Airport Authority continues work on development plans

Talk about it

The Jamestown Regional Airport Authority continued working on a plan for development around the Jamestown Regional Airport at a special meeting Wednesday.

“We feel a sense of urgency here because of the activities going on in Jamestown and Spiritwood,” said Jim Boyd, chairman of the JRAA.

No plats or official development plans were voted on or set in stone Wednesday, but the discussion indicated that the board would like to create a road dividing the west quarter of the airport’s land, with lots on either side. The lots on the runway side would then be used for aviation-related businesses.

Lot sizes on that west portion of the airport’s land, south of Goodrich Corporation, would likely be fairly small, with the idea that several lots could be purchased if necessary.

With that in mind, future members of the JRAA will have to ensure that someone doesn’t choose a single lot in the middle of the development, preventing a larger business from leasing airport land.

The JRAA also discussed having condos with airplane parking beneath them on the north quarter of its land, but according to Steve Aldinger, project manager with Interstate Engineering, the Federal Aviation Administration would likely not approve, due to security concerns.

Aldinger also cautioned the JRAA to ensure that their plans wouldn’t force airplanes to cross runways, reminded them that people do not want airplane hangars to face north and also noted that the FAA wants to eliminate all wetlands near airports, to decrease the likelihood of bird strikes.

Another factor in developing the land directly south of the airport terminal is its dampness, which may mean a developer would need to bring in fill or find other means of dealing with excess water on that land.

Members of the Airport Authority also discussed where to place a road in the west quarter, south of Goodrich, and where to put agricultural spraying businesses.

Keith Veil suggested space just southwest of the terminal could be used for possible hangar expansions.

All plans remain tentative, and details and plans have yet to be professionally drawn and finalized. The FAA’s approval will eventually be needed as well.

In other business Wednesday, the JRAA sold its old broom truck to Tioga Municipal Airport for $10,000.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, airport