Real Estate & Property Law

Proposal to Move Airport

By Alan Ackerman

The Waverly, Iowa City Council, as in many other growing rural communities, is attempting to ascertain whether the community is better off in moving an airport in order to expand rather than trying to expand where it is.

This situation is also occurring in Charlotte, Michigan and many other outlining communities, where there has been some growth and an expanded need for airports or the FAA requirement of extra buffer. The FAA reasonably is asking for extra buffer areas in order to protect the safety of those flying. The problem is that once the buffer is sought, property is taken.

WCF Courier

Council members again heard arguments during a study session Monday on a proposed runway extension project for the Waverly Municipal Airport.

In doing so, the City Council revives a years-old and controversial conversation about whether to invest in the airport at its current location and at what cost to surrounding property owners. A previous council shut down a similar runway extension project in 2005.

This time, the city is considering whether to lengthen its runway by 400 feet to the east and almost double the runway buffer zone, in an effort to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's safety standards. Proponents say it will drum up more business for Waverly.

"We believe the overall, positive benefit of this project supports our recommendation," Hansen said, reading from a prepared statement on behalf of the commission.

On Monday, Derick Anderson, of McClure Engineering Co. of Fort Dodge, reviewed the potential project as well as the process for property acquisition. The expansion would likely require the purchase of up to 80 acres, including a farmstead, and the involvement of about a half-dozen property owners, Anderson said.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on November 02, 2010 (boomark / email).