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Commission adopts airport airspace text amendment after staff briefings and public comment
Summary
Planning commissioners adopted a text amendment to create an airspace protection overlay tool for Minot Airport. Staff said the amendment is a tool only and would be applied later by zoning map amendments; the city noted federal grants require airspace protection and that compensation would be handled by avigation easements.
The Minot Planning Commission on Oct. 7 adopted a text amendment that creates a zoning tool to protect airport airspace and approach/departure corridors. City staff said the amendment is a tool only and does not immediately apply to any parcel — map amendments would be required to place the overlay on specific properties, which would trigger individual property notifications.
Maria, the airport manager, told the commission staff had provided technical documents supporting the amendment and that airport grants historically require protection of airspace. "Since grants were started for the Minot Airport, we've received over $80,000,000 in grants," she said, and added that failure to protect airspace could imperil future FAA grant funding. Staff said the tool would likely affect about a dozen parcels based on preliminary GIS analysis and that any property encumbrances would be disclosed in title and address compensation through avigation easements similar to other utility easements.
The item had previously been the subject of public hearings and had been tabled to allow staff to gather additional technical materials. The commission reopened public comment at the Oct. 7 meeting. Jose Castellano, who identified himself as a long-time pilot and state senator representing District 40, spoke in support of protecting approach and departure corridors, calling it important for public safety and economic vitality and urging the commission to adopt the tool.
After discussion, Commissioner Baumann moved to approve the recommended text amendment; Commissioner Ziegler seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous and the motion carried.
Staff emphasized the amendment itself does not alter parcel zoning; if and when the overlay is applied to properties, those owners would receive mailed notice and neighborhood notifications. Staff also noted that any compensation for title encumbrances would follow standard avigation-easement purchase processes.
