PANEL SET TO DEBATE STUDYING AIRPORT SITE.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

BURBANK - The Burbank Airport Authority is scheduled to debate Tuesday whether to launch an environmental impact study on an alternate site it is considering for a new passenger terminal.

An environmental consultant is expected to outline the study for the nine-member board, which would then decide if it wants more information on building a 14-gate terminal on the southwest quadrant of the airport.

The 41-acre site was identified as an alternate place for a new terminal because the land is already owned by the airport authority. Officials said it would be subject to fewer controls by the city of Burbank than their first location choice - the so-called B-6 site formerly owned by Lockheed.

``This would not be a commitment to doing a different project but an analysis,'' airport spokesman Victor Gill said Friday.

The study would look at the impact of building a 250,000-square-foot terminal, with 40,000-square-feet of space for the authority's business offices.

Among the other issues studied are relocating the car rental return lot, building an underground parking structure of up to 2,100 spaces near the existing terminal and realigning several taxi ways.

The study also would review plans to improve the existing terminal building, including upgrading hallways, restrooms and baggage claim areas. Gill said while the current terminal would be torn down if a new one is built, the authority would still have to use the terminal during construction.