Board hears airport master-plan alternative that would shift runway east; Hayward residents ask for economic-impact study

County staff and consultants presented a draft development alternative for the Sawyer County airport master plan that would move the primary runway east to reduce conflicts with landside development and create space for new hangars.

Presenters said moving the runway would place the current runway as a taxiway, free up land near the terminal for industrial and hangar development, and address safety issues associated with larger jets. They described public input sessions and a public works meeting where residents and local businesses asked questions about timing, land acquisition, and local impacts.

Town of Hayward representatives at the meeting said the county rezoned airport-owned property to industrial in 2019 and asked the county to reconsider that rezoning for at least a nine-acre parcel on Namakagon Lane. Hayward officials asked the county to provide an independent economic-impact analysis of the master plan's benefits and requested a no-development option showing the cost of doing nothing. "If it's back zone and residential then no airport development could occur on it," a Hayward representative said during public comment.

County staff explained that federal grants have encumbered airport land and improvements; if the county sought to cease airport operations, it would likely have to repay federal funds tied to runway and navigational improvements. Staff said federal encumbrances and existing lease terms (many leases described as 20-year with renewal options) limit immediate flexibility and that any major project would be years away.

Board members and members of the public raised traffic and noise concerns tied to a possible closure of Airport Road, and asked whether traffic studies had been done; staff said no traffic count was available during the conversation and agreed to follow up. A consultant noted that the state's economic-impact report for airports is expected to be published and that the county may have to decide before that report is available.

The discussion concluded with staff offering to circulate presentation materials and encourage board members to view a video of the Public Works meeting for full context. No formal decision was made; board members scheduled further review and committee-level consideration.

Next steps: consultants will provide development alternatives and staff will distribute materials and follow up on traffic and economic-impact questions; a committee will bring recommendations back to the board.