The Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a letter of support to the Federal Aviation Administration asking permission to temporarily stage modular housing units at the county airport for the Heights 36-unit apartment project on Highway 61.

Commissioner Sullivan explained the request: Ideal Homes and Dynamic proposed staging modular units at airport property because the originally planned staging location at Taconite Harbor was deemed infeasible due to poor road conditions that would require rebuilding. The airport advisory commission met Monday and unanimously supported sending a letter to the FAA; the board voted to add the county's support as well.

Commissioner Sullivan said the staging would take place on lower airport property east of a small structure on Airport Road, in an area not currently used for aviation operations. He said the developer would arrange transport after consultation with the county highway engineer, and the county had checked for invasive-species issues with its agricultural inspector.

The proposal contemplates a contract allowing approximately two months for modules to be stored on airport property. Modules would be transported one at a time and stacked on site; once all modules arrive, the developer said placement at the Heights site on Highway 61 could be completed in about six days if there is no rain.

The county will accept $5,000 from the developer for the airport; the funds would be used as matching money for future airport projects, Commissioner Sullivan said. The board also discussed security and signage; the developer has proposed security measures and signage as part of the staging plan.

Because the FAA reviews requests on its own timetable, officials warned the county would not receive an immediate decision. Commissioners asked staff to prepare the letter quickly because the FAA review process is lengthy and because the planned transmission of the request was time-sensitive; staff said the letter would be ready by the end of the business day so it could be sent before a holiday.

Commissioner Gamble moved to send a letter of support from the county; the motion received a second and passed unanimously.