Hollister officials are ready to take the next step toward
officially changing a designation at the airport while allowing
direct access to the grounds from neighboring private
properties.
Hollister officials are ready to take the next step toward officially changing a designation at the airport while allowing direct access to the grounds from neighboring private properties.
City council members Monday are set to tweak the Hollister Municipal Airport Layout Plan to reflect the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval of a “through-the-fence” designation. The FAA last month agreed to OK the rare access – about 50 airports in the country have it – which local government and business leaders believe will lead to a big economic boost for the airport area.
The designation was in the airport’s plans for nearly 30 years before the FAA a few years ago decided it didn’t want to allow it. The through-the fence designation allows aircraft to move from the airport’s runway to adjacent businesses. The FAA usually frowns upon the designation because of possible safety issues involving residential planes and access to the runway.
Economic development officials are seeking the $15 million they believe is necessary to fully reap benefits from the designation. They hope to build multiple taxiways, connecting hangars to the runway and providing the airport with more safety while bringing in businesses to the area.
The changes to the airport layout plan include:
– Altering the color of Taxiways Y and Z
– Labeling Taxiways Y and Z
– Including the proposed drainage upgrades to the existing drainage facilities to comply with the FAA safety requirements
The council approved the Hollister Municipal Airport Layout Plan in February 2009. Council members are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth St.
