A proposal for an air park
continues to provide issues for discussion for some local residents and members of the Leighton Township Board.
Though the matter was not on the board’s meeting agenda Thursday evening, there once again was lively debate on developer Clark Galloway’s plans to have an air strip installed near the corner of 144th and Kalamazoo Avenues. There already had been a private air strip for the Martin family at that site, but it was installed about 40 years ago and is not used for that purpose any more.
Galloway already has scaled down the scope of his original proposal, but neighbors oppose it regardless because they believe it will be a danger and a nuisance.
The latest chapter of the saga was brought forward by Kate Scheltema, owner of a horse farm near the proposed strip. Noting both sides of the issue had agreed to have a third party examine the strip’s use and suitability, she asserted Bob Jones of Salem Township was remiss in only interviewing three people — Galloway, the Martin (who no longer live there) and complainant Mark Ouwinga.
Scheltema maintained two of the three parties interviewed have financial interests in the project moving forward: Galloway and the Martins, who would like the property sold.
Township Supervisor Steve Deer did not respond to Scheltema’s comments, nor did he answer any questions because he is a business partner with Galloway in the project and has recused himself from the debate and any voting.
Scheltema said she has objected to the air park because, “We live right next to the runway and those planes would fly right over our property.”
She explained it’s a potential danger for the many horses on her farm, besides being a noise nuisance. “No planes have flown out of there for years.”
Dianna Moore, another local resident, agreed that more than three people should be interviewed by Jones.
“We need to do our due diligence here,” she commented. “It seems a little biased here.”
Scheltema asked again, “Why doesn’t the township require more testimony?”
Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis attempted to answer the questions, mostly by saying Jones chose the three because they have the most knowledge of the use and the property.
“We relied on Bob and our attorney (Cliff Bloom) to get us the information,” she said.
Ouwinga said it’s his understanding there is case law that insists planes cannot get closer than 500 feet when flying over residences. he said in one case in Tuscon, the verdict caused the air strip to be shut down.
“It was essentially breaking the law by flying under 500 feet… So if this (air park) passes, we may have no other option than to file a lawsuit.”
Ouwinga contended the Martins had used the private strip, but it was a non-conforming use, which does not translate into proper use in the future.
The Township Board promised to pass along the information presented Thursday night to Jones.
PHOTO: Mark Ouwinga and Kate Scheltema, shown at a meeting earlier this year, spoke again to the Leighton Township Board Thursday evening, sharing their opposition to a proposed air park.