Commission weighs taxi‑lane layout, hangar orientation and who pays for private apron work

Commission members pressed the consultant for a clear timeline and a drawing to finalize hangar orientation and taxi‑lane spacing so the commission can meet permitting and grant deadlines. Dave Stantec (the consultant) said the FAA will fund the public portions of taxi lanes but not private pavement in front of hangars, and that design and environmental permitting must be coordinated to keep the project eligible for future FAA grants.

Stantec explained that the FAA typically funds the central 25‑foot taxi lane and the public pavement; areas immediately in front of private hangar doors — the stub taxiways and apron between the FAA‑funded strips and hangar doors — are private responsibility. "They only pay for the public pavement. They will not pay for private pavement," Stantec said.

On schedule, Stantec said the 2027 grant application is not due until May 1, but FAA expects environmental permits to be in hand by Dec. 31 of the year prior to construction; the commission therefore needs final design and permit applications in the months ahead. He recommended having conceptual design completed by August so permitting (DEP review) can proceed; DEP review could take "2, 3, 4 months" depending on scope.

Commissioners also debated hanger orientation (parallel vs. 90 degrees) and how orientation affects snow load, costs and taxiway geometry. Several members urged having the consultant bring drawings to an in‑person workshop so commissioners can pin down spacing and cost assumptions before soliciting final bids.

Next steps: staff and the consultant will prepare sketches and a workshop; the commission discussed aiming for a mid‑July workshop and final design by August to preserve grant eligibility and allow permit review in the fall.