PUBLIC HEARING – DRAFT NOISE STUDY
A Public Hearing was conducted on June 12, 2008 at the Southbury Crowne Plaza Hotel. Information about the Public Hearing, including presentation of the draft noise study, general meeting minutes and the newsletter are posted on the meetings page.The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would like to inform you of the status of the Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) Noise Study.
The Draft Noise Study is available for public review on the documents page. A Final Report will be developed after the June 12, 2008 Public Hearing. The Final Report will address comments on the Draft Report and will be submitted to the FAA for approval. Depending upon the ultimate recommendations in the Final Report, the FAA may require the preparation of two follow-up studies: (1) a detailed implementation plan study, and (2) a study of potential environmental impacts. Please be assured that the Department will make every effort to secure the needed funding to complete the required analysis and documentation and implement the final recommendations, as quickly as possible.
It should be noted that any proposal to acquire properties would be through a voluntary program, and could only begin after the required implementation plan and environmental studies are complete. If voluntary acquisition of properties is ultimately pursued, the program is expected to take several years to complete, due to funding and housing availability.
The Department has been receiving a number of comments and inquiries regarding the Noise Study and has reviewed related news stories. The following information is being provided in response to comments received:
Study Purpose:
The Department was requested to conduct this Noise Study in response to the residents of the surrounding communities who are seeking an improved quality of life. The Noise Study attempts to identify measures that would ultimately provide an improved quality of life for affected residents.
Preliminary Study Recommendations:
The Draft Noise Study identifies approximately 72 homes that are located within what is considered by FAA criteria, to be a noise impact area. These homes are located north of the Waterbury-Oxford Airport runway terminus (Triangle Hills neighborhood, Middlebury). Approximately 32 of the 72 homes are also located in the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). The FAA recommends, but does not require the RPZ to be clear of residential development, and owned or controlled by an airport sponsor.
The Draft Noise Study recommends measures to mitigate noise impacts to the 72 homes. These include measures that would affect aircraft operations and land use. One measure includes the voluntary sale/acquisition of homes within the noise impact area. If this measure is implemented and homeowners choose the option of voluntary acquisition, they would receive all benefits entitled to them by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended. These benefits are described in the FAA’s Land Acquisition for Public Airports brochure. A Market Value appraisal would determine the amount a homeowner would be offered. The appraisal would consider many factors, including comparable housing sales outside of the affected area (i.e., in other portions of Middlebury and surrounding Towns besides the Triangle Hills neighborhood). Adjustments are then made to the comparable housing sales, resulting in the appraiser’s best estimate of what each comparable property sold for if it had possessed all the salient characteristics of the subject property. It should also be noted that if a homeowner decides to entertain voluntary acquisition that they can change their mind at any time prior to closing.
Next Steps:
- 2008
- Present The Draft Noise Study at a Public Hearing on June 12, 2008 for public comment.
- Collect and evaluate public comments and prepare a Final Report with recommendations.
- Submit a Final Report to FAA for approval.
- 2009
- Complete the implementation plan and environmental analysis documentation, as needed.
- 2010
- Earliest implementation of final plan recommendations.
Thank you for your continued interest and patience as the Department works to complete the documentation needed for the OXC Noise Study.
This Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) Master Plan Update (AMPU) will provide planning guidelines for the future development of the Airport. The development needs identified in this plan are intended to satisfy present and future aviation demand, while being compatible with the environment, community development, and other transportation systems. The need for and identification of possible improvements will focus on two primary objectives:
- Improve Safety and Efficiency
- Economic Development
The previous Master Plan was completed in 1995. Much of the data used to develop that plan is dated, and the community and region that the Airport serves today are quite different from that of 1995. As such, one of the goals for this AMPU is to identify and analyze the socioeconomic changes that have occurred in the local communities and the Central Naugatuck Valley Region of Connecticut, and assess their effects on the Airport. This AMPU will also review potential influences of other airports (e.g., Westchester County, Bridgeport, etc.) that have affected activity at OXC and industry changes in general aviation. These analyses will be used to develop a realistic plan for OXC.
The products of this AMPU consist of a planning report and an Airport Layout Plan (ALP) drawing set. This report is a technical document that includes narrative and graphic illustrations used in the development of the ALP. The ALP drawing set is comprised of several drawings that illustrate a variety of items, such as the existing and proposed airport layout, airspace obstructions, and a land use plan.
The AMPU includes the following tasks:
- Maintain an Open Public Participation Process
- Obtain Accurate Base Mapping
- Review Airport Inventory (includes regional, airport, and environmental overview)
- Estimate the Airport's Economic Impact
- Forecast Future Airport Activity
- Identify Facility Requirements
- Develop Alternatives and Select a Long-Term Development Plan
- Review Environmental Impacts
- Prepare Airport Layout Plan Drawings
- Develop an Implementation Plan
In addition to the AMPU, a second study has commenced to address aircraft noise and land use compatibility. This study is referred to as a Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 Airport Noise Study (or Noise Study for short). The Noise Study will evaluate current and future airport-generated noise, review aircraft operational procedures, and investigate land use planning concepts that may reduce airport noise exposure. The goal and product of the study is a comprehensive Noise Compatibility Plan (NCP) intended to manage airport noise and associated impacts.
The Noise Study includes the following tasks:
- Maintain an Open Public Participation Process
- Review existing noise and surrounding land use
- Monitoring airport/aircraft noise
- Assess existing noise levels
- Assess baseline future noise levels
- Develop noise abatement alternatives
- Develop land use compatibility alternatives
- Prepare the Noise Compatibility Program
The AMPU and Noise Study includes Advisory Committee (AC) and Public Information Meetings. AC members include ConnDOT, FAA, primary airport tenants, and representatives from local towns and regional and State agencies. The goal of the AC is to provide a well-balanced approach to the planning process that addresses the concerns of the community, as well as the needs of airport users. Study reports, drawings, and meeting documentation are available to the public on this website.
The public is invited to express their views throughout the study. Opportunities include public meetings, a website comment form to submit questions and comments to the study team, and an email address where people can learn more about the project and make comments. In addition there will be oversight by an Advisory Committee comprised of town officials, regional planners and state and federal agencies concerned with environmental, transportation, and community development.
