The Path to a 14 Gate Replacement Terminal

  • November 2000 After many years of contention between the community of Burbank and the Airport Authority regarding an Airport proposed new relocated and expanded gate terminal, Burbank voters approve a ballot measure which amended the Burbank Municipal Code and stated: “No approval by the City of Burbank of any agreement between the City and the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority for a relocated or expanded airport terminal project, or any other discretionary act by the City relating to the approval of a relocated or expanded airport terminal project shall be valid and effective unless previously approved by the voters voting at a City election.”
  • 2002 The Airport Authority Commission formally abandons plans for expanded gate terminal project. President of Airport Authority Commission formally notifies Federal Aviation Administration of decision.
  • 2005 The City of Burbank and the Airport Authority enter into a Development Agreement that begins a 10 year working relationship. Key parts of the Development Agreement provided:
  • Greater certainty to the City, the Airport Authority, and the community on what development would and would not take place at the Airport over the next 7 years, 10 years in the case of a new terminal.
  • For 7 years, the City would agree not to change the zoning at the Airport and the Airport Authority could meet its needs consistent with that zoning.
  • For 7 years, the Airport Authority would not expand the existing terminal beyond its current footprint, add new gates or remote aircraft parking positions, build new buildings within the Building Restriction Line, or increase the land area available to general aviation uses.
  • For 10 years, the Airport Authority would agree not construct a new terminal.
  • The Airport Authority would be allowed to complete some Airport improvements.
  • April 2011 The Airport Land Use Working Group established by the Burbank City Manager and the Airport Authority Executive Director begins to focus on developing a Future Land Use Option plan acceptable to the City and the Airport Authority. The goal was to reach a consensus on a long-term land use plan for the Airport and any related community development. There were several elements which were essential components of the Future Land Use Option some of which included:     
    • A modern replacement terminal that meets current Federal Aviation Administration safety guidance.
    • Continued Airport Authority support for meaningful nighttime noise relief.
    • Maintain the same number of gates as currently exists (14).
    • Require the removal of the existing terminal.
    • Sale of the B-6 frontage parcel along Hollywood Way thereby creating revenue to offset a portion of the cost of implementation of the Future Land Use Option.
    • Creation of a multi-modal transportation program that would take advantage of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center and rail connections.
  • Fall 2011 The City of Burbank and the Airport Authority agree to a short extension of the 2005 Development Agreement (2012 – 2015) to maintain the current status of Airport development standards and afford an inclusive joint City/Airport led public outreach process.
  • 2013-2015 Confidential negotiations between the City of Burbank and Airport Authority staff for a long-term plan for the Airport continue.
  • July 2015 The Burbank City Council and the Airport Authority Commission hold a joint meeting at Burbank’s Buena Vista library to hear a presentation on the Airport Authority’s plans for a 14 gate replacement terminal. The community of Burbank was noticed regarding the meeting and encouraged to attend and provide comments.
  • October 27, 2015 The Burbank City Council reviews a Conceptual Term Sheet regarding a 14 gate replacement terminal project. The key deal points include:
    • The Airport Authority would have the right to build a 14 gate replacement terminal in a location that meets Federal Aviation Administration safety standards.
    • Upon completion of the new replacement terminal, the existing terminal and nearby parking structure would be demolished.
    • The Joint Powers Agreement which governs the Airport Authority would be amended to provide significant new protections for the Burbank community.
    • The Airport Authority would continue to support efforts to achieve meaningful nighttime noise relief.
  • November 9, 2015 The Airport Authority Commission approves the Conceptual Term Sheet.
  • November 16, 2015 The Burbank City Council approves the Conceptual Term Sheet after receiving additional community input.
  • Winter 2015 / Spring 2016 Pursuant to a trust agreement between the City of Burbank and the Airport Authority, the Authority sells the B-6 frontage parcel along Hollywood Way to Overton Moore Properties.  The site is the current location of the Avion development.
  • April 2016 The Airport Authority releases a Draft Environmental Impact Report for a 14 gate replacement terminal.
    • The public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report was 4/29/2016 – 6/13/2016.
    • The City of Burbank submitted 99 comments.
  • July 11, 2016 The Airport Authority certifies the Final Environmental Impact Report for a 14 gate replacement terminal and approves a new Development Agreement with the City of Burbank.
  • August 1, 2016: Subject to voter ratification, the Burbank City Council approves a new Development Agreement with the Airport Authority and associated entitlements for a 14 gate replacement terminal. Key parts of the Agreement provide:
    • The ability for the Airport Authority to construct a 14 gate terminal to replace the 14 gate existing terminal. The new terminal will be 355,000 square feet and will meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s current safety standards.
    • The Airport Authority will be required to demolish the existing terminal and near-by parking structure.
    • The Airport will continue to have no more than 6637 total public parking spaces.
    • The Airport will have the right to the realignment and extension of taxiways and A and C.
    • The Development Agreement contains 241 conditions of approval imposed by the City on the project.
    • The Airport Authority would be required to hold at least 6 public design community visioning sessions prior to commencing terminal architectural design.
  • July/August 2016 The Cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena amended the Joint Powers Agreement which governs the Airport Authority.
    • A “supermajority” vote (at least two commissioners from each of the three cities) is required for the Airport Authority to:
      • Increase the number of commercial airline gates.
      • Acquire additional land.
      • Change the existing voluntary nighttime curfew on scheduled airline operations or how it historically has been applied.
      • Change the existing noise rules or how they historically have been enforced.
      • Construct or expand any terminal other than the replacement terminal.
      • Abandon support for Congressional approval to implement the mandatory nighttime curfew that the Federal Aviation Administration refused to approve for the Airport Authority.
  • November 8, 2016 City of Burbank election asks voters to consider a ballot measure that will ratify the new Development Agreement and associated entitlements for a 14 gate replacement terminal. The November 2016 election coincides with the National election for the presidency of the United States, thereby encouraging greater voter turnout. The Measure passes by 70%.
  • February 7, 2017 The Development Agreement for the 14 gate replacement terminal becomes effective.
  •  March – October 2019 The Airport Authority conducts a total of 9 public design workshops known as charrettes. Six were held in the City of Burbank in various locations and 1 each was held in Glendale, Pasadena, and Los Angeles. Topics included:
    • Overall community vision and aspirations.
    • Broad community input regarding design principals and guidelines to form the broad design framework for the replacement terminal such as: massing and scale, vertical and horizontal articulation, compatibility with surrounding adjacent structures.
    • Specific Design concepts for interior and exterior elements for the replacement terminal such as: architectural design, treatments and finishes, materials colors, wayfinding and gateway elements, identifying amenities, place-making, landscaping open space, signage, and people spaces.
    • Feedback cycles were provided in each community vision session including during the final workshop held on the preferred replacement terminal site on October 26, 2019
  • March 20, 2020 The Airport Authority places the replacement terminal project on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • May, 2021 Federal Aviation Administration issues an Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision for the 14 gate replacement terminal.
  • September, 2021 The Airport Authority Commission authorizes the restart project of the replacement terminal project.