Developers pitch hangar campus at church property; FAA rules and commission precedent seen as obstacles

Developers looking to build hangars on a parcel south of Springdale Airport told the commission on Aug. 21 they have bought or are under contract to buy land adjacent to the field and want to develop through-the-fence access for large corporate aircraft. Commissioners, staff and opponents raised FAA guidance and past commission precedent as key obstacles. John Dugger and Jean (Gene) Nicholas told the commission they want to purchase the Tabernacle Church property south of the airport entrance and build multiple hangars, including a large facility to hold international-range business jets their company operates. They said the work would be privately funded and would generate tax revenue and through-the-fence fees for the city. Commissioners and staff said the airport commission historically has not approved new through-the-fence operations. A staff member cited a regional FAA Airports District Office (ADO) position that discourages sponsors from entering agreements granting through-the-fence access and noted grant-assurance language and past commission minutes that recommended the city consider buying adjacent properties if through-the-fence access arises. Commissioners said that restriction, and the risk it could affect grant eligibility or FAA funding, make immediate approval unlikely. Developers said they had researched FAA guidance and believed there is flexibility for commercial or aeronautical operations and that precedents exist in the region. They asked to be included in the airport's master-plan process and offered to retain counsel to pursue FAA review if the commission was open to proceeding. Commissioners said the city has approved funding for a master plan (a 50/50 split with the commission and city council) and that the master plan's visioning process will include stakeholder input beginning Sept. 4; the commission indicated the master plan would be the appropriate venue to study possible development and FAA constraints. No formal decision or agreement was made at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to provide the commission and the public with the relevant FAA grant-assurance document and to include any interested developers in master-plan outreach and review. Commissioners repeated that, absent FAA guidance or city policy changes, the commission is reluctant to authorize new through-the-fence access.