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Welcome to the web presence of the NUT TREE AIRPORT SUPPORT GROUP. We are a group who are Pro-Vacaville and Pro-Nut Tree Airport. We recognize the benefits of a community regional airport and also the importance of the progressive city management and leadership that prevail in our town. We believe that growth and quality future planning is vital to our city. We also believe that considerations for public safety and appropriate land use around our airport are essential for quality planning and growth. We hope to promote a more positive cooperation between City of Vacaville, Solano County, State of California and Federal agencies concerning issues around and about our local Nut Tree Airport. We also hope to raise the awareness of the community in all subjects concerning the Nut Tree Airport. OUR MISSION
MEETINGS & TIMELINE OF
EVENTS March 3, 2007....SPA MEETING, TEAM TRAINING AND DISCUSSION POINTS. May 3, 2007 .....Solano
Pilots Association presentation. AOPA ASN April 17, 2007......
Membership Introduction and Organizational meeting. Airport Issue Presentation.....EAA1230 & Solano
Pilots Association Joint Meeting April 21, 2007....... Young Eagles Flight Day, Public Outreach Day, Training on Airport Advocacy. May 10, 2007........Joint Workshop Solano County Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee & Airport Land Use Commission. NUT TREE ASSOCIATES AND CITY STAFF BRIEF THE COUNTY AIRPORT OFFICIALS. FROM THE SOLANO COUNTY PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION MINUTES: "John Foster, Chairman ALUC, opened the workshop and stated this was a question and answer meeting and that no formal business issues were to be decided. Fred Buderi, City of Vacaville Planning Division, gave a brief presentation of the background of the Nut Tree Policy Plan and Development Plan. Polity Plan incorporates what is visible now and other property that wraps around the west and northwest of the Nut Tree Airport. the plan included mixed use development that included residential units within a residential overlay district. The plan came before the ALUC in 2002 and was found consistent with the nut Tree compatibility zones. At that time the City acknowledged that it had no intention of applying residential designations to anywhere else within the policy plan area. Mr. Brad Larou, Nut Tree Associates, briefly described the Nut Tree Village development which will include a highway commercial section as well as a conference center and hotel and the Nut Tree Residences 910 acre parcel zoned 18 units per acre for up to 180 units). the original findings of the ALUC allowed for a total of 500 residential units. Some of the proposed projects including the residential projects will require additional ALUC review. The question was asked "Are there any known conflicts between this development and the Nut Tree Airport? The answer was that projects will have to accommodate runway protection zone restrictions. Another question asked was "Have developers made any provision for access by aircraft parking areas that would allow them access to the commercial areas?" The answer was that the FAA would not likely permit aircraft to have access from the airport onto private property. another possibility would be using access points (walkways) from the airport parking area to commercial areas. One of the anticipated improvements to the Nut Tree Airport is a precision instrument approach system. this will directly affect future land use of areas surrounding the airport. Mr. Vuderi was asked if there was still a commitment from the City of Vacaville that there will be no development that would prohibit the application of a precision approach system. the answer was that the City was using the imaginary flight line overlay (which allows for a precision instrument approach) as a guideline for land use plans in the Nut Tree project. A participant noted that in 2003 the ALUC was dealing with a 14 year old outdated Airport Master Plan. he stated that it still has not been updated and they have to use outdated information when reviewing current projects. From the point of view of the ALUC the Airport Master Plan and Business Plan is vital. Andy Swanson said that grant money had been requested from the State to update the Nut Tree Airport Land Use Plan and Master Plan in 2008. (EDITORS NOTE: WHY IN THE WORLD DOESNT THE COUNTY OF SOLANO COME UP WITH THESE FUNDS TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE AIRPORT?) A previous devel0pment proposal that came before the ALUC included the use of clustered development with open space which was a good way of achieving desired density levels without coming into conflict with airport safety zone requirements. The open space could allow for an emergency aircraft landing. It was noted that looking at the map of the proposed Nut Tree Village residential development, it did not appear that the originally accepted clustered residential development plan was being used. The use of open space in residential development adjacent to the airport was an important safety criterion. It was suggested that the developer provide the workshop participants with a map that shows an area where an emergency landing could be made. Another workshop participant was concerned about postential noise complaints coming from occupants of the proposed Nut tree residential development. The response to his concern was that there will be a site specific study done as part of the CEQA process. the study will evaluate the specific site plan and compare it to the historic noise contours as well as existing conditions. the impact on interior and exterior noise and how noise levels can be mitigated to meet zoning standards will be disclosed." July 14, 2007.....Snell & Company announced it was bowing out of the project. The residential portion of the new Nut Tree development is now without a developer. August 4, 2007.... Blue Ridge Aeronautics, the fixed base operator at the airport, was evicted and doors closed. No FBO exists at this time. September 25, 2007.... Snell & Company pulls out of project to build hotel and conference center at the Nut Tree. City plans on the facilities being built in the future. September 25, 2007.... The Nut Tree Post Office is rescued by the Nut Tree Airport. The official Nut Tree Postmark was kept alive by the Solano County Board of Supervisors when they approved an arrangement earlier this month. The Nut Tree post office will open soon on County Nut Tree Airport Property. November 14, 2007....City Council gives Snell & Company a two year extension on the Nut Tree project and relieves Snell of obligation to build the city a hotel/conference center. City to look for new developer. December 4, 2007 - Solano
County Board of Supervisors Meeting. Great comments on Airport made by
at least two Supervisors. Go to: December 6, 2007 - Some positive comments from Supervisors about the airport. Thursday,
December 6, 2007
After nearly
five years of lobbying efforts toward a Nut Tree Airport Master Plan,
officials said Tuesday they may be close to securing the federal funding
necessary for such a plan to take off. Nut Tree Airport Manager Andy Swanson
said although nothing is official, he has been told by the Federal Aviation
Administration that funding for the master plan likely will be allocated.
The airport was discussed Tuesday at the Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting where federal lobbyist Susan Lent gave a report to the board. Lent identified the airport as having several benefits including its location in the Bay Area and the opportunity for affluent clientele to land jets there. The Nut Tree Airport has been identified as the number one priority for lobbyists of transportation issues and they will explore expansion and land acquisition. Supervisor Jim Spering agreed the airport can be better utilized in the future and said the board should be involved in the planning. "What really are the goals for that airport," Spering asked? "(The lobbying) is going to open up many opportunities. I would hate to squander that. The sooner we do this, the sooner it will put our airport ahead of others." Supervisor John Vasquez agreed and said the board and staff should come up with a vision statement for the airport. "We haven't sat down and said 'here's our plan,' ' Vasquez said. Swanson said the master plan likely would cost around $300,000 and would include elements such as a design study, development of a work plan, a business plan and an attempt to identify current and future use. He said having the supervisors' backing is a big deal. "It was a very exciting day as an airport manager to hear the support and vision of the board," Swanson said. "It's something that is appreciated, when your board sees the important role of the airport."
December 8, 2007 -CANCELED Meeting Nut
Tree Airport Advisory Committee, 9:00am December 13, 2007 - Meeting
Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee, 7:00pm December 30, 2007 - Nut Tree Airport Forum publishes video excerpts from supervisors meeting. April, 2008 - Solano Grand Jury Report released. Airport changes required
FUTURE: ATTEND CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS, MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Last updated 5/21/2008
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