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Fairfield council adopts new Airpark Mixed-Use Zone and updates Airpark overlay
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Summary
On March 25, 2025, Fairfield's council unanimously repealed the existing Airpark Zone and adopted Ordinances 2026-01 and 2026-02 to create an Airpark Mixed-Use Zone and replace the Airpark Overlay, adding definitions, reporting requirements and wildlife protections; public concerns and a pending lawsuit were noted.
The Fairfield Town Council on March 25, 2025 voted unanimously to repeal the town's existing Airpark Zone and adopt a new Airpark Mixed-Use Zone (Ordinance 2026-01) and to repeal and replace the Airpark Overlay Zone (Ordinance 2026-02).
Mayor Hollie McKinney summarized public hearing comments the Council received and outlined specific amendments the Council adopted. Changes included correcting terminology to "rotorcraft operation," adding definitions for "rotorcraft operation" and "airport sponsor," requiring that UDOT reports also be filed with the Town, clarifying that fencing references apply to the airport or airpark, adding standards for public roads, and requiring that wildlife-protected areas be included in submittals for airport-related proposals. Attorney Brad Christopherson told the Council the ordinances repeal the existing Airpark Zone and adopt the AMUZ while preserving existing uses as legal nonconforming until property is rezoned.
The mayor also reviewed public comments submitted previously, naming residents and stakeholders who had raised concerns about property rights, wildlife impacts, flight paths, operational limitations and references to state guidance. She said some statements attributed to one commenter (Mark Pringle) could not be verified from the record. During public comment before closed session, Alina Pringle told the Council she believed a federal lawsuit had been filed against the Town and Mayor McKinney; that allegation was reported to the Council but not verified during the meeting.
Councilman Tyler Thomas moved to approve Ordinance 2026-01; Councilman Richard Cameron seconded. The motion and a subsequent amendment to incorporate the specific revisions discussed both passed unanimously, with Mayor McKinney and Councilmen Thomas, RL Panek, Cameron and Michael Weber voting yes. Councilman Thomas also moved and the Council approved Ordinance 2026-02 on a unanimous vote.
What this means: the new AMUZ replaces the prior zone and adds procedural and substantive submission requirements for airport-related development and uses. Existing uses will be treated as legal nonconforming until any rezoning occurs. The ordinances also place additional reporting and submittal requirements on applicants and add protections and criteria tied to wildlife areas and public-road standards.
The Council did not record any vote to overturn private property rights; rather, the meeting focused on clarifying regulatory standards and submission requirements. The Council's actions conclude the local ordinance-change process; any further legal challenges or litigation mentioned during the meeting were reported as claims and were not resolved on the record.
The Council is expected to publish the adopted ordinances with the Town's code updates and to follow up on any procedural requirements for implementation.