1. It is hereby found that the location of a new major airport will increase the value and rate of development of the land adjacent to the site; that the control of such development will be of benefit to the entire community; that the assessed value of taxable property and the tax resources will be significantly greater; and that the protection of inhabitants and the natural resources of the area is necessary to the enhancement of the community and to encourage the compatible existence of the airport and the community. Accordingly it is recognized that large aircraft generate noise which is objectionable to certain types of development and land use but is necessary for the safe and efficient flight of the aircraft and its service to the airport. Therefore, to encourage the successful coexistence of the community and the airport, to enhance the environment, and the general welfare of the community, and provide for the orderly development generated by a major airport, the authority, to minimize the adverse effects of aircraft noise, and in addition to zoning powers given in section 305.575, may provide for the land use zoning of all territory, for noise compatibility, included in a rectangle extending seven miles from each end of a runway and one and one-half miles each side of a runway centerline for each proposed and planned future runway for a major airport site.

2. No such zoning regulation shall limit any existing use without the owner’s consent or the payment of compensation for damages or loss resulting therefrom in the manner prescribed by chapter 523.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 305.580

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Property: includes real and personal property. See Missouri Laws 1.020

3. Within one hundred and twenty days after the selection and approval of a site for a new major airport, the authority shall determine the probable levels of noise which will result from the operation of aircraft using the site and establish aircraft noise zones based thereon applicable to the property affected by such noise. As aircraft noise characteristics change with improved technology, the authority may make changes in the aircraft noise zones. No property shall be used, and no buildings or other structure shall be constructed or improved, within any aircraft noise zone, so that persons using the property and buildings are subjected to a level of noise in excess of the acceptable level established by the authority for that land use.

4. It is further declared that both the control and establishment of compatible land use are public purposes for which the authority may expend funds and acquire land or property rights therein. The authority may retain any property acquired pursuant to this section and use it for a lawful purpose, or it may provide for the sale or other disposition.

5. The chairman of the authority shall establish a five member major airport land use zoning committee consisting of three members of the authority, one of which shall be a representative of the same county in which the major airport is to be located, and two of which shall be citizens residing in the county in which the major airport is to be located. Each member of the major airport land use zoning committee shall serve as a member of the committee during his term as member of the authority and a citizen member shall serve a term of two years. The committee shall recommend the adoption of zoning regulations and hear appeals for the land use zoning.

6. Zoning regulations made or changed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be made in the same manner as that provided in section 305.575, including the provisions for notice, and any person, firm or corporation or any political subdivision which believes it has been aggrieved by any decision regarding zoning regulations made by the airport authority pursuant to the provisions of this section may appeal that decision in the same manner as that provided in section 305.575.

7. Any person, firm or corporation desiring to erect any structure or to change any existing structure or to permit any noncompliance use in variance of zoning regulations made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall apply for permission to make such variance with the authority. Such variances shall be allowed if a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the relief granted would not be contrary to the public interest but would do substantial justice and be in accordance with the spirit of the regulations and the provisions of sections 305.500 to 305.585, but any variance shall be subject to such reasonable conditions as the airport land use zoning board may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section. In granting any variance, the authority shall require, and the person, firm, or corporation seeking the variance shall install, operate and maintain thereon, at the expense of said person, firm, or corporation seeking the variance, such soundproofing, lights and protection as may be necessary to protect people and the use of the land from objectionable and adverse aircraft noise which may result from the variance.