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City staff to update airport hazard overlay code, amend future land-use and hold public hearing
Summary
Consultants and staff briefed council on proposed changes to the airport hazard overlay ordinance, new imaginary-surface definitions tied to the existing runway, and an upcoming public hearing and rezoning tied to a planned-unit-development proposal for the airport property.
City staff and consultants presented proposed amendments to Marion's airport hazard overlay ordinance at the Sept. 2 work session and told council they will schedule a public hearing Thursday to consider a future-land-use map amendment and rezoning related to the airport runway property.
Consultants said the draft ordinance updates the code to align with Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration guidance, clarifies the imaginary surfaces around the active north'south runway, removes outdated references to a past east'west expansion concept, and directs applicants to file FAA Form 7460-1 when a proposed development would penetrate the protected airspace surfaces. The draft also removes a standalone airport zoning board of adjustment and directs variance requests to the city's existing board of adjustments.
Consultants and staff said the airport property is now privately owned but continues to operate as a public-use airport; the proposed ordinance and related future-land-use amendment and rezoning are intended to align local regulations with the current runway configuration and the owner's planned-unit-development proposal. Staff said those land-use and rezoning items will appear for public hearing on Thursday's council agenda.
Council members asked how the city reviews projects for compliance with the imaginary-surface standards; staff said they use mapping, building height and finished-floor elevations to calculate potential penetrations and, when a penetration is possible, require applicants to submit FAA review forms. Staff also clarified that only penetrations that exceed the overlay planes require FAA review, and that the city will continue to rely on the future-land-use map and zoning for allowable land uses rather than a separate compatibility table in the overlay code.
No ordinance was adopted at the work session; staff and consultants will bring the updated ordinance, a future land-use map amendment and a rezoning request to the public hearing on the Thursday agenda.
