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The Westchester County Department of Planning has issued a “request for proposals” (REP) to supplement the airport’s master plan and environmental impact study. The proposals incorporate public recommendations while focusing on economic impact, environmental concerns, and safety for passengers and staff.
“The Westchester County Airport is a vital part of our economy and the way we do business in Westchester,” Westchester Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons said in a statement. “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.”
According to officials, County Executive George Latimer “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.”
“When we submitted the master plan last summer to the FAA we did so knowing the plan needed to have a supplement,” he said. “I’m pleased today that we heard from the public on a variety of issues and are now moving forward with an 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.”
The supplement to the master plan includes additional analysis of the airport 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, officials said. The supplement will also explore additional alternatives for improved safety and performance and reduced environmental impacts.
“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,” Westchester County Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt said. “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.”
Officials noted that there will be no expansion of airport operations. According to officials, moving forward, the tasks ahead 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 one;
- 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 one through three 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 one through three;
- 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.
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