Title
Resolution to Approve the Airport Layout Plan Update for the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, which Illustrates Existing and Proposed Facilities to Meet the Future Demands of Airport Tenants and Users
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration is a resolution to approve an updated Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. A grant contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation was previously approved to fund this update of the ALP, and a professional services agreement was approved with URS Corporation to develop the updated plan.
The Airport Layout Plan is a series of engineering drawings that illustrate existing airport facilities, future improvements, required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards, runway approach profiles and the Federal Aviation Regulations "Airspace Plan." The airport must have an updated ALP to participate in the state and federal airport improvement grant program.
The ALP update project was based upon FAA requirements for this type of plan. FAA Advisory Circulars that outline the study requirements and standards were used throughout the process to determine the adequacy of existing facilities to meet current and future demand based upon the aircraft currently using the airport. Nothing in the planning process included the projection of different types of users or larger aircraft than those now operating in and out of the Ann Arbor Airport.
The Airport's current ALP was approved by City Council in January, 2007. That plan did not address the runway safety issue and Council, as part of their approval action, directed staff to update the plan to address this issue.
The updated plan includes an 800' runway extension and a 150' shift of the entire runway to the southwest. These changes address a number of existing safety issues on the Airport and a significant transportation issue off the Airport. The 800' runway safety enhancement reduces the likelihood of runway overruns, something that occurs on a regular basis and as recently as May of this year. The 150' shift of the runway to the southwest eliminates a blind spot for the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). Currently, the ATCT cannot see aircraft in the last 200' of the taxiway, the last three hangar taxi lanes or the run-up area for Runway 24. The runway shift also allows for an improved approach to Runway 24 which will meet FAA standards. The current non-conforming approach requires aircraft to come in steeper and faster then the FAA allows. By moving the runway farther away from State Road, the approach can become compliant with the FAA standards.
Off the Airport, the runway shift would allow for the future widening of State Road within its current alignment. After meeting with representatives from the Washtenaw County Road Commission and Pittsfield Township, this was determined to be the best way to meet aircraft safety needs and the traffic improvement alternatives shown in the State Road Corridor Study.
The ALP is only an illustrative plan and City Council must separately approve any project shown on the ALP before it can be developed. On August 20, 2008, the Airport Advisory Committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend City Council's approval of the updated ALP.
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew J. Kulhanek, Fleet & Facility Manager
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, An approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP) is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Bureau of Aeronautics for the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport to participate in the federal and state airport improvement program;
Whereas, On January 22, 2007, City Council directed staff to update the airport's ALP to address the runway safety issue;
Whereas, The FAA and MDOT-Bureau of Aeronautics funded the ALP Update at a cost split of 55% Federal, 42% State and 3% City and URS Corporation, a Michigan Planning and Consulting firm, was retained to update the plan;
Whereas, The recommended updated ALP document illustrates existing and future airport facilities and was completed using FAA and MDOT design and planning standards; and
Whereas, On August 20, 2008, the Airport Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend City Council's approval of the updated ALP for the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport;
RESOLVED, That Council approves the updated Airport Layout Plan for the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City's Airport Manager are hereby authorized and directed to execute said ALP Document after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be directed to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.