Planning board approves conditional-use permit allowing indoor storage and small golf simulator at Limington Harmon Airport

The Limington Planning Board voted to approve a conditional-use permit that formalizes existing indoor storage in five airport buildings and allows a single 30-by-20-foot indoor golf simulator in Building One at the Limington Harmon Airport.

Kyle Stark, the airport's operator and lessee, told the board the applications are intended to keep the privately held, 42-acre airport solvent through winter and to support future operations such as a flight school and fuel sales. "These are extremely simple, extremely low-impact uses," Stark said, adding that most buildings have historically been used for storage and that the operator inherited non-aviation tenants.

Neighbors and hangar owners raised objections during the public hearing, arguing that permitting storage would codify prior violations and could crowd out aviation uses. John Gallico, a hangar owner, said the planning board should not "open Pandora's box" by endorsing storage that, he argued, was contrary to earlier conditions and harmful to the airport's reputation and property values. An unnamed long-time airport user said, "I believe the airport is a big asset for our town," but cautioned against non-aviation conversions that could undermine the field.

Board members probed traffic and safety questions about shared taxiways and the risk of mixing cars and aircraft. Speakers gave divergent estimates of activity at the field: commenters said weekend movements can reach 20'30 flights, while others described much lower weekday counts. Board members also discussed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notification procedures used when taxiways were temporarily closed during a recent mass event.

Stark described property and financial details: he said the operator is on a five-year lease with an option to purchase, that about 65% of the 24 rented units currently house non-aviation tenants, and that he has a waiting list of about ten prospective aviation tenants for units that can accommodate aircraft. He said planned revenue streams include reopening the FBO, starting a flight school, and restoring fuel sales, and that a crack-seal runway repair had been estimated at roughly $150,000 (with a full runway replacement previously estimated at about $2 million).

The board reviewed the town's conditional-use standards on file (standards applicable to conditional uses, ordinance page 55) and questioned the operator about wastewater, hazardous-materials handling and fire detection. Stark said wastewater is handled via a septic leach field; he described plans for centralized oil collection or an approved waste-oil burner and said the golf simulator would add minimal traffic and wastewater.

Before voting, the board agreed on conditions to be incorporated into the notice of decision. Those conditions included bans on outdoor hazardous-material storage in containers, requiring functioning fire alarms in Building One, directing exterior lighting away from neighboring homes, requiring removal or relocation of three trailers into buildings once indoor storage is approved, and maintaining a contracted hauler for ordinary trash. The board also stated that no permit shall be issued until all conditions are met.

Daryl moved to approve the application and Bob seconded; the board carried the motion by voice vote. The chair said the written notice of decision would be prepared and circulated to record the conditions and next steps. "I'll write the notice of decision this week," the chair added.

The decision formalizes indoor storage for the existing buildings and allows the single indoor golf simulator; it does not authorize outdoor events, structural additions, short-term rentals or concerts. Further permits (for signage, electrical work or other building modifications) will still be required in accordance with town rules and the conditions placed on the conditional-use permit.