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Topic Description:
This
application seeks renewal and amendment of a previously
approved Special Exception (SE99-CR-27, approved on
12/6/99), for continued operation of a privately owned,
public-use airport.
The
following two (2) conditions are the basis of the amendment
request:
1.
This Special Exception is granted for five (5) years.
2.
This Special Exception approval is solely for the
Whitman family and heirs; it does not follow with the
transfer or selling of the land.
The
applicant requests the following changes to the
aforementioned conditions:
Change
condition #1 from a 5-year Special Exception renewal to
permanent status. The applicant indicates that the 5-year
permit discourages the investment of funds and improvements
of the airport facilities. Permanent status would allow
opportunity for improving the facilities.
Change
condition #2 to allow the airstrip to be sold to a private
individual instead of solely for the Whitman family and
heirs. The applicant indicates that this amendment would
provide incentive to build and improve the facility and
would allow for a return on the investment.
Project
Update:
On November
10, 2005, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on
this item. The majority of the speakers for this item were
not residents of Fauquier County. In addition, the
applicant has not provided the requested insurance papers
for the pilots, as requested in October. Subsequent to the
November public hearing, Chairman Graham has directed staff
to prepare a resolution of
denial for this item.
On October
13, 2005 the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on
this item. The application was postponed for 30 days, per
the applicant’s request, to address a Board request. In
particular, the Board of Supervisors requested the insurance
policies of all pilots who store airplanes at the site. The
applicant noted that these policies are collected annually
in October. The applicant and staff met with Chairman
Graham (Cedar Run Magisterial District) to discuss further
project refinements.
On August
25, 2005, the Planning Commission forwarded this item to the
Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval;
subject to a series of twenty-one (21) Special Exception
conditions. This included removal of the 5-year renewal, as
requested by the applicant, and a condition to allow for an
annual (free) open house event for the public.
Zoning
staff recently received many complaints about the hours of
operation of the ultralight planes from adjacent
residences. Dates and times have been documented by the
residents. Since the complaint times are after normal
business hours, these violations have not been confirmed
directly by staff.
Project
Background:
Whitman’s
Airstrip has been in operation for approximately fifty (50)
years. According to the applicant the airstrip has had no
fatalities or accidents during this time. The airstrip is
operational from sunrise to sunset, seven (7) days per
week. It is used for small general aviation and light
aircraft only. The Department of Homeland Security can
utilize the airstrip for training and emergency purposes.
Hangar space is restricted to a maximum of twenty (20)
renters.
Whitman’s
Airstrip contains a grass runway that is approximately 2700
feet long and seventy (70) feet wide. All airstrip
activities are located out of the 100-year floodplain on the
property. The previously approved Special Exception
conditions require specific landing patterns and other
operational protocol for the facility and its users.
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