Title
Proposed Enhancement to Facilitate Gainesville Regional Airport Economic Development Opportunities (B)
Planning staff recently met with the Airport CEO and agent to discuss enhancing economic development opportunities at the Gainesville Regional Airport and suggested sharing this information with the City Commission.
Explanation
Recently, the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority directed Eng, Denman & Associates to prepare a Master Planning Report that examined the existing site conditions and future development potential of properties associated with the Gainesville Regional Airport. It is the intent of the Airport to utilize this information to help place itself in a more strategic position to attract compatible private business / development activity on these properties in order to generate additional revenue, thus ensuring that the airport will continue to operate as an independently funded facility.
The properties associated with the airport consist of approximately 1,900 acres and 29 tax parcels and the overall boundary of the airport properties is identified on back-up Figure 1. The report analyzed existing conditions (environmental, infrastructure, etc.), airport regulations (height restrictions, noise contours, etc.) and the existing land use and zoning patterns to determine the overall future development potential for various properties associated with the airport. A set of recommendations were included which provide strategies to accomplish these economic development initiatives.
On June 30, 2010, the Airport Authority voted to authorize the CEO to proceed in preparing the following planning proposals (these are summarized in the Commission back-up PPT slides):
• Change future land use and zoning of tax parcel 'Z' from Conservation to Business Industrial (48 acres).
• Change future land use and zoning of tax parcels 'A' & 'B' from Industrial and I-2 to Business Industrial (15 acres).
• Change future land use and zoning of parcels 'D'-'I' from Industrial and I-2 to Public Facilities and Airport Facilities (19 acres).
• Amend the AF zoning code to include electric generation facilities and light manufacturing as permitted uses.
• Amend the AF zoning code to increase amount of "revenue support" uses, including office, retail, service, industrial, etc.
Staff had preliminary discussions regarding the proposed recommendations and strategies with the Airport CEO and agent and believes that they do present an opportunity to help enhance the Airport's status as an economic development engine for the community. This economic development policy direction regarding the Gainesville Regional Airport has generally been supported by the City Commission overall in light of Plan East Gainesville and various implementing activities over time.
Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a brief presentation from staff and the Airport's agent and CEO; and 2) direct staff to initiate a Petition to the Plan Board reflecting the Airport's proposal.