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Freeland resident urges temporary moratorium on development until airports are protected in Island County comprehensive plan
Summary
At the Aug. 12 meeting, a Freeland resident asked commissioners to protect private, public-use airports from development while the county updates its comprehensive plan, citing evacuation concerns and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
A Freeland resident told the Board of Island County Commissioners on Aug. 12 that private airfields used for public access should be protected in the county's comprehensive plan or else be temporarily shielded from development until impacts can be assessed.
Carl Chaney said he is not a pilot but described private airports as critical resources in a major disaster, including for evacuating older residents. "If you allow them to build in... you will limit our ability to rescue people here or bring emergency services in," Chaney said, citing concerns that the ferry could be out of service after a major earthquake and that road or bridge damage could cut off parts of the island.
Chaney also raised a…
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