The Middleton Airport Commission on Nov. 7 continued action on an application from Stark Fleet Academy LLC after the city attorney told the commission the package, as submitted, does not meet the city’s 2019 minimum standards for aeronautical activities.

City Attorney Matt Fleming told commissioners he reviewed the applicant’s materials and the city’s standards for flight training and found the submission falls short of the required on‑site floor‑space and sheltered briefing‑area criteria. “So the application wouldn't meet these minimum standards,” Fleming said, adding that at least one sheltered‑briefing requirement appears tied to federal rules that likely cannot be waived.

The recommendation from legal staff prompted commissioners to give the applicant an opportunity to amend or clarify the proposal. Staff said the applicant, Russell Stark, called earlier and asked to be continued because he was en route and could not attend the meeting. The commission voted to continue the matter to a future meeting and to notify the applicant that, based on current information, the application does not meet the 2019 minimum standards and should be amended or supplemented if he wishes to proceed.

Commissioners emphasized the difference between federal minimums and city standards and urged careful review before pursuing a variance or waiver. Fleming said the city’s waiver and variance provisions are not spelled out in the same detail as zoning law, and that waiving core federal requirements (such as an on‑site sheltered pilot briefing area) would be unlikely. Commissioners said the continuance gives Stark an opportunity to respond and revise the application rather than issuing an immediate denial.

The commission’s motion to continue the application carried by voice vote. Next steps are for staff to send the applicant formal notice of the commission’s concerns and to schedule the application for a future meeting if the applicant supplies additional information.