NYDOT Accused Of Doing Airport's "Dirty Work"
By ANN Editor Pete Combs
Okay, this may be
stepping out of the role of objective journalist, but how stupid is
this: A Connecticut-based grocery chain wants to build a store near
Republic Airport in East Farmingdale (NY). That's well and good
except that the store wants to build inside the RPZ at the end of
Runway 14.
Hello? Isn't that sort of like building a hiking trail on the
edge of a minefield?
In a letter from the NYDOT to Stew Leonard's stores and obtained
by Suffolk Life Newspapers, DOT officials said, "Given the state's
legal obligation, and the express direction of the FAA, this letter
notifies you that the state may not and will not grant easements
over the property it acquired for aviation purposes because the
grants of such easements would act to facilitate the location of a
retail establishment within the RPZ for Runway 14."
RPZ?
A little explanation is in order for aviation novices and those
who just plain forgot. The Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) is,
according to the FAA:
A trapezoidal area off the end of the runway to enhance the
protection of people and property on the ground in the event an
aircraft lands or crashes beyond the runway end. Runway Protection
Zones underlie a portion of the approach closest to the
airport.
Okay, what part of that explanation doesn't Stew Leonard
understand? The grocery chain says, regardless of the decision, it
still plans to build the store in the RPZ and have it open by next
year.
In a news release, the grocery chain said:
Stew Leonard’s has a contract to purchase the 19-acre site
from the Fairchild Corporation and in our desire to be open by
2005, has already completed site preparation, poured foundation and
had steel delivered.
However, Stew Leonard’s has delayed construction until
further notice. The reason for the delay is due to a legal dispute
between the owner of the property, Fairchild Corporation, and the
State of New York Office of General Services, over a 6-acre section
of the site previously owned by the state of New York. The process
of resolving this dispute could delay the project for an
undetermined amount of time.
Despite this delay, Stew Leonard’s remains committed to
opening a food store in East Farmingdale, and we thank you for your
continued support.
Wake up! You've poured the foundation of a building in a zone
set aside for aviation mishaps! If, God forbid, something were to
go wrong on an approach or take-off, there would be blood and
carnage on aisle 6! And you know who'll get the blame? Not Stew
Leonard's. The pilot, the company that made the plane, the airport,
everyone who ever worked at the airport and the airport manager's
dog!
Apparently, Babylon (NY) Town Councilman Wayne Horsley is even
more dense. He accuses the NYDOT of doing Republic Airport's "dirty
work."
"They are using the DOT to push their agenda," Horsley said.
"It's not only worrisome, it's anti-development."
Oh, brother.
But the madness doesn't end there. Babylon Town Supervisor Steve
Bellone suggests Republic Airport shorten Runway 14 to accommodate
the grocery store. "We don't want the airport controlling the
development in the area," Bellone said, according to Suffolk Life.
The town has reportedly submitted a list of things it wants from
the airport, an indication that the long-running battle between
developers and aviators won't let up anytime soon.
ANN realizes the pressure urban growth puts on airports. But the
RPZ at Republic has been there as long as Runway 14 has been there.
Buying up land upon which an arriving or departing aircraft might
fall and then building a supermarket and filling it with people
just boggles the mind. It doesn't matter whether you're a pilot or
not -- it's nonsense of the highest order.
In fact, it's the same principle you'll find among people who
build homes near an airport, then try to shut it down because of
the noise.
In its discussion paper on RPZs, the FAA says:
It is FAA policy to object to incompatible land uses that are
proposed for property within the RPZ whether or not the airport
owns the land and such objection should be anticipated. In
particular when we receive a proposal for an airspace study under
Part 157 for the RPZ we will object when that proposal conflicts
with an airport planning or design standard or recommendation.
So take that, Stew Leonard. Do battle with the FAA, Messrs.
Horsley and Bellone. Good luck winning that fight.
And yet, the trend is apparent and disconcerting. Whether it's
Republic Airport in New York or Buchanan Field in California or
Alfred Whitted Field in St. Petersburg, there's a growing tension
between elected officials and aviators. What worries us is that
tension of this type puts pressure on federal officials. Will there
come a time when the FAA starts caving in on matters related to
airports and growth?