PORT OF FRIDAY HARBOR

Port of FH Airport and Seaplane Base Master Plan Public Hearing Oct. 24

posted 10/22/2006
A public information meeting will be held at 4 p.m. and a public hearing at 5 p.m. concerning the preparation of the Port of Friday Harbor Airport and Seaplane Base Master Plan Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at Ernie's Café, located at the base of Airport Circle Drive at Friday Harbor Airport.

The purpose of the meeting will be to present the planning recommendations of the Master Plan that are contained in the Draft Report document of the study. A short presentation followed by a question and answer session will take place at both meetings. The public is invited to attend.

For additional information please contact Steve Simpson, Port Executive Director at (360) 378-2688.

The entire draft plan is available in PDF format on the Port's Web site The documents are also available in the Port office, Airport office and at the library.

The recommended changes are being proposed to accommodate the projected increases which are listed in the tables below.

The Friday Harbor Airport & Seaplane Base Master Plan Update

Briefing Feb. 16, 2006 on airport master plan

posted 2/14/2006
The Port of Friday Harbor will hold an open house and briefing on the draft Friday Harbor Airport and Seaplane Base Draft Master Plan Update at 5:30 p.m. Thursday February 16 at Ernies Cafe at the end of Airport Circle Drive. It is the first road to the left when you enter the airport (look for signs).

The Master Plan will be presented by planners who were hired by the Port to assist with developing the twenty year plan. The Port of Friday Harbor sponsors the airport and receives financing, guidance and assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The airport is the seventh most active airport in Washington State and is classified as a Primary Airport which means it is recognized as a significant part of the country's air transportation system. For additional information phone Steve Simpson at the Port of Friday Harbor 378-2688.

Friday Harbor Port Commission - March 9, 2005

By Ralph Hahn

posted 03/11/05
The Friday Harbor Port Commissioners' meeting was, as usual, generally taken up with routine matters, staff reports and some general discussion. A discussion of the Airport Master Plan, however, was a little different than usual.

Shirley Evers, an interested community person, attended the meeting to ask the Commissioners about their expansion plans for the airport. In general, Evers stated that she was opposed to any increase in airport operations. Greg Hertel, chairman of the Commission, stated that the Commission had no intention of lengthening or strengthening the existing runway to accommodate larger aircraft.

When questioned, the commissioners and Port Director, agreed that Hertel's comments represented the position of the Commission. They did point out, however, that the number and type of planes using the port cannot be limited by the Commission or Port.

Port Director Steve Simpson and Hertel emphasized that the Master Plan Study currently underway was a requirement of the FAA and that the FAA was insisting that the Port bring the airport up to B2 standards. This standard is a safety requirement which will require the taxiway and landing strip be separated by an additional 90 feet. The change is necessary to increase the safety margins for planes currently using the airport. The additional proposed changes in the draft Master Plan, a new terminal building and increased hanger space, is not a requirement to meet B2 standards and will be up to the Commission to determine whether they want to actually initiate them.

Brian Calvert pointed out that the airport was critical to those people who choose to live on San Juan Island and work off-island as consultants or contract workers. He stated that these people are critical to the diversity of the community and the health of the economy. He does not want to see airport operations reduced.

Another non-routine agenda item was the Commissioners on-going discussion of future projects for the Port. At their meeting in February, Simpson challenged the Commissioners to begin the process of identifying projects which meet the legal mission of the Port and which would have the economic impact that the marina and airport have brought to San Juan Island. Hertel began the discussion by pointing out that the Commissioners had three options: do nothing, pursue major development, or find a middle ground between development and nothing.

Calvert pointed out that the cost of housing was a limiting condition. Marilyn O'Connor, Port Auditor, stated that the Port did not have authority to build affordable housing. Calvert and Hertel expressed their opposition to "commuter workers." Calvert further opined that goods and services will always be transported to the island and that maybe the Port should focus on projects to support and improve transportation facilities.

Calvert next pointed out that $4 to 5 million worth of "boat work" a year, work that used to be done on San Juan Island, was being sent elsewhere for lack of trained workers and local businesses.

Simpson pointed out that Anacortes had made a conscious decision to create a boating industry and had made sure that its planning and permitting regulations encouraged the development of such businesses.

Calvert said the last election had shown clearly that the community was opposed to development in general and business development in particular.

Mike Ahrenius stated that Port projects which involved development would be "bucking the tide" and was not practical. His preference was that the Port undertake projects to maintain the health of transportation services.

Hertel pointed out that a potential project was to maintain and develop space for businesses wishing to move the Island. He reminded his fellow commissioners that they had available land for such a project at the north end of the runway (adjacent to M & W Auto and an appliance store). The Port's fiber optic cable runs through the property and creates an opportunity for high-speed data service oriented businesses.

All of the Commissioners were interested in determining whether other community agencies would participate with the Port to discuss the issue of economic growth. The discussion ended with an agreement to keep the discussion on future agendas.

Other Actions:

• Approved Kim and Michelle Smith, owners of Tanback Marine, selling their lease of space in the Yacht Club building to Jeff Granville owner of Granville Marine (Anacortes).
  
  
• Approved a 10 year renewal of the space lease to the San Juan Island Yacht Club (the Port owns and leases the land on which the Yacht Club built its Club House).
  
  
• Agreed to set aside space in the Port's park area and at Jackson Beach for placement of one or more concrete chess tables (a Gates Grant project, involving local artists and high school students - Chin Mayo is the organizer).

• The Maintenance Department is continuing the planning and permitting process to acquire a floating restroom (connected to the dock sewage system).
  
  
• The Port staff will be heavily involved in an Emergency Services drill scheduled for April 9, held at the waterfront end of Spring Street.
  
  
• The Port is continuing its' "Fly Friday Harbor" campaign. Citizens flying to and from Seattle from April 1 to May 31 will be able to receive a $50 discount. There will also be discounts for flyers to and from Anacortes and Bellingham from May 1 to June 15.
  
  
• Herlen Construction has had two new incidents of construction in the Port's breakwater anchor area. Herlen has been put on notice of the problem and of their financial liability if their work causes any damage to the anchors or anchor lines.

Deja Vu All Over Again - Airport Expansion?

Story by Ralph Hahn

posted 02/23/05
Several years ago Steve Bobb, leading a group called Citizens Concerned about Airport Expansion, filled suit in court to stop the Port of Friday Harbor from acquiring additional property for future expansion (rumored to have been as many as 200 new hanger spaces) of the airport. Eventually both parties agreed they work out a settlement and petitioned the court to dismiss the suit. An agreement was reached and by resolution the Port Commissioners agreed to maintain the three parcels in question as "Airport Buffer Property" to buffer "the effects of the airport from incompatible conflicting uses on adjoining properties."

Déjà vu … the Port Commissioners have formed an Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee to study expansion of the airport. This time the study is being driven by the FAA which requires the Port to have a 20-year plan for airport safety improvements … a requirement to receive any new federal funds for airport improvements. The FAA is also pushing the Port to make specific changes to upgrade the status of the airport from ARC B1 to ARC B2. It is this second effort that, if undertaken by the Port, will lead to expansion which may violate the Resolution passed in 1992.

Lynn Loring, a member of the Committee representing the neighbors, pointed out that the Port had agreed to not undertake any expansion into the specified area as a condition of the 1992 settlement. She asked Port of Friday Harbor Director Steve Simpson why any airport expansion plan was being considered in light of the settlement agreement.

Simpson responded that the FAA required the study, whether it was implemented or not, and was pressing the port to improve the facility to B2 status. He also said that be believed that the actual settlement language required the Port to study all alternatives to expansion of facilities but did not exclude expansion if no other alternative was feasible. In a later interview, Simpson pointed out that Resolutions can be overturned by future Port Commissioners at any time.

Specifically, upgrading the airport from B1 to B2 status requires that the taxi way and landing strip be separated by an additional 90 feet (from the existing 150 to 240 feet) and increase the size of the Runway Protection Zones at each end of the landing strip. These changes start a "cascade" of changes. At least two hanger buildings would have to be removed, several tie-downs would be eliminated, the existing plane parking apron would be eliminated, and the passenger terminal and terminal parking would have to be moved to meet FAA safety standards. Replacement of any of these existing facilities will require the Port to build outside of the existing fence line.

According to Cody Fusil, the architect from the firm hired to assist the Citizens' Committee complete the expansion study, the airport has been out of compliance with FAA standards for several years and has informed the Port that they must bring the airport up to the specified standards. Fusil emphasized that the plan can, however, be phased in over the full 20 years He also emphasized that a plan is only that. Ultimately, the Port Commissioners must decide whether every aspect of the plan will be implemented or not.

The proposed improvement plan, in addition to relocating hangers, tie-downs, parking apron, terminal and parking, must also provide for projected increases in aviation users. This part of the plan includes building new hanger space to accommodate growth in private and commercial aviation users. Ray Bigler, member of the Committee representing the San Juan Pilots Association, asked Port representatives how many people were on the waiting list for hangers. Pat Mayo, Airport Manager, answered that there were 15 on the list and the list was growing. He further stated that the wait was measured in years; considering existing facilities, some pilots might have to wait as many as 30 years for hanger space to become available.

The architects have provided several possible options for the Committee to consider. Option 1 shows replacement hangers where the present terminal and parking area are located. Additional new hangers and the passenger terminal and parking would be moved to the area southwest of the runway. Space for new hangers (approximately 32 to 40), terminal and parking would be created by excavating into the hill, creating a 20 foot "sound wall" to protect neighbors from operation noise. To provide easier, more convenient access a new road will be built from Cattle Point Road, passing the south end of the landing strip to the new facilities. Cost of Option 1 … $32,152,000.

Option 2 simply moves the terminal and parking to the west of its existing location) and places all of the replacement and new hangers (about 32-40 new hangers) in the space excavated from the area southwest of the landing strip. A new access road is also included in this option. Cost of Option 2 … $40,793,000.

Finally, the architects presented a design for a new terminal. The biggest change in terminal space is additional space for Homeland Security and the Customs service. According to the architect and Simpson, the two agencies have insisted that they cannot share the same facilities and are insisting on separate working space. Simpson stated that the Custom's service has denied permission for international flights to land in Friday Harbor because they have no space to conduct their inspections. The Port would like to change this situation.

At conclusion of the meeting, Port Commissioner Greg Hertel offered to meet with neighbors to determine whether an agreement could be reached that would allow the Port to proceed with planning and expansion without a resort to a new court suit. Loring welcomed the offer.

Members of the Committee;

• Lynn Loring
• Carla Higginson (pilot and aviation attorney),
• Ray Bigler
• Dave Ross (commercial aviation)
• Denny Kail (citizen-at-large)
• Mike Bertrand (Town of Friday Harbor Land Use Administrator)
• John Dustrude (Trails' Committee representative)
• Roz Casad (pilot and former airport tenant)
• Scott Webster (citizen-at-large)

Friday Harbor airport looks to future

posted 01/21/04
Security and expansion are two of the several areas to be addressed in the update to the Port of Friday Harbor Airport Master Plan. Port Commissioners met with the consultants from Barnard Dunkelberg Jan. 15, 2004 to discuss the work plan. Port Director Steve Simpson said, "The process will allow the community to be involved in airport planning. The next ten years will be terribly dynamic."

The consultants are busy gathering information about the airport and its operations as their first step in putting together the master plan. Assembling a study advisory group which includes members of the general public and pilots is the first item on the list for the commissioners.

"We're caught between people in the community that don’t want expansion and pilots wanting hangars," Port Commissioner Greg Hertel said. Airport manager Pat Mayo said the waiting list for hangars includes more than 50 requests.

Screening and design can lessen the impact of more hangars according to the consultants. Hertel said he was more concerned about the community reaction to more air traffic. Noting the population has changed since the last study, he said, "We'll find out what is acceptable."

Simpson asked about requirements for airport safety overlay districts. Commissioners noted the port's extended flight path goes churches, schools, the medical center and the convalescent center. The consultants said the FAA has changed its mind several times regarding its requirements for land use districts. The overlay district has been listed as an optional task in the master plan project.

The first in a series of public meetings will be held when the first working paper is finished. The master plan is expected to be completed in a year.

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