Portage Airport Board Seeks Master Plan; Neighbor Worries About Expansion

Apr. 4—The soon-to-be defunct volunteer board that operates the Portage County Regional Airport wants to update its master plan, something that hasn't been done since 1996.

Meanwhile a resident told Portage County Commissioners she is concerned potential expansion of the airport could bring even more noise to her home.

The airport board recently approached commissioners seeking the master plan update, which they said would help with the long-term development of the airport. The board recently approved a resolution announcing its intent to dissolve, a step taken in anticipation of an eventual county takeover.

Mark Villem, an engineer with CHA Consulting, said the master plan was last updated in 1996. An updated done in the late 2000s was not approved, he said.

The plan, he said, outlines the "long term development" of the airport, and governs future development and growth. That would include a potential runway expansion, something that has been talked about for years, as well as maintenance on taxiways and hangars.

"I believe this master plan is not only needed, but will help the airport move into the future," said Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett, who has been advocating for county takeover of the airport.

Meanwhile, Julie Andrella, whose Webb Road home is near the airport, said recent news coverage of the potential county takeover has her worried about potential expansion. She said there is a "lot of air traffic" coming from the airport, and planes fly in a loop over her home.

"As a homeowner in Shalersville, I'm not excited about expansion," she said. "We've pushed back a couple of times ... nobody's asked us what we think."

Christian-Bennett suggested that Andrella take her concerns to the board, which still operates the airport and holds public meetings. She said the airport takeover requires several steps, and a runway expansion "won't happen for at least 10 years."

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