We’ve had two extremely long Transportation committee meetings on the last two Wednesdays, and there appears to be no end in sight. The committee has realized that in addition to public backlash about the jet center langage that came out of the Airport Study, there is also much confusion about who is first in line at the airport for new rental space. We will need more meetings in the near future to review the airport leasing policy, the queue for new space, and to solicit the input of a certain large airplane manufacturer that we wish to keep building planes in our little hamlet.

I recieved this good input from Mark Hancock, a citizen airport-activist in Renton. He summarizes our conversation and his input pretty well, and I suspect many in our city would agree with him.

I would love to get some reader comments on this issue.

Thanks,

Randy

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Randy –
Attached is my initial (very rough) thoughts on the airport policies etc. from the other day. I’m sure that brainstorming with others, and looking over the 2002 and 2005 airport plans would help add to these lists. Maybe the context to put them in to others is: “here’s some initial thoughts, what do you have to add?”

I hope I wasn’t too strident in my pitch at the end of the committee meeting on Wednesday. While I’m obviously happy that the jet center is not longer in there by name, the now absence of any decision criteria other than “good quality” makes me very nervous (how could you make a decision, and have a basis to select one use over another – or to turn one down?). I’m going with the comparison in the meeting – the Airport policies are the “comp plan”, while the Layout Plan is the “zoning”. It was interesting that Jay Covington said there were policies elsewhere – I need to ask him where that is. (maybe the real Comp Plan?)…

Thanks again so much for all your help,
Mark

AIRPORT POLICY OVERVIEW

The big decision is will the Renton Airport:
1) Remain a manufacturing facility, that also includes recreational light aircraft General Aviaton users ?
or
2) Become the new Boeing Field – a regional commercial facility with scheduled and charter passenger carriers ?

Will the City of Renton:
1) Grow the airport to maximize the economic engine ?
or
2) Put quality of life in Renton as the main priority?

Which is more important:
1) Neighborhood needs, with the airport uses designed to preserve them ?
or
2) The airport uses and users, with neighborhoods told to “get used to it” ?

Will Renton (and Mercer Island, Newcastle, etc.) neighborhoods:
1) Remain the peaceful quality neighborhoods they are now ?
or
2) Become the next SeaTac and Georgetowns ?

It is important to recognize:
1) This is an urban airport, inside the Urban Growth Area boundary, in a growing area
not
2) Not an airport out in the country where there are few homes in the flight path

The Renton Airport could likely change incrementally over time (not all at once):
1) Encouraging jets and letting in commercial carriers starts down that slippery slope…
and combined with the Port of Seattle takeover of Boeing Field pushing commercial users to Renton…
2) Ultimately reduces the City of Renton’s future options, and ability to control/change their airport

The FAA can tell Renton to make the airport available to aviation users,
but they cannot specify what those uses and who those users must be.

AIRPORT POLICIES, PRIORITIES and GOALS CONSIDERATIONS

1a Support of Boeing is main priority – now
Need to promote current activities
(e.g. no conflicting uses, keep space available)

1b Support of Boeing is main priority – future
Need to support future activities – keep airport flexible
(e.g. keep space available through short term leases)
(e.g. do not bring in conflicting uses)

2 Preservation of neighborhoods is prime
“Good neighbor” tenants at airport (uses, behavior)
Discourage noise (esp. at night) – don’t just talk about it
Consider adjacent residences, and under/by flight paths

3 Support private light aircraft General Aviation users
Construct T-hangers for indoor aircraft storage
Avoid uses that will conflict, dominate, limit or detract from them

4 Financial return is important, but not driving force
City/neighborhood integrity comes first
Airport should strive to break even; but people before profit

5 Short term leases shall be the norm
Allows flexibility of airport, and control of tenants
Need to do what’s right for the City (not cater to tenants)
6 Keep the current mix of airport uses

7 Discourage night flights, and frequent flights
Careful selection of uses, users, facilities (& mgt of same)

8 Seek to attract new compatible uses:
aircraft and aviation related production
aircraft retrofitting
maintenance/repair services
These will not conflict with existing uses
and will have good paying jobs

9 Responsive noise complaint procedure
Need to be on top of it (not “we don’t know”)
Professional and responsive, like other airports do it
Followup management of users based on public complaints

TENANT LEASING POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Proposed use must meet City’s airport Policies/Goals, and Airport Layout Plan

Proposal must include all details of proposed use, and detailed layout of any proposed structure (inc. employees, # flights and their times, type of aircraft, etc.)

User must fill out & sign a SEPA checklist – listing, quantifying, and addressing all uses and their impacts

What is the user’s previous history, and their relationship with cities and neighborhoods elsewhere ? (owner financial information, corp. history, experience, etc.)

Council shall receive copies of all proposal letters and RFP responses

Council shall have an aviation lawyer review the use, user, risks, terms and conditions, etc. (can also deal with tenant lawyers, lease terms, and the FAA)

Council shall have the last word on contracts, including approval of final contract language (not staff, mayor, or airport manager)

City to own all buildings from the start
May build it, or buy it at completion of construction
Building to be adaptable for future uses/users
Allows for short term leases, and control of tenant

Short term leases are a requirement (allows airport flexibility; control of tenants)

Lease rates should be competitive
Do not give the property away
Give consideration for desireable/compatible/nonintrusive uses.
Consider one use against others before selection is made (pros & cons).

How could tenant expand/change over time?
Will there be new/different uses?
Can they get FAA to force Renton to accept new activities once they get a
lease and presence on the airport property ?

What does the use contribute (or not) to City/citizens/neighborhoods ?
Statements must be supported (esp. business spinoff claims, # jobs, etc.)