Posted by Marty Council open to airpark The Husker Ultralight Club asked the Grand Island City Council to let the club lease 25 acres at the former Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant for development as an airpark. The city bought 420 acres of former plant land for creation of a multi-use recreation area. "It would be a fantastic place for fun flying," said club spokesman Doug Camplin. Councilman Don Pauly said almost everyone in Grand Island is familiar with ultralights, which include powered parachutes. "The noise is annoying," Pauly said, noting that the city is planning a campground right next to the proposed airpark. But the city is also planning a skeet range, long rifle and pistol range and a law enforcement shooting range. "They are firing guns with ear protection ... and campers use alternators and generators," said Hugh Martin, president of the Husker Ultralight Club. Camplin said the 25 acres, located in the southeast corner of the plant along Husker Highway, would be used mainly for takeoff and landings and would generate some noise. However, the bulk of the flying -- and its noise -- would be done over cropland to the south and west of the plant and campground, he said. The council asked about concerns flying over the shooting ranges, on which no shooting enthusiasts have raised any concerns at all, said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Paustian. A 350-foot, county-owned telecommunications tower to the east of the proposed airpark is a challenge, Camplin said, but can be safely addressed through pilot attention and restrictions on the direction of entry and takeoff. "This is a fast-growing recreational sport," said Council President Gale Larson. "Things like this, we have an obligation to look at developing." The club has lined up a land leveler that would tear down trees, reroute a drainage ditch and clear dirt from a former sewage lagoon on the property, all in exchange for keeping the dirt. The club does want the city to pay for seeding the property, which could range from $600 to $15,000, depending on the type of grass. The club would mow and maintain the property. "I applaud you and your club for bringing this forward," said Councilman Fred Whitesides. The council meeting was a study session, so no formal action was taken on the club's request.
Link: ** Council open to airpark **
on 7/15/2003, 9:24 am
By Tracy Overstreet
toverstreet@theindependent.com
Published Wednesday, June 4, 2003
Last modified at 12:24 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2003
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Noise was the only big concern raised Tuesday about a proposed airpark that could serve ultralight aircraft and hot air balloons on city-owned land west of Grand Island.
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