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
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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