>> BALDWIN COMMISSIONERS
Discussion among county commissioners regarding the county-owned airport and its five-year plan took an unexpected turn this past Tuesday and could lead to a total change of direction for future development at the facility.
The Board of Commissioners was considering the update of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Baldwin County Regional Airport which is required annually when several issues surfaced on that item and closely related topics.
Commissioners and county residents in attendance all voiced concerns.
The agenda listed “airport capital improvement plan and hanger agreements” as an item for commissioners to consider.
However, the CIP includes the proposed new hangers on the airport’s east apron, which is across from the Lakeshore Circle residential subdivision.
That project has created widespread opposition from the neighborhood, and numerous residents showed up Tuesday night for the second time to illustrate and explain their assertions.
However, before they had the opportunity to speak, the concerns of at least two commissioners as to the CIP projects led to considerable discussion and ultimately a motion to table the vote on the CIP update.
Commission Chairperson Emily Davis was about to recognize those wishing to speak on the hanger project when County Manager Carlos Tobar suggested he go through the five-year plan. He did so, and his presentation led to questioning and ultimately objections from some commissioners.
Tobar first showed the East apron plan, which calls for the construction of the two new hangers in the Lakeshore Circle and attracted a nearly packed crowd. He next discussed the terminal apron expansion project before moving to the lower west ramp plan, which got the attention of District 3 Commissioner Sammy Hall.
That project calls for the location of several new hangers and approximately $6 million for site preparation work. The county manager said that was a long-range project, completion of which would likely take at least six or more years. Reportedly, a $5.1 million request has been submitted to the state.
Tobar utilized a slide presentation to show the airport layout and the three different projects in various stages. The project that has been completed calls for the construction of two new hangers, which was the other part of the agenda item to be considered.
It was the Lower West Ramp expansion project that got Hall’s attention. He stated that he would have a “difficulty going past that flat piece of land where the two hangers are.” Due to there being a neighborhood in the area, Hall stated that more consideration was needed to decide how much the airport needs to grow.
Responding to questions regarding options, Tobar said any project or all of them could be deleted from the CIP.
Hall then addressed the east apron issue, saying misinformation had been issued regarding that project. He said he was not necessarily opposed to the development if the landscaping and diagrams were followed.
“The damage has probably already been done,” he said, referring to the cutting of most of the trees which served as a buffer. “But we probably need to move forward with this east apron project.”
District 4 Commissioner Henry Craig, in whose district the airport is located, noted that there are issues to be discussed, including financial obligations and legal consequences of decisions on the CIP. His motion to table the vote on that plan was unanimously approved.
Despite that vote, which effectively delayed any decision regarding the east apron hanger project, those opposed to that development were allowed to speak.
Topics addressed included: commissioners adhering to their oath of office as public officials; respect for neighborhoods; lower property values; potential costs of litigation; potential fuel runoff problems; and health risks for individuals living near airports.
Speakers for three minutes detailed their assertions of the negative effects of airports, and jets on their neighborhood. At least two mentioned the possibility of litigation.
Hanger leases tabled as well
Following the comments, commissioners discussed the leases of hangers that were part of the agenda item. Tobar said these hangers are not part of the CIP, since the project has been completed. He stated there were two property leases to consider, the first one with Property Management LLC, at the rate of seven cents per square foot, or $798 per month.
Hall said he has problems with the leasing of the hangers. Assistant County Manager Dawn Hudson stated that the practice of the county leasing the ground space to private entities had been done for a number of years.
Hall said his problem was the county would be allowing someone to sublease hanger space to unknown companies or individuals. Tobar responded by saying he had to approve those leases, but he had no problem relinquishing that authority to the county commissioners if they wanted.
Craig said he was unaware of the provisions of a lease agreement he had not seen and could not support it at that time. Davis asked County Attorney Brandon Palmer if the board could vote on the hanger lease since the CIP agenda item had been tabled. He answered in the affirmative.
Davis then asked if there was a motion to table the vote on the lease. Following a brief discussion, a motion to that effect was made and unanimously approved without further debate.
That issue along with the CIP will be discussed at a work session prior to a meeting before the end of October, commissioners agreed.