Payette council approves airpark land sale
By Brandi Mack
Argus Observer
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 12:50 PM PST
Payette
When the Idaho State Legislature passed a law establishing the Division of Aeronautics in 1929, Payette was the first town to ask for formal approval under the program, which eventually resulted in the construction of 36 new airports in Idaho by the end of 1935.
Now, nearly 73 years later, Payette is among many towns in the United States to have the opportunity to provide an airpark — a gated community with hangars next to homes.
During the regular Payette City Council meeting Monday night, the council approved a bid from Cartell Corporation, Houston, Idaho, to sell land adjacent to the airport to construct the airpark for $21,000. That is contingent upon the county assisting in the runway extension. Cartell Corporation is asking the city to extend the runway by 500 feet and revamp the runway for bigger aircraft to make landings and take offs of the runway.
“Without the commitment from the county, it makes me nervous to move any further,” Councilmen Ivan Mussell said.
City Municipal Clerk Mary Cordova told the council the city has applied for a $670,000 grant to make the improvements on the runway. She told the council the city could approach the County Commission for a portion of a possible match.
“We’re not expecting big jets to come in and be able to pull off of that runway,” Richard Miller, Cartell Corporation, said of the proposed project. “We are just wanting to make sure it is going to be safe for the homeowners to utilize.”
Cartell approached the city early fall of 2007, showing an interest in property just south of the airport. The city had been approached by another interested buyer in the summer, so the council put the land out for bid, with intent to sell. The land was appraised for a little more than $17,000 an acre. Cartell is offering $21,000 an acre. Miller told the council Cartell is not expecting to receive something for nothing in return when it comes to the airpark.
“These residents will bring a lot to the community,” Miller said. “They are going to be, more than likely, the kind that are here in the summer and south for the winter, snow birds.”
He told the council the residents will all have to have a pilot’s license to avoid any kind of noise confrontation.
“We don’t want to have anyone complaining about the noise in the airpark or this and that,” Miller said. “There will be 70 homes in the airpark, so there will be 70 pilots.”
He told the council Cartell plans to have the park built in 36 months, but if it can be done in 24, that is even better. He also told the council that the company has been approached by two interested people who want property in the airpark.
“This is going to be ideal for numerous people,” Miller said.
The council asked him when the runway extension would have to be finished. He told members it would need to be done by the time the first house was constructed because an airplane would be accompanying the homeowner.
“We don’t expect this to be done by the time we turn our first shovel of dirt,” Miller said. “But we just want a word of commitment that the city is willing to do this.”
In other news: the council approved a $1.9 million bond election for a new fire station. The bond election will be held from 8 a.m., to 8 p.m., May 27 at the Payette City Hall council chambers.
