Laserfiche WebLink
9.E.a <br />NSQL #4 <br />League of Arizona Cities & Towns Resolution <br />Support legislation that promotes and strengthens the safety of children in school buildings <br />located near airports while preserving airports' long-term viability and economic benefits to <br />local communities. <br />A. Policy Issue <br />Aviation in Arizona provides more than $58 Billion annually in economic activity. Arizona's <br />airports are economic hubs for our cities and towns and it is crucial to protect them from <br />encroachment which threatens their airspace and constrains their potential community benefits. In <br />the City of Mesa, Phoenix -Mesa Gateway Airport's growth is an integral part of our local, state <br />and international economy. The recent addition of Skybridge Arizona marks a new era in cross - <br />border trade, growing our city and state economy and playing a vital role in international <br />commerce. Skybridge Arizona will enable E-commerce companies, manufacturers and other <br />commercial interests in North and South America to efficiently transport goods while ensuring <br />safety controls. This project is expected to create thousands of direct jobs in our state and <br />significantly increase Phoenix -Mesa Gateway Airport cargo flights. Such growth will inevitably <br />foster future opportunities; thus, it is crucial for our cities and airports to continue to be great <br />partners to support economic growth across our State. Other airports, large and small, throughout <br />Arizona provide similar benefits to their local communities. <br />Current state law provides exemptions for schools from local planning and zoning requirements <br />and fails to provide adequate communication and collaboration between airports and schools when <br />a new school is locating in an airport's vicinity. The lack of proper communication and <br />coordination can result in negative unintended consequences for schools and airports, risking the <br />safety and operations of all involved. Under current law, when a new school is planned within the <br />airport traffic pattern airspace boundary, the school has no requirement to communicate their plans <br />to the airport. This has resulted in the construction of a high -profile structure that has led to a <br />reduction in airport's airspace and FAA fines incurred by the school. Although the construction <br />occurred within the letter of the law, better communication and coordination amongst the school <br />officials and the airport would have yielded a better result for all parties. Because school buildings <br />are currently exempt from zoning requirements, adequate planning can be challenging. However <br />minor changes thoughtfully planned can provide a lasting solution to this occasional but serious <br />concern while protecting everyone's best interests. <br />B. Purpose and Effect of Resolution <br />The League of Cities and Towns has an important role in the legislative stakeholder process, <br />where airports, City officials, school district and charter school representatives, and business <br />community members can develop comprehensive legislation to protect public safety and lower our <br />airports exposure to encroachment, possible air space loss and noise abatement concerns. <br />Reaching and adopting compromise legislation that promotes better communication and <br />coordination for school buildings near airports and/or restricts such construction/relocation in <br />pertinent areas, is imperative to ensure that public safety and the airports' economic benefits are <br />protected. <br />rn <br />0 <br />0 <br />0 <br />d <br />a, <br />J <br />N <br />a, <br />Ca <br />a <br />N <br />0 <br />0 <br />0 <br />d <br />d <br />w <br />0 <br />U <br />a, <br />(a <br />a, <br />J <br />co <br />0 <br />N <br />a+ <br />a) <br />E <br />.c <br />r <br />a <br />28 <br />Packet Pg. 164 <br />