Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.105.2020RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ("BOCC") OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, APPROVING "PITKIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS, TO THE ASE VISION COMMITTEE COMMON GROUND RECOMMENDATIONS AND AIRPORT MAP FOR THE ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT" RESOLUTION NO. 105-2020 RECITALS: WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 2.8.3 (Actions) of the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter ("HRC") official action by formal resolution shall be required for all actions of the Board not requiring ordinance power on matters of significant importance affecting citizens, and; WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 2.8.4 (Actions) of the Pitkin County Home Rule Charter ("HRC"). This matter will be acted upon by formal resolution and will call for public comment at both first and second reading; and WHEREAS, Pitkin County has been advancing the development of a replacement terminal, landside and airfield improvements to bring the airfield into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. The process involves extensive coordination and vision to ensure any investments are reflective of the needs of the local community, the air services markets, regulatory agencies, and the airlines/air service providers; and Pursuant to Resolution No. 104-2012, the Board of County Commissioners (`BOCC") approved an update to the Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan. Airspace and industry trends have been studied since 2013 with the airport's Air Service Study. WHEREAS, in 2015, the airport embarked jointly with the FAA assessing the environmental effects of these improvements and advancing the Pitkin County's eligibility for federal funding and regulatory approval of the project. The Aspen -Pitkin County Airport Improvements Environmental Assessment received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) from the FAA in July of 2018; and WHEREAS, The BOCC sought to co -design and co -create the next phase of the project with the community in an open, inclusive and transparent forum; and WHEREAS, on October 9, 2018, the BOCC gave direction to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport staff to begin advertising for four community advisory groups to provide salient stakeholder perspectives and establish community priorities, as well as to consider technical information to help inform decision-making for the ASE Vision public outreach process; and WHEREAS, Pitkin County received applications between October 25, 2018 and December 14, 2018 from a broad cross section of residents from the Roaring Fork Valley; and WHEREAS, on January 23, 2019, the BOCC approved resolution 006-2019 establishing the Airport Vision Committee, the Community Character Working Group, the Technical Working Group, the Airport Experience Working Group and the Focus Group to understand Federal decisions that apply to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, determine future air service needs and the trade-offs associated with achieving it, consider the improvements and risks, and develop the Vision for the Airport that will help prioritize any improvements or investments over the next 30 years; and WHEREAS, on October 3, 2019 and December 5, 2019 the Community Character Working Group, the Technical Working Group, the Airport Experience Working Group, and the Focus Group presented their findings and recommendations to the Vision Committee based on the strategic questions the Vision Committee requested; and WHEREAS, the Airport Vision Committee formally appointed by the BOCC as the recommending body took into account the findings and recommendations from the working groups and began to develop and produce a final set of recommendations centered on looking through the " a community character lens" developed by the Community Character Working Group; and WHEREAS, the overall process for development of recommendations took into account 123 Community Volunteers serving on five (5) Airport Advisory Groups that resulted in 47 public meetings which from time -to -time received additional data from 16 Experts including the Aspen Institute — Future of Aviation Symposium with an estimated 200 in attendance; and WHEREAS, beginning January 9, 2020, the Vision Committee held weekly meetings until March 10, 2020 during which the Visioning Committee voted 20-1 to submit to the BOCC what is known as the Common Ground Recommendations that contained 15 overall recommendations with 71 sub recommendations; and WHEREAS, on April, 16, 2020, the Visioning Committee submitted their findings to the BOCC; and WHEREAS, due to COVID-19 the BOCC held off taking public comment and making a final decision on Vision Committee recommendations until such time in person meetings for public comment could take place ; and WHEREAS, on August 13, 2020, the BOCC held an in person public meeting, followed by a virtual public meeting on August 17th to take comments on the Vision Committee's Common Ground Recommendations; and WHEREAS, since August 17, 2020, the BOCC met numerous times in work sessions with staff, and upon request, outside third party experts, and considered numerous written public comments to develop recommended changes to the final recommendations of the Vision Committee; and WHEREAS, on November 10th, 2020 at the Jerome Hotel, in Aspen, Colorado, the BOCC conducted a combination in person and virtual public comment session in which those participating, provided both verbal and written comments on the draft redlined BOCC recommendations; and WHEREAS, the BOCC has determined through thoughtful, transparent decision-making, taking into consideration all information provided, to adopt the Common Ground Recommendations as edited by the BOCC as "Attachment A"; and WHEREAS, this Resolution and the "Pitkin County Board of Commissioners Amendments and Additions, to The ASE Vision Committee Common Ground Recommendations and Airport Map For The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport" (Attachment A) will be joined with the Vision Committee's Report to provide decision making criteria for future airport initiatives and projects; and WHEREAS, the BOCC finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens and the visitors of Pitkin County to approve this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado that it hereby: Adopts a Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County, Colorado, Approving "Pitkin County Board of Commissioners Amendments and Additions, to The ASE Vision Committee Common Ground Recommendations and Airport Map For The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport" (Attachment A). 2. Further, the Board of County Commissioners directs staff to begin the process to: • Open discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA:) the Airlines and other partners using the contents provided in "Pitkin County Board of Commissioners Amendments and Additions, to The ASE Vision Committee Common Ground Recommendations and Airport Map For The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport" (Attachment A) as a starting point for the eventual development of an FAA required Airport Layout Plan; and • Resolution No. 105-2020 will repeal the formal appointment of the Visioning Committee as established by Resolution 024-2020 and put in motion the process of seeking candidates for appointment to sit on an Airport Advisory Board to be formalized consistent with the other Commissioner appointed advisory boards; and • As part of the Airport Layout Plan, develop a cost analysis and timeframe for implementation of the phasing of projects to be vetted through the Airport Advisory Board and presented to the Board of County Commissioners for inclusion as part of the annual budget processes; and • Continue to update studies, forecasts and develop appropriate noise and emissions data to be included as part of Airport Advisory Board review and Board of County Commissioners approvals moving forward. INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ ON THE _2nd DAY OF December , 2020 AND SET FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 16th DAY OF December 2020. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY OF THE RESOLUTION PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON THE _3rd DAY OF _December , 2020. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL PITKIN COUNTY WEBSITE (www.pitkincounty.com ) ON THE _3rd DAY OF _December 2020. ADOPTED AFTER FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE _16th DAY OF _December 2020. PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER ADOPTION, IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON THE _24th DAY OF _December , 2020. POSTED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY ON THE OFFICIAL PITKIN COUNTY WEBSITE (www.pitkincounty.com ) ON THE _17th DAY OF December 2020. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS By ILAVk f i, 16lit t S Jeanette Jones Deputy County Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: 5otiti �lY S4ven F. C(�lel By: Steven F. Child, Chair Dec -18-2020 Date: MANAGER APPROVAL PULS h4u� John Ely, County Attorney Phylis Mattice for Jon Peacock, County Manager OrK I N (� LoIINT4 �.� ASPEN/PITKINCOUNTY AIRPORT "ATTACHMENT " PITKIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS, TO THE ASE VISION COMMITTEE COMMON GROUND RECOMMENDATIONS AND AIRPORT MAP FOR THE ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT Introduction On January 23, 2019, the BOCC approved Resolution 006-2019 establishing the Airport Vision Committee, the Community Character Working Group, the Technical Working Group, the Airport Experience Working Group and the Focus Group. The purpose of establishing these groups was to understand Federal decisions that apply to the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, determine future air service needs and the trade-offs associated with achieving it, consider the improvements and risks, and develop the Vision for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport that will help prioritize future improvements and/or investments. Over the course of 12 months over 130 Community Volunteers comprised the five (5) different Airport Advisory Groups that met regularly in 47 public meetings with presentations and that included 16 experts from across the airline industry. On December 5, 2019, the Technical Working Group, Airport Experience Working Group, Community Character Working Group and Focus Group presented their reports to the Vision Committee. Beginning January 9, 2020, the Vision Committee received recommendations from each of the Working Groups and met weekly to develop their final recommendations. On March 20, 2020, the Vision Committee voted 20-1 to submit to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) what is known as the Common Ground Recommendations. The Common Ground Recommendations report includes supporting data and each of the Working Groups recommendations. On April 16, 2020, the Vision Committee presented their Common Ground Recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The BOCC, having reviewed all of the Common Ground Recommendation report, began their process. Two public work sessions were conducted in the summer of 2020 to seek additional public comments on the Common Ground Recommendations prior to beginning the BOCC's own review. The first was a COVID-19 restricted, in person public comment session on August 13, 2020 followed by one virtual public comment session on August 17, 2020. Since that initial public input, the BOCC conducted numerous work sessions to review each of the recommendations, consider additional written comments, and seek additional third party professional input to develop a BOCC redline of the Common Ground Recommendation. The BOCC hosted an extended work session on November 10, 2020 to take public comment on the BOCC redlines. Those comments were taken into consideration and are reflected in the BOCC finalized recommendations in this document. %irKIN COU1lT1 4 - C_/_).� ASP7P1TK1jNk(OUNTYPORT The recommendations below is a culmination of all these efforts over the past two years that can be found on the Pitkin County Website at https://pitkincounty.com/164/Airport. This resolution now serves as a blueprint for the County and community to achieve the BOCC aspirational goals for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport over the next 30 years. Those goals and recommendations are as follows: Pitkin County Board of Commissioners Goals and Recommendations Vision Statement The Board of County Commissioners will assure that the Aspen Pitkin County Airport safely meets the community's and resort's dynamic air service needs while remaining true to the unique community character of Pitkin County. We will continue to support the overall quality of life of residents and visitors of Pitkin County, recognizing that the airport is a vital economic asset and reflects our commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the natural environment. ASE VISION COMMUNITY VALUES Safety in the Air and on the Ground Adaptable, Flexible, Future -Proof • Ability to serve aircraft of the future • Ability to adapt to future uses. Preserve space for future uses Environmental Responsibility to Address • Noise Pollution • Air Pollution • Water Quality • Carbon emissions — aspire to net carbon neutrality • Light Pollution • Sustainability — energy efficiency • Respect wildlife habitat, open space and natural surroundings Community Character — Reflect local culture and values • Maintain community input into the airport's future by creating an Citizen Airport Advisory Board • Connection to place: It should feel like Aspen and Pitkin County • Unique mountain airport feeling — unpretentious • Tell Aspen story: reflect culture, mining heritage, skiing, ranching, etc. 2 %irKIN COU1lT1 4 C_/_).� - ASP7P1TK1jNk(OUNTYPORT • Retain rural and small-town feel • Reasonable growth - Modest expansion • Control growth of emplacements and operations through a number of gates, etc. • "Just Big Enough" "Right -Sized" Economic Vitality • Growth is not controlled at the airport, but the airport is a component of community discussions about growth management plans • Adaptable to the economic sustainability of our resort and our community • Convenience: More direct flights • More carriers and competition Warm and Welcoming • Friendly and personable for both residents and visitors • Comfortable with excellent food & drink amenities • Guest -friendly for passengers and peak crowds • Stress free • Improved, but not so different from today • Still welcoming • Views of mountains • A practical airport: Better waiting rooms and employee areas • Convenient access to/from airport Design Excellence • Unique — Distinctive — Great architecture • Should look like Aspen — Small is important — Small but beautiful • Incorporate mountain surroundings • Awe-inspiring views • It should be surprising! Efficiency — an airport that works well • Well planned • Better functionality than today • Incorporate new technology • Efficient in service, time, operations • In design, give commercial passengers priority over private planes • Reliable gateway for visitors Preserve High Quality of Life • Neighbor Friendly • Mitigate noise and emissions • Maintain curfew 3 OrK I N LOUNT4 Convenient & Easy Ground Transportation Mitigate noise and emissions Multi -modal transit options Seamless connectivity to transit ASPEN/PITKIN`LOUNTY AIRPORT Core Community Goals for the Pitkin County -Aspen Airport 1. Safety in the air and on the ground 2. Reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions by at least 30% 3. Manage the growth of airline enplanements to be consistent with community growth management plans with input and assistance from the Airport Advisory Board to attain the core community goals for the Pitkin County -Aspen Airport. 4. Reduce noise by at least 30% Goals and Recommendations #1 - Maximize the Safety of Our Airport Work with non -airline pilots and insurance providers to encourage and provide training and safety resources related to the unique characteristics and challenges of flying into ASE Work with FAA and Airlines on implementing NEXTGEN program, which includes safe clearances, enhanced efficiency, and precision approaches Work with the FAA to enhance safety by increasing the separation between aircraft in the air and on the ground (This may reduce flow rate during peak periods) #2 - Maximize the Sustainability of Our New Airport Strive towards carbon neutral/free and tie decisions to the Climate Action Plan o Implement short and long-term energy goals for airfield, landside and facilities, pursue and optimize renewable energy and storage both onsite and offsite, including ground and roof solar, geothermal, etc. while honoring view planes and open spaces o Utilize the most energy efficient technologies throughout the landside, terminal, and airside, such as LED lighting o Include carbon offsets as a strategy to increase the overall sustainability Fuel and Emissions 4 OrK I N T LoIINT4 �.� ASP ENlPITKIN (OUNTY AIRPORT o Establish the most accurate emissions baseline possible as a starting point by using industry best practices and experts in the field. Implement strategies to reduce emissions by at least 30% as soon as possible, but no later than 2030 o Employ both modeling and local monitoring to track GHG and criteria pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates o Reduce overall use of aviation leaded fuel o Incorporate biofuels that genuinely reduce the overall carbon footprint o Pursue other fuel options as they become available o Create financial incentives through things like landing fees and fuel prices by allocating airport costs from excessive GHG emissions to the aircraft operations that create those costs and, thus, rewarding aircraft operators that meet the airport emission goals o Emphasize public transportation and commercial flights as first choice solutions Noise o Maintain and strictly enforce the curfew o Electrify the airfield for both GA and commercial operations o Use berms and sound walls to mitigate noise impacts. Use landscaping to enhance the visual appearance of berms and walls o Incentivize quieter planes Other sustainability goals should be pursued to ensure water conservation, elimination of single use items, and promotion of recycling are happening throughout the airport #3 - Seamless Ground Connectivity • Increase utilization of RFTA • Provide internal and external wayfinding to promote transportation modes into town • Infrastructure encourages electric ground transportation • Encourage multi -passenger and ride -sharing opportunities in hotel shuttles, taxis and TNCs / ride hailing (Uber/Lyft), reducing reliance on single -occupancy vehicle trips to and from the airport • Develop airport -specific circulator(s) with luggage capacity connecting to Rubey Park and Brush Creek Park and Ride • Improve baggage transport options for all traveling public to and from the terminal • Reserve space for future multimodal opportunities which may be included in future planning processes, in concert with the Multi -Modal Upper Valley Transportation Plan #4 - Improve Airline Service Reliability Work with the FAA and Airlines to institute a NEXTGEN and/or a Reservation System for commercial and GA operations during peak periods to protect airline schedules —as part of this, evaluate the past reservation system and reasons for its elimination Consider a Peak Period GA Pricing Program (if reservation system isn't sufficient) Seek further actions that other airports may have implemented 5 OrK I N (� CoIINT4 �.� ASPEN/PITKINCOUNTY AIRPORT • East side taxiway and ramp design and moving GA to the north allows airliners to queue up more quickly for take offs #5 Non -airline Reserved Parking (ramp space) • Reconfigure GA ramp space to move large GA and Air Taxi to the north end of the airport away from noise -sensitive residential areas • Provide electrical and tempered air hook-ups at each parking space • Implement International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) spacing standards • Avoid crowded "aircraft carrier parking" • County requires aircraft to plug in and minimize auxiliary power unit (APU) use. If County can't require plugin, County should subsidize to incentivize plug in use • Maintain current number of aircraft parking spots to avoid increases in drop and go's County should add non -airline parking spaces incrementally and measure impacts before adding additional space to reduce drop-and-go's • Analyze if the addition of hangars would reduce drop-and-go's • Phased incremental approach to construction buildout with space reservations as shown as part of Airport Layout Plan (ALP) • Reserve space in the ALP for the current number of general aviation aircraft parking spots #6 - FBO Reflects Community Values The new FBO terminal should be designed striving towards carbon neutral/free emissions • Include the voluntary noise abatement into any design RFP • Require FBO to convey community character, values and culture in the same way as the commercial terminal when a new GA terminal is constructed #7 - Build New Terminal • Meet best practices for travelers and employees, including sterile spaces, pet areas, re -composure areas, overflow area for luggage needs, and operational efficiency • Create spaces that are peaceful with comfortable, appealing dwell time • Design terminal around arts and culture that reflect our community • Locally sourced programming, food, engagement, education from local institutions • Welcome booth and information desk should be visible and accessible • Accommodate all levels of mobility • Build terminal spaces that can handle peak capacity but not the feeling of built for peak capacity • Integrate helpful technology but don't let it dominate the visitor experience • Expand curbside check-in and provide space for automated kiosks M OrK I N T LoIINT4 �.� ASP ENlPITKIN (OUNTY AIRPORT Sponsor exhibits, local advertisements, (pre)historical exhibits to reflect a cultural and recreational experience Sell character Promotion of health and environmental ethics - best practice/values including recycling #8 - Enhance the Traveler and Staff Experience • Implement traveler satisfaction survey • County will monitor gate utilization during regular and irregular operations and the impacts on staff • Design of new terminal shall improve traveler and staff experience and provide sufficient surge capacity for irregular operations • Emphasize ease of information, efficiency, comfort and service to our airline traveling public • Have architecture that is both memorable and outstanding that reflects our unique history and vision of the future • Emphasize our place in the natural world and foster a sense of respect, appreciation and responsibility to the environment • Continue to promote carbon offset programs • Develop coordinated strategy for greeting and delivering visitors to Aspen whose flights are diverted and end up arriving and departing by ground transportation after the Airport is closed. #9 - Open air Jetways • Jetways may be used, if supported by the future terminal design chosen, with defined parameters as defined by the Board of County Commissioners such as customer comfort, safety, and open-air experience. This will allow for electrical hookups, tempered air, and allow greater accessibility. The County has the authority without federal funds. • Maintain the visibility of the natural environment. #10 — Provide and Desian for 6 to 8 Gates with Comfortable Waitina Spaces Begin the design concept of the terminal and ramp with six (6) functioning gates/jetways with sufficient space to add the additional gates/jetways if necessary for safe and efficient airport operations. Consideration should be given as to impacts on staff as well as passengers when determining number of gates A design with six functioning gates and space for two additions will allow for constructing a terminal with the core functions accommodating up to an eight -gate volume. 7 %irKIN COUN1 C-/-).C,-,D-, ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT Addition of gates/jetways over and above six, either during design or post construction are to be determined upon an Airport Advisory Board recommendation approved by Board of County Commissioners resolution or ordinance after public hearings and input. Comfortable gate seating to accommodate every person on the aircraft under normal regular operations. Design space to be comfortable with the intent to find a balance between limiting and overbuilt. #11 - Flexible gates Provide 6 to 8 gates for smaller regional aircraft but fewer for larger aircraft. Gates "flex" down for larger aircraft, thus keeping total enplanement/deplanement at approximately the same level, regardless of aircraft size. Create a special arrival -only process to facilitate rapid deplaning of flights delayed by weather events and arriving together. The Board of County Commissioners upon advice from the Airport Advisory Board, will define parameters and policy for the use of how the gates will be expanded or contracted when the gates become more defined during design. Preface to following goals: Pursuit of the work in the proposed Airport Layout Plan will not be approved by the Board of County Commissioners until such time as either negotiations with the FAA and/or the airlines, and other partners, or clear and convincing evidence in an updated fleet mix study indicate that only aircraft which are cleaner, quieter, and of certain size that will serve ASE #12: Reolace the current ADGIII Airaort Lavout Plan with an improved ADGIII Airport Layout Plan that accommodates aircraft that meet community goals • Commission an updated fleet mix study after allowing airline industry to recalibrate after the disruptions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic • Negotiate with airlines and FAA to achieve agreements with the county that ASE will be served by aircraft with the following characteristics: o greenhouse gas and other emissions that are significantly lower than the CRJ-700 o quieter than the CRJ-700 o weight limit of 140,000 MTOW o seat limitation of no more than 100-120 passengers Retain and strengthen the voluntary noise restriction Separate the runway from the taxiway by 400' between centerlines Widen the runway to 150' M OrK I N (� LoIINT4 ASP7P1TK1jNk(OUNTYPORT • Charge the Airport Advisory Board to evaluate the success of the negotiations and/or the outcome of update fleet mix studies and make an alternate recommendation if necessary. #13 - Leave the runway where it is. • Requires future relocation of tower. Operating exception for GA aircraft movements until the tower is relocated or alternative options (cameras or virtual tower) are implemented. • Move deicing pads to the east and relocate of surface vehicle parking to the north. • GA parking on the west side will be required to maintain the same number of GA/Air Taxi parking spaces. • Future ramp expansion space to be reserved based on "drop and go" analysis. • With leaving the runway as is, a more methodical approach to begin separation for safety is by phasing the west side GA development. By phasing, the collection of data over time will help determine: o Whether the need for added ramp space for GA decreases if air taxi operations increase o If lack of parking space for GA increases or decreases drop and go activity. #14 - Construction Phasina Minimize community disruptions while considering the phasing of various terminal, airfield and landside improvements. Time projects based on technical requirements and ability to fund in consideration of new aircraft. • Terminal is a priority when looking at phasing of overall construction projects. 0 OrK I N (� LoIINT4 �.� ASP7P1TK1jNk(OUNTYPORT Goal #15 - Common Ground Recommendation Airport Map COMMON GROUND RECOMMENDATION � • The attached Common Ground Recommendation airport map offers a visual depiction of the design ideas, values and goals taken together. The map depicts the CGR as the environmental choice for our community that reflects safety, environmental sustainability and functionality as our top priorities. • Additional length of west side taxiway may be an option if the mid -crossing is an issue with FAA. • Any major deviations will be brought back by the Board of County Commissioners to the Pitkin County Airport Advisory Board for further discussion and refinement. Community Safeguards • Adopt this plan by Ordinance or Resolution • Appoint Citizen Airport Advisory Board • Annual Airport Report to BOCC and Airport Advisory Board to assure achieving goals Great Data & Measurements • 2020 & 2021: Solid Baseline for Greenhouse Gas, NOx emissions, etc. Derived from both models and actual testing • Future years: Measure, Measure, Measure; use models and air quality testing • Every year: Progress Report to BOCC and Airport Advisory Board 10