Commission approves private airpark near Cheney with lighting limited to active use

The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners on March 26 approved a conditional-use application (Con2024-00270) allowing a private residential subdivision with a private airstrip near Cheney, subject to conditions and a clarified restriction that any runway lighting be used only when the airstrip is in active use for arrivals or departures.

Scott Whadel of the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) summarized the request: the nearly 80‑acre site was platted into nine lots and proposes a runway aligned roughly north–south through the middle of the subdivision. The MAPC and Cheney planning commission had recommended approval; the applicant had received FAA concurrence in an aeronautical study, Whadel said.

Applicant Jeff Grace, who identified himself as a pilot with airline experience, told commissioners the project would add residential airpark lots similar to others in the county where lots are in high demand. Grace said the FAA’s report found lighting acceptable and pointed to Yoder Air Park as a local example with lights. He asked the board to adopt the recommendation from Cheney, which did not include a prohibition on lighting.

The Citizens Advisory Board for District 3 had recommended approval with the MAPC conditions but added a condition prohibiting lighting to prevent nighttime use. Commissioners discussed safety, HOA oversight, maintenance, insurance and whether fuel or commercial activity would occur. The applicant and staff said no fuel sales or commercial aviation operations are planned; each residence may construct a private hangar (up to nine hangars total) and the homeowners association would own and maintain the runway.

Staff and the applicant said the runway lights, if installed in the future, would use standard pilot‑activated systems (lights are switched on by radio transmission and run on a timer) rather than continuous stadium‑style lighting. The applicant and several commissioners said that, in practice, private-field lighting typically is used only for brief arrival or departure windows.

Following discussion, the board approved the conditional use by roll call vote, 5–0, adopting the MAPC findings with a modification to condition language: runway lighting is permitted only when the airstrip is in active use for takeoff or landing. The approval authorizes the chair to sign and publish the resolution. No commercial maintenance or fuel sales were approved.

Key site and permit details recorded at the hearing: • Case: Con2024-00270; private airstrip in a rural residential (RR) district near Cheney. • Site size: nearly 80 acres, platted into nine residential lots with a central runway. • Hangars: covenants allow one private hangar per residence (up to nine hangars); hangars expected to be single‑plane or two‑plane size. • Fuel/Services: no on‑site fuel sales or fixed‑base operator services planned; any change would require separate approvals. • Insurance/maintenance: runway to be owned/maintained by HOA; applicant proposed an initial $1,000,000 liability policy and annual review. • FAA: applicant reported FAA aeronautical review approved; MAPC and Cheney planning commission previously recommended approval.

The transcript shows the final motion as amended to limit lighting to periods when the airstrip is in active use; roll call recorded unanimous approval (Commissioners Bluebaugh, Wise, Howe, Meitzner and Chairman Beatty voted aye).