The Breezy Point Cemetery Commission and the airport association
have been working together to address concerns regarding safety as it relates
to the obstructions in the glide path of the runway. As some of you may have noticed the runway
was extended. This extension was accomplished for a couple of reasons. One reason was a portion of the runway was not
usable on the south end as structures there posed an obstruction. Other reasons include making this a
semi-private airport and the ability to deal with larger planes.
Changes you may have noticed included the burial of the high
voltage power lines adjacent to the Pelican Woods Cemetery on Ski Chalet Drive. Changes you may not have noticed were the
removal of a great number of trees in the cemetery that were deemed
obstructions to the glide path. The
Cemetery Commission understood the concern as no one wants to see an accident
that could cause death or injury. They
also had concerns about what a tragedy like this would do to the cemetery
itself. With that in mind there was some
trepidation with their removal but safety came first. It was the right thing to do.
With the continued discussions it became clear that keeping
the glide path free of obstructions was necessary and a goal of the airport association. This concern was shared by the Cemetery
Commission. Meeting that goal was
something they wanted to do, but only in finding a solution that worked for
both groups. The responsibility should
not rest on only the city. This
responsibility took two forms.
The removal of the trees was mostly done at city
expense. This is city property and to a
certain extent our responsibility. But
it was also something wanted by others at our expense. The Cemetery Commission felt the airport association
needed to share in the expense of tree removal.
The other form of responsibility is the issue of when do we have an
obstruction moving forward into the future?
Trees grow and with that the free zone of the glide path changes over
time. The Cemetery Commission is not familiar with rules regarding glide path
obstructions and airports. The pilots
that use the airport are better versed and knowledgeable about trees that could
be causing problems. Working together
was needed.
In considering the possibilities the city and airport have
come to an agreement that was approved by the city council that would prohibit
the city from establishing any tree or other obstruction in the glide path,
within the cemetery property. The
agreement also provides that the airport association needs to inform us of
problems when they exist. Trees grow and
for most of us we only notice the height of those close to the ground. Trees that affect the glide path are not
something that is seen by most people.
The agreement provides for a cost sharing for tree removal. It also memorializes the arrangement the city
has in using the airport for events such as air transport with medical
emergencies.
The goal was met. We
found a solution where we work together to address these issues. We also found a solution that meets each
other’s needs. This is a Win-Win situation.
