07/01/97 Harrison/Proposed Airport Budgetinteroffice
M E M O R A N D U M
to: Clarence Krepps, City Manager
from: Diana Harrison, Zoning Administrator
subject: Kalispell City Airport Budget
date: July 1, 1997
With this memo I will attempt to explain the difference between last years proposed
airport budget and this years proposed budget.
In the course of preparing the budget for the current year, I have identified five (5)
additional parcels of land that may need to be wholly or partially purchased to
accomodate a B-1, Small airport. This accounts for a majority of the increase in costs
from last years proposed budget and this years proposed budget.
The intent of the Kalispell Neighborhood Plan when it was written was to provide land
use policy direction for the airport and the surrounding area. Because of the large mix
of planes that use the airport, it was deemed appropriate to seek compliance with the
more restrictive B-1 category. It was stated in the plan, that although airplanes of
other design categories can be expected to use the airport on occasion the stricter
standards that would be necessary to accomodate larger wingspans or faster approcah
speeds could not be easily or practically achieved.
When the Kalispell Redevelopment Plan Analysis was completed, it was done so based
on a B-1, Small airport. The Redevelopment Plan identified all or a portion of five (5)
parcels of private property that would have to be purchased to implement the
Neighborhood Plan and to protect the interests of the City at the south end of the
existing runway.
The B-1, Small airport has a required object free area of 250' in width centered about
the runway centerline and extending 300' beyond the runway threshold. This area must
remain free of all objects other than those fixed by function, such as navigational aids.
Because of the required 250' object free area, I have identified five (5) additional
private properties on the West side of the runway that will be impacted by the object
free area. These five (5) parcels on the West side of the runway were not identified in
the Airport Redevelopment Plan Analysis. Although only a portion of each of these
parcels (2.15 total acres) is needed for the B-1 object free area, the City might
consider purchasing the parcels in their entirety. It is the purchase of all or a portion of
these additional five (5) properties that makes up the biggest difference between the
two proposed B-1 budgets.
Clarence Krepps, City Manager
Page 2
July 1, 1997
After the Redevelopment Plan was completed, the Airport Advisory Board proceeded to look for
funding opportunities for the airport. They were convinced that the only way to obtain FAA
funding, was to pursue a B-11, Small airport. A B-11, Small airport has increased dimensional
criteria, such as a larger object free area, which in turn means additional land is required. (46
Total Acres) When Peccia and Associates completed the preliminary airport layout plan, it was
based on a B-11, Small airport.
If the City chooses now to pursue a B-11, Small airport, there are many additional costs to
consider. The largest cost being the land acquisition costs. I have attempted to roughly compare
the cost differences between the two airport categories.
There are many options for the City to consider when budgeting money for the Kalispell City
Airport. I believe that once the Airport Study is completed by Morrison-Maierle, we will have
more information on which to base our decisions.