AGENDA #10
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Petition regarding the Horace Williams Airport
DATE: April 14, 2004
The Council at its February 23, 2004 meeting received and referred a petition from Mr. Al Burk, on behalf of Northhaven residents, requesting that the Council support the Horace Williams Airport and keep it open (see Attachment 1, Excerpt from Minutes of February 23, 2004). The Council requested that staff provide a report with background information on how the Council earlier had reached its decision to support closure of the Airport.
BACKGROUND
The petition received and referred on February 23, 2004, asked the Council not to call for closing the Horace Williams Airport. The petition described the Airport as a good neighbor and a valuable resource to Chapel Hill, and suggested that the loss of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) service would cost the Town $5 to $15 million in economic activity.
During Council discussion of the petition, it was noted that the petition was requesting that the Council reconsider its position on the operation of the Horace Williams Airport. The Council requested background information on how the Council had arrived at its decision to support closing the airport. The Council also requested that staff provide information about any changes in Airport operations over the last couple of years.
DISCUSSION
Events Resulting in Current Position on Horace Williams Airport
In response to the Council’s request for background information on how the Council arrived at its decision to support closing of the airport, we have produced a fact sheet (Attachment 2) which provides a chronology of events relevant to the airport.
On October 10, 1989, the Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution (Attachment 3) which stated the Council’s position that the airport, pending its relocation:
· Be designated as “private” to eliminate its use by transient aircraft;
· Be closed to non-University operations between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; and
· Be continuously monitored as to the volume, aircraft type and purposes of aircraft operations.
The resolution also requested that the University continue to enhance the safety of air operations, and affirmed the Council’s desire “that air operations at the airport, other than those for public purposes, be carefully limited until they are relocated.”
As the chronology of events shows, the University in 1990 reiterated its long-standing commitment to “no jets” and “no airport growth.” This commitment was reaffirmed by the University in 1992.
In October of 1996, a jet was allowed to land and take off at the airport. Then President C. D. Spangler was quoted by local reporters that he was “unaware of the no jets agreement.” An official policy by the University allowing jets to land at the airport went into effect on December 5, 1996.
In 1997, the Council formed the Horace Williams Airport Committee to investigate constructive steps the Town might take to obtain a reversal of the decision to allow jets at the airport. The Committee issued a report in September of that year, recommending that the prohibition on jet traffic be reinstated.
In 1998, the University restricted transient flights between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (requested in the Council’s resolution of October 10, 1989). That same year, Chancellor Hooker established an Airport Advisory Committee to address airport operations and concerns. The Committee presented an interim report in September of that year, which included a recommendation that “no Stage 1 [jet] aircraft be allowed” at the airport.
Mayor Rosemary Waldorf in July of 2000 sent a letter to Interim Chancellor William McCoy restating the Council’s position that the airport become a University-only facility and that transient traffic be excluded. In August 2000, the Chancellor responded by restating the University’s position that the airport must continue as a public use, and it would not consider conversion to private use or further limitations of transient use.
On May 7, 2001, the Council unanimously adopted a motion (Attachment 4) requesting that the University evaluate the status and location of the airport, including whether it could be a University-only facility, and that the Council supported the intent of the Manager to forward his observations about the recent crash, and seek answers to particular questions in the Manager’s memo.
In April of 2002, the University announced its plans to close the Horace Williams Airport. In response, the General Assembly required that the University keep the airport open until January 2005.
Current Operations at the Airport
In response to the Council’s request regarding how airport operations may have changed over the last couple of years, we asked the University to provide us with recent statistics (Attachment 5).
|
Year |
Jet Landings |
AHEC/Medical Landings |
Take-Offs 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. |
Total Take-offs |
|
2000-2001 |
56 |
1,381 |
105 |
3,540 |
|
2001-2002 |
39 |
1,240 |
44 |
2,042 |
|
2002-2003 |
49 |
1,183 |
**91 |
**1,296 |
|
2003-2004 |
*36 |
*712 |
|
|
* Figures provided through February, 2004.
** Figures provided through April 1, 2003 (counting equipment at the airport ceased to function at this time, and has not been repaired or replaced).
CONCLUSION
We would be pleased to obtain any additional information that may be desired by the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Excerpt from Minutes of February 23, 2004 (p. 4).
2. Horace Williams Airport Fact Sheet (p. 6).
3. October 10, 1989 Resolution (p. 9).
4. Excerpt from Minutes of May 7, 2001 (p. 13).
5. Information provided by UNC regarding Current Operations at the Horace Williams Airport (Fuel Sales, Takeoff Count) (p. 14).
Excerpt from Minutes of the February 23, 2004 Meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council:
3a(4) Al Burk, regarding a petition on behalf of Northhaven Residents, requesting that the Council support the Horace Williams Airport.
Mr. Burke read a petition on behalf of Northhaven residents that asked the Council not to close the Horace Williams Airport. He described the Airport as a good neighbor and a valuable resource to Chapel Hill. Mr. Burke said that the Airport would provide a much-needed protective buffer between Northhaven and UNC's proposed new development on the Horace Williams property. He submitted information that he said suggested that the loss of the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) service alone would cost Chapel Hill $5 - $15 million dollars of economic activity.
Mayor Foy pointed out that the petition was asking the Council to reconsider its position. Council Member Hill, noting that he had not been on the Council when the decision to close the Airport had been reached, requested background information on how the Council had arrived at that decision.
Mayor pro tem Wiggins replied that the Council had been concerned about safety. The Airport was close to several schools and subdivisions that had developed around it, she said. Council Member Wiggins explained that several planes had crashed near those schools and subdivisions.
Mayor Foy suggested reformulating the petition to ask the staff for background on when the position had been developed and what the basis for it had been. The petition asks the Manager to provide information that he might not be able to provide, Mayor Foy pointed out. He suggested that the staff find out what kind of activity was currently taking place at the Airport and what was being planned.
Council Member Hill asked how quickly the staff could learn such things, and Town Manager Cal Horton pointed out that this was a very busy time of year. It would be a while, said Mr. Horton. Council Member Kleinschmidt verified that Mayor Foy's suggestion would include asking about changes that might have occurred at the Airport. Council Member Wiggins pointed out that there was less traffic at the Airport now because the Flying Club was no longer based there. Mayor Foy commented that much information could be provided that would help the Town better understand the situation.
Mayor pro tem Wiggins expressed support for the staff bringing back information based on what already was in Town files. But she did not support the request to assess the impact, at least not at this time, she said. Mayor Foy agreed, explaining that he was trying to reformulate the petition to answer questions but not to formulate anything new at this point. Council Member Strom noted that the staff might get basic information about AHEC from UNC Hospitals. They might get information from UNC about changes in how the Airport was operating, he said. Mr. Horton commented that the Council was asking for historical background and would like the staff to assemble the best data they could about any changes in Airport operations over the last couple of years.
COUNCIL MEMBER KLEINSCHMIDT MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GREENE, TO RECEIVE AND REFER THE PETITION TO THE MANAGER AND ATTORNEY. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
HORACE WILLIAMS AIRPORT FACT SHEET
Brief Chronology:
1940’s Grass airport built and used for flight training of naval pilots during World War II.
1958 Estes Hills School opens (airport remains a dirt strip with only a few flights each day).
1960 Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen makes the airport a non-conforming use.
1963 Phillips Junior High School opens (airport remains a dirt strip).
1965 University offers assurances that the airport would be phased out (Chancellor Sharp letter). Chancellor encouraged residential zoning of neighborhoods and building of schools.
1965 Chapel Hill High School opens (airport remains a dirt strip). Chancellor Sharp writes that continued use of the airport is “undesirable and …hazardous.”
1968 AHEC program begins.
1969 University announces plans to pave the runway.
1970 UNC Faculty Council Committee states that the airport should eventually be closed, and until then, it should be limited to small aircraft; no jets.
1971 UNC paves runway (3,500 feet in length).
1980 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education takes unanimous position that airport should be closed and, until that time, its use should be limited; specified no jets.
1981 UNC voluntarily discontinues practice take-offs and landings.
1989 UNC extends paved runway an additional 500 feet for a total of 4,000 feet (a length that could more comfortably accommodate turbo prop jets). Chancellor Hardin reiterates “no jets” pledge to community. (UNC states runway lengthened for safety reasons.)
1989 University says it will continue to enforce its self-imposed restrictions. In addition, the University pledges to prohibit all air taxi and other commercial operations at the airport.
1989 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education takes second unanimous position that the airport should be closed, and until that time, should be restricted to essential University operations – small aircraft only.
1989 Chapel Hill Town Council adopts a unanimous resolution to request the University to designate Horace Williams Airport a private airport and to enforce the ban on night flights pending airport relocation.
1990 Letter from UNC reiterates long-standing commitment to no jets; no airport growth.
1991 Airport Relocation Committee formed from members of Coordination and Consultation Committee (composed of representatives from UNC, Orange County, and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill). Committee charged with developing options for a process that could result in the relocation of air traffic operations from the Horace Williams Airport.
1991-92 Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, Carrboro, UNC, pilots, neighbors, AHEC participate in University of Virginia-facilitated mediation. UNC agrees to no jets, and no increase in airport use.
1992 Coordination and Consultation Committee publish “General Aviation in Orange County and the Horace Williams Airport: A Process for Charting Their Future.”
1994 Public Forum held on Horace Williams property planning process.
1996 Jet was allowed to land in October to accommodate a University Day visitor. President C. D. Spangler indicated to reporters he was “unaware of the no jets agreement” with the Town.
1996 Official change to “no jets” policy to allow jets goes into effect on December 5, 1996. University states change was to support official University business.
1997 Horace Williams Airport Committee formed to investigate constructive steps the Town might take to obtain a reversal of the decision to allow jets at the airport.
1997 From November 1996 to May 1997, 12 jets land at Horace Williams Airport.
1997 Horace Williams Airport Committee issues report on September 16, 1997, with recommendation that the prohibition on jet traffic be reinstated, and that the University work with the Town to develop an Authority that would manage and operate the airport.
1997 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education reiterates for the third time its position that the airport eventually should be phased out at its present location and until such time as this might be accomplished, that the most restrictive use possible be made.
1998 UNC restricts transient flights on March 16, 1998, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., in response to the crash of a small aircraft at the airport on February 25, 1998.
1998 Airport Advisory Committee established by Chancellor Hooker to address airport operations and policies. Council Member Edith Wiggins appointed to represent the Council.
1999 Airport Advisory Committee presents interim report on September 27, which included a recommendation that “no Stage 1 aircraft be allowed” at the Horace Williams Airport, because of noise they create and safety issues.
2000 July - Mayor Waldorf sends letter to Interim Chancellor William McCoy restating the Council’s position that the airport become a University-only facility and that transient traffic be excluded.
2000 August - Interim Chancellor McCoy restates University’s position that the airport must continue as a public use; will not consider conversion to private use or further limiting transient use.
2001 April 19 - Small aircraft owned by the Chapel Hill Flying Club and operated by a student pilot and instructor crashes into a forested area between the airport and Seawell School Road.
2001 University announces it will not renew the agreement with the Chapel Hill Flying Club to use Horace Williams Airport as its base of operations. The current agreement expires on June 30, 2001. Club officials were notified that the University expects them to relocate the Club’s 12 airplanes. University reiterates that airport will remain a public use facility.
May 7 - The Council unanimously adopts a motion requesting that the University re-evaluate the status and location of the airport, including whether it could be a University-only facility, and that the Council supports the intent of the Manager to forward his observations about the recent crash, and seek answers to particular questions in the Manager’s memo.
2002 University announces in April that it plans to close the Horace Williams Airport “very soon.”
University officials agreed to grant extensions to more than two dozen private pilots based at Horace Williams Airport. Number of privately-owned planes at the airport has dropped from 25 to 17 since the University announced its plans to close the airport.
General Assembly requires the University to keep the airport open until January, 2005.