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Board approves private landing strip for pilot Charles Crews with parcel consolidation and stormwater conditions
Summary
The Board approved a special-use permit and a variance for steep-slope disturbance to allow a private landing strip for pilot Charles Crews, imposing conditions including consolidation of parcels, stormwater maintenance and an operations plan, and requiring photometric review of runway lighting.
The Williamson County Board of Zoning Appeals on June 25 approved a special-use permit and a variance to permit a private landing strip for owner and pilot Charles Crews, with conditions intended to limit environmental impacts and manage operations.
Planning Director Aaron Holmes reviewed staff recommendations and site maps. Applicant representative Nathan McVey said the owner plans to relocate a grass airstrip up the hill to improve runway clearance and to convert the existing field back to hay; the proposed new runway is approximately 3,000 feet and would require some disturbance of slopes. "They wish to make it an all-season surface and move it up the hill to give him better clearance," McVey said.
Neighbor Rebecca Stanley said she did not oppose the request if the airstrip were used by Mr. Crews only and asked about fuel storage and potential effects on spring water and wells. Chairman Don Crohan and other Board members pressed for limits on lighting and assurances about fuel storage; Mr. Crews said fuel would be stored in special tanks similar to those used at the adjacent landfill. Staff said a photometric plan will be required when the item goes before Planning Commission to regulate lighting.
Vice Chairman Andrew Ring moved to approve the special use under Sections 5.01 and 11.04(D)(16), and to approve the slope-disturbance variance, subject to conditions including recording a deed to consolidate the nine parcels, execution of a stormwater maintenance agreement, submission of an operation and maintenance plan for stormwater improvements, County Engineer approval of stormwater calculations and grading and drainage plans, County-approved signage and lighting, and compliance with ordinance requirements. Matthew Roberts seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps: The owner must record a deed consolidating the parcels, submit stormwater and grading plans for County Engineer approval, and provide an operations and maintenance plan and photometric lighting plan as required before final permits are issued.
