May 29, 2019 – After substantial public comment where the business community, environmentalists and the general public contributed comments, the Westchester County Department of Planning has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to supplement to the Westchester County Airport (HPN) master plan and associated environmental impact study. The RFP incorporates public recommendations and focusses on: economic impacts, environmental concerns and overall safety at the airport.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “When we submitted the master plan last summer to the FAA we did so knowing the plan needed to have a supplement. I’m pleased today that we heard from the public on a variety of issues and are now moving forward with a RFP to create a supplement. The airport is an important part of our County, and while I have no intention of expanding it, we must have a plan to move forward to help business and protect the environment.”
Westchester Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons said: “The Westchester County Airport is a vital part of our economy and the way we do business in Westchester. I am pleased that the County took the time to hear the concerns of the business community when drafting the RFP. We must all work together to make sure the airport is safe, environmentally friendly and good for business.”
Westchester County Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said: “This administration has worked with and will continue to work closely with all of the environmental advocates around the entire gamut of concerns and issues – including noise, water, and air. We have tight relationships with every group, so they’re involved with the plans and operations of our internal specialists and scientists, as well as those hired as consultants. Our County Executive has an impeccable history when it comes to the environment and Westchester’s health and the good, hard-working environmentalists in our region know and appreciate that.”
The County Executive made a commitment to look at the airport operations and their impacts and develop a new vision for the airport based on greater participation of the public. The supplement to the master plan with additional analysis of the airport, particularly with respect to the physical conditions of the airport property, buildings and infrastructure, additional analysis of noise and other impacts of the airport, and the local and regional economic impact of the airport. The supplement will also explore additional alternatives for improved safety and performance and reduced environmental impacts. However, there will be no expansion of airport operations.
The County is seeking the services of a professional consulting firm or team of firms with extensive experience in Airport planning, economics and New York State and federal environmental regulations to assist in developing an update of management and development policies related to Westchester County Airport and performing the appropriate environmental review.
Tasks include:
- Evaluating the airport as a unique resource and economic generator for the county and region.
- Developing and evaluating alternatives to improve operational safety and efficiency of the airport, including facility modifications and modernizations as necessary.
- Evaluating and developing alternatives to continue to improve environmental performance at the airport considering the forecast conducted in Task 1 (a).
- Working with a second consultant, to be identified by a separate Request for Proposals, to implement a public engagement program, developed by that consultant, throughout and beyond the planning process. The public engagement program will utilize a wide variety of methods to engage the public, including online tools as well as community charrettes and workshops. The County anticipates that, subject to the recommendation of the other consultant, the successful Consultant from this RFP will work closely with the County and its representatives to conduct three public meetings and three half day workshops, with groups to be identified.
- Preparing alternatives based on the results of Tasks 1 through 3 in sufficient detail to allow the County to identify specific actions and make an intelligent selection of alternatives to be included in the environmental review. The Consultant shall prepare a report with supporting graphics and supplemental information adequately depicting the existing conditions of the airport and clearly describing the benefits and costs associated with the proposed recommendations developed in Tasks 1 through 3.
- Preparing an environmental impact statement for the proposed actions as appropriate pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and its implementing regulations (SEQR). At this time, it is not anticipated that this study will require FAA approval necessitating environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
- Updating the Airport Layout Plan at the end of this analysis, after review with the County.
- Evaluating any additional tasks that the County directs related to this Supplement.
More particularly, the following objectives have been identified to guide this update:
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Assess, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the airport in the context of a unique transportation resource and economic asset for residents and businesses in the county and the tri-state region, including the growth and investment history at HPN and other airports within the region, a space utilization and economic activity summary for all buildings, and an analysis of economic activity off-site, either related to or dependent on the airport.
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Develop and evaluate alternatives to improve operational safety and efficiency of the airport, facility modifications and modernizations, as necessary, including an analysis of existing or proposed uses at other airports in the region; comparing those uses with aviation industry trends and demand (both general industry and appropriate sectors); an analysis of existing and contemplated aircraft operations at HPN, compared to the projections and recommendations included in the 2017 Master Plan; and an analysis of the existing land, structures and infrastructure throughout the airport property, including the condition and capacity of such with respect to the results of the recommended uses and operational practices for the airport.
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Develop and evaluate alternatives to improve the environmental performance of the airport including an evaluation of stormwater drainage at HPN with respect to both water quantity and quality; a comprehensive evaluation of aircraft deicing and fueling operations, facilities and use throughout the airport property, including recommendations for best practices for the management of stormwater and deicing fluid by the aviation industry for potential implementation at HPN; an assessment of the potential benefits of a water quality buffer area; an evaluation of current and anticipated noise impacts from the airport and an evaluation of the noise monitoring system, including equipment used, at HPN and similar programs used within the aviation industry; and an evaluation of the Airport Environmental Management System.
In conjunction with the development of the plan, the consultant will also prepare appropriate environmental review analysis and documentation in accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and its implementing regulations (SEQR). The environmental review will identify and evaluate all potentially significant environmental impacts and proposed mitigation resulting from implementation of the specific components of the Airport Master Plan. Additionally, the County is issuing a separate Request for Proposals for a consultant to focus on public engagement related to the development of this Master Plan Supplement.
Quick Facts: Westchester County Airport
697 acres
Dedicated February 13, 1945
20 aircraft hangars
188 based single engine & light twin engine aircraft
94 based corporate jets
442 average landings/takeoffs per day
161,146 total airport operations (2017)
1485 full time employees, 440 Part Time, 9 Temporary
$735 million in economic activity generated (2012 Study)
6,328 jobs +/- are directly or indirectly related to the Airport (2012 Study)