The Grand Forks County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 approved an amendment to UND Aerospace Foundation’s special‑use permit for Gorman Field to convert an area to a paved runway area, contingent on compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements and notification to the FAA.

The amendment will allow a 2,500‑foot by 50‑foot paved runway as described in UND Aerospace Foundation documents submitted to the county. Commissioners attached a condition that all applicable FAA regulations be followed and directed county staff to notify the FAA of the commission’s action.

The decision came after extended public comment and expert testimony. Todd Leek, a resident and UND Aviation alumnus, said the site’s proposed paved runway made the project “an application for an airport” and urged the commission to consider FAA rules under Title 14, including 14 CFR part 157 and the FAA’s notice-of-intent and aeronautical-study processes. “To construct an airport or a runway, a person must apply to do so with the Federal Aviation Administration,” Leek said during public comment.

Residents described quality‑of‑life and safety concerns. Cody Nelson, who said he has lived near the site most of his life and runs a local dog‑training business, said the land provides habitat and quiet for neighbors and urged commissioners to consider the community impacts. “It would just destroy it,” Nelson said of a full airport there.

UND Aerospace Foundation representatives disputed some characterizations. Chuck Pino, who identified himself with Community Aerospace Foundation and as the property owner, said the project is not an airport in the FAA sense and that the foundation does not operate larger manned aircraft from the site. “It is not an airport. It is being referenced as that, and it’s not,” Pino said, adding the organization had consulted federal and state partners, test‑site entities and the Air Force on certain technical elements of the project.

Commissioners and staff heard technical points about federal jurisdiction and military airspace. Speakers pointed to FAA definitions of airports and the requirement to file Form 7480‑1 (notice of construction/alteration) with the FAA airport district office. Testimony also noted existing temporary flight restrictions and a military “sensitive installation” designation around Grand Forks Air Force Base that renews every six months.

State Sen. Jeff Barter, speaking to the commission, summarized recent state legislation (Senate Bill 2398) establishing a compatibility‑use process intended to bring military, local and state officials together on encroachment and land‑use issues: “The whole idea with creating Senate Bill 2398 was to address the unknown issue of encroachment…to encompass all military installations and anything that might impede their mission capabilities.” Barter said a compatibility study and committee are being organized and that state offices plan to solicit local input in coming months.

County staff and the commission emphasized the separation of local zoning authority and federal aviation jurisdiction. County staff recommended conditioning approval on compliance with FAA regulations and on receiving notice of any FAA determinations, and commissioners added that staff would contact the FAA immediately if the amendment passed.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner motioned to approve the SUP amendment with a condition that FAA regulations be followed and that county staff notify the FAA; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the amendment. County staff said they would contact the FAA the next day to inform it of the commission’s action.

Why this matters: The change, staff said, will harden an existing mowed area to support UND Aerospace operations. Opponents argued the site’s proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base and local residences raises safety, noise and land‑use compatibility issues. Supporters said the upgrade would improve safety and support a growing UAS ecosystem.

Next steps: County staff will notify the FAA and continue coordination with the Air Force and state compatibility study partners. The FAA could require a notice of intent, an aeronautical study, or a conditional/objectionable determination; if an FAA objection occurs the project would face additional constraints.