to air navigation if they are greater in height than any of the imaginary
surfaces.
Identifying potential vertical obstructions requires having a georeferenced
elevation at a location to determine the precise location within the slope of
the imaginary surface. Generally, the closer objects are to an airfield, the
lower the height at which they become a vertical obstruction. Because of
these unique conditions, it is not possible not provide an assessment of
vertical obstructions other than noting the relevant imaginary surfaces, their
geographies, and allowable structure heights per the City Land Development
Ordinance as a guide.
Zoning
The Biloxi Land Development Ordinance establishes an Airport Airspace
Overlay (AAO) district, which controls potential hazards to aircraft
operations that use the navigable airspace near Keesler AFB. Manmade or
natural vertical obstructions within this overlay district must not exceed
obstruction standards prescribed by (CFR) Title 14 Part 77. The AAO also
provides additional navigation protection standards, which prohibit land
uses in land or water within the City that:
The following is an assessment of existing structures and towers that are
located in the City of Biloxi within Keesler AFB Imaginary Surfaces and how
the Future Land Use and Land Development Ordinance relate to the height
requirements per the Imaginary Surfaces. Creates electrical interference with navigational signals
or radio communications between aircraft using the
airport at Keesler Air Force Base and the base’s control
tower;
Makes it difficult for pilots using the airport at Keesler
Air Force Base to distinguish airport lights from other
lights;
City of Biloxi and Keesler AFB Imaginary Surfaces Creates glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport at
Keesler Air Force Base during take offs or landings; or
Otherwise endangers or interferes with the safe
landing, takeoff, or maneuvering of aircraft intending
to use the airport at Keesler Air Force Base.
Existing Land Use
There are currently 12 structures in the City of Biloxi located within the
Keesler AFB imaginary surfaces that exceed the imaginary surfaces height.
These structures are identified on Figure 5‐18. As prescribed by (CFR) Title
14 Part 77, regardless of the underlying height in the zoning districts,
development cannot exceed the imaginary surfaces heights or the Existing
Military Operations Surface (EMOS). The existing structures, developed
before 2003 as stated in the Land Development Ordinance, are able to
remain as nonconforming structures.
Any variances to these standards or to the FAA height standards must
require coordination with the FAA and Keesler AFB, which includes a written
determination by the FAA as to the effects on the navigable airspace and
from Keesler AFB as to the effect on the installation’s flight operations.
In addition to the existing structures, there are cell towers that are being
developed in Biloxi. These towers are 20 feet under the height restrictions
and do not pose a risk for creating a vertical obstruction.
Background Report
Page 5‐105