Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will eliminate GHG’s within the airport environs as there would be no CO2 emissions from aircraft operations and grounds maintenance. The ultimate development of the existing airport to accommodate projected population increase will contribute to a potential reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) within the community, since the site represents an opportunity to minimize urban sprawl and the conversion of undeveloped land to urban residential uses.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will have no adverse impact on farmland as the land will ultimately be converted from a federally obligated airport to urban uses. Initially, the 109 acre airport site will be converted to an agricultural use. The agricultural use will be maintained until it is converted to land uses consistent with the City’s Future Land Use Plan.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will eliminate the aircraft noise footprint within the airport environs.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will not have an adverse effect on biological resources as there is no critically designated habitat on the existing airport site.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. There are no Section 4(f) resources on the Pella Municipal Airport; therefore, the release and closure will have no adverse effect.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will have no adverse impacts. Existing pavement will be left in place. The existing buildings will be converted to other uses when, and if, disposed of by the City of Pella. Closure of the airport will remove, from the site, potential sources of pollution that may result from fuel spills. There are two (2) 10,000 gallon underground fuel storage tanks located on the airport. One (1) tank is used to store Jet A fuel and the other for 100LL fuel. There is a monitoring system in place. The conversion to residential uses will result in an increase in stormwater runoff and potentially hazardous wastes. The City has, in place, a site plan checklist (see Municipal Code Chapter 165: Zoning Code) and subdivision regulations (see Municipal Code Chapter 170: Subdivision Regulations) to address stormwater. The City of Pella contracts with Midwest Sanitation for the collection of solid waste, recycling, and yard waste (see Municipal Code: Chapter 105: Solid Waste Control, Chapter 106: Solid Waste Collection, and Chapter 28: Hazardous Waste Spills).
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. The Phase IA Archaeological Assessment prepared by Wapsi Valley Archaeological Inc. (April 2016) recommended a Phase I intensive archaeological survey for two (2) areas on the airport (see Appendix H). The Phase I intensive archaeological survey will be undertaken prior to the disposal of airport property. A reconnaissance level architectural survey of the Pella Municipal Airport concluded that none of the buildings were individually eligible and the airport as a whole was not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (see Appendix H).
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. The proposed closure of the Pella Municipal Airport and conversion of the existing airport to non-airport land uses is consistent with local planning initiatives that have been carried out by the City of Pella. Elimination of the airport’s environmental footprint is consistent with objectives set forth in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The conversion of the existing 109 acre airport site to a residential use will not have an adverse impact on adjacent land uses, municipal infrastructure and services, the local road network, or natural resources. The conversion to urban land use will provide “in-fill” development opportunities and minimize the conversions of agricultural land on the fringe areas of the community that might otherwise be converted to urban uses needed to accommodate the projected increase in population (see Section 3.5). The “Release and Closure” of the Pella Municipal Airport will have no adverse effects on existing and planned future land uses.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will reduce the consumption of energy and use of natural resources. Development of the 109 acre site over several years will be in response to the demand for residential housing within the City of Pella. The existing airport site offers an opportunity to accommodate future residential demand at a location that can be served by the municipal infrastructure as opposed to other locations that may not be as conveniently and efficiently served. In-fill development should result in the most efficient uses of natural and energy resources.
Pella Municipal Airport: Release and Closure. Closure of the Pella Municipal Airport will not have a disproportionate impact on low and moderate income persons or households. It will remove potential environmental and safety risks form the existing airport environs. The fixed-based operator (FBO) may relocate to the proposed replacement airport.
