Commission forwards ordinance text creating accessory private landing‑strip and heliport rules with new setbacks

Williamson County planning staff presented text amendments to Articles 11 and 23 of the zoning ordinance to create a new use type, "landing strip and heliport private," as an accessory use for private aircraft. Staff told the commission the change was prompted by requests from applicants seeking to relocate an existing runway on property used by its owner for personal aviation.

Under the proposed text, the private landing‑strip/heliport use would be accessory to an existing agricultural or residential use; it would be allowed as a special use in some rural districts. Key proposed standards included a maximum of two aircraft and one helicopter stored on the property, a limit of a single landing strip or helipad per property, a 1,000‑foot setback from the property line to the runway end measured collinearly from the runway centerline, a 200‑foot side setback from property lines along the runway, at least 1,000 feet separation from any residential structure, and a 100‑foot setback of buildings from any roadway or property line. Staff recommended approval and asked the commission to forward the amendments to the County Commission.

Commissioners asked several technical questions. Commissioner Croft asked whether a thousand‑foot distance from residential structures would affect vacant adjacent lots; staff responded it would not prevent a neighboring property owner from siting a house on their property but that new homebuyers would purchase with knowledge of the runway's existence. A commissioner asked about lighting and hours of operation; staff said lighting and time‑of‑use questions rely in large part on federal requirements and FAA determinations. "The lighting would be the FAA part of it," staff said, and operating times are governed by federal aviation rules.

The commission voted to recommend the amendments to the County Commission for consideration.