Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

(1) Purpose of the A-A Overlay. The purpose of this overlay district is to reduce risks to aircraft operations as well as risks of damage or injury to persons or property on the ground near the airport. This is accomplished by limiting land uses that could create hazardous conditions, and limiting building height and density of development. A use in the A-A Overlay is considered compatible if the use does not create a bird attractant, distracting light, glare, smoke, or electrical interference. Impact from airport noise is another factor to consider in terms of compatible uses. The A-A Overlay includes an area called the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).

(2) Location of A-A Overlay. The Airport Approach is shown on the official zoning map of the City of Medford, and is defined by Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR, Part 77, OAR 660-013, and OAR 738-070).

(3) Application of A-A Provisions. The A-A designation shall overlay a zoning district. If any conflict in the regulation of procedure occurs between the zoning district and the A-A Overlay, the provisions of the A-A Overlay shall govern.

(4) Noise Impacts and Compatible Land Uses in the A-A Overlay. The airport’s “se-vere” noise impact area (70 DNL and above), as illustrated in the Airport Master Plan Update, is intended to be airport property only. The “substantial” noise impact area (65-70 DNL) is an area where residential development is incompatible due to noise impacts. If public institutions are built within the substantial noise impact area, measures should be taken to reduce noise levels. Most land uses are compatible in areas impacted by noise levels less than 65 DNL.

(5) Permitted Uses in the A-A Overlay. Uses in the A-A Overlay are limited in order to prevent hazardous conditions as described in subsection (1) above.

The following uses are permitted within the A-A Overlay:

(a) Uses Permitted in the underlying zoning district.

(b) Open land uses such as cemeteries, sod farming, truck farming, other vegetable and plant crop cultivation, landscape nursery, riding academies, picnic area, botanical gardens, paths or recreation areas.

(c) Roadways, parking areas and storage yards located in such a manner that vehicle lights will not make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between landing lights and vehicle lights, or result in glare or in any other way impair visibility in the vicinity of the landing approach.

(d) Customary and usual aviation- and emergency-related activities including but not limited to takeoffs, landings, aircraft hangars, tie-downs, construction and maintenance of airport facilities, fixed-base operator facilities, flight instruction, law enforcement, emergency medical flights, firefighting activities and other activities incidental to the normal operation of an airport.

(6) Conditional Uses in the A-A Overlay. Any use listed as conditional in the underlying Zone.

(7) Prohibited Uses in the A-A Overlay. The following uses are prohibited within the A-A Overlay:

(a) Places of public assembly such as churches, schools, conference/convention centers, employment/shopping centers, arenas, athletic fields, stadiums, club houses, or museums.

(b) High-density residential development.

(c) New residential development within the Runway Protection Zone.

(d) Water treatment plants, mining, water impoundments or wetland mitigation.

(e) Golf courses (unless the applicant can demonstrate that management techniques will be used to reduce existing wild fowl attractants and avoid the creation of new wildlife attractants).

(f) Any use or building material that results in glare in the eyes of the pilots using the airport (such as flat roofs that retain water, reflecting ponds, sloped glazing, use of glass on roofs, skylights, parking lots not shielded with trees, high rib metal roofing with high gloss finish, east/west facing storefronts).

(g) Any use which makes it difficult for the pilots to distinguish between airport lights and other lights.

(h) Any use that would cause emissions of smoke, dust or steam that would obscure visibility within the airport approach corridor (unless the applicant can demonstrate that mitigation measures will reduce the potential for safety risk or incompatibility with airport operations to an insignificant level).

(i) Any use which creates electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communications between the airport and aircraft.

(j) Any use which would create a bird strike hazard hazard (such as water treatment plants, golf courses, sanitary landfills, water impoundments, sewage lagoons, sewage sludge disposal facilities) if within 10,000 feet from any airport runway.

(k) Flashing, blinking signs or any lighting projected upward. Lighting shall incorporate shielding in their designs to reflect light away from airport surfaces.

(l) Any other use that would endanger or interfere with the landing, takeoff or maneuvering of aircraft intending to use the airport.

(8) Height Regulations in the A-A Overlay. Building height is limited in the A-A Overlay in order to protect airspace, and instrument approach altitudes. No structure, construction equipment, vegetation, electrical transmission lines or any other object shall be allowed to be constructed so as to penetrate the Approach Surface as defined in Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 77.19.

[Amd. Sec. 5, Ord. No. 2016-35, Mar. 3, 2016.]