“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

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City of Pocatello Comprehensive Plan Update 2015

CHAPTER 17 – POCATELLO REGIONAL AIRPORT Mission Statement Provide an analysis of the current airport operations and facilities and provide a framework to protect the critical airspace and guide future development to meet aviation growth and demand. To protect public airports as essential community facilities that provide safe transportation alternatives and contribute to the regional economy. Promote the growth and expansion of aviation facilities and air service. In addition, promote economic development within the Airport Influence Area (AIA) located outside the critical airspace area associated with the runways.

History

Chapter 17: Airport

Figure 176. Photograph 17.1 Pocatello Regional Airport 1962 obtained from Idaho State University Historical Archives

Figure 177. Aerial of the Pocatello Regional Airport 2012.

The original Pocatello Municipal Airport operated out of McDougall Airfield located two miles east of the current Pocatello Regional Airport. McDougall Field was named after Harry Owens McDougall who died in an air show in Pocatello in 1928 and was the only WW I Ace from Idaho. The City of Pocatello purchased the land for the airfield in 1928. McDougall Field included two “improved” (graded and rolled dirt with a gravel surface) air strips when it was dedicated in 1929. The air field was used for mail service prior to its official dedication in 1929. The airfield was located between the current location of Interstate 86 and the County Road just west of the intersection of I-86 and Highway 30 near the Simplot plant. Based on the best available information, McDougall Field was used as the Pocatello Municipal Airport starting in 1929 and discontinued as such in 1951 when the municipal operations were moved to the former Pocatello Army Air Base location approximately two miles to the west. The current Pocatello Regional Airport was originally constructed by the U.S. Army in 1942 as a training base and was known as the Pocatello Army Air Base. The primary purpose was for heavy bomber training for B-17 and B-24 aircraft crews and P-39 and P-47 fighter pursuit pilots. The U. S. government acquired the 3,200+/- acres of land known as “Michaud Flats” through condemnation proceedings under Declaration of Taking in December of 1943. Military training activities were discontinued in January of 1945. The airport and facilities were used for private aircraft operations between 1945 and 1949. The air base was

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declared as surplus property in 1949 and was officially conveyed to the City of Pocatello on February 20, 1949 for “airport purposes” subject to certain “reservations, restrictions and conditions.” The airport was initially named “Phillips Field” in honor of George Phillips who was instrumental is asking the federal government for the air base. The City began operation of the Pocatello Municipal Airport in 1951 on the former air base. The City obtained a release from the reservations, restrictions and conditions through a “Deed of Release” by the United States of America acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May of 1969. The release allows the City to utilize the City-owned non-aviation airport influence area that lays outside the FAA critical runway safety zones for economic development purposes. The City purchased additional land (approximately 340 acres) at the northeastern end of the primary runway (runway 3/21) between 1978 and 1981 in order to provide required air safety protection for the runway approach zone. The City owned airport property was officially annexed (and incorporated) into the City of Pocatello on August 17, 1989 (City Ordinance #2294), pursuant to Idaho Code 50222(7).

Discussion The City owns approximately 3,365 acres, which including the airport operational facilities (runways, taxiways, passenger terminal, etc.), which are protected for aeronautical purposes and adjacent areas that provide land for economic development purposes. The portion of the airport property identified for aeronautical purposes is associated with the airport’s critical safety zone which includes the runways, taxiways, runway approach zones, traffic pattern areas and aprons which fall under strict air safety regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Detailed information regarding compliance with FAA standards is contained in the Pocatello Regional Airport 2012 Airport Master Plan Update. There are approximately 2,643 acres that are designated for aeronautical purposes.

Figure 178. Federal documents providing the Pocatello Regional Airport to the City of Pocatello as liquidation of war assets, 1949.

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City of Pocatello Comprehensive Plan Update 2015

Airport Services

Figure 179. Welcome sign at the entrance into the Pocatello Regional Airport parking and terminal area.

The Pocatello Regional Airport is a Class 1, FAA Part 39 Certified Airport, with a Class D airspace. A Class 1 airport serves all types of scheduled flights of carrier passenger aircraft designated for at least 31 seats and any other type of commercial operations. The official elevation of the airport is 4,452 feet above mean sea level according to the 1988 North American Vertical Datum (NAVD 88). There are two runways configured in an “Open V” with the primary runway 3/21 with a northeast-southwest orientation and the secondary runway 17/35 with a north-south orientation. The primary runway 3/21 is 9,060 feet in length with a 150 foot wide paved surface with an Airport Reference Code (ARC) for D-IV group aircraft. Runway 3/21 is served by a parallel taxiway connected to the passenger terminal and aircraft service and tie-down parking aprons. The secondary runway 17/35 is 7,150 feet in length with a 100 foot wide paved surface with an ARC for C-III group aircraft. The south end of runway 17/35 is connected to the taxiway system at the southwestern end of runway 3/21.

NO BUILD AREA

Elevation 4,452’

Transition Zone

MSL NAVD 88

Horizontal Surface Zone

Conical Surface

200’

e Slop 50:1 .S. N.T

Elevation 4,602’ MSL NAVD 88

e

lop 7:1 S

8,450’

BUILDABLE AREA

BUILDABLE AREA

GROUND

GROUND

150’

BUILDABLE AREA

35’ GROUND

GROUND

150’ 500’

245’

805’

745’ 1050’ 1550’ 10,000’

D (NAVD 88)

Note: BRL for Runway 17-35 = 35’ Elev @ 495’ from Runway D

4,000’

Source: Pocatello Regional Airport Master Plan Update Final Report - 2012

Figure 180. The FAA protects the air space surrounding the airport as depicted in this illustration. Figure 181. Pocatello Regional Airport, 2014

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Elevation 4,802’ MSL

D Runway

Chapter 17: Airport

Primary Surface Zone

Buildings Restriction Line (BRL) @ 35’ Above Runway Elevation

PROTECTED AIR SPACE Runway 3/21

The airport is located in the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) jurisdiction which provides air traffic service for aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) on flight plans within the airport’s controlled airspace. Air traffic in the vicinity of the Pocatello Regional Airport is controlled by the airport’s traffic control tower between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily. Airport facilities include airline offices and check in counters, baggage screening and claiming, airport administration offices, passenger departure, rental cars, concessions, restrooms and free long-term and short-term parking. Scheduled commercial passenger service is provided by Delta/Skywest Airlines with service between Pocatello and Salt Lake City. Fixed-base operations at the airport include aircraft fueling, maintenance, repair, aircraft rental, charter services, flight training and instruction, aircraft tie-downs and hangers. The airport provides aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment, fuel storage, deicing facilities and runway maintenance including snow plowing. Other airport tenants include the National Weather Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Utah Helicopters Flight Academy and Idaho State University flight and career training. The Bureau of Land Management operates their firefighting base for contracted air tankers from the airport on a seasonal basis.

Map 30. Pocatello Regional Airport Land Use Map

Airport Influence Area (AIA)

The second component of the City’s airport property consists of approximately 700 acres identified as being located in the Airport Influence Area. The AIA is located in the FAA “Transition Zone” and the “Horizontal Surface” zone which extends 10,000 feet out from the centerline of the airport runways. The Horizontal Surface zone transitions into the FAA “Conical Surface” zone which extends an additional 4,000 feet. The purpose of these zones is to prevent uses, structures and objects from creating hazards and obstructions that would jeopardize aircraft safety. The City-owned land within the AIA is utilized for economic development which includes commercial, business park and manufacturing activities.

Figure 182. The first privately funded major manufacturer to locate at the Airport was Petersen Incorporated, 2012. Petersen fabricates large industrial steel products of various uses.

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City of Pocatello Comprehensive Plan Update 2015

The City’s AIA property is served by an existing road system, public water and sewer, along with electricity, natural gas and telecommunications. Much of the City’s infrastructure (water, sewer and roads) and electrical infrastructure were inherited from the original Army Air Base constructed in the mid 1940’s. The maintenance and upgrades to the facilities necessary to meet projected demand associated with development of the property is extensive and expensive. Therefore, marketing the development potential and recruiting tenants is necessary to support the economic viability and sustainability of the City’s airport property.

AIRPORT INFLUENCE AREA SUB-ZONES & DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES I. ADMINISTRATION A.

Purpose: The purpose of the Airport Influence Area (AIA) – Sub-Zones and Development Guidelines is to establish development guidelines applicable to the “AIA” for the Pocatello Regional Airport property that is owned and operated by the City of Pocatello. The AIA boundaries are shown on the attached Sub-Zone Map which is hereby incorporated by reference. The AIA consists of those City owned lands located outside the designated airport “critical” and “safety” areas associated with the runways that are subject to Federal Airport Influence Area Aviation Administration (FAA) aeronautical safety regulations as designated by the approved Pocatello Regional Airport Master Plan Update 2012 Final Report and any subsequent changes thereto. The AIA sub-zone designations and development guidelines are intended to ensure that airspace around the airport is adequately protected and that FAA airspace safety requirements are adhered to. Incompatible land uses that are likely to create or contribute to air navigation hazards are prohibited because incompatible uses represent one of the greatest threats to aircraft operator safety and the future viability of the Airport. Compatible land uses serve to protect instrument and visual aviation operators in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77 airspace rules and FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33 regarding obstructions and attractant hazards affecting navigable airspace around the airport. The sub-zones and development guidelines are also intended to assist in maximizing the Airport’s potential for economic development and sustainability.

B.

The AIA land is located adjacent to the north side of Interstate 86 with an interchange at Airport Way that connects to the internal road system. There is a railroad spur that extends into the western part of the property that runs under Interstate 86 and connects to the Union Pacific east-west main line adjacent to Highway 30.

Authority: Pursuant to Municipal Code Chapter 2.42, Airport Commission, the Pocatello City Council appoints members to the “Airport Commission” whose role is to recommend policies regarding airport operations to the City Council. The Development Review Committee (DRC) consists of four City staff, the Airport Manager, the Director of Planning & Development Services, the City Development Engineer, and the City Building Official (or their designee). The DRC is responsible for review and approval of development plans in conjunction with required building permit reviews and FAA reviews. The DRC is also empowered to conduct property development and construction inspections in order to ensure compliance with approved plans. Airport Influence Area Development Guidelines

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Land located outside of the incorporated City ownership that is affected by FAA Airport Influence Area safety and hazard regulations fall under the jurisdiction of Power County and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The FAA and the Idaho Division of Aeronautics requires all affected jurisdictions to adopt Airport Safety and Compatible Land Use Overlay Zones to ensure appropriate future land use development as well as appropriate height zoning.

Figure 183. Airport Influence Area Sub-Zones & Development Guidelines, 2014. II. SUB-ZONE DESIGNATIONS & USES

Chapter 17: Airport

A.

Airport Operations/Aviation Sub-Zone 1.

Airport Terminal Facilities

2.

Aviation Facilities a. b. c. d.

Aviation Services & Facilities Fixed Base Operations Air Cargo/Freight Facilities Aviation Manufacturing – Maintenance & Overhaul

The 2012 Airport Master Plan Update contains specific chapters that address: 1. Existing Conditions;

B. Manufacturing Sub-Zone 1.

Warehousing

2.

Freight/Transportation

3.

Industrial a. b. c. d.

Fabrication Assembly Processing Production

C. Business Park Sub-Zone

D.

1.

Professional Offices

2.

Government Facilities

3.

Research & Development

4.

Information/Technology

5.

Accommodations

6.

Food Services

Commercial Sub-Zone 1.

Accommodations

2.

Food Services

3.

Retail/Services

Airport Influence Area Development Guidelines

2.

Aviation Demand Forecasts;

3.

Facility Requirements;

4.

Identification and Evaluation of Alternatives;

5.

Implementation; and

6.

Airport Layout Plan Drawings.

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Figure 184. Airport Sub-Zone areas and uses as suggested by the Airport Development Guidelines, 2014.

These chapters are supplemented by Figures and Appendices.

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GOALS, OBJECTIVES, POLICIES Goal 1. Ensure compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5070-6B and Idaho Code Section 21501(2) through the implementation of the approved Pocatello Regional Airport 2012 Airport Master Plan Update and future updates. OBJECTIVE 1.1. Enhance the future development of the airport property to best satisfy the aviation needs and economic viability of the community and region by protecting the safety of aircraft utilizing the airport facilities.

POLICY a. Prevent the creation or establishment of uses, structures, objects and activities that would create potential aviation hazards that would jeopardize aircraft safety. b. Support airport safety projects for the elimination, removal, alteration, mitigation or marking and lighting of existing aviation hazards.

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City of Pocatello Comprehensive Plan Update 2015

Goal 2. Promote economic growth through aviation activity, air service and non-aviation related development. OBJECTIVE 2.1. Maximize the Airport’s potential for economic self-sufficiency.

POLICY a. Develop airport facilities and infrastructure improvements to support aviation activity and the expansion of air service. b. Develop infrastructure improvements to support economic development on the City owned property within the Airport Influence Area.

Chapter 17: Airport

OBJECTIVE 2.2. Become less dependent on traditional aviation-related revenue streams and optimize revenue sources from the City’s airport property that is not needed for aviation related functions.

POLICY a. Pursue development opportunities and tenants for the City’s airport property that create alternative revenue sources and contribute to the employment and economic base of the community and region.

Map 31. Airport Influence Area Land Use Guideline Map Map 32. Airport Urban Renewal and TIF Area Map

See map in Appendix A.

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