Agenda - 02-04-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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R . n F 41991 January 31, 1 Mr. Moses Carey, Chair Members, Orange County Board of Commissioners PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Chairman Carey and Commissioners: The press has carried statements suggesting that some county commissioners oppose cooperating with the University and the towns to study ways to relocate Horace Williams Airport. We urge the commissioners to appoint the county manager to the committee proposed by the Chapel Hill town manager. There is general agreement that Orange County does not need a full- blown general aviation airport, with a 5,000 foot runway that would invite significant jet traffic. There is also general agreement that a small airport is needed, one able to serve University airplanes and the local residents who currently base their small aircraft at Horace Williams Airport. Finally, there is general agreement that the Horace Williams Airport site is inappropriate for an airport of any size. Pilots flying in and out of this airport cannot avoid flying directly over homes and schools, however hard they might try. For 25 years, citizens have appealed to public bodies to relocate the airport to a less developed area. Why would the county commissioners oppose investigating the possibility of a small alternative to Horace Williams? Mr. Horton proposes that we cooperatively seek a solution that serves the public good. There are reasons why this search need not be either futile or divisive. During the previous airport development effort, the University's lukewarm stance undermined the entire process. Now University officials state that they would be active in creating an alternative to Horace Williams. This certainly is an appropriate step that serves UNC's future building expansion needs as well as the broader community needs. The public good should not be sacrificed to punish the University for a past error. V'