AIRPORT’S REZONING PLAN GROUNDED BY OUTCRY
By Dave Carroll, Staff Writer
TOWER CITY – An ordinance that would require private properties near the Bendigo Airport has been grounded through a large protest by citizens.
At Tuesday’s meeting before supervisors in Rush Township, Dauphin County, which borders Tower City, about 45 people expressed their dissatisfaction with a proposed airport ordinance.
The meeting was held to explain the proposed ordinance, but the supervisors were urged by the audience to take a vote. They did so, unanimously against it.
The ordinance was initiated in July by Gene E. Bendigo, the airport’s owner, who said he started the action to protect his business.
Bendigo said after the meeting he will continue to pursue the ordinance “all the way to Commonwealth Court.”
The airport, near Tower City, was opened by Bendigo as a private facility in 1947. It received a commercial license in 1963. A small number of private planes use the airport and lessons are offered there.
Norman D. Lamar, aviation specialist with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation, said he attended the meeting as an objective observer. He spoke of a Pennsylvania ordinance that limits the heights of structure that are built around airports.
Under the proposed Rush ordinance, property owners would have been regulated on what structures would be built on their properties and how tall they could be.
It was noted that an airport in a zoned area would be more beneficial for obtaining grants that could be used for expansion.
“Why for we need airport expansion in the valley? It’s been like this as far as I know,” said Victoria M. Booker, Clarks Valley.
Some opposed to the plan carried placards making statements such as “Save Clarks Valley from Airport Zoning.”
Greg M. Kerwin, Lykens, an attorney representing Bendigo, said the state statute says any municipality where an airport is located must have zoning. He said the Rush Township plan was in its infancy.
Attorney James P. Diehl, Williamstown, representing opponents, said it would be unfair for citizens to have to adapt their behavior to meet the zoning requirements.
“They don’t want to negotiate with you (Bendigo) to cut down trees,” Diehl said.
Monte L. Kopp, Clarks Valley, presented a petition signed by 78 residents opposing the ordinance and what it might mean. He said many people want to close the airport entirely because of safety concerns and the unsightliness of some of the hangars.
After the petition was presented, the crowd called for a vote. Supervisor David M. Houtz said the board would follow the will of the people. He was joined by Chairwoamn Janet M. Shutt and Michael L. Houtz in voting “no.”
“I’m very well pleased. I don’t see how the supervisors could have done otherwise,” Kopp said.
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Article from the Pottsville Republican and Herald, 10 September 1997, via Newspapers.com.
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