HS HB 971 -- ST. LOUIS AIRPORT EXPANSION (Shelton)

This substitute allows the City of St. Louis to construct,
reconstruct, or expand an airport or landing field on property
owned by the City of St. Louis notwithstanding any land use plan
or applicable zoning of any home rule charter city as defined
under Article VI, Section 19 of the Missouri Constitution with a
population of at least 8,000 and no more than 20,000 inhabitants
located in St. Louis County.  The provisions of the substitute
expire upon the completion of construction, reconstruction, or
expansion of runways, terminals, and concourses at Lambert Field.

Currently, any city, county, or special charter city can agree
to acquire real or personal property for the location of an
airport, landing field, or additions with an option to acquire
such property by condemnation as authorized by laws for public
purposes which do not violate any plan, master airport plan, or
zoning regulations adopted by a planning commission of a county,
city, or special charter city that restricts the location of an
airport or landing field.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 971 -- ST. LOUIS AIRPORT EXPANSION

SPONSOR:  Shelton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Municipal
Corporations by a vote of 12 to 5.

This bill allows the City of St. Louis to construct,
reconstruct, or expand an airport or landing field on property
owned by the City of St. Louis notwithstanding any land use plan
or applicable zoning of any county, city, or special charter
city.

Currently, any city, county, or special charter city can agree
to acquire real or personal property for the location of an
airport, landing field, or additions with an option to acquire
such property by condemnation as authorized by laws for public
purposes which do not violate any plan, master airport plan, or
zoning regulations adopted by a planning commission of a county,
city, or special charter city that restricts the location of an
airport or landing field.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds of $0 in
FY 2000, FY 2001, and FY 2002.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will provide a
legislative remedy for the runway expansion project at  Lambert
Field and closure on the issue of airport expansion.  The
benefits of the expansion project at Lambert Field include
maintaining the economic vitality of eastern Missouri;
attracting and maintaining business and industry; increasing the
economic activity generated at Lambert Field; remedying numerous
flight delays and decreasing the cost associated with such
delays; and accommodating the future demands of the traveling
public.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Shelton; Francis
Slay, President, Board of Alderman, City of St. Louis; Civic
Progress; Air Transport Association; St. Louis Regional Commerce
and Growth Association; Let's Get On With Our Lives, Bridgeton,
Missouri; St. Louis County; and the City of St. Louis.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the legislative
remedy provided by this bill for the runway expansion project at
Lambert Field will negatively affect the City of Bridgeton and
communities surrounding Lambert Field.  The negative effects
facing the City of Bridgeton include the usurping of the city's
authority to control zoning and development activities within
its boundaries; violation of the city's governmental immunity
ordinance; and the destruction of homes and other structures
including churches, businesses, and schools.  In addition,
opponents stated that the expansion plan is expensive and
unconstitutional.

Testifying against the bill were Conrad Bowers, Mayor, City of
Bridgeton; People Building Community; Shepherd of the Hills
Lutheran Church; Bridgeton Air Defense; Ferd Fetsch, Councilman,
City of Bridgeton; Andrew M. Kasprzyk, Councilman, City of
Bridgeton; Christine Waitman; Wayne Sheets; Fred Neuroth; and
Wilfried Adelt.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

HB 971 -- Airport Expansion

Sponsor:  Shelton

This bill allows the City of St. Louis to construct,
reconstruct, or expand an airport or landing field on property
owned by the City of St. Louis notwithstanding any land use plan
or applicable zoning of any county, city, or special charter
city.

Currently, any city, county, or special charter city can agree
to acquire real or personal property for the location of an
airport, landing field, or additions with an option to acquire
such property by condemnation as authorized by laws for public
purposes which does not violate any plan, master airport plan,
or zoning regulations adopted by a planning commission of a
county, city, or special charter city that restricts the
location of an airport or landing field.