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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005_10_25_r168The Town of Leesburg, Virginia RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION: PRESENTED October 25, 2005 2005-168 ADOPTED October 25, 2005 TOWN OF LEESBURG'S POSITION ON AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT WHEREAS, the Town of Leesburg has championed economic development efforts in and around the Town, especially efforts toprotect and enhance the County's and Town's commercial base; and WHEREAS, in 2004, the Virginia Department of Aviation estimated that the Leesburg Executive Airport was generating upwards of $40 million in economic activity for Loudoun County and the region in direct spin-off economic impacts; and that County businesses that depend on the airport were generating 1,203 jobs, $67.62 million in payroll, and $176.72 million in economic activity for the County and region; and WHEREAS, the Federal and State governments and the Town of Leesburg have invested well over $20 million in the Leesburg Executive Airport, including, most recently, $1 million in federal funds dedicated by Congressman Frank Wolf for installation of an Instrument Landing System to promote safety at the airport and ensure the future development and viability of the airport as an economic engine for the County and Town; and WHEREAS, the Town of Leesburg has exerted every effort to protect these investments by restricting incompatible development in areas surrounding the airport, and worked diligently and cooperatively with the County of Loudoun to do the same; and WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration, at the behest of the Department of Defense and other agencies of the National Security Council, has initiated a proposed -2- RESOLUTION: TOWN OF LEESBURG'S POSITION ON AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT rulemaking that would make permanent an airspace restriction known as the Washington, DC ADIZ', which encompasses Leesburg Executive Airport; and WHEREAS, the ADIZ has negatively impacted Leesburg Executive Airport, reducing operations, revenue, and both commercial and private customers; and WHEREAS, the FAA has specifically requested input from affected local governments, airports and advisory commissions; and WHEREAS, these impacts have significantly increased the amount of time it will require to make Leesburg Executive Airport a financially self supporting operation; and WHEREAS, Leesburg-based businesses have incurred losses of revenue, employees and customers. THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows: SECTION I. Council strongly urges the Federal Aviation Administration to withdraw NPRM 2005-17005 in it's entirety. SECTION II. Council strongly urges the FAA to reduce the restrictions on airspace over Leesburg to the lowest level practicable under current security requirements. SECTION III. Council strongly urges the FAA to consider the economic and political impacts of airspace restrictions that reduce interstate commercial activity to and from the Leesburg Executive Airport. -3- RESOLUTION: TOWN OF LEESBURG'S POSITION ON AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT PASSED this 25th day of October 2005. ATTEST: erk of Council R05: Airport Airspace Restrictions KristemC. Umst~[td, May rb'F~ ] ~ Town of Leesburg