September 12, 2008
Salem Planning Commission
City of Salem
555 Liberty St. SE
Salem, OR 97302
RE: SALEM AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION REQUEST TO REVIEW THE CITY OF SALEM LAND-USE AND ZONING POLICIES
Gentlemen:
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress, federal agencies and state governments. NATA’s 2,000 member companies own, operate and service aircraft. These companies provide for the needs of the traveling public by offering services and products to aircraft operators and others such as fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, parts sales, storage, rental, airline servicing, flight training, Part 135 on-demand air charter, fractional aircraft program management and scheduled commuter operations in smaller aircraft. NATA members are a vital link in the aviation industry providing services to the general public, airlines, general aviation, and the military.
On behalf of NATA, I am writing in support of the Salem Airport Advisory Commission¿s request to review the city’s land-use and zoning policies.
The requested review will assist in determining how new housing projects might conflict with airport operations. This request is not uncommon; in fact, many airports around the U.S. have taken precautionary measures by requiring residents of new housing development to sign a release acknowledging their homes¿ proximity to an airport, their awareness of the airport traffic pattern, and the noise associated with it. An airport that has been in operation for more than 75 years, McNary Field is taking the responsibility to protect the future of its airport operations and to ensure that the Pringle Creek developer and future residents understand their proximity to the airport.
As air traffic continues to grow throughout the country, concerns about aircraft noise pollution in residential areas have increased. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) studies and regulates aircraft noise levels and has programs in place to manage airports with the highest level of noise pollution. Additionally, as part of its Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures, the FAA encourages airports to discourage incompatible land use around their properties.
Community noise concerns have led to uncoordinated and inconsistent restrictions on aviation that could impede the national airspace system. I hope the City of Salem will review the land-use and zoning policies to ensure the continued growth of McNary Field Airport.
Sincerely,
James K. Coyne
President
cc: Salem City Council
Alan Alexander, Airport Commissioner