Council postpones decision on airport-area defensive infield after extensive opposition
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Summary
After lengthy public comment from airport tenants and neighbors concerned about red-dirt runoff, flood-borne debris, traffic and access, the council postponed action on a special-use permit for an exterior training/infield at 29768 Bulverde Lane and asked for design and access details before reconsideration.
The council paused a decision on a special-use permit that would allow an outdoor defensive infield and associated activity at 29768 Bulverde Lane after extensive public comment from airport tenants, neighbors and the applicant. The item generated hours of testimony focusing on four main concerns: flooding and red clay/dirt washing onto nearby hangars and the runway, dust and air-quality effects on aircraft, safe ingress/egress (the site relies on a private triangle and a county road), and on-site parking and traffic.
The applicant described the use as limited to defensive drills (not live hitting), proposed netting to contain balls, and said the field would use a clay mix with conditioners to reduce dust. Airport tenants and hangar owners said prior floods transported red dirt onto the runway and into hangars, causing operational and safety impacts; several asked that the field be postponed until the applicant and airport owners can finalize an access arrangement and provide additional details on field surfacing and flood resilience.
Council members asked staff and the applicant to resolve ingress/egress (county approvals may be required), provide more detailed field-design options (including turf or conditioned clay mixes), and submit evidence of parking plans and floodplain/floodway analysis. The council voted to postpone the decision until ingress/egress is designed/approved and the applicant provides additional information about the infield construction and options for infill material and elevations.
Representatives of the airport and adjacent hangar owners said they had worked with the applicant and that some mitigations (raising netting above ground, signage, temporary agreements) might reduce risk, but many council members said they wanted the county access and the details resolved before approving a permit. Staff said floodplain review and county permitting would be part of the building/permit review if the SUP returns for approval.
