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Board asks staff to map 13‑acre site for hangars, deliberates flight‑school and Civil Air Patrol partnerships
Summary
The board instructed staff to obtain GIS/plat data to study subdividing a 13‑acre parcel for hangars and potential flight‑school development; members also discussed forming a Civil Air Patrol cadet program and attracting private investors for hangar/maintenance capacity.
Board members spent a prolonged portion of the meeting discussing local aviation workforce and infrastructure gaps, including the absence of a local flight school, a shortage of mechanics, and the limited hangar inventory serving general aviation.
Victoria, the airport properties lead, summarized leasing activity and the recently approved lease transfer of Barker to Freeman Holdings. Board members raised the availability of a roughly 13‑acre parcel that had been proposed previously for private investment and asked staff to evaluate whether the site could be replatted and subdivided for ground leases to build small hangars.
"If you could replat it and do something where people can bid in small sections to build hangars... I think we should start off with a motion and just plan it out first," said a board member who moved the request. David Cash Vasquez made the motion to request GIS/plat information; the motion was seconded by Josh (SEG 1317-1341). The transcript records the motion and the call for discussion; the meeting minutes do not show a formal roll-call tally in the provided excerpt.
Board members and staff also discussed local partnerships to start a flight‑school or AM (airframe & powerplant) mechanic program with Laredo College or local high schools, and the potential role of private investors. Victor Junior, identified in the meeting as a flight instructor, said he is willing to donate time and help establish a program but noted constraints including funding, instructors and equipment. The board scheduled or anticipated a broader public review of airport master‑plan alternatives on July 9.
Why it matters: Small hangar availability, mechanic capacity and flight‑training opportunities are prerequisites for long‑term general aviation growth. Building hangars or hosting a flight school requires site infrastructure, TSA/airfield access coordination and lease structures that balance long‑term development with flexibility for future airport needs.
Next steps: Staff was asked to produce GIS/plat information and to return with options; the board will continue planning and include the matter in future discussions and the master‑plan outreach.
Sources: Board discussion and motion recorded in the meeting transcript; mover: David Cash Vasquez; second: Josh.
