Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Hangar Lease topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport hangar ground lease after debate over construction timeline clause
Summary
The Ashland County Board approved a ground lease for airport hangar development, but supervisors raised concerns about a strict construction‑start clause that could cause a lease to automatically expire if work is delayed; members asked the airport commission to consider a narrower extension provision.
The Ashland County Board approved a ground lease for a hangar at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport after supervisors debated a lease clause that would automatically terminate leases if construction did not start or finish within specified days.
The nut graf: While the board approved the lease, multiple supervisors urged the airport commission to refine a clause that makes a lease “expire automatically” if construction does not begin within 120 days and is not completed within 365 days, saying winter weather, contractor delays or supply issues can cause reasonable postponements.
Board member Pat Kinney said he supported the lease but raised a concern about the lease’s mandatory‑termination language. “If construction has not begun or is not completed as stated, this lease shall expire automatically and any advance payment be forfeited as liquidated damages,” Kinney said, adding that the board should allow the airport commission latitude to grant extensions for weather or other legitimate delays.
County staff explained the clause was added at the airport commission’s request to avoid lessees taking a space and not building; the added sentence allows the airport commission to grant an extension “due to weather considerations.” Some supervisors asked the commission to broaden that language to permit extensions for other reasonable reasons beyond weather.
The board also discussed hangar ground rental rates (noting $0.13 per square foot in the draft) and the airport commission’s authority to adjust rates consistent with FAA guidelines and subsidy considerations. County and city representatives said airport financial policy must balance affordability and revenue needs.
After discussion, the board approved the ground lease by voice vote. Several supervisors said they would work with the airport commission to revisit the exact wording to ensure the county retains flexibility without allowing long dormancy of leased lots.
Ending: The lease was approved and the airport commission was urged to revisit the clause language to permit extensions in narrowly defined circumstances; supervisors signaled willingness to approve a future technical amendment if the commission recommends one.
