Wendell News Outlet

April 3, 2008

Special Called Meeting of the Wendell Town Board of Commissioners Concerning The Airport Feasibility Study

The Wendell Town Board of Commissioners held a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center. The meeting began with an informal workshop that lasted until 7:30 p.m. The workshop included several maps showing the proposed sites for a General Aviation Airport in eastern Wake County, as well as information about the development of an airport and where in the process Wake County currently is.

Those speaking with the public during the workshop portion of the meeting included:
• Steve Bright, Talbert and Bright (consultants for Wake County on the airport project);
• Amy McLane, Talbert and Bright;
• Ken Atkins, Wake County Economic Development;
• Rick Barkes, Division of Aviation, NCDOT;
• David Thomas, Division of Aviation, NCDOT;
• Teresa Piner, Town of Wendell Planning Director.

The meeting continued with a public comment period that started at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Harold Broadwell presiding. Present were Commissioners Carol Hinnant, Ronald Thompson, Bill Connolly, Buddy Scarboro and Sid Baynes, Manager David Bone, Police Chief Joe Privette, Finance Director Butch Kay, Planning Director Teresa Piner, Planner Stacy Griffin and Town Clerk Jonnie Driver. Also present were Mayor Frank Eagles of Rolesville, Mayor Bob Matheney of Zebulon, Assistant County Manager Joe Durham, Wendell Chamber of Commerce President Mike Greene, Wendell Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ula Mae Life and Wake County Economic Development Director Ken Atkins. The Commissioners were in attendance and seated in the audience.

Mayor Harold Broadwell welcomed the public and guests.

Mayor Broadwell stated that purpose of the meeting was to have the public’s input into the Airport Feasibility Study in order to be better able to make a decision of whether to proceed with the possibility of an airport in Wendell.

Planning Director Teresa Piner updated the public on the history of the project.

Mr. Ken Atkins, Wake County Economic Development Director, stated that a General Aviation Airport has significant economic impact and encouraged Wendell to move forward with the project.

Jennifer Hinton – 1432 Marshburn Road, Wendell – stated that she owned 66 acres of land where the airport is being proposed and that her family owns a total of 140 acres. She further stated that she was in favor of the General Aviation Airport, especially since her father, the late Mr. Jimmy Buchanan, had a small airport there in the past. She added that her family was also in support of the General Aviation Airport in Wendell. Mrs. Hinton further stated that she would like for all the people that were opposed to the airport to consider the new jobs, growth and tax revenue in their decision.

Mr. McQueen Campbell, currently of Raleigh and formerly of Elizabethtown, stated that he has been a pilot for twenty years. He stated that Elizabethtown has had an airport for twenty years and that it has served the town well. He stated that the noise from these small planes is not as big of a nuisance as one would think. Mr. Campbell closed his statement by saying, “I plan to make the Wendell Airport home if the town proceeds with the project.”

Wendell Chamber of Commerce Director Ula Mae Life stated that the Chamber Board of Directors and she supported the General Aviation Airport project. She said the Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the project.

Chamber President Mike Greene stated that Ms. Life spoke for the Wendell Chamber of Commerce, and he is speaking as Director of Planning and Coordination for Kioti Tractor. Mr. Greene stated that Kioti Tractor and he are in favor of the airport. He stated that Kioti Tractor’s operations in North America are fairly new and that a General Aviation Airport would help promote the business environment in the area. Mr. Greene stated that a General Aviation Airport would also encourage Kioti Tractor’s suppliers and partners to locate in the area, which would help reduce costs for the business. Mr. Greene closed his comments stating that from and operation and economic standpoint, Kioti Tractor supports the General Aviation Airport.

Bruce Lynch, resident and businessman in Wendell, stated that one of the most important things to a county is transportation and that Eastern Wake County would benefit from the General Aviation Airport. He stated that he was strongly in favor of the project.

Mr. Charlie Kramer – 183 Lu Tom Lane, Wendell – read an article from WRAL about Johnston County offering incentives for airplanes at its General Aviation Airport. He stated, “I have two questions for the consultants who did the study:
1. Do we need another airport? Johnston County is on Highway 70 and not that far away.
2. If Marshburn Road residents refuse to sell the property will Wake County do eminent domain to take the property?”

Mr. Steve Stroud, of Raleigh, stated that he had served in real estate for 42 years and had been a pilot for 30 years. He stated that transportation infrastructure, as Mr. Lynch discussed earlier, is an important tool. He said aviation is the new infrastructure to go forward with. Mr. Stroud further stated, “I work with companies that are interested in coming to North Carolina and Wake County. I would encourage you to consider the
future of Eastern Wake County and move forward with the General Aviation Airport Project.”

Mr. Hugh Caflin – 7608 Marshburn Road, Wendell – stated that his family had owned a farm for four generations and that if Wake County did not enforce eminent domain, they were not going to sell the property. “My family is not in favor of the General Aviation Airport.”

Mr. Paul White, owner of Universal Chevrolet in Wendell, stated that a General Aviation Airport would be a plus for Eastern Wake County and that he had been involved with Wake County on the project for several years. He stated that he thinks the town should look at what an airport could do for us in the next 20-30 years. Mr. White stated that he thinks industry will look at transportation before locating in any area, and he thinks a General Aviation Airport would be a great asset to this area. “I am in favor of the General Aviation Airport.”

Mr. Curt Phipps – Liles Dean Road, Wendell – stated that he was not opposed to the airport but to the locations proposed for the airport. He stated that there is not enough room between Wendell and Zebulon for an airport. He added that the logical approach for locating an airport would be look at Nash County, where there is more undeveloped land.

Mr. Jim Ledford stated that noise would be a problem and a distraction to living in Wendell. He said he realizes the need for an airport but does not want to see it impact Wendell. He stated that he would like to see an airport location moved further east where it would not impact so many people. “I am not in favor of the General Aviation Airport.”

Bruce Vaughan, Lizard Lick Road, stated that the location was not going to benefit the town. “I am not in favor of the General Aviation Airport, and no one should be in favor of eminent domain.”

Ann Stewart – 505 S. Hollybrook Road – stated the flight plan is to close to schools. She stated that she doesn’t object to an airport, just that it is too close to populated areas.

Mr. Bill Ammons stated that he was opposed to the General Aviation Airport. He stated that his family has no desire to sell or give away land. Mr. Ammons stated that it has been said that if the land is taken, it would be developed commercially; but, the location would not leave much room between Wendell and the airport for commercial development. He stated that the flight plan goes over schools, and the only shopping center in Wendell. Mr. Ammons said that the airport will only serve a small number of people in the area, and most people are against it. He added that he has not seen the areas with regional airports bursting with industry. “Where are the voices of other Wake County communities if this is such a good idea?” “I am not in favor of the General Aviation Airport.”

Nick Thornsbury, of Wendell, stated that he would like for the consultants who completed the feasibility study to address why the Johnston County Airport was not doing well. He said he would also like to know if the town if going to keep the zoning tighter to support land owners in Wendell.

Linda Conoley – 525 Old Zebulon Road, Wendell – stated she was concerned about the priorities of the town. She said that the town has done nothing to improve the infrastructure of roads. She said we need a better route in and out of town and off Wendell Boulevard. “I am concerned more about local transportation than the airport. I am not against the airport, just concerned.”

Mr. Ervin Privette – 621 Timber Drive, Wendell – stated he had been a pilot for 30 years. Noise and danger are a concern for Mr. Privette. Also, he would like to know where all the industry is going if an airport is built. Mr. Privette stated that on the south side of the proposed airport site is the reservoir, and Johnston County is on the other side. He asked, “Where would there be any room for industry?” “I am against the General Aviation Airport.”

Mayor Harold Broadwell asked if anyone else would like to speak concerning the General Aviation Airport, and no one else wished to be heard. Mayor Broadwell asked Mr. Steve Bright of the consulting firm of Talbert and Bright (Wake County’s consulting firm on this project) if he would come forward and address the questions that were asked earlier by Mr. Charlie Kramer.

In response to Mr. Charlie Kramer’s questions, Mr. Steve Bright stated that he was not familiar with the Johnston County tax rebate program. However, he stated that the price per gallon of gas for airplanes is $6.00, and the planes hold 600-1000 gallons of fuel. There would be an incentive for Johnston County to have a rebate program, because the county would want to get all the planes it could. Mr. Bright further stated that an airport is a great opportunity for additional property taxes for the community. Taxes on one jet are equal to taxes on 60-70 homes, and there are no services that have to be provided. The economic impact from Johnston County businesses is $33 million annually, and Sanford-Lee is $280 million annually.

Mayor Harold Broadwell stated that the consideration of support for the General Aviation Airport in Eastern Wake County would be on the agenda for April 14, 2008 Town Board Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

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Jonnie S. Driver, Town Clerk

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J. Harold Broadwell, II, Mayor