Overview
What is a Master Plan?
Who is a Master Plan for?
Master Plan Process
Public Involvement
Public Meetings
Image Plan
FAQs
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Why do a Master Plan?
The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that airports update their master plans periodically as a condition of receiving Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Funds. Also, conditions change within the service area of the airport, with the aviation industry, and with the type of activity that the airport may be experiencing, so it is worthwhile to regularly reassess growth trends and their effects on the airport.
How far ahead should HAS be planning?
Typically, master plans look ahead 20 years. This allows planners to look at long-term solutions to handle growth that may occur during that period. Some elements of airport development, such as new runways, take 10 to 15 years to put in place once the need is identified. However, it is prudent for an airport to update its master plan periodically to ensure that the plan is addressing more foreseeable needs.
When will all of these projects be built?
Projects will be initiated when demand dictates the need for development. The forecasts identify one timeline in which development could occur, however, if activity does not materialize as quickly as forecast, then development envisioned by this master plan would be delayed accordingly. Conversely, if growth were to accelerate, projects could be initiated prior to the timeline associated with the Master Plan forecasts. The need to put various projects in place is based on actual activity reaching the Planning Activity Levels, or PALs, identified in the study.
HAS will monitor aviation activity at Hobby annually to determine whether activity is tracking as projected and which projects from the Master Plan should be programmed into the Airport's five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) based on that activity.
What growth does the plan foresee?
The Master Plan assessed three growth scenarios in terms of passengers, aircraft operations and air cargo. These were:
- » Baseline Scenario - continuation of historical growth.
- » Connecting Scenario - somewhat greater than historical growth with an increase in connecting passengers.
- » Accelerated Growth Scenario - somewhat greater than historical growth, an increase in connecting passengers and introduction of short-haul international service.
Growth under each of these forecasts varied. Planning Activity Levels (PALs), or activity benchmarks, were identified as follows:
| 2000 (Existing) |
4.55M |
254,435 |
17,099 |
| PAL 1 |
5.36M |
273,038 |
20,417 |
| PAL 2 |
6.68M |
301,278 |
23,669 |
| PAL 3 |
8.32M |
330,552 |
31,809 |
Will Hobby Airport change?
Change will take place over a long period of time. The basic nature of the Airport - its convenience and accessibility - will not change. In fact, development proposed in the Master Plan seeks to enhance these attributes. In addition, the type of aircraft activity is not envisioned to change substantially, but will grow in volume.
What are expected to change are the airport boundary, and the area available for development of airfield facilities and aviation-related businesses. Airport expansion is planned to occur primarily to the east and west, with some expansion to the south along Telephone Road, and to the north (across Airport Boulevard) adjacent to the terminal area. Public parking areas will be expanded and rental car pick-up and drop-off will be located in the parking garage. Access into the terminal area along Airport Boulevard will be improved, with the addition of two entrances from Airport Boulevard onto the terminal loop road. The west side of the Airport, along Telephone Road, will be redeveloped with aviation-related uses. As the historic terminal is restored and transformed into a flight museum, it will become the centerpiece of the west side redevelopment. A pedestrian plaza connecting the two parking garages will extend a view of the terminal to passengers entering the terminal area and motorists traveling to the Airport along Broadway.
What happens if I own some property within the acquisition area? Will acquisition be at market value?
Property within the acquisition area boundaries of the Master Plan will be required as needed to support development. All acquisition will be initiated under a willing buyer/willing seller approach. If federal funds are used for acquisition, all acquisition and relocation will be done in accordance with federal guidelines. These guidelines require property appraisals to establish value, and prescribe the procedures by which properties can be acquired and residents and businesses relocated. It is likely that HAS would prepare guidelines for a formal land acquisition program before embarking on a large-scale, multi-year acquisition program.
Will we get new airlines?
Completion of a master plan is not a way to attract new airline service. That is a function of the marketplace and finding an under-served market that corresponds to a carrier's route structure. The Master Plan will provide guidance for development should additional carriers decide to serve Hobby, creating additional activity and potentially an increase in destinations.
Terminal redevelopment is underway, and the Master Plan identifies other on-Airport improvements. What about the area around the Airport? How do we change the character of the area around the Airport?
While this type of change will be a long-term process, the Airport Environs Image Plan can help focus other development interests outside the airport boundary. It offers recommendations, examples and guidelines for redevelopment of the surrounding area to be attractive, conducive to business, and providing a sense of place.
Who will pay for all of the projects included in the Plan?
Development of an airport is typically paid through both federal and local funds. These include Airport Improvement Project (AIP) Funds from the FAA and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funds from HAS. Projects involving METRO may be eligible for other federal transit funding, while third-party developers could be utilized for cargo facility development. Ultimately, it is the users of the Airport - the airlines, passengers, and tenants - who fund improvements through rent, fees, and purchases at the Airport. It is important to note that no City of Houston taxes fund airport improvements or operations.
Will general aviation go away?
No. In fact, general aviation is an integral part of the forecasts of aviation activity. The Master Plan envisions growth in general aviation activity, primarily business aviation. The Plan also recognizes that as air carrier activity increases, operators of smaller GA aircraft may elect to move to Ellington Field or other smaller airports where traffic is lighter.
How is noise exposure expected to change?
Based on the analysis in the Environmental Overview (EO), overall noise exposure is expected to be reduced (in terms of persons exposed to significant noise levels and area of significant noise exposure) between the baseline (2000) condition and full build-out of the plan. (The FAA considers average annual noise exposure of DNL 65 and higher as the level of significant noise exposure.) Some residents around the Airport may experience increased noise while others may experience a decrease, although the plan does not propose significant changes in runway use or flight tracks. The overall reduction is due to a shift to newer, quieter aircraft that can climb better on departure, creating less noise exposure. The EO assessed only current vs. full build-out conditions. Additional noise and environmental studies will be required prior to development to provide a more detailed assessment of potential environmental impacts during interim phases of development and to propose mitigation for those impacts, as needed.
If my house is within the DNL 65 contour, will I be eligible to have my house soundproofed or purchased?
No, not as a result of this Master Plan. Other studies would be needed to assess the specific effects of noise on noise-sensitive land uses under each interim development phase and the appropriate mitigation measures. The extent of noise mitigation that could be offered to homeowners around Hobby is a policy decision that has not yet been made by the City of Houston for the Houston Airport System.
Why knock down the existing parking garage? Isn't it pretty new?
The existing parking garage has significant problems that the Master Plan hopes to resolve:
- » The garage prevents necessary expansion of the terminal area and the curb fronts. Almost a third of the garage would need to be removed in order to allow for expansion, and the remaining portion would require expensive reconstruction to increase the parking capacity.
- » Although it is a relatively new structure, it is already experiencing structural problems that will soon require expensive maintenance. Rather than spending money on a garage that is not a good long-term solution, the Master Plan suggests a new direction that makes economic, aesthetic, and user convenience sense.
- » The garage impedes a view from the "ceremonial entrance" via Broadway Street. Removing the garage is an important step in improving the Airport area's image.
What will development do to traffic in my neighborhood?
The Master Plan assessed future traffic impacts on the Airport roadways and roads leading to the Airport. The plan anticipates additional traffic will be accessing the Airport from the west based on current development trends. Roadway improvements are recommended to enhance traffic flow into and out of the Airport on existing arterials.
Relocation of Braniff Road to tie to Almeda-Genoa Road will allow the extension of Runway 17-35 to the south. For the neighborhoods south of Hobby, this will create a longer travel time to Telephone Road, but is not anticipated to increase traffic. Closure of roads on the east side of the Airport with airfield expansion will result in the relocation of Monroe Road to the east, along the alignment of Berry Creek, and the proposed west boundary of the Airport.
What is a ceremonial entrance?
The Image Plan divides access into two categories: functional and ceremonial. For functional access, speed and convenience is important. The Master Plan has established a design that provides quick access to the Airport.
Ceremonial access places high value on aesthetics. It may not be the fastest way to or from the Airport, but it would leave a lasting impression of Houston as a world-class city.
The Image Plan has identified Broadway Street as the ceremonial entrance to the Airport. This is based not only on the possibilities for a quality experience, but also on historical precedent. The Image Plan and the Master Plan both envision an experience culminating with a grand arrival at the Airport by creating a ceremonial entrance. Functional access will be provided from the east and west.
What steps is the Master Plan taking to ensure an easier trip to and from the Airport?
The Master Plan is a forward-looking document that outlines concrete steps that anticipate future demands. Key routes to and from the Airport have been identified, not only using today's roadway system, but tomorrow's as well. The Master Plan has responded to the anticipated growth of the region by suggesting improvements to these key routes. By addressing current inadequacies and anticipating increased demands, the Master Plan will catch up and then stay ahead of the traffic growth in the Airport area.
How does the Master Plan address METRO's Mobility 2025 Plan?
The Master Plan was being developed at the same time as METRO was performing the Southeast-Universities-Hobby Planning Study. Consequently, the teams performing both studies jointly strove to ensure that the studies were compatible with each other. The Master Plan team has worked hard to ensure that sufficient flexibility exists to bring high-capacity transit to the Airport.
Will there be any effect to threatened or endangered plants or wildlife?
Since Hobby Airport is located in a highly developed urban location, it is not anticipated that any threatened or endangered species of plants or wildlife would be affected or displaced.
Will there be any effect to current drainage or bayou waterways?
Yes, we anticipate possible effects but these will not create flooding or water control problems. More study will be required and actual results of new construction cannot be determined until land acquisition boundaries are established. In fact, a drainage study is recommended as one of the first steps in the Master Plan implementation.
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