-- AIRPORT DEALS

Several years ago, when the Airport Master Plan was being passed, the city held public hearings about whether or not, and how, the airport should expand. The FAA required that process before ANY improvements could be made to the existing airport.

Many important concerns were raised during that process, among them what should happen to the farm land which borders the airport. An Airport Protection Area was anticipated, a zone which would limit development around the facility.

Neighbors of the airport wondered at that time, whether or not that "zone", with the restrictions on what kind of building would ever be allowed there, would limit the amount of money their land would be worth. They also wondered who would ever want to buy land next to a runway.

On Tuesday night, Provo City voted to exercise options on aver 50 acres adjacent to the airport. We paid the owners $35k an acre for the land, the market value of agricultural land. As the airport develops, as some city planners have already decided that it will, certain commercial and industrial and air-related services can be built there. Then the land will be worth more, perhaps as much as $100k an acre.

Steve Gleason, the airport director,reminded me that the city cannot, by law, pay more than fair market value. And Tara Riddle, the city's property coordinator, obtained two different appraisals. Also, these were willing sellers, who came TO the city, not visa versa. But I still am uncomfortable with the deal.

It does not seem fair to pay agricultural prices for land that is limited in its value because of a regulation we placed on it. If Provo develops that property with facilities that only we can use, and makes a great deal of profit from that development, there should be some way to reimburse the original owners for some of that difference. Share the wealth.

Tuesday night, at Council meeting, I said so. I reminded everyone of the concerns, and assurances, that were expressed seven years ago. Unfortunately, everyone convinced me that there was really nothing to be done. But I tried.

Suggestion to any other owner with property in the Airport protection Area-- HANG ONTO IT. It'll be worth a bucketload someday.