LDRC advances private-airport regulations, agrees to clarify 'expansion' language

The Marion County LDRC voted to advance a proposal establishing standards for private airports that would require a conceptual plan for new or expanded private airports, including boundaries, aviation support buildings, circulation, buffers and structure heights. The motion to move the language forward with the edits discussed passed with three votes in favor and one abstention.

Jessica Iserman (S11), representing Jumbo Leo Lair Bridal Airport, urged that the code define “expansion” as geographic expansion beyond previously approved private-airport boundaries and explicitly exempt routine improvements within the approved boundary (runway work, new hangars on the existing footprint) from requiring a special-use permit. “Expansion shall mean the addition of land area beyond the boundaries of an existing private airport,” Iserman said in presenting a list of specific items she said should be exempt from triggering an SUP.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether to use a broad geographic expansion term or to specify exemptions; they agreed to add clearer property-boundary wording and asked staff to draft text confining county review to the expanded area rather than the previously approved airport. The Commission also directed staff to replace PUD references with SUP where applicable in the private-airport section. The package will go to the BOCC for public hearing.