Amador County – The Amador County Supervisors on Tuesday split 2-2 in denying a request for an overrule of the Airport Land Use Commission’s decision to not allow a small delicatessen in the Safety Area fly zone of Westover Field in Martell.
Supervisors said they heard from pilots opposed to the overrule to allow a 750-square foot deli in Martell Plaza, and another pilot appeared and also requested protection for the Airport. Rich Campbell, a pilot since 1964, and an aircraft owner who flies out of Jackson urged denial to protect the fly areas. He said he has watched airports in the state close due to encroachment of development or flight restrictions.
Campbell said Jackson Airport was established in 1931, with land provided by the American Legion. He urged that they wait until the new airport fight zone guidelines were adopted by the Airport Commission.
Campbell said by the time planes taking off from Westover are over the Martell Plaza they would be 500 feet up, and likely have a slim chance of crashing there, but he said “nobody ever thought an F86 would go into Farrel’s Ice Cream Parlor,” as happened in Sacramento in 1972.
Airport Director Dave Sheppard said our plan is to implement new guidelines using Caltrans’ new policy book, but where that Zone 2 line actually gets drawn remains to be seen.
Ron Regan, of Martell Plaza Incorporated, appealing the Commission’s denial, said Caltrans has new flight zoning policy, approved in 2011, and he expected the Airport Commission to follow suit, with a smaller “Zone 2.”
Supervisor John Plasse, an Airport Land Use Commissioner, voted in favor of the overrule to get people to work. He said “the space is open for rent to a whole host of businesses, but not this one.”
Supervisor Vice Chairman Richard Forster agreed “wholeheartedly.” He said the Airport Commission has no discretion to overrule the Land Use policy of not having restaurants in Zone 2 safety area. Forster said “we have the discretion.”
Plasse said he detected no objection from the pilots on the Commission, and if it had the discretion for making the overrule, he thought it would have occurred.
Supervisor Ted Novelli, also an Airport Land Use Commissioner, said he would like to see this business open and wished he could give the proponent the business. He also wished the “Commission had adopted our new guidelines by now.” Novelli said he needs to stand by the airport.
Plasse said it was common sense to allow the use, for the proposed carryout deli, which would likely have fewer occupants than an insurance company with six cubicles, which would be allowed in the same mall.
Supervisor Brian Oneto dissented with Novelli. Oneto said he was contacted by pilots opposing the overrule and he thought it would be better to wait for the new guidelines.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
