You might call it “Galloway Landings: The Sequel.”
Leighton Township’s most controversial development is back in the news, as Clark Galloway and friends appeared Wednesday night at the Planning Commission meeting to request approval for adjustments for the air park just off 144th Avenue.
Lynee Wells, an urban planner speaking on behalf of the project said plans are to add acreage for eight more parcels, remove the dilapidated plane hangars from the site and consolidate them into one building, create a “captain’s quarters” to provide rest for pilots when needed, extend the paved air strip, build an agricultural events barn, and allow planes to land as late as 10 p.m.
The air park controversy lasted two years over 2017 and 2018. Neighbors, particularly owners of the Scheltema Horse Ranch, objected to planes flying over their property and scaring the horses.
The Planning Commission voted 4-3 not to recommend, but the Township Board voted 4-0 to approve the project. Supervisor Steve Deer recused himself from all discussions and voting because he is a partner with Galloway.
Eventually, the air park was approved because of a public referendum at the ballot box in 2018.
Wednesday night’s session was mostly informational, presenting what Galloway is proposing. There were few who spoke in opposition, but that was with the understanding the issue would be discussed in the commission’s March 8 meeting.
Galloway said many of his neighbors who opposed the air park several years ago now have joined it and are enjoying its benefits.
Galloway reported he would be out of the country and will have to miss the March 8 meeting, but he has plenty of people available to answer the public’s questions.
Interestingly, several area pilots and Galloway’s daughter, Paige, spoke to the commission, in support of the project.
Scheltema was one of those who spoke in opposition.
“My problem is not with the Galloways,” she said. “But this airport’s extended runway (of 700 feet) is a crash zone.”
Mark Ouwinga maintained, “This proposal violates stipulations in what was filed with the Register of Deeds.”
David Zylstra said, “This strip won’t affect me, but the people impacted the most are those who live nearby.”
The pilots who spoke all supported the project, with one insisting, “We try to be considerate to all the people who live around here.”
Another tried to debunk the assertion the larger runway would result in larger and noisier planes.
