History
THE CRAIG FIELD ISSUE
Report of CPAC (Citizens Planning Advisory Committee) and CCAC (Craig Citizens Advisory Committee)
A little history of this issue is probably the best place to start; the dates are close if not totally accurate.
The Authority (Jacksonville Port Authority and later Jacksonville Aviation Authority herein after called The Authority) first attempted to lengthen the runway or runways at Craig in 1967. City Council and the FAA agreed too much damage would result to the surrounding communities (Holly Oaks and Cosmo).
Then starting in 1974, a major push was made to lengthen one or both runways to the extent that an environmental assessment statement was made and public hearings were held. The outcome was the same; the City Council rejected the plan in 1977 or 78.
Again in the 1980s the same old question arose, only this time the Authority asked the 5 most vocal critics of the plan to meet individually with them and express their views. One of these persons had spent 28 years with the FAA in Jacksonville and was Department Chief TRACON with jurisdiction over all military and civil airports in the Jacksonville area.
After meeting with the five persons, the Authority decided too much harm would come to the communities in the area (too many to list). As a result of the negotiations the Authority became a good neighbor and agreed to lease the land for Mill Cove Golf Course.
Thinga stayed quiet until the late 1990s when again a run was made to lengthen the main runway (14/32). After a public outcry led by Kensington, Holly Oaks, and the Greater Arlington Civic Association, the plan was dropped and in fact, The Authority approved and adopted a resolution on 29 January 2001 that they would discontinue efforts to extend the runway.
This brings us up to date and they are making another run at it.
The Authority is proposing to lengthen runway 14/32, the runway that goes from the corner of Monument and St Johns Bluff Roads toward the intersection of Kernan Road and Atlantic Blvd. from 4000' to 6000', in the interests of safety. They maintain this would be there for planes that needed more space in case of an overshoot or in case of an aborted flight. They claim that runway is limited by weight (60,000 lbs.). The Authority maintains that larger heavier planes won't be able to land there. They claim that we will have less noise because the planes will be higher when they go over us.
There obviously are proceedings that will follow. Their first move will be to change the City of Jacksonville 2010 Comprehensive Plan, which states, "The City shall continue to support the maintenance of Craig Airport in its current role as a General Utility Reliever Airport; provided, however, that no further expansion of its runways shall be permitted." (page 64 para. 2.1.4)
In the not too distant future, I suspect we will have a public hearing in regards to this and we will need people to show up. Politicians count noses. Keep in mind that Craig is the busiest civilian airport in Duval County. Any deviation in its makeup could have an impact on us.
Not all is doom and gloom. Both CPAC and the Greater Arlington Civic Association have passed resolutions supporting our position.
More to follow in the next newsletter.
Dave Evans Kensington representative on both CPAC & CCAC
8/29/07
Petition Forms - Individual (2 ea.)
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