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Hot Springs council approves first reading to protect airport part 77 airspace
Summary
The Hot Springs City Council approved the first reading of ordinance 1284 to protect Part 77 airspace around the municipal airport, a move officials said is required to meet FAA/SD DOT guidance and safeguard air ambulance, firefighting aircraft and general aviation.
The Hot Springs City Council on first reading approved ordinance 1284, a zoning change to protect Part 77 airspace over the Hot Springs Airport.
Bill Lukans, who explained the measure at a public hearing, told the council the rule protects a funnel‑shaped volume of air that begins at 150 feet above ground at the airport boundary and extends outward at a 22:1 slope — roughly 1.7–1.75 miles — to an altitude of about 350–375 feet. "Part 77 airspace is...everything above 150 ft," Lukans said while describing why towers and wind turbines would be of special concern.
Lukans said the ordinance is intended to prevent structures that would "puncture" that protective funnel. He said failure to protect the approach could jeopardize the airport’s services, including medevac flights, aerial firefighting and general aviation maintenance operations.
Council members discussed implementation steps Lukans outlined: adopting the ordinance and then presenting a county resolution so the city may enforce Part 77 protections over county property that extends beyond city‑owned land. City staff and the airport manager told the council the changes respond to prior inquiries from the South Dakota Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division and FAA guidance on Part 77 compliance.
The first reading passed on a roll‑call vote; councilors were recorded as supporting the measure. The ordinance now moves to a subsequent reading for final adoption and the council signaled plans to coordinate a presentation to the county commissioners on enforcement over county property.
The measure includes language that the rule applies only to structures that would penetrate protected airspace (council discussion singled out cell towers and wind turbines) and does not affect low structures or typical farming improvements.
