HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/19/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (9) DATE: December 19, 2001
TO: City Council
FROM: Assistant City Manager- Special Projects
INLAND EMPIRE FIRST -AIRPORT SUPPORT MEASURE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council approve the attached Resolution of Support for
use of Inland Empire Airports prior to expanding LAX.
SUMMARY:
This Resolution would express support for use of existing available facilities in lieu of
developing more capacity in heavily congested areas of Southern California.
BACKGROUND:
Southern California airspace is some of the most crowded in the country and master
planning efforts by airports in the congested areas have led to several counter efforts
to try and convince decision makers to focus on utilizing existing capacity at other
airports. Specifically, a group called Inland Empire First came to the Airport
Commission to seek support in the form of Resolution. Initially,the Commission was
not too supportive as the Inland Empire First folks had all but forgotten Palm Springs
as an airport with capacity. The attached Resolution focuses on the need to utilize
airports with existing capacity before putting more investment into congested facilities.
The Commission has adopted a similar Resolution and recommends the City Council
adopt the attached Resolution.
ALLEN F. S OOT, AAE
Assistant City Manager- Special Projects
City Manager r
Attachment:
1. Resolution
3�9
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS,CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING
PRINCIPLES FOR AIRPORT CAPACITY
ENHANCEMENT IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
WHEREAS the Southern California area including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino and Ventura Counties is served by more commercial airports than any other major
metropolitan area in the United States; and
WHEREAS available Southern California Airports include: Palm Springs International Airport,
Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport, Ontario International
Airport, Orange County Airport, Palmdale Airport, March GlobalPort, San Bernardino
International Airport, Southern California Logistics Airport and Desert Resorts Regional
Airport; and
WHEREAS the greatest population growth in Southern California is projected to occur in the
Inland Empire Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino; and
WHEREAS Los Angeles International Airport, Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport and
Orange County Airport are all located in highly urbanized areas where environmental
concerns and community resistance make further expansion difficult; and
WHEREAS Palm Springs International Airport and Ontario Airport are fully developed
commercial service airports with available capacity and well-placed to service current and
future needs; and
WHEREAS March GlobalPort, San Bernardino International Airport, Southern California
Logistics Airport and Desert Resorts Regional Airport are also well located to serve future
Southern California aviation needs; and
WHEREAS the communities near Palm Springs International Airport, Ontario Airport, March
GlobalPort, San Bernardino International Airport, Southern California Logistics Airport and
Desert Resorts Regional Airport are supportive of those airports and would greatly benefit
from the increased use of those facilities; and
WHEREAS increasing freeway traffic into Orange and LA counties will make ground access
to coastal airports extremely difficult and attempts to mitigate the surface access challenges
to these airports will siphon off transportation dollars that otherwise could be used to solve
traffic challenges in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs to
favor and support:
Section 1. The utilization of the existing commercial service airports at Palm Springs
International Airport and Ontario International Airport, as well as further
development of aviation facilities at Southern California Logistics Airport,
March GlobalPort, San Bernardino International Airport and Desert Resorts
Regional Airport; and
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Section 2. That future growth in Southern California air traffic should be directed to
airports where neighboring communities are supportive and existing under-
utilized commercial service facilities exist; and
Section 3. That it is good public policy to direct air traffic to airports with excess capacity
rather than spending billions of dollars to expand capacity in highly populated
areas; and
Section 4. That regional planning agencies should focus their energies on improving
surface transportation links among existing airports and population centers,
and
Section 5. Working with local economic development organizations and regional planning
agencies to satisfy Southern California's future aviation needs by encouraging
and fostering commercial passenger and cargo service at Palm Springs
International Airport,San Bernardino International Airport,Southern California
Logistics Airport, Ontario International Airport, March GlobalPort and Desert
Resorts Regional Airport.
ADOPTED this day of 2001.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED&APPROVEDAS TO FORM