The development site is approximately 16 acres of vacant land owned by the County and located on the west side of Buchanan Field Airport generally between Marsh Drive and Sally Ride Drive. The parcel is currently designated for aviation use on the existing Buchanan Field Airport Master Plan. However, the Airports Division is in process of updating the Airport Layout Plan and the associated aviation forecasts and facility needs analysis support re-designating it for non-aviation use. As such, the Airport Division submitted a request to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airports District Office (ADO), which, if approved, will result in the parcel being re-designated for non-aviation use. An aviation use can be located on land that is designated for non-aviation use.
The Airport Division of the Contra Costa County Public Works Department - Airports Division received a letter of interest to lease and develop the property for non-aviation use.
In accordance with the Airport Division’s standard practices and at the request of the ADO, on October 25, 2018, the Airport Division solicited for competitive interest in developing the parcel prior to making a developer selection. This solicitation of competitive interest was transmitted to the current commercial tenants of both County airports and to those persons who have asked to be included on a list of developers interested in developing land at either of the County airports. The County did not receive any additional letters of interest to develop this property.
Consistent with the master developer selection process that was approved by the Board of Supervisors on May 23, 2006, projects without a competitive interest are to proceed with the traditional environmental review and lease development processes. The non-aviation development project will be presented to the Aviation Advisory Committee, the Airport Committee, and any other stakeholder to enhance community relations and collaborative relationships.
Development of this 16-acre vacant parcel would expand economic development activity at the Buchanan Field Airport and lead to increased revenues to the Airport Enterprise Fund. The proposal submitted for a non-aviation use, however, is subject to the Airport Division successfully completing the federal process in order for the FAA to approve the County’s request for re-designation of the site.
A business proposal must also be consistent with the General Plan for consideration. When the FAA issues a notice of intent to release the property for non-aviation use, Airports staff will work with the Department of Conservation and Development to assess consistency with the General Plan and, if necessary, initiate a General Plan Amendment.
The Board of Supervisors could consider approval of a non-aviation use lease at the Buchanan Field Airport after the ADO releases the property for non-aviation use and, if necessary, completion of a General Plan Amendment.
Unless and until a final lease agreement is fully executed by all parties, this Board Order, any draft lease agreement, other communications or conduct of the parties shall have absolutely no legal effect, may not be used to impose any legally binding obligation on the County and may not be used as evidence of any oral or implied agreement between the parties or as evidence of the terms and conditions of any implied agreement.
Delay in initiating the developer selection process will result in a delay of developing vacant land at Buchanan Field Airport and may negatively impact the Airport Enterprise Fund and County General Fund.