2020-067 - Overruling the Orange County Airport Land Use

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d. Safety. The residential and commercial land uses under the proposed project are consistent with the safety standards of the AELUP. Project is not in any of the AELUP safety zones. The project is located more than a mile from the outer edge of AELUP Zone 6, Traffic Pattern Zone as depicted in Appendix D. Further, AELUP Appendix D states the "Basic Compatibility Qualities" of Zone 6 as "Allow residential uses" and "Allow most nonresidential uses." Project is not in the JWA runway protection zones (RPZ). The Project is located nearly two miles from the outer edge of the nearest JWA RPZ. ii. The FAA's Determinations of No Hazard to Air Navigation for the Mixed -Use development structures are the only source of authoritative, aviation safety findings regarding the project. The FAA conducted an aeronautical study (49 U.S.C. §44718 and 14 CFR Part 77) and issued its Determinations on March 5, 2020 that structures associated with the project "do not exceed standards and would not be a hazard to air navigation" and that "[b]ased on this evaluation, marking and lighting are not necessary for aviation safety." The FAA's Determinations establish that the Project would be neither an obstruction nor a hazard to air navigation. iii. In this case it is important to first establish what entity has authority over the use of airspace over the project site. "The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States" (49 U.S.C. § 40103(a)(1)). iv. In order to use this airspace, the FAA Administrator is responsible for: (1) Plans and policy for the safe use of the navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. § 40103(b)(1); and (2) "[R]egulations on the flight of aircraft (including regulations on safe altitudes) for navigating, protecting and identifying aircraft; protecting individuals and property on the ground; using the navigable airspace efficiently; and preventing collision between aircraft, between aircraft and land or water vehicle, and between aircraft and airborne objects' (49 U.S.C. § 40103(b)(2)). V. The FAA's aeronautical studies for the project structures are the definitive standard for assessing compliance with federal aviation safety laws and regulations (49 U.S.C. § 77.1(c)). This federal authority is recognized in State law (Cal. PUC §21240). vi. The City of Santa Ana has the local police powers to control land use on the site (Cal. Const., art. XI 11, § 7). This constitutional authority is acknowledged in State law (Cal. PUC §21670 and §21676) and the ALUC process (AELUP §4.11) allowing for overrule of an ALUC finding of inconsistency. Resolution No. 2020-067 Page 6 of 13