Laurel Airport Zoning17.28.010
Chapter 17.28
Sections:
17.28.010
Intent..
17.28.020
Definitions.
17.28.030
Airport area of
influence.
17.28.040
Airport elevation.
17.28.050
Airport property
boundary.
17.28.060
Federal Aviation
Regulation (FAR) 77.
17.28.070
Flight patterns.
17.28.080
Ldn.
17.28.090
Primary surface and
primary surface control
zone.
17.28.100
Runway layout.
17.28.110
Structure.
17.28.120
Tree.
17.28.130
Zoning commission!
Duties.
17-28.140
Administration.
17.28.150
Applicability.
17.28.160
Districts created.
17.28.170
Airport Iand use map.
17.28.180
Use restrictions.
17.28.190
Land use schedule.
17.28.200
Height limitations.
17.28.210
Nonconforming uses.
17-28.220
Uses.
17-28.010 Intent.
Specifically, these criteria and guidelines
are designed to preserve existing and estab-
lish new compatible land uses around air-
ports, to allow land use not associated with
high population concentration, to minimize
exposure of residential uses to critical air-
craft noise areas, to avoid danger from
(Laurel 4-95) 402
aircraft crashes, and to regulate the area
around the airport to minimize danger to
public health, safety, or property from the
operation of the airport; to prevent obstruc-
tion to air navigation, and to aid in realizing
the goals and policies of the city compre-
hensive plan and the Laurel airport master
plan. These guidelines will consider among
other things:
A. The safety of the airport users and
persons and property in the vic_ £* ty of the
airport;
B. The character of the flying operations
conducted or expected to be conducted at
the airport;
C. The magnitude and duration of noise
produced by aircraft and the number of
aircraft flying;
D. The nature of the terrain;
E. The future development of the air-
port; and
F. The views and mandates of the feder-
al agency charged with the fostering of civil
aeronautics as to the aerial surfaces neces-
sary for safe flying operations. (Prior code
§ 17.56.010)
17.28.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter certain
words and terms used herein are defined in
this chapter. (Prior code § 17.56.001)
17.28.030 Airport area of influence.
"Airport area of influence" means an area
encompassing the flight pattern and the area
located between the fifty-five and sixty-five
Ldn contours as depicted on the Ldn con-
tour map. (Prior code § 17.56.005)
17.28.040 Airport elevation.
"Airport elevation" is recorded and ac-
cepted as three thousand five hundred fif-
teen feet above mean sea level (MSL).
(Ord. 94-11, 1994; prior code § 17.56.020)
17-28.050 Airport property
boundary.
"Airport property boundary„ means the
area presently owned or leased by the city
for use in the daily operation of the airport.
"Proposed airport Property boundary„ means
the area presently owned or leased by the
city for use in the daily operation of the
airport. "Proposed airport property bound-
ary" refers to any areas to be acquired by
the city for future development and protec-
tion of the city for future development and
protection of the facility. (Prior code §
17.56.030)
17.28.060 Federal Aviation
Regulation (FAR) 77.
"Federal Aviation Regulation" means
those regulations which delineate imaginary
surfaces as designated by the Federal Avia-
tion Administration (FAA) to control the
height of objects, both natural and man-
made, which may affect navigable airspace
around the airport. (Prior code § 17.56.040)
17.28.070 Flight patterns.
"Flight patterns" mean an area one mile
on each side of the runway centerline and
one mile off each runway end. It also in-
cludes that portion of an area ten thousand
feet by four thousand feet beginning two
hundred feet off of each end of runway
3-21 and extending beyond the one mile
length. (Prior code § 17.56.050)
17.28.080 Ldn.
"Ldn (day/night sound level)" means the
noise measuring system which was utilized
to predict the impact and impact area result-
ing from the present and projected airport
operations. The Ldn system that was uti-
lized describes the environment in terms of
contours which connect points of equal
noise exposure intensity (the magnitude of
the noise intensity within the sixty Ldn
contour is comparable with normal conver-
sation). (Prior code § 17.56.060)
17.28.090 Primary surface and
primary surface control
zone.
"Primary surface control zone" means a
surface located longitudinally on a runway
and extending two hundred feet beyond
each end of the runway. The primary sur-
face control zone extends two hundred fifty
feet southeast of the centerline of Runway
4/22; one thousand feet northwest of the
centerline of Runway 4/22; two hundred
fifty feet on each side of Runway 14/32
southeast of the intersection with Runway
4/22; and one thousand feet on either side
of Runway 14/32 northwest of the intersec-
tion with Runway 4/22. The primary surface
control zone includes the primary surface,
a surface longitudinally centered on each
runway and extending two hundred feet
beyond each end of a runway. The primary
surface is five hundred feet wide for Run-
way 4/22 and two hundred fifty feet for
Runway 14/32. The elevation of any point
on the primary surface is the same as the
elevation of the nearest point on the runway
centerline. (Ord. 94-9, 1994: prior code §
17.56.070)
17.28.100 Runway layout.
"Runway layout" means the orientation
403 (Laurel 4-95)
I�►.1�[117
of the runways based on magnetic north
Proposed runway layout includes future
extensions on existing runways and new
runways not yet constructed. (Ord. 94-10,
1994; prior code § 1756.080)
17.28.110 Structure.
"Structure" means an object, including a
mobile object, constructed or installed by
man, including but without limitation, build-
ings, dowers, cranes, smokestacks, earth
formations, and overhead transmission lines.
(Prior code § 17.56.090)
17.28.120 Tree.
"Tree"
means any object of natural
growth. (Prior code § 1756.100)
17-28.130 Zoning commission —
Duties.
The city -county planning board shall act
as the airport zoning commission whose
duty it shall be to recommend the bound-
aries of the various original districts, appro-
priate regulations to be enforced therein,
and to propose amendments or changes in
either the boundaries or regulations as appli-
cable. (Prior code § 1756.110)
17.28.140 Administration.
The regulations shall be administered by
the city -county planning board which shall
also have the authority to approve or disap-
prove proposed uses within the airport zone
unless overruled by the airport board within
two weeks of the date of the decision made
by the city -county planning board. (Prior
code § 17.56.120)
17.28.150 Applicability.
These regulations will affect the property
(I-aaml 4-95) 404
which lies outside of the airport boundary
but inside of the airport area of influence.
(Prior code § 17.56.130)
17-28.160 Districts created.
In order to carry out the intent of these
regulations, the Laurel airport area of influ-
ence is divided into the following basic
airport zones: Ldn zones and flight pattern
area. (Ord. 94-14, 1994; prior code §
17.56.140)
17.28.170 Airport land use map.
The boundaries of the airport zones are
shown on the Laurel Airport Zoning Map
which is filed with the city clerk. That map,
along with all official amendments thereto,
is made a part of these regulations. (Prior
code § 1756.150)
17.28.180 Use restrictions.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of
these regulations, no use may be made of
land or water within any district established
by this regulation in such a manner as to
create electrical interference with naviga-
tional signals or radio communication be-
tween the airport and aircraft, make it diffi-
cult for pilots to distinguish between the
airport lights and other lights, result in glare
in the eyes of the pilots using the airport,
impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport
or otherwise in any way create a hazard or
endanger the landing, takeoff, or maneuver-
ing of aircraft intended to use the airport.
(Prior code § 17.56.160)
17.28.190 Land use schedule.
A. Residential Uses Require Permit.
1. As shown on Table 17.28.190, new
residential uses within the flight pattern area
require a flight pattern area use permit. No
new residential structures shall be erected
without such permit, and all existing resi-
dential structures in the flight pattern area
at the time of adoption of the ordinance
codified in this section shall be considered
as grandfathered, nonconforming uses until
such uses have been found in compliance
with this section.
2. Three copies of an application along
with a twenty-five dollars review fee shall
be filed with the city and shall consist, at a
minimum, of the following information:
a. A legal and general description of the
tract or tracts upon which the permit is
sought;
b. A map showing the dimensions,
acreage and sites of the tract(s) and adjacent
land uses;
c. The names, addresses and telephone
numbers of the owner(s) of the tract(s) and
their agents, if any;
d. A site plan showing major details of
the proposed residential use including but
not limited to: proposed and existing build-
ings and structures; heights of structures;
means of ingress and egress; landscaping;
and proposed construction materials;
e. A time schedule for development;
f. An executed perpetual air rights
easement, in a form satisfactory to the city,
granting to the city, for the benefit of the
public, perpetual air rights -of -way for the
free and unobstructed navigation and pas-
sage of all types of aircraft in and through
the air space above the real property in-
volved; and
g. Any other information the applicant
believes will support the request or that the
city may require.
B. Review of the Flight Pattern Area
Use Permit by the Planning Director.
17.28.190
1. The application for flight pattern area
use permit shall be reviewed by the plan-
ning director for appropriateness and effect
on the ordinance codified in this section,
existing and proposed airport plans, compat-
ibility of surrounding land uses and rela-
tionship to the Laurel Comprehensive Plan
and FAR Part 150, Noise Compatibility
Program-
2. The planning director shall provide .
one copy of the application to the I.a urel
airport authority for review.
3. If the application is properly prepared. .
and complete as specified in subsection.
A(2) of this section, the planning director:
shall have ten working days to review the
application and, if in compliance with the
intent of the ordinance codified in this
section, issue a flight pattern use permit.
(Ord. 94-13, 1994; prior code § 17.56.170)
17M.200 Height Iimitations.
In order to carry out the intent of these
regulations, there are established imaginary
surfaces for the purpose of.Iimiting height.
An area located in more than one of the
following zones is limited by the more
restrictive zone. No structure or tree shall be
erected, altered, allowed to grow, or be
maintained above the following imaginary
surfaces:
A. Utility Runway Visual Approach
Zone: slopes upward twenty feet horizontal-
ly for each foot vertically, beginning at the
end of and at the same elevation and width
as the primary surface and extending to a
horizontal distance of five thousand feet
along the extended runway centerline, with
a lateral width of one thousand two hundred
fifty feet.
B. Utility Runway Nonprecision Instru-
ment Approach Zone: slopes upward twenty
405 (LAt=14-95)
feet horizontally for each foot vertically
beginning at the end of and at the same
elevation and width as the primary surface
and extending to a horizontal distance of
five thousand feet along the extended run-
way centerline, with a lateral width of two
thousand feet.
C. Transitional Zone: slopes upward
seven feet horizontally for each foot verti-
cally beginning at the sides of and at the
same elevation and width as the primary
surface and the approach zones, and extend-
ing to a height of one hundred and fifty feet
above the airport elevation. In addition to
the foregoing, .there are established height
limits sloping upward and outward seven
feet horizontally for each foot vertically
beginning at the sides of and at the same
elevation as the approach zones, and ex-
tending to where they intersect with the
conical surface.
D. Horizontal Zone: a horizontal plane
one hundred fifty feet above the established
airport elevation, the perimeter of which is
constructed by swinging arcs of five thou-
sand feet from the center of each end of the
primary surface of each runway and con-
necting the adjacent arcs by lines tangent to
those arcs.
E. Conical Zone: slopes upward and
outward twenty feet horizontally for each
foot vertically beginning at the periphery of
the horizontal zone and extending to a
height of three hundred fifty feet above the
airport elevation. (Ord. 94-12, 1994; prior
code § 1756.180)
17.28.210 Nonconforming uses.
A. Regulations Not Retroactive. These
regulations shall not be construed to require
the removal, lowering or other changes or
alterations of any structure or tree not con-
(IA=i 495) 406
forming to the regulations as of the effec-
tive date of the ordinance codified in this
chapter. Nothing herein contained shall
require any change in construction, alter-
ation, or intended use of any structure, the
construction or alteration of which was
begun prior to the effective date of these
regulations, and is diligently prosecuted to
completion.
B. Hazard Marking and Lighting. Not-
withstanding subsection A wave, the owner
of any nonconforming structure or tree is
required to permit the city, at its own ex-
pense, to install, operate, and maintain
thereon such markers and lights as the air-
port board may deem necessary to indicate
to airmen the presence of airport hazards;
provided, that the city does not by taking
such action waive any right to exercise
eminent domain or abate as a nuisance any
such nonconforming structure. (Prior code
§ 17.56.190)
17.28-220 Uses.
A. Future Uses. No person shall make
any material change in the use of land and
no person shall erect, alter, plant or other-
wise establish any structure or tree in any
zone created unless approval has been ap-
plied for and granted. Applications for
approvals shall be made to the city -county
planning board. Each application for, an
approval shall indicate the purpose for
which the approval is desired with sufficient
data to allow the city -county planning board
to determine whether the resulting use,
structure, or tree would conform to these
regulations. If such determination is in the
affirmative, the approval shall be granted,
unless overruled by the airport board within
two weeks of the date of the decision of the
planning board.
B. Existing Use. No approval shall be
granted that would allow the establishment
or creation of an airport hazard or allow a
nonconforming use, structure, or tree to be
made or become higher or a greater hazard
to air navigation than it was on the effective
date of the ordinance codified in this chap-
ter or any amendment thereto or than it is
when the application for an approval is
made.
C. Nonconforming Uses Abandoned or
Destroyed. Whenever the city -county plan-
ning board determines that a nonconforming
structure or tree has been abandoned or
more than eighty percent tom down, de-
stroyed, deteriorated or decayed; no approv-
al shall be granted that would allow such
structure or tree to exceed the applicable
height limit or otherwise deviate from these
regulations.
D. Variances. Any person desiring to
erect or increase the height of any structure,
or permit the growth of any tree, or use his
property not in accordance with these regu-
lations may apply to the city -county plan-
ning board for a variance from the regula-
tions. Such variance shall be allowed where
a literal application or enforcement of these
regulations would result in practical difficul-
ty or unnecessary hardship and the relief
granted would not be contrary the public
interest but do substantial justice and be in
accordance with the spirit of these regula-
tions and of the enabling statute.
E. Hazard Marking and Lighting. In
granting any approval or variance, the
city -county planning board may, if such
action is deemed advisable to effectuate the
purposes of these regulations and be reason-
able in the circumstances, so condition such
approval or variance as to require the owner
of the structure to permit the city, at its own
17.28.220
expense, to install, bperate and maintain
thereon such markers and lights as may
from time to time be necessary to indicate
to airmen the presence of an airport hazard.
(Prior code § 17.56.200)
407 (La-i 4-95)
Table 17.28.190
Land Use Category airport Zones
Flight
Pattern
Ldn 65
Ldn 60
Ldn 55
Area
Residential uses inside the municipal NA
NA
NA
P
boundaries of the City of Laurel
Residential uses outside the municipal I
I
SR
P
boundaries of the City of Laurel
Commercial uses inside the Laurel Air- A
A
A
A
port property boundary
Commercial uses outside the Laurel NA
SR
SR
SR
Airport property boundary
Public uses A
A
A
A
Agricultural uses NA
NA
SR
A
Ivey:
A = Allowed
I = Not allowed
NA = Not applicable
P = Requires flight pattern area use permit
SR = Special review (See Chapter 17.68 of this code)
Note: A location covered by more than one airport zone or regular Laurel
zoning
district shall be limited to the more restrictive zone.
aAx=1 4-95) 408