ABOUT THE PASO ROBLES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT MASTER PLAN

The Paso Robles Municipal Airport (PRB), a 1,300-acre site located about four miles northeast of downtown Paso Robles, was originally built in 1943 as Estrella Army Air Field. Although it had limited military activity during World War II, it laid the foundation for the region’s future in aviation. The airport was transferred to the City of Paso Robles in 1973, leading to significant growth in industrial and general aviation development. Today, the airport features two runways, nearly 500,000 square feet of industrial space, over 40 businesses and supports 700 jobs. The airport serves an area of over 2,000 square miles and is home to nearly 200 based aircraft. PRB plays a key role for the California Department of Forestry, California Highway Patrol, and various general aviation, military, charter, and medical aviation operations. The Paso Robles Municipal Airport is poised for continued growth and will remain a vital transportation hub for the region.

A Master Plan is...

  • A comprehensive, long-range study of the airport and all air and landside components that describes plans to meet FAA safety standards and future aviation demand.
  • Recommended by the FAA to be conducted every 7-10 years to ensure plans are up-to-date and reflect current conditions and FAA regulations. The last master plan for PRB was completed in 2004.
  • A document that will ultimately be presented for approval to the City of Paso Robles City Council. The FAA approves the Aviation Demand Forecasts and Airport Layout Plan (ALP) drawing set
  • An opportunity for airport stakeholders and the general public to engage with airport staff on issues related to the airport and its current and future operations, and environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Three public information workshops will be held over the course of the master plan study.
A Master Plan is...

A Master Plan is NOT...

  • A noise study like a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150 Noise Study. The master plan does include an assessment of the airport’s noise contours based on current and future activity levels. A noise contour for an airport is a visual representation of the areas affected by different levels of aircraft noise. However, this process does not include studying noise mitigation options, which a CFR Part 150 Noise Study would cover.
  • A guarantee that the airport will proceed with any planned projects. Master plans are guides that help airport staff plan for future airport development; however, the need/demand for certain projects might never materialize.
  • A guarantee of funding for any planned projects. Project funding is considered on a project-by-project basis and requires appropriate need and demand. Certain projects may require the completion of a benefit-cost analysis.
  • Environmental clearance for specific projects. The master plan includes an environmental overview that identifies potential environmental sensitivities per the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) guidelines. Most planned projects will require a separate NEPA study (environmental impact statement/environmental assessment/categorical exclusion) prior to construction. Appropriate documentation (Categorical Exemption or Initial Study) will also be prepared to satisfy California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for master plan approval.
A Master Plan is NOT...

SCHEDULE

2025
March 5, 2025
June 25, 2025
June 25, 2025
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

INITIATION

  • Establish Goals and Objectives
  • Launch Project Website
  • Establish a Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)

INITIATION MEETINGS

  • PAC Meeting #1

PHASE 1

  • Inventory of Existing Conditions
  • Environmental Inventory
  • Aviation Forecasts
  • Draft Phase One Working Papers

PHASE 1 MEETINGS

  • PAC Meeting #2
  • Public Information Workshop #1

PHASE 2

  • Facility Requirements
  • Airside/Landside Alternatives
  • Draft Phase Two Working Papers

PHASE 2 MEETINGS

  • PAC Meeting #3
  • Public Information Workshop #2

PHASE 3

  • Recommended Development Concept
  • Environmental Overview
  • CEQA Documentation
  • Spaceport Considerations/ Integration
  • Capital Improvement Program
  • Airport Layout Plan Drawings
  • Draft Phase Three Working Papers

PHASE 3 MEETINGS

  • PAC Meeting #4
  • Public Information Workshop #3

APPROVALS

  • Draft Final Master Plan Report 
  • Local Approval of the Master Plan 
  • ALP Approval by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FINALIZATION

  • Final Master Plan Report
  • Deliver Digital and Printed Copies of Finalized Report

MASTER PLAN DOCUMENTS

Visit Downloads Page

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The approach to involving the community and airport stakeholders is multifaceted. Three (3) public information workshops will be held during the master planning process. These workshops, which will be conducted in an open-house format, will allow the public and airport stakeholders to participate with the airport master plan team and ask any questions they may have about the airport master plan. The workshops are typically scheduled in the early evening to accommodate those heading home from work and others who can attend after dinner. The dates and times of the workshops will be advertised locally and posted on this website. Periodic press releases will also be posted on this website.

Any interested citizen or airport stakeholder is encouraged to provide comments and suggestions to the airport master plan team. Comment sheets will be provided to the PAC and at the public information workshops. Citizens and airport stakeholders can also send “Comments” through the web form below.

Paso RoblesDowntown

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an Airport Master Plan?

The master plan is the short and long-term development concept for the airport. It is the local airport planning document to be used as guidance in planning for airport facility needs over a 20-year period. The purpose of the master plan is summarized as follows:  

  • Provide a visioning document to guide airport management and other decision makers regarding development of the airport over the next 20 years. 
  • Address local and national changes in the aviation industry that could impact priorities at PRB. 
  • Identify and plan for potential capital projects, in advance, so that coordination, approvals, financing, design and construction can take place in a timely manner. 
  • Develop a plan that addresses FAA and airport priorities (i.e., safety, design standards, land use compatibility, compliance, etc.). 
  • To have a current and approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP) on file with FAA so that future grant funding can continue uninterrupted. 
  • To increase stakeholder/public awareness of the airport’s goals and objectives. 
  • To maintain communication and capital project discussions with FAA and airport stakeholders. 
  • To document justification for FAA funding of specific projects, where it exists, and to provide triggers that would justify planned future projects. 
What is an Airport Master Plan?

What is an airport master plan?

The master plan is the short and long-term development concept for the Airport. It is the local airport planning document to be used as guidance in planning for airport facility needs over a 20-year period. The purpose of the master plan is summarized as follows: 

  • Provide a visioning document to guide airport management and other decision makers regarding development over the next 20 years. 
  • Address local and national changes in the aviation industry that could impact priorities at the airport. 
  • Identify and plan for potential capital projects in advance so that coordination, approvals, financing, design and construction can take place in a timely manner. 
  • Develop a plan that addresses FAA and airport priorities (i.e., safety, design standards, land use compatibility, compliance, etc.). 
  • To have a current and approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP) on file with FAA so that future grant funding can continue uninterrupted. 
  • To increase stakeholder/public awareness of the airport’s goals and objectives. 
  • To maintain communication and capital project discussions with FAA and airport stakeholders. 
  • To document justification for FAA funding of specific projects, where it exists, and to provide triggers that would justify planned future projects. 

 

What is an airport master plan?

Why is the airport completing a master plan?

The FAA recommends that public use facilities such as Paso Robles Municipal Airport update their master plan every 7-10 years or as local aviation conditions change. The most recent master plan was completed in 2004.

Why is the airport completing a master plan?

Who is preparing the master plan?

Coffman Associates, a national aviation consulting firm specializing in airport planning studies, was selected following a qualifications-based selection process. 

Who is preparing the master plan?

Who is funding the master plan?

The FAA is funding 90 percent of the project cost, and the remaining 10 percent is being funded by the airport and Caltrans.

Who is funding the master plan?

What are the components of the master plan?

    • Existing Airport Inventory/Environmental Inventory
    • Aviation Activity Forecasts (to be approved by FAA) 
    • Facility Requirements
    • Development Alternatives
    • Recommended Master Plan Concept/Environmental Overview
    • Capital Improvement Program/Financial Plan
    • CEQA Documentation
    • Spaceport Considerations/Integration
    • Airport Layout Plan (to be approved by FAA)
What are the components of the master plan?

What is the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)?

The PAC consists of local airport stakeholders including tenants, community leaders, and the FAA. The PAC will provide guidance and feedback on draft master plan documents. PAC meetings take place at key milestones in the planning process. A list of individuals serving on the PAC can be obtained from airport management (see contact information at the bottom of this site). 

What is the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC)?

How can I get involved and stay informed?

All pertinent project materials, including draft submissions, will be posted to this project website. Public comments can be submitted using the Comments Form below. In addition, this project will host to four public information workshops which will be held during the master plan development process. Three (3) public information workshops will be advertised locally and on this project website.

How can I get involved and stay informed?

COMMENTS

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