Board accepts airport land‑use study, directs staff to test market for Lot 6 and explore USFS parcel

County facilities and airport staff presented an Ascension Group Partners study Nov. 18 that evaluated six candidate parcels around Nevada County Airport for aeronautical and non‑aeronautical development. Consultants modeled site preparation costs, potential ground rents and internal rates of return (IRR) under several scenarios, then prioritized two near‑term opportunities: Lot 6 (the former public works/corp yard, identified as Site 2) and the U.S. Forest Service/CAL FIRE air attack base (Site 5).

Ascension recommended the county test market interest on Lot 6 by releasing a Request for Information to private developers to see whether a developer would build hangar space and complementary light industrial uses on a pad‑ready site. Consultants also described acquisition and lease‑back of the Forest Service parcel as an option because it has an existing tenant (air attack base) and could generate immediate revenue if the Forest Service or CAL FIRE were willing to sell and lease back the site.

Supervisors sought clearer maps, asked for comparisons to current airport ground rents, and emphasized the need to preserve aeronautical safety (airspace and approach protection). Consultants noted that many regional airports historically charge below‑market ground rents and that new development parcels present the best path to materially increase airport revenue, provided the county sets minimum ground‑rent floors and structures an agreement attractive to private investors.

The board accepted the report and directed staff to proceed with additional outreach and: (a) issue an RFI for Lot 6 early next year to test developer interest and potential rental levels, and (b) pursue discussions with the U.S. Forest Service regarding the air attack base parcel to determine acquisition feasibility and financing options. Staff will bring results back to the board for policy decisions.