A proposed air park forLeighton Township continues to get a lot of attention, even when the issue isn’t on the agenda for public meetings.
Developer Clark Galloway and partner Steve Deer, who also is Leighton Township Supervisor, have plans to install an air strip for planes on the former Brian Martin property near the corner of 144th Avenue and Kalamazoo Avenue. Furthermore, they plan to have 15 residences built along the strip for homeowners to have easy access with their planes.
The issue first surfaced at a public hearing Jan. 13 of the Leighton Township Planning Commission, which then tabled the matter. It resurfaced the following evening at the Township Board meeting, even though the matter was not on the agenda.
Some residents had to be turned away Wednesday evening, Feb. 10, because of potential violations of the fire code. And about a dozen residents appeared before the Leighton Township Board Thursday evening, Feb. 11, though the issue once again was not on the agenda.
Residents were told discussion of the issue would take place at the next Planning Commission meeting Wednesday, March 9, at the Leighton Township Library. Officials said they hope the larger venue will be able to handle a larger anticipated audience.
Doug Wilcher told the board he was turned away Wednesday night because of a packed house. Board members said they didn’t expect such a large group and held the meeting at the township hall because the issue wasn’t on the agenda.
Kate Scheltema, who co-owns the Green Gables horse farm near the proposed strip with her husband, once again was outspoken in her opposition.
“There were a lot of questions asked Wednesday night, but nobody answered any of them,” she said. “These weren’t hard questions where somebody had to do research.
“So what is the process?”
Deer said developer Clark Galloway will make a presentation March 9, “that I hope will answer questions.”
It was noted that the capacity of the library is 77 persons, and if officials know in advance more than that number will be present, they will try to make arrangements to have the hearing moved to the Green Lake Calvary Church.
Township Board members tried to stress that no decisions about the air strip have been made and that the deliberations have just begun.
The property at the proposed air strip is zoned residential, so there may be a request for rezoning or a special use permit. After gathering information, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Township Board, which is expected to have the final say.
Deer has pledged not to get involved in the discussions and to abstain from voting in an effort to avoid a conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety.
Scheltema has maintained that approving the strip would adversely impact its many neighbors.
“Have you walked the property to see how close it is to homes (nearby)?” she asked at the January Township Board meeting. “There are many among us who have concerns about property values, about the ability to sell and about our ability to continue our businesses.”
She noted that the many horses on the farm she and husband operate would not take kindly to the noise of planes taking off and landing.
Galloway has estimated that during the five warmest months of the year there could be as many as 25 takeoffs and landings on the strip.
But Luanne Newhof claimed, “That’s 15 lots for people who don’t even live here yet” and their dreams would trump those of people who have lived in Leighton for a long time.
PHOTO: The crowd was larger than usual at the Leighton Township Board meeting last month. At left are Kate and Jim Scheltema and at right is Steve Shoemaker.