Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout1976_01_06 214 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. A Public Hearing was held by the Leesburg Town Council on the Final Airport Master Plan and a Request for Aid for Airport Develop- ment from the Federal Aviation Agency on January 6, 1976 at 7 : 30 P.M. in the School Board Annex, 30 West North Street, Leesburg, Virginia. The meeting was -called to order by the Mayor, who welcomed the approx- mately 150 persons present. Present were the following: Mayor G. Dewey Hill, Councilmen Charles E. Bange, James H. Chamblin, Mary Anne Newman, Robert A. Orr and C. Terry Titus . Absent was Council- man James A. Rock. Present from the Airport Advisory Committee were John A. Wallace, Jr. , Chairman and Members C. Ronald Lowry, Walter F. Murray and Bruce Burrows. The Public Notice of said meeting was read by the Clerk of the Council and a copy is attached hereto. Mayor Hill asked those addressing this hearing to limit their remarks to three (3) minutes, with a possible extension to five min- utes. He felt that five minutes was adequate for any one person to express his or her views . Councilman Titus stated that, since his brother lives in the area affected by the Master Plan, he will not take part in the dis- cussion and will not vote on the Master Plan. He said he is here to- night at the request of the Mayor - he had not intended to be present for this meeting due to the conflict of interest. He also added that he has abstained from voting on all Airport matters for some time. Addressing the hearing as proponents were the following: Mr. Stanley Caulkins, a resident of Leesburg, who said that the Airport is a physical asset of the Town, just the same as the streets, the Sewer Plant, the water works and other property owned by the Town. The Town manages the budget money continuously, some of it in escrow, in order to maintain these physical assets of the Town, but nobody wants to maintain the Airport . He was not in favor of expanding the Airport - in fact, it was never designed to be a "jet" airport. The word "jet" should never have been used and it has been played out of proportion. He said the Airport cannot support itself if the citizens do not give it an opportunity to improve itself. Safety factors are arising - the runway is beginning to crack and must be sealed and im- proved. It is the responsibility of the governing body of the Town to look after this asset and these physical improvements to the exist- ing facility must be completed. Mr. David Pearce, a resident just outside of Leesburg on Catoctin Mountain, and whose house is in direct line with the runway, said he has been flight instructing in the Leesburg area since 1964, when the Town requested him to come to the old airport and set up a flying school . He has been working with Chantilly Aviation since that time as chief flying instructor. He has been designated by FAA as an accident piiention counselor and pilot examiner. He travels all over the United States for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as a safety instructor and consultant. He said he had never heard any- body say anything good about the Airport. However, he wished to cite some of the benefits afforded by its existence in the past. In the last ten years, they have trained approximately 250 veterans under the G. I . Bill . Some two months ago, the Veterans ' Administration required them to make a survey of all graduate students . Seventy- five percent of these veterans trained at Godfrey Field have jobs in aviation - they are airline pilots, FAA traffic controllers, etc. The flight training program at the Airport is known to be one of the best on the east coast. There are flight instructors who come just for the summer just to have the background of working with this school He felt that they have done a lot for the veterans , for the young peo- ple and for the boys and girls who have worked during the summers at the Airport in order to help pay their way through school . He said the runway is beginning to break up and the trees are too high. As 641lit a safety advisor, this concerns him. If there is an accident as a result of either of these factors and someone is injured or killed, everyone will be sued, including the Town, the Airport Committee and its members and anybody else they can involve. He asked that the Town consider the portion of the Master Plan that will enable the Town to repair and maintain the Airport and protect the town. If the Town wishes to add another runway to bring in larger planes, he would just as soon not have them taking off over his house. However, MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. he felt that this is up to the majority of the people and the Town Council . Opponents speaking were the following: Mr. William F. Rust Jr. , who lives just west of Leesburg and nowhere near Godfrey Field and who is an aircraft pilot with some 36 years ' experience, said the airport requirements of Leesburg really haven t changed since this field was built. He did feel that the Airport needs some maintenance and minor improvements. His ob- jection was totally to the complicated Master Plan. Consultants are anxious to prepare a Master Plan for those areas seeking Federal funding, but they are really just selling paper with charts, graphs and grandiose dreams . They talk about making a big profit, which he did not feel should be expected from this kind of Airport. The Mas- ter Plan was produced in 1972 before the oil embargo - so how can you believe 20 and 25-year projections when the 1975 ones are er- roneous in the 1972 report? There is not much activity at the Air- port and another operator has gone broke - people are getting rid of aircraft because of the high cost of operating and owning them and the fuel crisis. The Master Plan says it is is intended to pro- vide a Washington over-flow airport for private aircraft, including executive jet aircraft. This is being pushed by the FAA and the State Corporation Commission because Fairfax, Middleburg, Warrenton and other towns do not want it. He said there is nothing cheap about the Master Plan - it proposes that $8, 500, 000 be spent to enlarge the Leesburg Airport. Leesburg' s share is nearly $2, 000, 000 - this including interest on a bond issue - and with the remainder being paid by our own State and Federal taxes. Leesburg' s share for 1976 is about $100, 000. The Plan projects enormous profits from the enor- mous business they project with their "crystal ball , " so that the Airport will not only be self-supporting, but will also be a great source of income to the Town of Leesburg. This is not the history of small airports. He said he keeps hearing about the great boom in aviation, but it just hasn' t happened - it is too expensive, so he felt there is no real growth in this kind of flying. Many corpora- tions are getting rid of their aircraft because it is too expensive. He felt that Godfrey Field is surrounded by valuable land needed for the orderly growth of Leesburg. The Master Plan will waste large amounts of tax-producing land, it will increase the noise and pollu- tion over Leesburg and set up a dangerous condition over the new Middle School It is too close to Leesburg to be an executive jet airport. The Master Plan is a 20-25 year program designed to make this a Washington reliever airport. He suggested that Washington pay for it and put it somewhere else. It is really too close to Dulles to be safe and there are other places to build it where it will not be close to communities and not so close to Dulles. He felt that the Master Plan has nothing to do with normal maintenance and improve- ments to serve Loudoun County residents . Why adopt a Master Plan when all that the Town wants to do is to repave a runway's General Bertram Harrison, who lives north of Leesburg, but who owns property near the Airport, said he has been listening to argu- ments concerning the future of the Airport for a year now. A few pilots and the Airport Advisory Committee have stressed the future growth of general aviation in this country and the pressures to ex- pand the airport to accommodate this growth. The engineers prepar- ing the Master Plan wrote in this same vein, justifying the expense by claiming that little money would come from the taxpayers and that the State and Federal Government would provide 75 per cent. Further, the enlarged airport would be a money-maker and the area could be re- zoned to attract industry. They could not have asked for their $20, 000 fee if they had merely recommended that the airport remain as it is and only normal maintenance fund; be expended. The overwhelming majority of the Leesburg residents and Loudoun County citizens do not want the airport enlarged - many would like to see it eliminated and some would like to see it moved somewhere else. It can be properly maintained and operated as a small municipal airport, but they do not want it to become a regional airport or a commercial industrial center. It was felt that homeowners and property owners in the area should be considered, as well as every child who will attend the new school . Being so close to the school , at best it is a noisy nuisance and a hazard at its worst. He visited the airport yesterday and found that there are 23 unrented hard-surfaced parking spaces in spite of the claims by Airport Committee members that there is a •a 1 O MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. waiting list for such spaces. The skeleton of the T-hangar remains, even though it is predicted that there would be great profits from the rental of such spaces. The paved parking ramp is in good condi- tion, but should be re-sealed to prevent further deterioration from spalling, which resulted from gasoline spillage while refueling air- craft. The runway has several large cracks which should be repaired. Grass is growing in a rather large area through the runway. This should be killed and the area re-sealed. The runway and taxiway do not need strengthening. If there is some fear that large or heavy aircraft might be endangered by landing there, limitations on weight or size can be published in three different publications. There are other restrictions there now. He hoped the Council would do what it is elected to do - see that essential services are provided for the people of Leesburg in a safe, economical and efficient manner. It is not the Council ' s job to provide a regional airport for general avia- tion at the expense of its electorate - it is not to get into the com- mercial business of operating an airport for profit - it is not to risk the taxpayers money, safety or environment or way of life on questionable projects which may benefit a very few of those who live here, but will be undesirable to most of them. If the Airport is to be kept at its present location, the runway should be repaired, the ramp should be sealed, run-up pads can be provided at each end of the runway for safety and an auxiliary power source should be avail- able for emergencies. If those persons desiring paved parking spaces would sign a long-term lease, they could be provided with paved park- ing stubs off the present taxi-way. If the present sod parking areas are poorly drained and muddy, he suggested that drainage be provided and compacted fill be made available - this would make these spaces satisfactory - there are many aircraft owners who are satisfied with such parking accommodations . Mr. George Atwell read into the record a lengthy letter from Mr. Horace Hallett, a resident of Route 621 just directly west of Godf e Field. Mr. Hallett felt that a thorough analysis of the Airport Mas- ter Plan has not been made and commented as follows : (1) He did not feel that, when an environmental assessment is made of the proposed expansion, the present location will be recommended or approved; (2) The adoption of this Master Plan will result in the devaluation of properties located in the vicinity of the Airport. The Town could be held responsible for such damage; (3) Much of the material con- tained in the Master Plan is not consistent, particularly with re- spect to gain and loss of tax values of property within and adjacent to the airport area; (4) He was not sure that Godfrey Field has ever been considered a paying proposition or an asset to the Town; (5) The noise factor at Godfrey Field for those properties close to the runway will be equal to or greater than those proposed to be generated at Dulles; (6) The Master Plan really calls for "strength- ening" the runway, not "resurfacing" the runway - there is a great deal of difference. He felt that the Airport Master Plan for develop- ment would not be in the best interest of either the Town or the County. Mr. George Atwell , also a resident of Route 621 just directly west of the Airport, disassociated himself as an employee of the Loudoun County School Board insofar as his remarks are concerned. He found it interesting that the only two proponents making statements were very limited in what they had to say - they were both in favor of improvements and maintenance of the existing field, but not quite sure they want to go to the great lengths of the Master Plan. As stated by him previously, he is not opposed to the Airport facility as it presently exists . He is not opposed to routine maintenance and the assurance of safety for the existing facility. He is opposed to any expansion as called for in the Master Plan. He has been assured that the Plan will probably not be fulfilled, even assured that the pro- posed expansion has been scaled down. However, the Council must have a plan before it iefaxax±t can secure Federal and State grants . He suggested that Council "scrap" the grandiose Master Plan and proceed to develop one that is more realistic and compatible with the state- ments made by its members and staff both publicly and privately. It appears to be a bureaucratic outrage to pursue a plan that Council itself says is unrealistic. The consultants have said this project will be financed from Federal, State and local funds , the local being reve- nues generated from fixed base operator payments and operational profits. The report submitted tonight says the Town must spend the money first and then request reimbursement. It points out and suggests that the 217 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. total cost be provided by financing each phase by short-term borrow- ing or through the sale of bonds . He felt the taxpayers of Leesburg should be well informed of this matter. Perhaps most important is the fact that the Town is, by no means, guaranteed the full 75 per cent reimbursement. The President and the Governor of Virginia both have the power to negate any appropriations. He asked if the consultant has advised the Town of all the requirements to be eligible for Fede- ral funds and spelled out some of these requirements. He did not be- lieve the financial plan was totally clear. He suggested that the Town has a projected need that will not materialize, that incorrect information and assumptions have been given in the report; that the Town does not look to Federal funding as a bonanza; that the Town re- vise its Master Plan to be more realistic and compatible with its pub- lic and private statements ; that the Town does not "dupe" the citizens of Leesburg with the ego of a few self-interests ; totally inform the public of a new and reasonable plan and represent the wishes of the majority of its constituents. Finally, the report states that proper- ty values will be affected. He and others in the area will do all they can to prevent down-grading; they will not stand idly by and allow the economic selfish self-interest of a few, including the Town of Lees- burg, to go uncontested. Colonel Michael C. Grenata, a resident of 33 West Cornwall Street, asked if the Council has approved Phases I , II and III of the Master Plan. Mayor Hill replied that Council, on January 24, 1973, accepted Phase I and authorized the preparation of Phase II; on June 26, 1974, tentative approval was given to Phase II ; on August 20, 1974, a meet- ing of the Council was held with the Board of Supervisors, the Air- port Advisory Committee and the public; on September 25, 1974, final approval was given to Phase II and Henningson, Durham and Richardson authorized to proceed with Phase III; on June 19, 1975, a public hearing on the Master Plan was held by the Airport Advisory Committee and, on July 7, 1975, a special meeting (workshop session) was held with the Airport Advisory Committee and Phase III was adopted. Col . Grenata said the Town' s share of the Master Plan is about $240, 000 and he was amazed that the Council would approve it without a public hearing. He is the owner of an 80-acre tract at the intersection of Routes 621 and 654 and has an interest in a 223-acre farm further down Route 621. Although the new main runway proposed for 1984 would traverse the 80-acre tract and increase the value of this land, he could not support the adoption of the final Airport Master Plan, nor the request for aid under Phase I . He felt that this request for aid would be a step leading to future expansion, which would be highly undesirable for the area and for the future Town 20 to 30 years hence. The Master Plan is projected to the year 2020, with large amounts of revenue to the Town and to the County and with no cost to the Town. The engineers have admitted that their projections are based on "crystal balling. " They have also said that development of the Air- port will not be detrimental to the aesthetic or visual qualities of the area and that air pollution would be no more significant than other possible uses of the site. He felt that this is a gross mis- statement of fact. Also, in his judgment, the methods used by the Airport Advisory Committee to promote and further the expanded air- port have not inspired confidence. He referred to a "secret" meet- ing held by the Committee with the County Planning Commission early in 1974 just before the Commission was to act on the Group 44 rezon- ing application. He felt that this public hearing was long delayed. He too referred to the fact that the oil embargo, rising gasoline prices and the accompanying depression have all come about since the 1972 preliminary report. The effect of an expanded and large Airport on the area would be disastrous and destroy it as residential. It is too close to the Town and, if expanded, would be right in the Town twenty to thirty years from now. He recommended that the Master Plan and request for aid in Phase I be rejected; that the operation of the Airport be reviewed to improve its efficiency; that suitable improvements needed be made and that a new Master Plan be prepared based on operating it at about its current capacity. Mr. C. A. English Cole, a resident of Leesburg, asked the point of holding a publicepi g if Phases I, II and III have already been approved? Mayor Hill replied that he promised there would be a public hearing before the final phase is adopted. Although the law does not 218 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. call for it, this was his decision. Mr. Cole asked if they were ap- proving the engineers ' report or the grant in aid. Mayor Hill said they are listening to comments on the Master Plan and on the on-site improvements at the Airport - the Master Plan has not been adopted. Mr. Cole was opposed to any expenditure of funds innthe direction of the Master Plan. He felt that the Town has a commitment to keep up the runway which was agreed to in the Federal Grant. He was opposed because (1) the overwhelming sentiment in the Town is opposed to it and (2) in his opinion it is "fiscal folly. " The report projects costs and income over the next 40 to 45 years. He felt that, if you can do this, you would be a "Nostradamus reincarnated, " - you could say it is a real bargain - the Town would lose only $3, 000, 000 and it takes 45 years to do it . Airports do not make money and towns have no business being in the business. If they did make money, the Federal Government would not spend money subsidizing them and, if they did, lessees would fall all over themselves trying to lease them. Con- cerning this Airport, you hear three phrases : (1 ) It doesn' t cost a dime," (2) " It has had bad management, " and (3) "It attracts in- dustry. " It has had three fixed base operators - if an airport can' t attract a les e, how can it attract industry? He suggested offering the lease, 7tt is available, to those proponents who feel that it is a gold mine - "Let' s give them an opportunity to dig the gold. " If they don' t make it, then the logical conclusion is that they speak for more zeal than conviction. He said the people of Lees- burg left him with free water, clean air, tranquility and a Treasury free of debt - he felt it an obligation to leave those who follow him no less and hoped the Council would feel the same way. Mr. Edgar J. Orme, a resident of Route 621 one mile south of Godfrey Field for the last 35 years, said the location of his farm naturally compels him to object to any enlargement of the airp,;rt. He did not, however, feel that his sentiments were unshared by many people of the Town of Leesburg and the County of Loudoun. He pre- sented petitions with over 300 names to prove this. He requested that, before any money is spent on expansion of the Airport, all three phases of the proposed plan be put to a public referendum. He asked that all those at this hearing who are opposed to the pro- posed expansion of the Airport stand. Approximately two-thirds of those present stood. Mr. Dan Fink, representing the Leesburg Country Club Estates Civic Association, spoke in opposition to the proposed Plan. Resi- dents of this area live approximately one mile off of the proposed future runway. He asked if it is the purpose of this hearing to consider whether or not to adopt the Master Plan as proposed and whether or not to approve the implementation of Phase I of the Plan. Mayor Hill informed him that the proposed improvements do not include two ingredients of the Master Plan, they being the T-hangars and the vehicular parking area. Mr. Fink said they represent 242 voters on the periphery of Leesburg Township. A vote of their membership prior to this meeting, although not complete, indicates 142 opposed and six in favor. He said they are in Zone 2 according to the Environ- mental Impact Statement submitted with the Plan and they should not be. They did not exist when the Plan was developed in 1971 and 1972, but they do now. He asked the noise level, in perceived decibels, that will be encountered when jet aircraft are serviced off of the 4800-foot runway. He did not understand what a CNR is. Mr. Lowry of the Airport Advisory Committee explained that this is a standard FAA unit of measure for Master Plans, but Mr. Fink was not satisfied with this reply. The Financial Plan states that inflation will not be considered - Mr. Fink felt that Council would be remiss if they approved a capital plan and commitment to capital improvements with- out considering the inflation factor. He did not know what it is, but he did know the effect. The Plan assumes that revenues are a direct function of flight operation and he questioned this. He also questioned the financial feasibility plan and asked if it is the plan to issue general revenue bonds from the Airport Advisory Couunission or to issue general obligation bonds requiring a referendum. Mayor Hill said this will be up to Council to decide. He asked other ques- tions regarding a bond sale and the financial plan and felt that an analysis for sensitivity should be made. Such an analysis would show that the financial plan is "in the red. " As a civic association and as non-taxpayers to the Town, they do not want to stand in the 219 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. way of Leesburg having a viable community airport, but they are in favor of anything dealing with its flight safety and maintenance. They were strongly opposed to anything dealing with jet aircraft operating out of this field. Mr. Joseph J. Conte, a resident of 13 Rollins Drive, felt that the proposed runway to be used by jet aircraft is irresponsible on the part of the Council . He could see nothing to be gained by such a move, other than a higher industrial value for the land surrounding the airport - it would devalue housing properties and create a noise nuisance. He hoped that this Council is not blind to the disastrous course already taken by Fairfax, Prince William and parts of north- eastern Loudoun County. Political officials have not been voted abso- lute power - their constituents want to be heard and want their opin- ions to count in the final analysis . He, therefore, requested that Council delete the jet runway proposal and develop a new Master Plan for the Leesburg Airport. Mr. Steve Tuller, a resident of Herndon and a pilot at Godfrey Field, spoke as a proponent. He felt that the airport requires maintenance, but that Leesburg probably does not require a jet-port. Leesburg might want to develop light industry in the area - this might help the tax base. He said that business jets do use the Air- port now - these are not propeller-driven jets and they make less noise. He said the Airport, as it presently stands, is an abomina- tion - it is poorly managed, fuel is not available at the present time and services are not available. He felt that there is a po- tential there for aircraft-related industry and services should be provided,xagaxdkaxx* regardless of whether or not the Town wants to expand the Airport. Mr. Gordon Herndon, a resident of 218 Catoctin Circle, and who has been flying for 31 years, agreed basically with everything that had been said by both proponents and opponents of this Plan. He felt that the Master Plan is an abomination - the Town needs a Master plan, not only for the Airport, but for the entire Leesburg area. He referred to a newspaper article, and with which he agreed, that the FAA is flying high with taxpayers ' money, spending millions of dollars for expansion of questionable airport projects. He con- sidered Leesburg in this category. The Master Plan estimates costs of expansion "without projection for inflation. " The FAA has indi- cated that this must be considered. In addition, some of the funds already committed have not and will not be paid, so that Leesburg would be merely getting in line for consideration. He felt that the economy of today would not support the Master Plan. As a pilot, he felt definitely that the renovations necessary for the operation and safety of the Airport should be done, but not as a part of the Master Plan. He felt that this should be a new study done by the experts in Leesburg, along with the Airport Advisory Committee, so that it will be a feasible Master Plan. Mrs. Joan Rokus , who lives in Dulles District a mile south of Leesburg on Route 15, and representing the Executive Committee of the Leesburg Middle School PTA, said that the Leesburg Middle School will become the Simpson Middle School next year. It is their main concern that, before a final decision for expansion is made, the safety of their children is of primary importance. Mr. Frank Raflo, Leesburg representative on the Board of Super- visors, felt that the Town should do what is necessary to keep the present Airport going and that should be the end of it. He felt that everybody is getting more than their fair share of Federal Grants. He was not sure that the Federal agencies are all meshed together - for instance, if one said "Here is your Federal grant, " the check- writer on the other end might not know about it. He said "Beware of consultants . Above all, beware of experts with their demographic charts telling you what' s going to happen in the year 2000. " Whenever and wherever possible, Council should say "No thank you, we aint ' at home" to Federal Grants. 220 MINuES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. A Mr. Czelvsniak asked if there has been aty revision of the Environmental Impact Statement included in the Master Plan. Mr. Wallace, of the Airport Advisory Committee, said it is not a State- ment as such, one will have to be done before any construction is done. Mr. Czelvsniak asked if Council is aware of the zone in which the Middle School is located insofar as the Environmental Plan is concerned. He said this Plan calls for significant noise reduction in any public building constructed in this zone. Mayor Hill said the Airport was there before the school was contemplated. Mr. Paul Swift asked how much has been spent on this Master Plan and the consultants. Mayor Hill replied that the cost of the Plan since 1972 has been about $30, 000. Councilman Titus said the Town' s cost was $7 , 000. Mr. Swift said that, if this money had been invested in the bank at 8z per cent, they could probably have paved the runway by now. An unidentified resident of Country Club Estates felt that Lees- burg is a beautiful community and would like it to stay that way. He hoped the Council would exercise good judgment to retain the charac- ter of Loudoun County. Mr. Gordon Herndon said he too moved to Leesburg because he was captivated with its charm. He has contacted the National Business Aviation Association - they feel that there may be a few business aircraft using the area, although their prime area would be National, Dulles or Manassas - Leesburg would be the last man out in case the other airports were closed. Also, his daughter will be in the new school . Mr. Dan Fink said that research on the availability of Federal funding showed that it is not necessary to have a Master Plan requir- ing a jet airport. All that is required is a plan showing this air- port as a part of the National system. He would like to see the Town develop such a field. Colonel Grenata understood that the School Board is opposed to the expansion of the Airport. While the Airport was there first, the Master Plan has not been approved. He didn' t feel that the School Board R119191,1hay to provide for the noise - he understood that it would c-ht thiSu Ands of dollars . This would be extra expense for the citizens of Loudoun and Leesburg. Miss Debby Campbell , a resident of Leesburg and a college student in Richmond, said it is a relief to come home where it is quiet and she would like to see it stay that way, without a jet airport near her home. Mr. Sam McMichael, who lives on the outskirts of Leesburg, had three points : (1) An Environmental Impact Statement should be pre- sented to this Council before it can make an intelligent decision - the important factor in this Plan is the environment and the impact of such an airport on it ; (2) Feasibility studies project_ revenues from one hundred per cent usage, no matter what the industry, and such usage usually runs closer to fifty per cent; (3) Everyone should give some appreciation to Council and its Mayor for living up to its word and holding this Public Hearing. Mr. Sam Legard, a resident of the Leesburg area, felt that this is one of the best the area, but it needs new management and services, such t-dawns, hangars, etc. to enhance it. He felt, also, that there is a tremendous opportunity in tourism here in this area. He offered, for information, a magazine showing space needed for various types of jet aircraft. However, he did not feel that there would be that many business jets here - most of them would use Dulles. His point was to improve the present airport and get proper management. He also pointed out that the new Virginia Bicentennial Map lists places to see at various airports - Leesburg is included in this . Mayor Hill said he received a phone call from Mr. Arthur Godfrey this evening. He was instrumental in the development of Godfrey Field, but it was not his idea nor intent that it be a tremendous jet air- port, although he has operated small ones from this field. He felt MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, JANUARY 6, 1976. that there are things that need to be done to improve it. Mr. Lowry of the Airport Advisory Committee had also talked with Lir. Godfrey and said that Mr. Godfrey felt that the Town should go forward with the apron as long as local funds are not expended. He said zoning around the Airport should have been done ten years ago and it should be done before matters get more restricted. He understood that a Master Plan is not to make a commitment, but rather to have a plan if such things should be built. Mr. Fink asked what would be lost if the building of the runway and of JP-4 fuel facilities is taken out of the Master Plan. Mr. Burrows of the Airport Advisory Committee said you need these fuel facilities for turbo-prop operation. Mrs . Jan McVay asked if anyone has thought of the cost of re- pairing and improving the present airport, as opposed to spending $8, 000, 000 to build all the new facilities - does anyone know the cost of resealing and making safe the existing facilities2 Mayor Hill said this is not known at this time. Mr. Michael Bose, a resident of Leesburg, said that comments have been heard from many people tonight - all are concerned with repairs to the Airport, but not expansion. He asked if there is anyone who wants it expanded and what is this all about: Mayor Hill said this is why they had the Public Hearing. Mr. George Atwell read from the Final Report of the Airport Advisory Committee, this stating that the Committee recommends the adoption of the Airport Master Plan. He asked that the Committee members be named. Mayor Hill introduced these gentlemen - Mr. Walter Murray, Mr. Jack Wallace, Mr. Ron Lowry and Mr. Bruce Burrows. Mayor Hill thanked those present for being here, the Airport Advisory Committee for its work and said the Council will do the best it can to make a decision. The hearing was adjourned at 9: 33 P.M. L � , Mayor Clerk of e Council