Vancouver Municipal Code Changes Impacting Pearson Field
June 13, 2017
On June 13, 2017 Chad Eiken, Community Development Director and Willy Williamson, Pearson Field Airport Manager, made a presentation to the Vancouver Planning Commission on proposed changes to the Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) affecting Pearson Field operations. The proposed changes would:
- Clarify that the City, rather than the FAA, has the final say on the new building height. It would keep the current requirement that the FAA must confirm that an increase in building height complies with FAA Regulation Part 77.
- Eliminate the range of heights allowed for buildings and have an absolute maximum that’s acceptable to the airport for parcels that are of most concern to Pearson pilots (north of the BNSF tracks, south of City Hall).
- Add a requirement that the Airport Manager be consulted on any proposed increase in downtown building heights.
After hearing testimony, the Vancouver Planning Commission had a tie vote, 3-to-3, to recommend the proposed VMC changes to the City Council. Two members of the Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) and one Airport tenant testified in support of the VMC changes. The AAC also submitted written comments. One developer and an attorney for the developer testified against the VMC changes.
There are two opportunities to provide comment on these proposed changes at upcoming City Council meetings: July 10 at 6:30 p.m. and July 17 at 7 p.m. City Council meetings are held at City Hall in Council Chambers, 2nd floor. You can also submit comment in writing, see, www.cityofvancouver.us/citycouncil, for more information.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please email Willy Williamson, Pearson Field Airport Manager at willy.williamson@cityofvancouver.us.