Several DeKalb County residents and a government contracts attorney urged commissioners on Nov. 10 to delay or reject a proposed long-term lease with Sky Harbor LLC to develop corporate-jet hangars at Peachtree‑DeKalb (PDK) Airport.

Susan Gowenlock, an attorney who said she has worked on government contracts for 37 years, told the board the proposal (listed on the agenda as item 2023‑1331 and later referenced during procurement discussion) would allow large international private jets to be based at PDK without clear limits on tenants and would shift air‑quality and noise burdens onto nearby neighborhoods. ‘‘Airport operations are not benign,’’ Gowenlock said, urging commissioners not to award the requested contract to Sky Harbor.

Several other public speakers expanded on those concerns. Norma Heard, a health professional, described ultrafine particles and other jet emissions that she said pose respiratory and cardiovascular risks for children living within about five miles of an airport. Steve Racine, who lives directly under a final approach path near Oak Grove Elementary School, said the contract’s proposed 50‑year, sole‑source term was ‘‘absurd’’ and warned it would sharply increase low‑altitude jet traffic and noise over neighborhoods. Larry Foster and other residents described long‑running community disruption since PDK’s runway extension and said they feared large corporate jets would worsen localized health and quality‑of‑life impacts.

At the purchasing and operations portion of the agenda, staff recommended the board award an Eastside Aviation development RFP to Sky Harbor LLC and reported estimated long‑term revenue projections tied to the proposal. Several commissioners said the public comments and other outstanding questions warranted additional review. Commissioner Bolton moved to defer the procurement; the motion was seconded and the board voted to postpone consideration to the Nov. 18 meeting.

The record presented concerns about the procurement process (competition and term length), the potential increase in jet traffic over residential areas and public‑health effects from aircraft emissions. The administration did not present a revised procurement schedule at the Nov. 10 meeting; commissioners directed staff to bring additional materials for the Nov. 18 session.

What happens next: The board postponed a final award vote. The item will return to the Nov. 18 meeting for further committee review and potential final action.