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Committee reviews land-development study and discusses options to expand hangar capacity at Saratoga County Airport
Summary
County staff presented a land-development study identifying potential hangar sites and constraints including a blue butterfly habitat; committee members discussed stormwater, estimated building costs (a recent T-hangar at about $1.8 million for six aircraft), FAA pricing limits and next steps including soliciting proposals and an appraisal.
County staff presented results of a land-development study and fielded questions about environmental constraints, stormwater and the economics of new hangars at Saratoga County Airport.
Chad, a county staff member, walked the committee through mapped areas that could accommodate T-hangars, larger corporate hangars and space reserved for future aeronautical use, noting several light-blue areas identified as blue butterfly habitat where development is restricted. Chad said the study highlights where hangars could reasonably be sited and where environmental constraints would limit options.
When asked about stormwater, Chad said airport soils are sandy and the plan would rely on shallow retention areas between hangars; he said infiltration systems are possible and similar approaches exist under the terminal parking area. On costs, Chad said a recently built T-hangar cost about $1,800,000, fits six aircraft and rents at roughly $500 per month per unit (about $3,000 total when full), and that such an investment would take many years to recoup unless paired with fuel sales or other revenue.
Committee members discussed whether the county should build hangars to lease, seek public–private partnerships, or allow private developers to propose projects. Chad noted Federal Aviation Administration requirements that generally prevent charging different users different rates without clear justification, and he recommended updating the per-square-foot valuation (last assessed in 2018) before setting minimum lease pricing. The committee directed staff to solicit proposals, include public–private partnership options in a prospective RFP, and to obtain a third-party appraisal as an initial step.
The study was presented as a roadmap; no formal land-use approvals or funding commitments were made at the meeting. Staff said proposals that emerge would be brought back to the committee for review.
