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GDOT warns Pickens County of potential through‑the‑fence compliance issues at airport; corrective action plan requested
Summary
A Georgia Department of Transportation letter relayed FAA concerns about a possible through‑the‑fence (TTF) operation at Pickens County Airport and requested a corrective action plan by Dec. 15, 2025; the board said it will prepare a response and may need to act at its Dec. 15 meeting.
Bill Woods read excerpts of a Georgia Department of Transportation letter dated Nov. 26, 2025, describing a complaint and follow‑up regarding a possible through‑the‑fence (TTF) operation north of the primary runway at Pickens County Airport.
The letter, as presented in the record, documents a complaint received on July 21, 2025, about potential unfettered access to the airport from adjacent property and says the department returned comments on a draft TTF agreement on Aug. 15, 2025. GDOT (in the letter) stated that it requested a corrective action plan from Pickens County to resolve compliance issues related to TTF operations and to bring the airport into compliance with federal grant assurances. The department asked for a written corrective action plan by Dec. 15, 2025.
The meeting record includes staff commentary that FAA guidance in the Airport Compliance Manual warns that through‑the‑fence agreements can create grant‑assurance and competitive concerns (including possible violations of grant assurances related to aeronautical access, exclusive rights, and fair return). Chairman said the county would respond and requested a one‑day extension if necessary so the board could act at its Dec. 15 meeting.
Public comment: Airport business owner David Teegee thanked the board for ordinance work but said some new provisions negatively affect flight training and asked how to pursue amendments; the chairman asked him to provide specific concerns in writing for staff review.
What’s next: County staff will prepare and file a corrective action plan in response to GDOT/FAA concerns and present any proposed action for board consideration on Dec. 15.
