Committee approves acquisition of navigation easements to clear approaches at Oakland Southwest Airport

The Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee approved county staff’s plan to acquire navigation easements at Oakland Southwest Airport (New Hudson) to clear trees that obstruct runway approach surfaces and to preserve approach clearances in perpetuity.

Cheryl Busch introduced the airport presentation and said county staff are beginning negotiations with property owners for approximately 26 navigation easements; Stephanie Ward of Mead & Hunt and Lou Kutchins (county staff) attended to describe the technical work. Ward explained that the county used lidar mapping and a 2020 airport‑layout plan update, along with recent inspections, to identify canopy obstructions. The easements will purchase air rights over specific fan‑shaped approach areas on private parcels rather than acquiring full parcels in most cases; one parcel closest to the runway is being considered for a partial sale because of the degree of impact.

Nut graf: The easements give the county long‑term rights to remove tall vegetation or other objects within FAA‑defined approach surfaces — a requirement tied to federal grant assurances and state airport licensing. Staff said the county completed an environmental assessment that flagged wetlands along one approach and required coordination with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Because of wildlife‑protection windows the county expects to schedule major tree removal in late 2026, with site restoration following after removal.

Staff described the property‑owner process required by federal and state guidance: boundary and title surveys, individualized appraisals comparing “before” and “after” valuations to calculate good‑faith offers, negotiation with each property owner, closing and then competitive procurement of a contractor to perform wide‑area clearing. Ward said the county estimates the easement approach will be sufficient to avoid repeated short‑term trimming by allowing a robust clearing and minimizing the need to return repeatedly.

Commissioners asked about the frequency of future clearing; staff said the initial easements and proposed clear cutting should keep the approaches compliant for several years and that an additional review would likely be needed in roughly five years. Committee members also discussed outreach to property owners and coordination with local government; staff said response rates varied and that they planned targeted outreach including in‑person site walks and using tracked deliveries to reach property owners. The committee voted to recommend the easement acquisitions to the full board; the motion was recorded as approved (seven yes, zero no).