1. What is the ALUC? ALUC stands for Airport Land Use Commission. There are ALUCs throughout California. As dictated by state law, each has two primary roles:
- To develop and adopt airport land use compatibility plans (ALUCPs) for the airports within their jurisdictions, and
- To review local agency land use actions to ensure that new development is compatible with adopted ALUCPs.
The Trinity ALUC is committed to developing airport land use plans that protect public safety and the ability of airports to operate now and in the future.
2. What is the purpose of an ALUCP? The purpose of an ALUCP is to protect the safety of people, property and aircraft on the ground and in the air in the vicinity of the airports. ALUCPs also protect airports from encroachment by new incompatible land uses that could restrict the airports’ operations.
3. What's the difference between an ALUCP and an airport master plan? The fundamental difference between an ALUCP and an airport master plan is that the focus of the ALUCP is on the land surrounding an airport, while the focus of an airport master plan (or airport layout plan) is on property within the airport boundary. ALUCPs are required to utilize the information provided in airport master plans (or airport layout plans) when projecting airport operations into the future. In addition, primary responsibility for adoption of an ALUCP rests with the ALUC, while responsibility for adoption of an airport master plan belongs to the County.
4. How do ALUCPs apply to existing land uses? The ALUCP does not apply to existing land uses. It only applies to new or future development or redevelopment.
5. What authority does the ALUC have to enforce land use restrictions? The ALUC guides landowners and local land use jurisdictions as to what kinds of new development are appropriate around an airport, but has no authority to enforce its recommendations. Rather, jurisdictions, e.g., the County, are required to bring their general plans into conformance with adopted ALUCPs. The jurisdictions enforce any potential land use restrictions stemming from the adopted ALUCPs.
6. How does the ALUC coordinate with local land use jurisdictions? The ALUC works with local jurisdictions primarily through the ALUCP process. In addition, ALUC members and staff work directly with elected officials and staff of local jurisdictions affected by airports.
7. What happens if the County disagrees with the ALUC? If, despite all efforts to forge mutually agreeable solutions, a jurisdiction disagrees with the ALUC, it may make specific findings pursuant to state law and, with a two-thirds vote of its governing body, overrule the ALUC.
8. How do ALUCPs affect my property rights? ALUCPs affect new land uses, rather than existing development. Structure replacement and infill development are generally permitted, with certain limited exceptions. ALUCPs do not enable airport operators to expand airport operations; they merely reflect, and must be based upon, the county's airport master plans and their projections about future operations.
