Title
Resolution Endorsing the Hampton-Langley Air Force Base Joint Land Use Study Addendum: Resiliency and Adaptation
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The City of Hampton passed a resolution in August 2010 adopting the Hampton-Langley Joint Land Use Study (JLUS). While this particular addendum focuses on base resilience, the JLUS in general is a cooperative planning document between a locality and active military installation, with a purpose of reducing potential conflicts between the military installation and the locality. Much work has come from the 2010 JLUS, including the adoption of Air Installation Compatible Use Zones in the Zoning Ordinance that designate noise impact contours, Accident Potential Zones, and the Clear Zone. The City goes to great lengths to ensure compatible development in these areas, including purchasing properties in the Clear Zone and Accident Potential Zones to clear them for safety purposes.
This is a resolution to adopt an addendum to the 2010 JLUS focusing on resilience and adaptation. Langley is at increased risk from sea level and recurrent flooding, and the Department of Defense is supportive of future JLUS efforts across the country to include resilience as part of the study. This update was funded by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment for that purpose. The addendum takes a close look at what is required for Langley to remain mission-ready, including the systems, partners, and resources that are necessary to make missions run smoothly. The project team explored the vulnerabilities in those systems, including the physical base itself, and opportunities for enhanced resiliency where needed. The last section of the document provides twenty-nine recommendations for further work to undertake to make sure Langley remains an active, resilient base in the City of Hampton.
Recommendation:
Rec
Council will be briefed on this item by City staff in the afternoon work session and representatives of Langley Air Force Base will be present. Council is being asked to approve this resolution on their Consent Agenda during the evening legislative session.
Body
WHEREAS, in 2010, the City of Hampton adopted the Hampton-Langley Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), which was the result of a collaborative effort among the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County as well as other public and private stakeholders;
WHEREAS, the JLUS report contained recommendations for the implementation of policies and actions intended to promote cooperative and compatible land use planning in order to minimize the impact of military operations in terms of noise and accident potential on lands surrounding Langley Air Force Base, increase citizen awareness of the impacts of military flight operations, and prevent incompatible encroachment of land uses that could interfere with the mission at the base;
WHEREAS, as a result of the 2010 JLUS report, the City of Hampton has adopted Air Installation and Compatible Use Zones which designate noise contours, acquired numerous parcels of property in the areas known as the Clear Zone and Accident Potential Zones close to the Langley Air Force Base runway, and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Langley Air Force Base setting forth certain notification and consultation procedures for review of discretionary land use applications;
WHEREAS, over the last year, the City of Hampton has worked with public and private stakeholders and consultants to study the impacts of sea level rise and recurrent flooding on Langley Air Force Base, the majority of which is located within the equivalent of the 100-year floodplain;
WHEREAS, this effort has culminated in a report entitled “Hampton-Langley Air Force Base Joint Land Use Study Addendum: Resiliency and Adaptation,” which identifies challenges and recommendations to improve upon the systems, partnerships, and resources necessary to keep Langley Air Force Base mission-ready in light of sea level rise and recurrent flooding; and
WHEREAS, the Hampton City Council finds that the recommendations contained in the Hampton-Langley Air Force Base Joint Land Use Study Addendum: Resiliency and Adaptation will protect the mission of Langley Air Force Base, encourage compatible land use around the base, and help to sustain economic growth within the City and region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia as follows:
1. That the Hampton-Langley Air Force Base Joint Land Use Study Addendum: Resiliency and Adaptation dated August 2018 (“the Addendum”) is hereby endorsed; and
2. That the City Manager or her designee is authorized to execute any ancillary documents needed to facilitate implementation of the Addendum, including but not limited to execution of an update to the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hampton and Langley Air Force Base to reflect the Addendum’s recommendations and the presentation of related amendments to the Hampton Community Plan (2006, as amended), Hampton City Code and/or Zoning Ordinance to for consideration by the City Council.