TITLE
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 7 Aviation; repealing the ordinance that created the Killeen, Harker Heights, and Bell County Joint Airport Zoning Board; and designating the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Airport Zoning Commission.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7 AVIATION, REPEALING ORDINANCE 87-49 THAT CREATED THE JOINT AIRPORT ZONING BOARD, AND DESIGNATING AN AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
Aviation and Legal
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On October 24, 1978, the Killeen, Harker Heights, Bell County Joint Airport Zoning Board (JAZB) was created to adopt appropriate height hazard zoning pursuant to state statute. The JAZB passed an ordinance establishing height hazard zoning for Skylark Field on February 28, 1979.
Subsequently the Killeen City Council acted to abolish the JAZB in 1982 because the city had surpassed 25,000 in population. The Local Government Code authorized cities of more than 25,000 in population by last federal census to airport zone outside of their city limits. However, the state legislature in the following legislative session of 1983 passed a statute raising the population needed to airport zone without a joint board to 50,000. As a result, The JAZB was reinstated, and in 1988, held public hearings and recommended what is now the current Killeen Municipal Airport Zoning Ordinance.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
The population needed to airport zone without a joint board is 45,000 and has not changed since 1991. The JAZB has not acted since 1988, and the City of Killeen surpassed the required population many years ago. The proposed ordinance would repeal Ordinance 87-49 that created the JAZB and designate the Planning and Zoning Commission as the Airport Zoning Commission as allowed by the statute.
Additionally, the proposed changes provide that “Airport” shall mean Skylark Field, provide that the Zoning Board of Adjustment will be comprised of five members appointed by City Council, and provide for an administrative approval of minor encroachments.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION
The Aviation and Legal Departments recommend that the City Council approve this ordinance.