(A) Creation and application of the District. The Airport Protection (AP) District is created as an overlay district to be superimposed on other zoning districts, pursuant to VA Code §§ 15.2-2283, 15.2-2284, and 15.2-2294. The provisions of the AP District supplement and are in addition to the provisions of the underlying zoning districts.
(B) Intent. It is the intent of the AP District to protect the safety of air navigation and the public investment in air navigation facilities by preventing the development of activities in the vicinity of airports which could be hazardous to air navigation.
(C) AP District defined. The Airport Protection District (AP) shall be areas on the ground lying beneath the airport approach surfaces, airport horizontal surfaces and airport transitional surfaces and airport horizon.
(D) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AIRPORT APPROACH SURFACE. The airport approach surface is an imaginary surface existing at both ends of a runway. The surface shall begin at the end of the runway with a width of 250 feet and extend outward for a distance of 5,000 feet to a width of 1,250 feet. The centerline of the surface shall slope upward from the edge of the runway one foot vertically for each 20 feet of distance horizontally.
AIRPORT ELEVATION. The highest elevation of the airport runway which for zoning purposes shall be considered the elevation of every point on the runway.
(a) Two hundred fifty feet, centered on the runway centerline for runways limited to use by propeller driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and less;
(b) Five hundred feet, centered on the runway centerline for all other runways.
AIRPORT HORIZONTAL SURFACE. The airport horizontal surface is an imaginary horizontal surface bounded by a radius of 5,000 feet measured from all points on the runway centerline between the ends of the runways. The airport horizontal surface is at a height of 150 feet above the airport elevation.
AIRPORT RUNWAY. For all runways, the width for zoning purposes shall be at least:
AIRPORT TRANSITIONAL SURFACES. The airport transitional surfaces are imaginary surfaces on each side of the runway. They slope upward and outward seven feet horizontally for each foot vertically beginning at the sides of the runway width and at the same elevation as the runway and the approach surfaces and extending to a height of 150 feet above the airport elevation.
(E) Uses and structures prohibited in the AP District.
(1) No use shall be conducted within the AP District in such a manner as to create electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communications between the airport and aircraft, make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and other lights, result in glare in the eyes of pilots, impair visibility, or in any way create a hazard or endanger the landing, take off or maneuvering of aircraft intending to use the airport.
(2) No structure or tree shall be erected, altered, or allowed to grow so as to penetrate the airport approach, horizontal, or transitional surfaces.
(F) Helicopters and heliports. Helicopters may use an approved airport in the AP District. Heliports for the exclusive use of helicopters may be permitted in the AP District, provided the facility meets the design criteria of Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulation, U.S. Department of Transportation, as amended.
(G) Establishment of AP Districts. AP Districts shall only be established or modified by the Board of Supervisors as a map amendment to this chapter as provided for elsewhere in this chapter.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016)