Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts updated airport hazard zoning; reduces height limits and expands countywide coverage
Summary
Sedgwick County approved an update to the Airport Hazard Zoning Code to align with new FAA guidance, lowering several height limits in approach zones and expanding the regulatory map; commissioners raised questions about trees, existing structures and city jurisdictional overlap.
The Sedgwick County Commission voted Sept. 10 to adopt amendments to the Wichita‑Sedgwick County Airport Hazard Zoning Code to reflect updated Federal Aviation Administration guidance and to improve protection of airport operations.
Planning staff said the update revises definitions, adjusts hazard zones and reduces allowable heights in several approach areas. Under the adopted map, zone A remains capped at 25 feet; zone B was reduced from 75 feet to 50 feet; zone C was reduced from 150 feet to 100 feet; and zone D was reduced from 300 feet to 200 feet. The update expands the code’s geographic coverage across the county and adds requirements that applicants use the FAA’s online notice criteria tool as part of any permit application.
Scott Weidl, county planner, said the code applies to the county’s primary public airfields (Jabara, McConnell, Beech/Beck, Eisenhower and others listed in the code); the Wichita Police Department heliport was removed because it is no longer in operation. The code requires a permit for structures, towers or vegetation that exceed zone heights; applicants who are denied may appeal to the governing body or seek a variance.
Commissioners questioned how the rules would affect existing mature trees and nonconforming structures, and whether the countywide rules would affect infrastructure in municipal corporate limits. Planning and airport consultants said existing taller structures and vegetation are treated as nonconforming and that, if FAA identifies a hazard that impacts published approaches, airport staff would work with property owners. The county noted the update does apply within municipal boundaries and that adjacent cities may adopt complementary rules.
Corey Lewis of Kaufman Associates, the airport planning consultant, told the commission that tall vegetation can become an operational safety risk as trees mature and encroach on approach paths, and that the FAA regularly evaluates such hazards. Commissioners discussed the practical likelihood of enforcement and the process for property owners and tower applicants to seek FAA determinations.
The commission adopted the MAPC findings and approved the airport hazard zoning update by roll call. Staff said a corrected map (formatting and legend changes) was provided at the meeting to match the updated code language, and that applicants will be required to provide FAA notice‑criteria outputs with permit requests.
