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pattern. The published pattern altitude for the downwind leg of the traffic pattern is 800 feet MSL. Even assuming, arguably, that the 10-story building is located under this pattern, the 151-foot high building would not have any effect on air traffic control options. The 7- and 8-story buildings also would not affect air traffic control options. 3.10.4 ~: Special VFR arrivals to Runway 12 from the north, and particularly from the vicinity of the KNBR Radio Tower, may be affected if any of the Project buildings impedes line-of-sight from the Air Traffic Control Tower [i!l~iillg~: The City hereby makes finding (1). Facts in Support of Findings: (a) The 1 O-story office building is not in direct alignment with the ATC tower and the KNBR tower. Moreover, air traffic controllers cannot always make visual contact with aircraft over 2.5 miles away. (b) Exhibit 23 of the Airport Study ("Sight Lines from Air Traffic Control Tower") shows the relationship between the San Carlos Airport Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and the KNBR tower. It also depicts sight lines over the 10-story office building and the Oracle building. The exhibit shows that the 10- story building would not interfere with the ability of air traffic controllers to see aircraft operating in the vicinity of the KNBR radio tower. Aircraft approaching the Airport in this area are normally at an altitude of around 1,200 feet MSL. At a distance of 12,000 feet from the control tower, an aircraft would have to be at an altitude of less than 332 feet (and in direct alignment with the tower and the 10- story building) to he hidden from view. With respect to the Oracle building, an aircraft would have to be operating at or below 308 feet. Aircraft in this area typically operate at an altitude of over 500 feet. (e) The 1 O-story building also would not limit or impair the ability of air traffic controllers to see aircraft operating in the pattern immediately behind (i.e. north of) the 10-story building. Arriving aircraft on base to final over the diamond-shaped waterway would be approximately 6,080 feet from the ATC tower. At this distance, the aircraft should be at a minimum altitude of at least 300 feet MSL. The Airport Study supports the conclusion that an aircraft flying as low as 200 feet over the diamond-shaped waterway and behind the 10-story building still could be seen by air traffic controllers. -23- 7/11/96 9:56 AM