The staff registered concern about potential conflicts with state regulations as siting options are being explored. The proposal evaluated in 1987 described a larger site located closer to Airport Blvd. And, during the 90's, flight activity decreased relative to previous years, he said. Evaluations, according to Gargas, take into account the number of flights, the size of the planes using the airport, and the altitudes and traffic pattern maneuvers occurring near the site. Gargas provided an extension of the 1992 evaluation in a June 1997 to the school district.
Evaluations require renewal every five years until a site is actually acquired.
Airport manager Don French, in an apparent conflict with Gargas, said flight operations had remained static from '86 to '91 or '92, but a marked increase in traffic followed. The Federal Aeronautics Administration expects a one to two percent annual increase in flight activity to continue, he said. Gargas concedes there has been an increase in operations at the airport and the anticipated facility improvements could further increase the number of flights and lower altitude restrictions on approaches to landing. Harkins Slough site supporters refer to the school district's severe overcrowding at two existing high schools and their contention that the area will be developed as justification for locating the high school there. Opposition to the site now focuses on concerns that the site is not suitable for a high school.