HIGHFILL -- Board members got their first good look Friday at a 20-year plan being developed for the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
"This is a living, breathing document that will change," said Scott Van Laningham, executive director and CEO. "It's a plan."
The document, when complete, will list an estimated $210 million in capital projects, equipment replacement and maintenance projects, along with alternatives, Van Laningham said. It also will serve as a land use plan, indicating how, when and which areas of airport property will be developed. It will have a schedule for projects and show where the money will come from to pay for it all.
The plan also should provide a financial planning tool to model and estimate the cost and economic impact of projects as well as match anticipated revenue with anticipated capital need.
The document will contain two parts, a standard Federal Aviation Administration plan for the airport and a sustainability plan, and should be complete by early to mid-June.
The document, being developed by Meade and Hunt, looks at projects expected to be needed within the next five years, five to 10 years out and 10 to 20 years down the road.
"It's a plan and a plan we can march to, but it's flexible and can change," said Mike Johnson, chairman of the airport board's Operations Committee that met Friday.
The plan is expected to call for airport officials to be proactive in working with nearby cities and Benton County leaders on land use compatibility as property around the airport develops. Committee members said the area of greatest concern is a three-mile radius around the airport.
Some airports around the country have been sued over noise after areas close to them filled in with development.
"If we don't have a plan now, it can be very expensive," said Howard Kerr, a committee member.
Bentonville has an overlay district for parts of the city under the airport's approaches. It limits building heights, lighting and reflective surfaces. Areas east, west and south of the airport are largely rural and will likely develop over time because the land is still relatively cheap.
"We will have a noise problem in 20 to 35 years if the county doesn't plan," Johnson said.
The next presentation will be to finance committee members. The public will get a look at the plan before board approval. Officials said they intend to post the draft study on the airport's website when complete.
General News on 03/26/2014