD VAIL ASSOCIATES, INC.