AIRPORTS: MUNICIPAL ZONING, BUFFERS

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not define what constitutes 'nonindustrial property,' relying instead on local zoning ordinances.

Rules for Airport Buffers in Alaska

This law requires state airport officials to follow local rules about barriers between airports and nearby non-industrial land unless those barriers create a safety risk.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to obey local zoning laws that ask for plant or built buffers near airports, unless doing so creates a hazard to aircraft.
• Sets strict steps before an existing buffer can be cut down or taken away in a designated zone between an airport and nonindustrial property.
• Requires officials to determine that removing a buffer is needed to stop a direct and immediate safety hazard.
• Mandates public notice and a chance for people to give comments before changing any buffers.
• Requires the department to take extra steps to reduce harm if a buffer is removed, including creating a new buffer if possible.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
• Local governments that make zoning rules near airports

Terms To Know

Buffer

A barrier made of plants or construction materials placed between an airport and nearby land.

Nonindustrial property

Land next to an airport that is not used for industrial purposes, as defined by local zoning rules.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify exactly how much notice must be given or the specific methods for public comment.
• It is unclear what specific actions count as 'additional mitigation measures' beyond establishing a new buffer if practicable.
• The text defines when buffers can be removed but does not list which airports are covered.

Official Summary Text

AIRPORTS: MUNICIPAL ZONING, BUFFERS
An Act relating to municipal zoning around airports; and relating to buffers between airports and nonindustrial property.

Current Bill Text

HB0346a -1- HB 346
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS1497\N

HOUSE BILL NO. 346

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND

Introduced: 2/23/26
Referred: Transportation, Community and Regional Affairs

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to municipal zoning around airports; and relating to buffers between 1
airports and nonindustrial property." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 35.30.020 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 4
(b) The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities shall, when 5
exercising its police power under AS 02.25.020, comply with local planning and 6
zoning ordinances and other regulations that require vegetative or constructed buffers 7
between an airport and adjacent nonindustrial property unless complying with the 8
local ordinance or regulation would create a hazard to aircraft. The Department of 9
Transportation and Public Facilities may only reduce or remove an existing buffer in a 10
designated buffer zone between an airport and adjacent nonindustrial property if the 11
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 12
(1) determines that reduction or removal of the buffer is necessary to 13
eliminate a direct and immediate safety hazard; 14
34-LS1497\N
HB 346 -2- HB0346a
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

(2) provides for public notice and an opportunity to comment before 1
reducing or removing the buffer; and 2
(3) implements additional mitigation measures to minimize the adverse 3
effects associated with reducing or removing the buffer, including establishing a new 4
buffer if practicable. 5