DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jesus Saenz
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Informational Briefing on the Airport Strategic Development Plan
SUMMARY:
An informational briefing will be provided on the status of Phase 2 of the Airport Strategic Development Plan
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
To ensure the Airport System is poised to accommodate the long-term growth of the region, the City took the opportunity to initiate a data-driven Strategic Development Plan (SDP) which would not only produce a 20-year Master Plan for the San Antonio International Airport, but also examine the needs of the region from the airport system in the next 50 years. The two-phase strategic development planning process ultimately will produce development options regarding land use, facilities, and services required for the airport to accommodate the projected population growth and prosperity of the San Antonio region.
On October 31, 2018, City Council received a briefing on the outcome of the first phase of the SDP which answered the question of whether the current location of the San Antonio International airport could handle the anticipated air travel and infrastructure needs of the community over the next 20 to 50 years. The Air System Development Committee, appointed by the Mayor and chaired by John Dickson, oversaw a data-driven process to conclude that the answer was yes. City Council agreed with the recommendation that the current location of the San Antonio International Airport could meet the future needs and approved moving forward with the second phase of the SDP to identify, analyze and ultimately recommend to Council the projects and timeline to meet the future air traffic needs of the community.
ISSUE:
The briefing will provide the Transportation and Mobility Council Committee members with an update on the status of Phase 2 of the SDP, which includes the development of the alternatives, including the airfield alternatives that have been considered. The briefing will also provide a timeline for completion of Phase 2. The object of Phase 2 is to create a 20-year Master Plan document while preserving options for a 50-year ultimate build-out at the current location. To determine the 20-year needs, data-driven forecasting and growth projections developed in Phase 1 serve as the basis to evaluate how best to manage capacity needs for the airfield, terminals, and roadway systems.
Phase 2 was initiated with the project advisory groups with technical experience and knowledge of airfield functionality and design providing airfield ideas in sketch planning sessions. From there, WSP, the City’s consultant for this project working with the Technical Advisory group and the FAA, evaluated and analyzed the feasibility and implementation ability of each proposed airfield concept with increasing scrutiny. Generalized terminal location options were developed and examined for ease of access as well as financial and operational feasibility. Proposals that were determined to be too expensive or not providing the required added capacity to the airport were eliminated. This process has been shared at community meetings and pop-up events.
Phase 2 still requires the completion of the alternatives analysis, roadway planning and recommended final proposal, as well as preparing an implementation plan, financial analysis, and development of the planning document. Limited environmental review and noise exposure map update will also be conducted as a part of the project. Information and progress will continue to be shared at community and town hall meetings throughout the City as well as on the plan’s website www.sanantonio.gov/SATfuture and through social media.
ALTERNATIVES:
This is an informational briefing and there are no alternatives associated with this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is an informational briefing and there is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an informational briefing for the Transportation and Mobility Council Committee to discuss. There is no recommendation associated with this item.