Resolution PC 96-1 Flatirons Funding

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height limitation i the vicinity of San Carlos Airport. These height criteria have also been adopted by county, state and federal governments. The Federal Aviation Administration ( "FAA ") has developed "A Model Zoning Ordinance to limit height of objects around airports." This model zoning ordinance is also based on the obstruction surfaces described .in FAR Part 77, Subpart C. Similarly, the 1993 Airport Land Use planning .Handbook prepared for Caltrans .states that "limiting the heights of structures to the heights indicated by the part 77 surfaces provides an ample margin of safety for normal aircraft operations." (c) The Project, including the 10- story building at .1.51 feet MSL., will not penetrate the imaginary surface imposed by FAR Part 77, Subpart C. Therefore, it complies .fully with all applicable zoning and other .state and federal safety policies.. 3 0 1 0.2 Potential Effect The 15.1 -foot height of the ten - story office building in its .proposed location could create an air traffic conflict with . aircraft using a short final approach to runway 1 . This approach is often .favored m* inclement weather when visibility .is impaired, and . aircraft using this approach could likewise be exposed to a collision hazard. The addition of two more buildings over 100 feet in height could serve to compound ibis situation. Findin s: The City hereby mares rinding (1). Facts in Support of Findings: (a) Under special visual ]Flight Rule C'SVFW') conditions, including reduced risibility and a low ceiling, either #light visibility or ground visibility must beat least one statute. mile. Even if it is possible, in theory, that an aircraft could approach Runway 12 at. an altitude so . low that the 10 -story building could p represent an operational constraint, the ground or flight visibility requirement of at p least one statute mile would be applicable, and the aircraft would have ample opportunity to see. and avoid the structure. (b) During the period December 1995 through. February 1.996, the Sari :Francisco Bay area experienced some of its most severe winter weather M many years. On several days during this period, Runway 12 at San Carlos Airport was the rirnary use runway. According to radar data derived from San Francisco ort's PASSUR system, the vast majority of aircraft operations during this period flew around, and .not directly over, the proposed location of the 1 0-story office building. An analysis of radar tracks in the vicinity of the building site indicated aircraft altitudes of from 300 to 800 feet. e 18_ F DNGPI. $30/96.10:5.1 AM