Airport Highlights 2006 0106 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Discussion Regarding Drafted Airport Master Plan Kathy Orne las gave an overview of the Airport Master Plan process and the role City staff and community representatives have played. She reported that the San Leandro stakeholder committee members were compiling a list of comments regarding the drafted master plan and would be submitting them to the Port. Kristi McKenney and Doug Mansel, Planners for the Port of Oakland, replied to questions from the Committee. Kathy Omelas reported that, as part of the master plan process, a study was done by the Port regarding the concept of building a noise barrier to block airport noise from Neptune Drive homes. The Port attended a meeting with Neptune Drive residents on January 5 hosted by Councilmember Santos to discuss the concept (PowerPoint hand -outs attached). The general consensus of Neptune Drive residents was that they wanted a noise barrier but did not want it on their property. They wanted the Port to study more options for building of a barrier on airport property. Councilmember Santos stated the master plan implies there will be a need to expand the airport. Kristi McKenney replied that study of the near term needs can be more specific, while forecasts for further out (2025) have too many variables to project what the specific needs will be. Councilmember Santos asked if the anticipated need for more gates implies the need to expand. Kristi McKenney replied that the rate of use for the current gates at OAK are among the highest in the nation. This equates to delays in flights. Projections are that additional gates will bring that use rate lower to more standard levels. Councilmember Santos asked if larger aircraft of the future would reduce the number of gates needed. Doug Mansel reported that forecasts indicate the aircraft fleet mix at OAK will likely stay the same in the near term. Larger aircraft are typically used for international flights and there are few of those out of OAK. Some smaller cargo jets will likely be phased out and replaced with larger aircraft later than 2010 -2012. Councilmember Santos asked about the appendices to the master plan and the Port's reply to San Leandro community member questions from the Stakeholder Committee. He feels the master plan and the Port's reply inadequately address the need for noise mitigation. A new cross -wind runway should be studied again, along with a runway in the Bay to mitigate noise. Kristi McKenney stated that the Port recognizes the full expansion to meet the demand for 2025 could not be done without building a new runway. That needs to be a regional discussion. Until noise impact levels are nearer violation levels, most regulatory agencies would not agree to a runway in the Bay and federal funds likely would not be available. Questions and comments from the audience were allowed. Wafaa Aborashed commented about a "goods" movement study Caltrans is doing relating to truck traffic and was concerned that aviation was not part of that project. Truck traffic 2