Commission adopts updated airport hazard zoning code with lower height limits and expanded zones
Summary
Staff proposed updates to align local airport hazard zoning with FAA guidance and the commission approved a countywide update that lowers several height limits, expands mapped zones and adds transmission/signal review to the permit process; commissioners raised questions about existing trees, nonconforming features and cellphone towers.
Planning staff and outside consultants presented an update to the Wichita‑Sedgwick County Airport Hazard Zoning Code to align definitions and maps with recent FAA guidance, remove an inactive heliport, and change height limits in runway approach zones. The recommended map reduces several height thresholds — for example, Zone B from 75 feet to 50 feet and Zone C from 150 feet to 100 feet — and expands county coverage to reflect current approach surfaces.
Commissioners asked how natural vegetation and existing trees would be handled; planning staff said nonconforming existing trees and structures would not automatically be grandfathered and airport or FAA review could prompt outreach to property owners. Kaufman Associates’ Corey Lewis said vegetation that encroaches into approach areas can alter published instrument approaches and reduce safety. The commission adopted the MAPC findings and approved the updated airport hazard zoning code and accompanying map.
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