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Airport and Heliport Hazards

Burlingame residents and business have ready access to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), one of the busiest airports on the western seaboard. In addition, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center operates an emergency medical heliport on an elevated platform within the site. While the airport and heliport provide welcome resources for world travel and emergency response, they also present unique risks and land use compatibility issues for Burlingame.

The following goal and policies address airport and heliport safety, land use compatibility, and interagency coordination related to aircraft operations.

Goal: CS-8

Minimize the community’s exposure to aircraft safety hazards associated with San Francisco International Airport and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center.

Consider all applicable Federal statutes (including 49 U.S.C. 47107), Federal regulations (including 14 Code of Federal Regulations 77 et seq.), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Compliance Manual, FAA Advisory Circulars, other forms of written guidance, and State law with respect to criteria related to land use safety and airspace protection when evaluating development applications within the Airport Influence Area of the San Francisco International Airport and Mills-Peninsula Medical Center helipad. 

Development Review

Require development projects within the Airport Influence Area designated in the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan of the San Francisco International Airport to comply with all applicable Federal statutes (including 49 U.S.C. 47107), Federal regulations (including 14 Code of Federal Regulations 77 et seq.), the FAA’s Airport Compliance Manual, FAA Advisory Circulars, other forms of written guidance, and State law with respect to criteria related to land use safety and airspace protection. 

Agency Coordination Development Review

Ensure that all future land use actions and/or associated development conforms to the relevant height, aircraft noise, and safety policies and compatibility criteria contained in the most recently adopted version of the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for the Environs of San Francisco International Airport. 

Agency Coordination Master Plans Development Review

Ensure all applicable plans and ordinances are reviewed by the City/County Association of Governments Board of Directors, acting as the San Mateo County’s Airport Land Use Commission, for a determination of consistency with the most current Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for the Environs of San Francisco International Airport, as required by State law. 

Agency Coordination Master Plans Development Review